Mace’s Hammer-In 2010 (Lots of Photos)

[Chris Meyer]

Greetings Everyone,

Here are some pictures from the Hammer-In that Mace arranged for. It was held at the Guilford Arts Center in Guilford, CT on 11-27-2010. Here are some pictures of the facility. (I got there a little early, so I got some pictures without anyone else in the forging shop.)

Nice hat!

​

 

[Chris Meyer]

Now, a reasonable person might have expected that Mace would plan on having an indoor hammer-in, since it was so late in the year. However, Mace arranged this day, so the demonstrations were being held inside and outside the forging shop. The forging shop has sliding walls, and Mace soon had it pretty wide open. Other than the wind and the cold (a high of about 43), there was nothing to fret about. In fact, Mace thoughtfully set up tarps over the outdoor forging areas, so we didn’t have to worry about sunburn. Despite being cold, a good time was had by all. I didn’t get a final head count, but I believe that there were at least 35 to 40 people in attendance.

Mace started things off by forging out a blade.

I guess he forgot his hammer.

The finished blade.

Relieved that he didn’t burn it up.

Next, Bill Scheer made all kinds of stuff. He made tongs, a nail header, a least one nail, and something else that I didn’t see complete.

However, Mace managed to really tick off Bill. I’m not sure what Mace did, but it may have had something to do with the fact that Mace’s pants kept riding down…

After that Spike Mangler, aka Mike Spangler gave a grinding demonstration. Unfortunately, he was stuck grinding a hand forged blade with dips and pits, not the precision ground flat stock he’s used to. Not that Mike would complain…

These glasses speak for themselves…

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[Chris Meyer]

Matthew Parkinson then demonstrated how to make some engraving chisels. He also showed how to use them. Get a load of his hammer!

The chisels.

This is a sword Matt made on commission.

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Some other demos were going on at the same time, so I just drifted back and forth among them.

Barbara Wetcher showed how to make chain mail. She spent hours sitting in the cold forming, cutting and assembling the links. I would have lost my mind. I won a nice chain mail key chain in the raffle. Thanks Barbara!

Jamie Lundell making jointed plate armor.

And where would a hammer-in be without steel? The New Jersey Steel Baron is everywhere!

Here's Aldo with a special knife that Mace made for him.

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[Chris Meyer]

Sam Salvati was there too. Somehow, he got his mini bike down from the Pavilion at Ashokan and rode it all the way to Connecticut (or something).

Sam forged out a cutler’s hammer, which was raffled off at the end of the day. Ever safety conscious, Sam wears his glasses to protect the top of his head.

Here’s Dan Pierson showing off a nice Nessmuk knife that he made.

During the day, Mike Spangler finished grinding a knife that Mace had forged. Mace then heat treated it, and Paul Letourneau put a maple handle on it.

The knife was the grand prize in the raffle, and Ron won it. He was very pleased.

I good time was had by all. Thanks Mace!

 

[indian george]

Cooool!!! Thanks for sharing.:thumbup:

 

[Chris Meyer]

I finally had the time to sort through the rest of my pictures from the hammer-in. In no particular order, here are some more:

Mace forging.

Lest you thought I photoshopped it, here’s another picture of Mace hitting the steel with a wooden bat.

Jamie Lundell marking some steel before he started shaping it into armor.

Aldo Bruno and Matt Parkinson, standing next to Matt’s forge. Note the removable legs on the forge.

Sam creating some flats on the round bar before he starts to drift the eye.

Sam slitting the eye on his hammer.

Larry T. forging.

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[Chris Meyer]

Mike Spangler getting ready to grind.

Mike grinding.

Bill Scheer tending the fire.

Mace heating a soon-to-be quenched blade.

This is Mace with a cool folder he made. I love the way he finishes his Maple handles.

Matt Parkinson forging a piece of Damascus.

And finally, a couple more photos of Mace forging.

That’s about all I had that were worth posting.

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[Tx Bass Tech]

Thanks for sharing these photos. I've never been to an event like this or done any forging , but that sure makes me want to. Looks like lots of fun. I think there is a hammer-in near me in January that I'm going to try and attend.

 

[Justin.Mercier]

The only thing he didn't mention was the BONE CHILLING COLD! I swear, the rest of connecticut was around 45 to 50, but the Guilford Art Center was minus 20

It was a good day though =)

 

[Dan Pierson]

Say it again Justin! Great people and demos. Love to take a class there sometime but I bailed just after lunch before I froze solid.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

You guys are sissies... there isn't even any snow on the ground! What kind of dumbasses show up to a hammer-in in November in Connecticut wearing only a sweatshirt?

....ahh, never mind.


Looks to be a good time!

 

[deker]

Oh, sure...Spangler can go to this hammer-in, but punked out for Ashokan...I see how it is Mike! You're off the Christmas Jerky list!

-d

 

[Vinny203]

One hell of a time. Good demos, Great laughs.

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

what's the matter matt i didn't see you there? didn't you get one of the gold invitations that we sent out to everyone?

nice, in the picture with mace forging, with me on the right and paul on the left.
paul is clearly messing with mace's knife case, and i'm clearly heckling mace while he forges.

 

[PMLKnives]

Mace forging.

yeah mace forging, not Paul and mike doing anything devious....no really. BTW has anyone hear from Mace,is he okay? The web site specifically said not fatal.

Oh, sure...Spangler can go to this hammer-in, but punked out for Ashokan...I see how it is Mike! You're off the Christmas Jerky list!

-d

yeah unfortunately it's not really mikey's fault, he's married after all..look at that me sticking up for my brother in law.

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

yeah what paul said!
don't worry decker i'll be to ashokan next year... maybe.

 

[Mace]

I'm here! Thanks Paul for letting everyone know "it wasnt fatal"!
Jerk. I've been getting concernd phone calls today because of that! It is nice to know I'm loved!
Spent yesterday with my buddy Sam...after he left I went to go online and had no service.:grumpy:

I had a great time and I would like to thank everyone who came out to enjoy our crisp New England weather. It was good for the demos cause everyone was hangin around the forges! Of course I never really felt the cold cause I had Mikey to keep me warm.

Anyhow....on to some pics I took.
Mace

 

[Mace]

Some of the brave souls fighting the cold!

Bill Sheer from Mystic seaport doing a tong making demo...

Here is a good shot of the tongs on the anvil...

The spectators start to gather...

Some of Matt Parkinsons swords from Falling hammer productions...

Matt Parkinson and Jamie Lundell from Falling hammer.....THANKS GUYS!!!

Some of Matts work..and tools...

 

[Mace]

Matt doing a wire inlay in steel demo...NICE!!

The graver Matt made on site...

Bill Sheer evening the ends of the tongs he was making.....yes that IS a hacksaw! Remember those?!!!

Bill did another demo on how to make a nail header...and showd us how to use it!

The nail...

My "special" friend Spangles....Nice glasses!

When Mike wasnt running off to the cigar shop(and not even bringing one back for me!) I was able to get him to do some grinding.

 

[David Loukides]

Hi Mace,
Thanks again for making the hammer in possible!!!