Ashokan challenge sword

D

delbert ealy

Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
979
O.K. Guys,
I have wanted to participate in one of these and I did actually start a blade for the polarm challenge. We have 4 1/2 months before ashokan and I'd like to give everyone a head start. I would like to make it a bit more official with judjing (maybe our illustrious Mr cashen as a judge) and donations for prizes. I will be donating a bar of damascus, a piece of mokume and a block of stabilized wood for a prize.
Lets get on it guys.
Del
 
What is this exactly? I've never heard of it. I may be willing to donate some exotic wood for a prize.
 
If it is a sword this year........I'm in.
I'll donate some primo stabilized handle material, and some mammoth ivory.

Stacy
 
go mike said:
What is this exactly? I've never heard of it. I may be willing to donate some exotic wood for a prize.
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Mike,
The asokan seminar is a weekend packed full of events for knifemakers usually held the third weekend of september at the ashokan field campus in northern new york, near kingston. I have been going for many years and it is always a blast.
Thanks,
Del
 
Ok Del, if it's a sword, is there any specific type?

I don't know if I'll make Ashokan or not this year, but I've been itching to make a sword, so I may try to do both :)

-d
 
Ok here are the rules.
The sword must be a minimum of 24" in length overall.
The sword must be present at the time of the judging to qualify for the prizes.
Sheaths are optional.
Two categories, folded steel and mono steel. One entry per category.
Everything else is up to you, it can be a reproduction of a historical example(made by you), a modern interpretation of a historical piece, or something out of your imagination.
Del

Thanks to all in advance for donations for the prizes, just bring them to the show and we will pool them there.
In progress photos are encouraged.
 
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Awesome!
I'm in if the docs will allow me to forge again in time! gotta figure out what I can put in the pool for prize(s)

-Page
 
I'm in....I think. Man, 24" min....whew :) I'll donate some stabilized burl for the kitty (no, Sam, not those kitties). Now I just have to figure out what to do... I've failed miserably at bringing something for the last two, but with this much time, I think I can pull something together. Kevin isn't allowed to participate, is he? :D
 
Why oh why does ashokan have to be 3rd weekend in september =( That's the NH Highland games, and if it falls on the same weekend again, I've got obligations (and blacksmithing demos) to be doing at the NH games, which are sep 18-20 this year =(

Here's crossing my fingers that somehow its' not that weekend this year >_< it wasnt 2 years ago, and i would have made it cept for having patriots home opener tickets right over the 40 yard line, and while i've been doing knives for a little over 2 years, i've been a patriots fan my whole life.
 
TekSec said:
I'm in....I think. Man, 24" min....whew :) I'll donate some stabilized burl for the kitty (no, Sam, not those kitties). Now I just have to figure out what to do... I've failed miserably at bringing something for the last two, but with this much time, I think I can pull something together. Kevin isn't allowed to participate, is he? :D
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Erik,
You goaded me into this with your "my biggest ever"
I was hoping you would join in.
I also have failed to bring something for the past few years, I was hoping by giving us over 4 months we might get something done.
Del
 
deker said:
We can't discriminate, but we'll have to come up with a points system and handicap him...Last name "Cashen" -100 points! :)

I hope I can make it.

-d
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If Kevin decides to join in the competition,
we will pick another judge. I didn't ask him yet, Kevin please don't run me through.
Del
 
delbert ealy said:
Erik,
You goaded me into this with your "my biggest ever"
I was hoping you would join in.
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Well, for what it's worth, I already sketched out my project on the PC :D Now I just have to figure out how to put it from paper to steel...
 
Hey! Why you guys pickin' on me. I'm jus' a po steel smasher from the East Coast, but I still gots all my Yankee blood. I gots my balpen hamer an' a BBQ to make my sords in.

Seriously, if you think it will be a big enough challenge, you might divide the thing into two categories. Mono steel, and folded steel. That way the guys banging out a sword from a bar of 5160 won't be competing with the guys who make a seven billet viking sword. I would advise against dividing it into any more categories than two, though.

I will be making a katana...........maybe two....one 48" and one 4.8"

Stacy
 
Are there any restrictions on the materials or process? Do they have to be forged?
 
bladsmth said:
Hey! Why you guys pickin' on me. I'm jus' a po steel smasher from the East Coast, but I still gots all my Yankee blood. I gots my balpen hamer an' a BBQ to make my sords in.

Seriously, if you think it will be a big enough challenge, you might divide the thing into two categories. Mono steel, and folded steel. That way the guys banging out a sword from a bar of 5160 won't be competing with the guys who make a seven billet viking sword. I would advise against dividing it into any more categories than two, though.

I will be making a katana...........maybe two....one 48" and one 4.8"

Stacy
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Stacy,
You are always full of good ideas, I do agree about dividing into folded and mono.
I will add that to my post about the rules
Del
 
steelshaper said:
I think you guys are forgeting something, or is Jake Powning not going to be there this year?
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Hey, no need for crazy talk like that. Let's face it, some people should just be in a whole class of their own :D
 
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