Ashokan Seminar hosted by the New England Bladesmith's Guild

Sounds like it should be a good time and very educational. If I could swing the finances I would love to make this one my first hammer-in. Since I haven't been before I was wondering if the general scenario is that we watch someone demonstrate their topic for an hour or would we somehow get more hands-on?
 
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Ashokan is an advanced bladesmithing seminar more than a basic hammer-in. Some of the best guys around will teach the classes, lasting about an hours. Longer subjects are sometimes broken up into two sessions. Everyone watches, with Q&A being a large part. Participants often offer tips they have learned to supplement the person teaching/demonstrating the session. In the evenings, we have an open forge at the pavilion, where people try things out, and learn from each other. ( Mostly they watch Sam be a wild man with a hammer :) ) This goes on into the wee hours. Throughout the weekend, folks continually break off into small groups and trade ideas and info. There is plenty of tailgating, and the food is excellent.

While Ashokan is open to everyone, and new smiths come regularly, it is mostly experienced smiths who are there. It isn't the normal hammer-in where a basic "How to make a knife" class is taught with the inexperienced person in mind. Metallurgy and refined technique are more of the main issues.
 
Thanks Stacy. Sounds like a great time but I'll probably save my money and get more experience under my belt before I go. Maybe next year.
 
bladsmth said:
Don and I will be there again. Bringing cigars, BBQ, snax, and some good wood and ivory.
I spent Sunday afternoon making a neat little something to bring up ...I call it DrackensRücke .... you'll see why soon.
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Stacy, I can almost taste that BBQ sir, last year was very good ! into Sept already, I see the sign up is growing pretty good...
G2
 
bladsmth said:
They video most of the clases. The videos are availabe at a very low price.
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May I ask where one can attain them? I wish so bad I could be there to see the classes by Roman Landes and Kevin Cashen.

Thank you.
 
Cashmore said:
May I ask where one can attain them? I wish so bad I could be there to see the classes by Roman Landes and Kevin Cashen.

Thank you.
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I've talked to a couple of people about the videos and the response I got is they will be easily available after the seminar. One guy specifically said he was going to film Roman Landes. I'll post what I know as I know more.
 
Shaw Blades said:
I've talked to a couple of people about the videos and the response I got is they will be easily available after the seminar. One guy specifically said he was going to film Roman Landes. I'll post what I know as I know more.
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Thank you so much Mr. Shaw!
 
Tomorrow's the last day to register at the reduced price so if you have plans to attend it'll do you well to sign up today or at the latest tomorrow to take advantage of the early registration time.
G2
 
Well I guess it's moved to the end of the day tomorrow, so fence sitters time to rock forward and step up to save some $$ :)
G2
 
Y'know Sam, if you actually brought some of your knives to sell this year you might turn a profit on the trip :-)
 
I am sad I will not be making it this year. There are many great classes this year that I really want to make it to in the near future. On the other hand though, I hear it's only the thirty-second Ashokan seminar, so mane next year will be longer :D.
 
Headin out tomorrow morning, cya there guys!
G2
 
I am 90% packed and heading out at 5AM. Bringing cigars and BBQ.

Best bring rain gear, Guys. Showers likely Sat and Sun.
 
I think i'm all packed, i cant bring much this year because my pickup truck is out for a little service.... and by little I mean they're replacing the whole darned frame on it ! (on Toyota's dime though, not my own, I love my little tacoma, so i'm happy, but i'm stuck in a rental car at the moment)

I'll be heading out in the morning, likely arriving sometime between 1 and 2. I'm bringing some home brew mead and a bottle of something a little stronger =) and a big bag of ear plugs for the bunk house
 
Nice Justin, I'll need to beg a couple of those Ear Plugs off from ya, forgot to grab some to bring !

G2
 
I'll be there. All my plans for forging up something new and impressive got waylaid by a sudden rush of jewelry bench jobs on impossibly short deadlines. Oh well, cash is cash, especially with student loans, the loan on my new building, and the tax bill I just had to pay on my new building.

See y'all there

-Page
 
Here's Sam forging away!!!

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G2
 
zaph1 said:
Sam, what's the challenge blade this year?

Unfortunately, two hammer-ins is my limit this fall. I truly enjoyed it and learned a lot from the last time I attended.

Could someone videotape the following for me:
3:00 - 4:00 Making a Survival Kit for Your Survival knife – Bill McGrath
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The notes from my talk are posted here: http://theswordoffire.com/
Just look for the title Wilderness Survival Info in the menu bar on the lower right of the page.

Remember, this talk was geared towards custom knife makers looking to add a survival kit to the outdoor knives they sell, so it focused both on how to put kits together as well as what items are currently popular and how to source these things economically. I removed the list of wholesale distributors from the on line notes, but if you are a custom maker and would like to see my list, just email me through my website and I'll send it to you (I don't log onto this forum every day, so you'll get a reply faster through email).

Regards,
Bill McGrath
 
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