Mid-America Bladesmithing Expo !!

Thanks for posting this. I didn't know anything about it, but I want to go. Going to have to put it on the calendar and hope I can make time for it :D
 
I'm really excited about this. I'm hoping to meet some new people, bring a couple knives, and get some MS critiques. Maybe I'll get it on the cutting comp. At the latest I'll see you in August Greg :).
 
Ray Smith and I are coming up to this one together. We're both making contest knives, I'm just doing it to look silly. :rolleyes:
 
My shop is about 5-10 min walking time....so any forum member is welcome to come up and see the shop, the Claiborne press.....or use anything they need to tweak their knives.

If anyone has any specific questions about lodging, directions, places to eat....etc....just let me know.

I can also store your beer in my fridge :eek:
 
That's very kind of you Greg. I'd love to check out your shop and visit. Maybe I'll even bring Ray along... ;)
 
J. Neilson said:
That's very kind of you Greg. I'd love to check out your shop and visit. Maybe I'll even bring Ray along... ;)
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Absolutely! Plan on it....there is a GREAT Mexican restaurant nearby if you like that kind of food.

See ya then!
 
Here's my cutting comp prototype knife. Forged from 3/8" 1065. As soon as I get this one done I'll get moving on the comp knife. With any luck I'll be able to finish a few pieces to bring with me.


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Matt
 
Very nice Matt. I've just got to put a handle on mine and I'm good to go. It's basically based on my "camp bowie" pattern. JD 5160 from Dan Gray & it's heafty but, I hope not too much so. We'll see.
 
Hello, I've been thinking about attending this event. After attending the cutting competition in Atlanta I thought it might be fun to give it a try. Been working on my cutter, if I get it done I might head over :)

 
J, I'm concerned about the weight too. I forged a fair amount of taper into the proto, even after rough grinding it is still heafty. The proto is a little too long, it's 10.25". The width is about right; it's a shade under 2" wide. I'll put a strong taper on the actual comp knife and possibly make the ricasso a little longer to bring the balance towards the guard. I'll be damned if I'm going to put a micarta handle on it, but I wouldn't mind some more weight in the handle :).

Bas, cool knife. How much does it weigh? Hope to see you there.

Matt
 
I also did a full distal taper but, I left the spine just over 1/4" (similar to Reggie Barkers-I heard Reggie's was thick). There's a slight convex grind to it, almost no ricasso and I used a thick 1018 guard to help center the knife more. I'm putting Cocobola on the tapered tang since I'm not a big micarta fan.

*** For those interested Dan's JD 5160 works and finishes up beautifully, great stuff.
 
My knife is very hefty right now, still have to do some grinding on it before the heat treat (want to work on the taper a bit), and then it will loose some more mass after heat treat. It's about 3/8's at the ricasso, the widest part of the blade is about 1 5/8". Leaning towards a simple mild steel spacer and (even though a nice wood handle would look better ;) ) a bead blasted micarta handle for grip. Oh yeah, it's hand hammered down from a 1x1 bar of 5160.
 
Bas, that sounds like a serious knife. You're a hell of a guy, forging a knife out of 1x1 square :). I'm in the market for a power hammer or press; I'm tired of hand forging round bar into flat bar ;).
 
It took a lot out of me. I'd love to have a power hammer or press, but right now my knife making budget is bare bones. Every time I get a little saved up something else comes up, the other weekend out well pump went out and took away my "sanding belt" money :( .
 
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