Mace’s Hammer-In (10-22-2011) –Lots of Photos

[Chris Meyer]

Greetings everyone,

I had the pleasure of attending Mace’s Hammer-In at the Guilford Art Center on Saturday, Nov 22nd. The weather, unlike at the last hammer-in, was quite pleasant. There were some good demos, cutting exhibitions, and a raffle. I believe a good time was had by all. (Sam was supposed to come and give a hammer forging demo but was unable to attend.)

I arrived a little late, after stopping for breakfast. When I got there, Mace was already giving a forging demo. He was showing how to make a pineapple(?) handle on a bar of steel.

My photos of the finished piece came out blurry, but the end result looked like the top most handle of this barbecue set.

Next, Mace forged a small knife. I video taped this demo, so I don’t have any photos of the process. Here is the end result, however.

Mace later cleaned up the forging on the grinder and eventually raffled off the knife. (Which I obtained in the raffle.)

 

[Chris Meyer]

Next, Matt Parkinson gave a demo on forging the guard for a sword. He started with a block of steel the looked pretty small (see lower left of first photo below), but it made a good sized guard in the end.

Spectators

After forging the guard, Matt used a punch, shaped like the tang and shoulders of his sword, to open the hole back up to the proper size.

This is the finished forging.

Here it is after Matt gound it and re-shaped it a bit.

Matt then put the sword together, showing how to leather wrap the handle.

Justin and Vinny watched the demo.

Here is Matt’s completed sword.

After Matt’s demo, Mace cooked hotdogs for lunch. Proving he’s a barbarian, Mace had mustard but No Ketchup!

In the afternoon, Mace gave a lecture on making/designing handles and guards. He showed us how he uses graph paper to trace out a blade, then design a handle and guard that will flow with the blade.

Here are some of his props for the lecture.

Mace had a bunch of cool tools, so I got some pictures. The first pictures is of a handle broach made my John Perry, MS*. The second is a soldering fixture from Uncle Al.

 

[RoyalM]

Love the bbq set. The handles are excellent, great work mate.

 

[Chris Meyer]

While the demos were going, Mace’s apprentice, Barbara Wechter, was working on some bronze castings.
The first photo is of her sand mold, and the next is of the furnace that she was using to melt the bronze. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay long enough to see the finished products.

Here is a knife that Barbara made.

In between demos, Luke did some blade forging. I don’t know his last name, but he was desperately in need of a haircut.

Matt Parkinson brought a bunch of swords, several of which he ended up using to cut stuff.

Matt’s Pirate cutlass was really cool. Note the anchor on the guard.

This is the big knife that Mace carried around all day. According to the markings on the sheath, it’s made from 1095. The handle is maple. Mace used it to cut a bunch of stuff. It looked pretty sharp.

 

[Chris Meyer]

Lots of things got cut up during the day: rope, plastic bottles, milk jugs, cellos, etc. Here are some pictures of the cutting.

Aldo

Billy

Ethan

John

Mace

Matt

Unknown, no nametag

Matt even showed us how to cut jugs full of water without getting your cigarette wet.

 

[Chris Meyer]

Mace’s wife showed up after lunch, bringing their new baby with her. They always say that babies look like old men, and I guess that’s really true. Kind of frightening.

Here is the table full of raffle items.

This is the swag I won in the raffle: The blade Mace forged, a piece of stabilized wood (marblewood?), and two strips of Bacote.

I took a bunch of videos too, but I haven't had time to edit them yet.



*Please note, Mace actually has a beautiful baby girl and, if he wants me to, I’ll post the real picture.

 

[Paul Savage]

Great photo review, thanks for taking the time for those of us that couldn't make it. Oh and thats quite the baby Mace. lmao. Congrats on a successful weekend.

 

[Mace]

Chris< PLEASE POST THE REAL PIC OF MY DAUGHTER!!! that is very disturbing! Great pics of hammer in. Was a great time! Thanks to all who came by!
Mace

 

[Chris Meyer]

As requested, a real picture of Mace's daughter.

 

[Aldo Bruno]

I kind of liked the other kid. Such a hansom looking guy!!!

As requested, a real picture of Mace's daughter.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Amazing, pissed I missed it!

 

[Mace]

Thanks again to all who came by and participated in the days events. Remember...ALL the proceeds will go right into the shop. I hope to get some better equipment in there so we can do a lot more. Thank you...Thank you!!!
Mace

P.S. The handle broach was made by John Perry M.S. not John White as stated...although I am sure Mr. White would make a beautiful one!

 

[Aldo Bruno]

Gee Sam, I was just wondering where you might have been? We all looked so forward to seeing you. Apparently you just don't care about us little people any more! Mace and I figured you would say something like..................well..................just what you said!

 

[Mace]

Poor kid....a crying woman got the better of him!

 

[Mace]

Here are the few pics I took.

Matt P. doing his guard demo.

The forged guard on the anvil.

fitting the slot.

All fit up nice!

The Baron...and Baroness!

A group gathers.

Oh...Luke has a knife!

Handles and guards demo...

Happy forging!

BY THE POWER OF GREY SKULL!!!!

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Thanks again to all who came by and participated in the days events. Remember...ALL the proceeds will go right into the shop. I hope to get some better equipment in there so we can do a lot more. Thank you...Thank you!!!

Hey POPS -- Looks like a fine event! So that's not your shop? What is the Gilford Art Center? What kind of equipment are you looking for for it? Keep up the good work. You're doing mighty fine! -- All the best, Phil

 

[xmtgx]

Amazing, pissed I missed it!

You tell me to make it and you miss it yourself! Shame!