Ashokan dates and schedule

Ankole-Watusi cattle Gary. Need a long rope and a big loop for those guys. Cool to see everyone had a good time! More pics?
 
Thanks Dave, I wondered what breed they are.
Unfortunately the weekend wasn’t as conducive for photos, and I was tied to the registration table checking in both the Bladesmiths and the Blacksmiths that kept me hopping there, that and the weather just didn’t offer a lot of opportunities. :(
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thanks for the sparkling review gary ! its a scale model of a loveless utility with a 2 7/8" blade. i carried and used that for about a year, you did a great job fixing her up. it was a great weekend.
 
Most welcome John, I'll get some better photos once I get some time to setup and shoot, just wanted to post what a nice knife is it and I thought I recognized the 'style' glad you made it your own and able to produce something like this! I think everyone should have one ! :)
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Great show this year. My feeble efforts with a camera were a categorical failure. In fact, I've decided after this event that I'm no longer going to bother bringing my camera to them. I lack the skill and spontaneity to do justice to it, and so I'm not going to bother . I only managed to capture a single decent shot, and that's nothing short of heartbreaking, for me.

It's great seeing old friends, and getting to spend time with new faces, too. Every single one of the presenters was top-notch, and each was inspiring and informative in their own way. In fact, the diversity of the discussions can't be expressed strongly enough.

Jim Kelso's presentations were transcendent. His work is awe inspiring, and deeply spiritual... viewing his work is akin to reading great literature. Every line, every shape is an expression. A unique and contemplative man, to be sure. I'm ordering both of his books.

Nick Rossi's demos on handles and guards, as well as kitchen cutlery geometry, were great. In fact, I downright loved his handle and guard presentation - truly a man after my own heart.

Justin Mercier positively KILLED his demo on Viking spear construction - fascinating, and not only did he explain the processes they used perfectly, but he exemplified the process by doing a similar weldment the next day! Here's my one decent shot, of him, in his wolf's tooth pattern weld demo:

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Sammy Salvati showed, once again, why few can match his skills at moving metal with a demo on forging out a Bowie blade. If you've never had a chance to catch him, he effortlessly and quickly moves metal under the hammer. The control and finesse he displays is staggering. I would urge anyone that's interested in learning the craft to take a course with him - including seasoned bladesmiths. His unique approach of pursuing the bladesmith art from the blacksmithing methodology makes for far better control and efficiency.


Kevin Cashen's demos were pure Kevin. If you don't know what I mean by that, shame on you. The entire handmade knifemaking world owes him a level of gratitude that we'll never be able to repay. If someone gives you good information on heat treating a blade steel, odds are HE is responsible, directly or indirectly. Period. He's a good friend, too.

Tim Zowada had everyone wondering how the heck we were going to find ways to get salt pots. Utterly perfect demonstration of their use in the most basic of ways, showcasing Evenheat's new setups.


For me, though, the big takeaway was the presentation by Tim Wright, and how much I'm drawn to how he does things. I don't for one moment want anyone to believe that I keep the tolerances he does (not even close!!!!!), but he is the first person I've spoken with that truly understands the implications of the hand finishes I do on my CPM tool steel knives. Some think they can relate, but Tim KNEW. Really knew. In fact, he had methods to share that I'm really looking forward to trying. He's also got me thinking about where I'm heading in my own journey...


Here's a shtty phone shot of an exquisite folder in stainless, mother of pearl, and AEBL he made. He makes everything, right down to the screws. The tolerances between the scales and the blade/bushing are THREE TEN-THOUSANDTHS. Any tighter, he said, and the blade felt 'sticky' in the pivot.


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Another great thing about this time around, for me, was that I got the chance to really talk to some folks I've been wanting to. Caught up with my bud Mace, that beautiful man Aldo Bruno (who will ALWAYS be that plumber from Jersey, to me ;)), Sammy, Nick Anger... had a great chat about life with Matt Parkinson, probably bored the hell out of John April and his buddy Dave LaVoie -Del Ealy, too.

There were folks I missed, too, who couldn't make it or just chose not to come. Jerry Rados and Jim Siska, Chris Meyer, Karl Andersen and a handful of other guys I was really hoping to see. Maybe next year. I will definitely be there next year. Too important to miss this again. Good to see the event is still going strong!
 
That looks like it was a blast. Thanks for the photo dump Justin. I'm going to have to try to make one of those.
 
matt, david lavoie expressed was very glad you took the time to chat with him, and said he wished he could have picked your brain all weekend :thumbsup:
 
As I said, wasn't a lot of opportunity with weather and chores, not as much as in years gone by, here's one quick shot of Matt down at the pavilion enjoying a cigar, note the haze of smoke surrounding him ;)

IMG_6936 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

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Ha! Could just be hellish fumes, too. :D

There’s nothing wrong with a file guide, except it usually precludes one from developing the control necessary to do it without a file guide. I very rarely see plunges that have been cut with a file guide which are symmetrical. Sure, the point where they’re cut is the same, but the shape of the cut isn’t. A minor detail to many, but not to me, I guess. A lot of guys use them simply because it speeds up the process for them. Nothing wrong with that, either.
 
My wife's uncle Warren from northern PA was not able to make it this year, we have driven up together for the past 20 plus year and I think he had only ever missed one year due to a wedding happening the same weekend. But he is feeling the effects of age and was not able to attend so it was a long sad drive there and back without him. So while there I took some short snippet videos of folks, missed some but got quite a few, that wanted to wish Warren good health and that he was indeed missed this year.

Warren in the Stetson hat;

IMG_0773.jpg~original




You might recognize some in the video, one Tim Wright referred to me as Warren's scum sucking nephew, Tim's such a charmer ;)

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