- Joined
- Sep 9, 2003
- Messages
- 2,361
There have been two predecessors- "Sword Ashokan 95" and "Sword Ashokan 2000" Every five years the New England Bladesmiths Guild turns the Ashokan Bladesmithing seminar over to the sword nuts and each one has been increasingly greater. Much of my studies, knowledge and interests in swords is a direct result of these seminars. I have attended and lectured many places and I am confident in saying that some of the best experience and information anywhere, dealing with swords can be had at this event. The kind of knowledge that is shared there can quite simply put one light years ahead in factual information on the history of swords, their manufacture and use.
Well all of that seems hard to top but I now have the schedule on "Sword Ashokan 2005" and it is the best yet:
http://www.dikonsword.com/sword2005
If you have an interest in the historical techniques for making swords from dirt with iron ore in it, to useable iron and steel, and then finished blades, this is the one. For the first time, I am aware of, live demonstrations of several ancient steel manufacturing methods will be at one spot, on one day. There will be bloomery smelting, wootz making, pattern welding, high tech heat treating, low tech old fashioned heat treating, forging, far east swords, western swords, double edged, singled edged, and modern custom blades side by side with actual ancient weapons.
And I'm not saying this just because I will be demonstrating, I expect my lecture to be the least interesting part of the event, but Dan still decided to use me
.
Well all of that seems hard to top but I now have the schedule on "Sword Ashokan 2005" and it is the best yet:
http://www.dikonsword.com/sword2005
If you have an interest in the historical techniques for making swords from dirt with iron ore in it, to useable iron and steel, and then finished blades, this is the one. For the first time, I am aware of, live demonstrations of several ancient steel manufacturing methods will be at one spot, on one day. There will be bloomery smelting, wootz making, pattern welding, high tech heat treating, low tech old fashioned heat treating, forging, far east swords, western swords, double edged, singled edged, and modern custom blades side by side with actual ancient weapons.
And I'm not saying this just because I will be demonstrating, I expect my lecture to be the least interesting part of the event, but Dan still decided to use me
.