Ashokan dates and schedule

I was 10 years old on a class trip to Ashokan the very first time I hammered hot steel on an anvil. Still have the fire poker I made then.

I would love to go back one of these days, but September usually isn't a time I'm back in the US. Are videos ever made/sold of the lectures and demos?
 
Matthew Gregory said:
The New England Bladesmiths Guild has released the schedule and lineup of presenters and demonstrators for this year's event.

http://ashokanknifeseminar.com/schedule/

Many of you may already be familiar with it, but here's a quick blurb from their registration page:

The New England Bladesmiths Guild's annual seminar provides an opportunity for both beginners and advanced knife makers to learn from and work with some of the most skilled bladesmiths in the world. You will learn design concepts, metallurgy, forging and finishing techniques, heat treatment, and marketing your finished pieces. Open forge time too!

Our demonstrator team for the weekend includes lectures and demonstrations by Justin Mercier, Nick Rossi, Jim Kelso, Kevin Cashen, Sam Salvati, and Tim Zowada. Martial arts expert Bill McGrath will be offering a hands-on combat knife class, and one of our favorite entertainers,Tim Wright will be back to dazzle us with his unique perspective on mechanical accuracy, and of course, political correctness!

On a personal note, these seminars have been a source of incredible inspiration for me, as well as a fount of knowledge and information from some of the best minds in the knifemaking world. The food is also hella good, too.

Here's the link to the New England Bladesmiths Guild homepage.


Please note that the dates have changed for this year!
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Matthew Gregory said:
The New England Bladesmiths Guild has released the schedule and lineup of presenters and demonstrators for this year's event.

http://ashokanknifeseminar.com/schedule/

Many of you may already be familiar with it, but here's a quick blurb from their registration page:

The New England Bladesmiths Guild's annual seminar provides an opportunity for both beginners and advanced knife makers to learn from and work with some of the most skilled bladesmiths in the world. You will learn design concepts, metallurgy, forging and finishing techniques, heat treatment, and marketing your finished pieces. Open forge time too!

Our demonstrator team for the weekend includes lectures and demonstrations by Justin Mercier, Nick Rossi, Jim Kelso, Kevin Cashen, Sam Salvati, and Tim Zowada. Martial arts expert Bill McGrath will be offering a hands-on combat knife class, and one of our favorite entertainers,Tim Wright will be back to dazzle us with his unique perspective on mechanical accuracy, and of course, political correctness!

On a personal note, these seminars have been a source of incredible inspiration for me, as well as a fount of knowledge and information from some of the best minds in the knifemaking world. The food is also hella good, too.

Here's the link to the New England Bladesmiths Guild homepage.


Please note that the dates have changed for this year!
Click to expand...
Gary W. Graley said:
I'll be on hand there helping Tim Neu with the Registration of folks coming in, so be sure to stop by and have me mark you down proper.

And I plan on making a knife while there this year!!! I have only ever forged one blade, many years ago, made several stock removal but just one forged, now I have a hankerin' to make a smallish 7" chopper type blade, we'll see if there is steel there to use for that, I think they will have some, I know the infamous Aldo will be on hand, maybe he'll have a small bar he's not so fond of out of some good carbon steel !

Wish me luck guys/gals !
G2
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I am bringing some stuff to the Saturday tailgate/swapmeet including a wet grinder, an anvil, and some Norton 313 trihones. The trick will be not to buy more than I sell.
 
I'm not bringing all the wood and stuff like last year, but will bring some primo handle material and fossil ivories.

I'm not sure what Don has decided about food for saturday night, as there will be two groups up at the pavilion.
 
Stacy, it'll be interesting how we intermix with the other crew, pavilion time and eating schedule will be a fun challenge !

As of tonight at 8pm, we have 73 people signed up, including the presenters.

G2
 
New England Bladesmith Guild

Northeast Blacksmiths Association

G2
 
The New England Bladesmiths and Ashokan are not affiliated with the program, but as a point of interest to some of the attendees, right now we have 6 guys that were on the History Channel series "Forged in Fire" that will be in attendance at Ashokan this year, and possibly more as people sign up, if I have missed anyone, please let me know, here's the list, one fellow was on two episodes! Always interesting to talk with these guys about what goes on behind the scenes, it's really a tough show to be on, as the time we see is not everything that goes on, so just being on there can be it's own challenge!!! These guys are not part of the instructors but are coming because they really love this Ashohan weekend, that alone says a great deal about how interesting the weekend is and why more folks continue to come every year.

