Carpool at Texarkana ABS Sept 11-24

[Mark Knapp]

Hi all, I will be attending the Texarkana school of bladesmithing Sept. 11-24 this fall, I am staying in Hope, renting a car and driving to and from Hope everyday. If anyone would like to carpool and help with the cost of the car and gas, please let me know. I will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express but am happy to stop at any of the hotels in Hope. Thanks Mark

 

[ATX]

You will enjoy the class Mark. I hear the hammer-in is the first weekend, during the class this year instead of being after the two week class.

 

[murphda2]

Good luck in class Mark and have a BLAST!!! Last I spoke to Jim, there were only two students enrolled in the class. You may have a hard time finding someone to carpool with you, but you should have lots of one on one time with the instructors.

 

[lazlo]

Well, actually, I'm paid in full for the September 12 class, and so is a good friend of mine. So there are at least 3 students for sure

Mark, I just emailed you my cell number. My friend and I are driving up from Austin, so a rental car wouldn't be an issue.

I'm kinda torn between the Texarkana bunks and the Holiday Inn in Hope, which gets lousy reviews and is a 30 minute drive from the ABS School...

 

[lazlo]

By the way Mark, looking at your work, I'm more than a little intimidated that you're a student in this class!

I've completed three knives so far... :jerkit:

 

[artificialj]

By the way Mark, looking at your work, I'm more than a little intimidated that you're a student in this class!

I've completed three knives so far... :jerkit:

Don't worry about your skill level - I took the intro class at Haywood in March having completed 0 knives previously. There were like 6 of us in the class and a huge range of skill and experience (including a guy who had been making knives for decades, as well as another guy who had done even less smithing than me). Everyone learned a lot, and the skill level disparity didn't seem to matter in the end, or slow any of the instruction down.

Have fun!

 

[ATX]

Lazlo, I was in Hope about six months ago and there really is no option on hotels now. Best Western is closed down. Holiday Inn Express was nice actually, and Texarkana is about 30 minutes drive away. The Holiday Inn is about 15 minutes drive to the class in Washington. I knew Mark from Alaska was going but had no idea anyone from Austin was going. Tell Jim Crowell I said Hi.

 

[BRTATCK]

Evening all. There is a Holiday Inn Express, Super Eight, Days Inn, all right near the junction of I-30 and Highway 278/Hervey St. As far as I know the Best Western is still open, now the Western Sizzlin restaurant right next to it is closed. All are about 10-12 minutes from the school. Jim and J.R. are great instructors and a lot of fun. You all will enjoy it and tell both of then I said hello.

Brion

 

[Mark Knapp]

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. I am looking forward to the class with great enthusiasm. Lazlo, I decided against the bunkhouse only so the rest of the people there could get some sleep. I have awakened in bunkhouses before with boots all around me and knots on my head. I guess I snore just a bit. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you, everyone else and having the best time I possibly can with a bunch of other sweaty men, forges a-blazin and anvils ringing.

Thanks again Mark

 

[jdm61]

Mark, why didn't you do the December class? I mean it's not exactly warm in Hope that time of year, but compared to the weather you have up there?

 

[lazlo]

Mark, why didn't you do the December class? I mean it's not exactly warm in Hope that time of year, but compared to the weather you have up there?

I was afraid to mention that to Mark. It was 112°F in Austin yesterday. The way the Summer's been going, I don't expect it to be a whole lot cooler by September 12...

 

[Mark Knapp]

Mark, why didn't you do the December class? I mean it's not exactly warm in Hope that time of year, but compared to the weather you have up there?

When I signed up the schedule had not been done yet. I was put in the first available class. I don't mind the one in Sept, gives me more time to have knives ready by Blade in June.

 

[lazlo]

I just got an email from Scott/Debbie that there are 6 people signed up for the class.

Looking forward to it!

 

[Mark Knapp]

I was afraid to mention that to Mark. It was 112°F in Austin yesterday. The way the Summer's been going, I don't expect it to be a whole lot cooler by September 12...

Their going to have the AC on in the forge room aint they?

 

[lazlo]

Their going to have the AC on in the forge room aint they?

I took the Power Hammer class at the Austin Community College forge this summer, and you're right -- the ambient temperature doesn't matter as much when you're standing in front of a 1800°F forge

 

[Mark Knapp]

By the way Mark, looking at your work, I'm more than a little intimidated that you're a student in this class!

I've completed three knives so far... :jerkit:

I have been thinking about what you said here. First of all, thanks for the props.

I am not sure, at all, that my self-taught methods of knife building give me any advantages. Two things I know for sure are, I have made more mistakes than you and I am sure that I have some bad habits that will need to be un-taught. Any instructor will tell you that, all other things being equal, they would rather teach to an attentive green horn than someone that has already picked up bad habits.

I personally chose to build knives for a while un-instructed before learning from the masters because when you learn from others you can't help but pick up their style and designs as well as all the good knowledge. I wanted to try and develop my own styles and designs (for better or worse) without the influence of others. Admittedly, I had a head start, I had already been a machinist and tool and die maker for twenty years when I started making knives.

Now I'm ready to get some real knowledge from the recognized leaders in the field to go with what makes me an individual. The challenge for me will be to put aside what I think I know about knife making and enter this thing with open eyes and an open mind, I can do that.

Anyway, see you in Texarkana.

 

[lazlo]

There is a Holiday Inn Express, Super Eight, Days Inn, Best Western, all right near the junction of I-30 and Highway 278/Hervey St.

I'd appreciate any recommendations on the hotels:

Holiday Inn: $99/night
Best Western: $74/night
Super 8: $55/night

 

[lazlo]

I am not sure, at all, that my self-taught methods of knife building give me any advantages. Two things I know for sure are, I have made more mistakes than you and I am sure that I have some bad habits that will need to be un-taught. Any instructor will tell you that, all other things being equal, they would rather teach to an attentive green horn than someone that has already picked up bad habits.

Thanks Mark! I can assure you, I'm an empty cup

Admittedly, I had a head start, I had already been a machinist and tool and die maker for twenty years when I started making knives.
...
Anyway, see you in Texarkana.

Wow, now I'm really looking forward to meeting you! I'm a professional engineer (I know, I know... ) and an amateur machinist with a very well equipped machine shop.

Texarkana or bust!

 

[Mark Knapp]

I'd appreciate any recommendations on the hotels:

Holiday Inn: $99/night
Best Western: $74/night
Super 8: $55/night

My wife made the reservations, I got my first senior discount ever The rate was $94.00 per night. Thanks for this info, I appreciate it. I'm switching to the Super 8.

 

[Mark Knapp]

Thanks Mark! I can assure you, I'm an empty cup



Wow, now I'm really looking forward to meeting you! I'm a professional engineer (I know, I know... ) and an amateur machinist with a very well equipped machine shop.

Texarkana or bust!

Very cool, tell me about your tools. I am going to do a shop tour on here some day.