fitzo
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Ron Claiborne, aka Bowie, has announced his fall Thunder Mountain Forge Hammer-In for Oct. 31 thru Nov. 2, 2003 (Friday-Sunday), at 2918 Ellistown Road in Knoxville, TN. Last years event was a rousing success, and this year proves to be even better!
Bowies home has substantial area for camping in either tents or campers. There will be Porta-potties and a wash-up station available, but no showers or hook-ups. This should be a great time of year as it has cooled down a bit and the trees provide a lot of color. There are a huge number of motel and food accommodations nearby for those who prefer that. Though there is no charge for this fine event, there will be an attendee-donation-based Iron In the Hat style raffle to help Ron recover expenses. Last year, folks donated everything from steel to handle material to forging hammers to a couple of really nice knives. Any donations are totally voluntary, there is no obligation.
I believe Ron has arranged to have Jim Prill cook us up some great grub again for a small charge. Man, that food was good!! Brisket, beans, fresh-made potato chips, it was great! Like last year, Ron is encouraging those who play an instrument to bring it along and sit around the campfire at night and re-create that marvelous ambience.
This years demo line-up is going to be even better than what was already great last year:
Larry Harley will teach Damascus patterning and demo working with powder steels. Were trying to catch some bull chipmunks so weve got something to keep him lively!
Len Landrum will give a discussion and demo on heat treating methods he uses to get his fine 52100 blades and other steels. These blades rock, folks!
James Gibson will try to teach us lesser types how he can get a danged blade forged to shape so well. This guy works a hammer as good as any there are! Hell also demonstrate flint knapping and make it look easier than it is J
Ken Durham of Buzzards Roost Forge is coming to teach silver sheath making and show us some of his fantastic, award-winning Bowies.
Alex Daniels will be here teaching sheath making and silver furniture forming techniques that he uses on some of the very finest reproductions in the world.
Richard Williams, the quiet spoken master smith from Dollywood will teach you more in ten minutes than you would have believed possible. This man is one of the best teachers I have ever had the joy of experiencing.
Mark Zalesky, editor of KnifeWorld, will give a talk on antique Bowies and the makers of yesteryear and their methods. We should be lucky enough to see a few old Bowies that youd never get to see outside of a glass case.
Besides this impressive lineup, there will be a lot of sharing from the great bunch of makers who plan on attending. There will be some time available for hands-on work after the demos. This is a great place to learn a lot, quickly, and the camaraderie is just fantastic. Whether you are a bladesmith, forged blade collector, or just plain love knives, join us if you can, itll be worth your effort. Let Bowie know if you plan on attending so plans can be made for how much food and beverages to have on hand.
Ron can be reached at 865-524-2054.
Bowies home has substantial area for camping in either tents or campers. There will be Porta-potties and a wash-up station available, but no showers or hook-ups. This should be a great time of year as it has cooled down a bit and the trees provide a lot of color. There are a huge number of motel and food accommodations nearby for those who prefer that. Though there is no charge for this fine event, there will be an attendee-donation-based Iron In the Hat style raffle to help Ron recover expenses. Last year, folks donated everything from steel to handle material to forging hammers to a couple of really nice knives. Any donations are totally voluntary, there is no obligation.
I believe Ron has arranged to have Jim Prill cook us up some great grub again for a small charge. Man, that food was good!! Brisket, beans, fresh-made potato chips, it was great! Like last year, Ron is encouraging those who play an instrument to bring it along and sit around the campfire at night and re-create that marvelous ambience.
This years demo line-up is going to be even better than what was already great last year:
Larry Harley will teach Damascus patterning and demo working with powder steels. Were trying to catch some bull chipmunks so weve got something to keep him lively!
Len Landrum will give a discussion and demo on heat treating methods he uses to get his fine 52100 blades and other steels. These blades rock, folks!
James Gibson will try to teach us lesser types how he can get a danged blade forged to shape so well. This guy works a hammer as good as any there are! Hell also demonstrate flint knapping and make it look easier than it is J
Ken Durham of Buzzards Roost Forge is coming to teach silver sheath making and show us some of his fantastic, award-winning Bowies.
Alex Daniels will be here teaching sheath making and silver furniture forming techniques that he uses on some of the very finest reproductions in the world.
Richard Williams, the quiet spoken master smith from Dollywood will teach you more in ten minutes than you would have believed possible. This man is one of the best teachers I have ever had the joy of experiencing.
Mark Zalesky, editor of KnifeWorld, will give a talk on antique Bowies and the makers of yesteryear and their methods. We should be lucky enough to see a few old Bowies that youd never get to see outside of a glass case.
Besides this impressive lineup, there will be a lot of sharing from the great bunch of makers who plan on attending. There will be some time available for hands-on work after the demos. This is a great place to learn a lot, quickly, and the camaraderie is just fantastic. Whether you are a bladesmith, forged blade collector, or just plain love knives, join us if you can, itll be worth your effort. Let Bowie know if you plan on attending so plans can be made for how much food and beverages to have on hand.
Ron can be reached at 865-524-2054.