Sorted by Season and last name;

Mace Vitale...................Season 1
Matthew Parkinson......Season 1 and Season 3
Emiliano Carrillo.........Season 3
Dave Catoe...................Season 4
Jordan LaMothe..........Season 4
Page Steinhardt...........Season 4

From watching the show, we now have cable lol so I had missed all the shows until now, I'd be happy just appearing! wouldn't last too long, but fun just the same.
G2
 
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Am interesting in attending. I know the area well as my brother has weekend house in Olivebridge. Waiting to see if I have conflicts that will prevent me from attending. Do you know if it is possible to do walk-in registration for Saturday only?
 
Call Tim Neu ( see reservation form) and ask. I know it has been done in the past, and that some folks pay on arrival.
 
danhowl said:
Am interesting in attending. I know the area well as my brother has weekend house in Olivebridge. Waiting to see if I have conflicts that will prevent me from attending. Do you know if it is possible to do walk-in registration for Saturday only?
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Dan, we prefer per-registration so the Ashokan food service knows what to expect, but we always anticipate a few extra, so drop on in if your schedule allows. It's going to be a great seminar as always!
 
Gary W. Graley said:
The New England Bladesmiths and Ashokan are not affiliated with the program, but as a point of interest to some of the attendees, right now we have 6 guys that were on the History Channel series "Forged in Fire" that will be in attendance at Ashokan this year, and possibly more as people sign up, if I have missed anyone, please let me know, here's the list, one fellow was on two episodes! Always interesting to talk with these guys about what goes on behind the scenes, it's really a tough show to be on, as the time we see is not everything that goes on, so just being on there can be it's own challenge!!! These guys are not part of the instructors but are coming because they really love this Ashohan weekend, that alone says a great deal about how interesting the weekend is and why more folks continue to come every year.

Sorted by Season and last name;

Mace Vitale...................Season 1
Matthew Parkinson......Season 1 and Season 3
Emiliano Carrillo.........Season 3
Dave Catoe...................Season 4
Jordan LaMothe..........Season 4
Page Steinhardt...........Season 4

From watching the show, we now have cable lol so I had missed all the shows until now, I'd be happy just appearing! wouldn't last too long, but fun just the same.
G2
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Rob "Deker", who has been on the Ashokan demonstrator team in the past also competed on the show, and I believe former demonstrator JD Smith was on too. It is rare to see someone that you know personally on a nationally syndicated television program, and it certainly adds a level of excitement to be able to "root" for someone that feels like they are part of the "home team". Several of these guys have won the competition, and I have no doubt that some of their success can be traced back to the knowledge they gained form the Ashokan Knife Seminar. It's not too late to register...just go to www.ashokanknifeseminar.com for program details.
 
Thanks Tim
The list of guys are just those that will be attending this year.
But yes Deker was on one and JD Smith appeared on two episodes.
JD's been to Ashokan at least twice that I've been there, interesting fellow and a great knife maker, which goes to show just how a timed event like Forged in Fire can get the best person, which is why I say, just being on the show and trying, that's tough stuff, lots of pressure...especially with Will hollering 'YOU ONLY HAVE 10 MINUTES TO FINISH YOUR WORK!!!" that can't be helping much ;)

Also Burt Foster as well as Jason Knight have been to Ashokan in years past, Burt was on two episodes and Jason was filling in as one of the judges for a while.

G2
 
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Gary W. Graley said:
Thanks Tim
The list of guys are just those that will be attending this year.
But yes Deker was on one and JD Smith appeared on two episodes.
JD's been to Ashokan at least twice that I've been there, interesting fellow and a great knife maker, which goes to show just how a timed event like Forged in Fire can get the best person, which is why I say, just being on the show and trying, that's tough stuff, lots of pressure...especially with Will hollering 'YOU ONLY HAVE 10 MINUTES TO FINISH YOUR WORK!!!" that can't be helping much ;)

Also Burt Foster as well as Jason Knight have been to Ashokan in years past, Burt was on two episodes and Jason was filling in as one of the judges for a while.

G2
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Thanks for that information Gary. I guess I don't watch the show consistently enough to recognize all those names. I had no idea that there were that many of "our" guys in the FIF competition. Last year we set a record for the number of people attending the seminar, with over 140 registered. That was probably in part for it being the Sword seminar, but I had a fair number of parents contact me inquiring if they could bring their kid, whose interest was sparked by the FIF series. I tell them it is a pretty advanced seminar, but it is the right place to come to see how it is done in real life!
 
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