Dagger class.......

"Off to meet the guys for some chow."

You're still in the class? Dang, now that's what I call hot off the presses, err, I mean hammers! Looking good. Keep them coming. Thanks!
 
Positively spectacular! Thanks for all the great pics.

Looks like a great facility. All those fun toys - and so tidy!

I met Butch Sheely and Bill Wiggins at the Troy, Ohio show. Didn't get much chance to speak with Bill, but talked with Butch about his tomahawks (which are phenomenal). Please tell them I said hi.

How'd your blade get bent, btw?
 
Mace, thanks for posting the pics. It has been a great week. Wish the weather had been better, at least the shop was warm at the school. Can't say the same for my shop....

Kevin has been great as an instructor. Its great that he is so willing to share knowledge the way he does. He was a little down when he learned it was warmer in Michigan than North Carolina, but was able to keep himself pulled together.:)

While it was cold, I am happy Mace did not break out his shorts he was hoping to wear. Temps in the single digits and teens was a small price to pay for keeping Mace in long pants!!
 
If you can Mace, take a few photos of the back of the hammer / back of the tire where the bearing /axle linkage is please =) I'm working on building my own tire hammer, and iv'e even purchased clay spencer's plans, but no one has a good photo of the back side of one anywhere. I've got most of the major parts already except for an axle and tire =P

That class looks awesome. Someday i'll actually take a class in smithing or blade smithing or something =)
 
I talked with Ole Bill Wiggins the week before heading the 800+ miles south to see what I could expect for weather.....he said should be in the high 40's maybe even in the 50's. After freezing parts off up north I thought this would be a nice break.
Here is what it was like this morning here!
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temp.jpg
 
Back to daggers...
Here is a blackwood handle Kevin did with silver and brass wire.
Kevinshandle1.jpg

handle2-1.jpg

Handle3-1.jpg

handleback.jpg


Kevins drawing
Kevinsdrawing2.jpg


Talking handles
Talkinghandles.jpg
 
Working down some birdseye maple into a handle...
workinghandle.jpg


Laying out the handle...
Mywork.jpg


Not sure, but I think this is the blade James was working on.
Daggersanding.jpg


Daggers...
Jamesdagger.jpg

Daggers-1.jpg

Butchsnotes.jpg

mywork2.jpg

Daggerwithhandle.jpg


This was a great class and I'm sure it wont be the last one like it.
If you ever get the chance to come to NC for a class I highly recomend it!
These are most of the pics I took...if anyone else from the class has some pics they would like to share...please do.
Mace

Dagger class #1
class.jpg
 
Thanks for posting Mace :D That dagger is smokin! I'm building a tire hammer now. got about 750# of steel in the base and anvil so far! I'm hoping to post a WIP when It's finished. :) If you have anymore pictures of them could you post them or pm me with them?

Jason
 
Sorry guys....those are the only pics I have of the hammers.
Mace
 
I've made a dozen of these but I would have gone to this in a heartbeat if I had known about it. Well, maybe not... not sure I could handle being around that Bill Wiggins character AND Mace for a week!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Just kidding, Bill is my favorite person from North Carolina, and Mace looks like a pirate! :D

This looks like an awesome class, and Kevin really knows how to do up a dagger... REALLY WISH I could have been there!!!

Thanks for sharing Mace!!! :thumbup: :cool: :)

edited to say all of mine were fumbled through on my own... taking a class like this would surely bring up about 1,000 things I could do different/better. I'm envious Mace! :)
 
Nice Pics, and nice blades! It does look like you can get a bunch of work done.
Thanks for sharing!

Shawn
 
Mace,
Are there any ah ha moments of Kevins brilliance that you would like to share. Any cool tips or tricks.
Thanks
 
Mace,

I'm soooo jealous. I had to teach myself about daggers, which meant my instructor was not only ignorant, but cussed me out every time I made a mistake!

You ARE going to show us that 1095 blade after it's finished and etched...

John
 
Very cool thread mace. I love that shop and the tire hammer is quite an invention. Nice work on the dagger man.
 
This thread has been officially "Bookmarked" in my "Knife Making Tutorials" folder. I spent 2 weeks last March at Haywood Community College for the "Introduction to Bladesmithing" class...Kevin Cashen and Dickie Robinson were my instructors, while Bill Wiggins played host. The combination of talented Master Smiths, gracious hosting, and well equipped spacious facilities makes for a most enjoyable learning environment. The college setting is beautiful, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains....I stayed at the Super 8 Motel less than 2 miles from the school.

As with Mace....Bill opened his shop after hours for us and we enjoyed forging into the night. The ABS is now offering several courses at Haywood College, providing learning opportunities for a unique one of kind learning experience to individuals unable to travel to Texarkana.

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