Fox River Rendezvous -- 2011 -- McHenry Illinois

M

Murray White

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Feb 17, 1999
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While this is a bit late and overdue as the Fox River Rendezvous and knife forging/show was held in early Sept. this year after the previous 6 were held in July. Nicer weather and no mosquitoes for this one.
Rob Lindquist does a great job preparing a nice pig and other bring salads etc and dessert and some folks bring knives to view and sell
A nice simple tent arrangement from a portable garage provided a spot to cut the pig and a layout of the rest of the food.

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Karl Andersen fills his plate

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Karl is enjoying his meal along with Danbo and Phyllis

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Phyllis took her camera away from me to get a photo of another of my passions besides Knives and computers and photography -- eating!

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Rob and a few others chew the fat as well as some Pig

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there were a few knives to look at with more to come

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Danbo and a couple of the guys who will be doing the forging and knife construction for the day.

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Each year the guys set up the forge and create a piece that will be displayed in the local Bar that Rob and his wife own. This year will be a dagger.

Someone will have to give names to a couple of the guys as I seem to have misplaced that information.
some of the equipment to be used in the effort

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putting the blade into the forge

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give it a few whacks on the anvil

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followed by a bit of cooling effort

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some help from Karl to straighten the blade

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and now to drill the handle material

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here Karl works while the other mainstay of a get together is consumed

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and set it to the tang

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and the final result with a scrimmed handle by Mary Rose

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and here is a photo of the whole group

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Karl Anderson for a few years now has created a knife to be raffled with the proceeds to be used to pay for the knife production and the event expenses which are also helped with by patron donations.

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My good friend Paul Kessler took delivery of a set made by John Cohea and brought it to the Rendezvous so we would be able to bring it home. The next few images are dedicated to Lorien.

lets see what is in the box

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something big it seems -- good thing we had some knives

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here is something to display the knives etc

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now things are getting serious with this axe

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and now for the Bowie

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a hunter completes the group

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a display of the whole set

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It was a fun day followed by some pub time and then visiting with my friend Paul and another collector in the Chicago evening before a feed on Pizza.
 
That looks like a nice, relaxed event with some good people. Haven't seen Rob in years - good to know that he is doing well and his event is going strong. Good on Karl for the donation and what a nice piece it is. The demonstration piece is most cool as well.

The Cohea set is several kinds of awesome. I saw two of the three pieces at Blade and loved them. The third knife and the stand really bring the whole package up a notch or three. I look forward to checking it out and seeing where you've found space t display it.

Roger
 
Awesome pics of the rendezvous, thanks for giving us a look.

And congrats on the awesome set from John, any two of the set would have been great, but to have all three together, with the sheaths --- tremendous.
 
Murray, thanks for giving our one day extravaganza some air time.
Of all the events I attend each year, this one is right at the top of my list.
The pure and unadulterated (1. Not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; complete and absolute) knife enthusiasm during this day makes it very special to me, and I hope the others as well.
We're all on the same page, doing what we enjoy - talking about knives.
The smiles never stop and we all hate to see the end of the day come.
It was nice to see everyone, once again.
Rob Lindquist is a host extraordinaire.
Can't wait to find out what we do next year!!!
 
Great people, food, demos and a knife show at the end. It dont get any better than that.
 
A great knife get-together Rob and you guys put on. Would love to get up there to enjoy it with you.
Love the set Murray!!!
 
Looks like a great time. Nice report Murray, it was a fun read. Thanks.
That is a really beautiful set and the photos show it well.
 
Murray,

It looks like that was a great little Hammer-in. They are always alot of fun.

Congratulations on picking up a nice knife set.

Jim Treacy
 
Thanks for posting up the pics Murray,I was glad you were able to make it.I really enjoy throwing our little shindig and appreciate everyone that comes out to make it happen.We are getting a nice little collection to display in the bar now.
The group shot with the finished knife is Mary Rose, Karl Andersen, myself,Bob Rossdeutscher,and Ron Rosenbaugh.Each year we try to make a one day knife collaboration with whoever present that wants to jump in,I'll call this an open invite to any maker,or collector,or spectator to come join us,I just have to get a bit more organized in my planning..we kind of seat-of-the-pants it every year...but it works and is a lot of fun.
Karl has been awesome in supplying a great knife to raffle every year and someone is always walking away with a great bargain and a great knife...they never seem to want to sell it to me!
This really never could happen without Bob Rossdeutscher,he has to lug out practically his whole shop to the park so we can get some work done,all I do is put a pig on top of some charcoal.We were sitting at the bar 7 years ago and on a whim thought we could put together a hammer-in,which isn't technically a hammer-in,and the Fox River Knife Rendezvous was born,hopefully it will last for years to come
It's always quite a treat to see these folks work(and they make it look easy) and I'm always impressed with what they can turn out in one day working out in a park ,I'm a pretty fortunate collector.
Rob
 
Wow, never new this event even happened. I live about 3 blocks off the Fox River (although a bit south in Carpentersville). I'm not a maker, just a guy who likes sharp, pointy things. I'd love to know when the 2012 even will be held. Is there an email list or something??
 
Good times, for sure. Last year was the first time I missed this event(due to our moving, etc...). Hopefully, I'll not miss any more of these. Good friends + good food = good times. :)
 
Looks like a great time was had by all, thanks for the pics Murray.Thanks also for unveiling the set there.Seems like the perfect event to do so!
 
Looks like good times! I wish you guys were doing this when I lived in Dundee about 10 years back.
 
Great review, Murray. Looks like a super good time for all. Nice work again, Rob. E-mail coming to be on the notify list.

- Joe
 
Hey Joe..will be glad to add ya to the list..hope ya can make it...tell yer buddy down there that we might forego the pig and cook up a couple hundred pounds of catfish next year!
 
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