Montana Mountain Summit

[Steven Kelly]

The first Montana Mountain Summit wrapped up Saturday evening.

I want to thank everyone who came out and participated along with Ed, Chad and Myself.

We had a really terrific time, and we hope all of you did too.

I especially want to thank Ed Caffrey and Chad Nichols for all of the hard work that they put into this to help make it a lot of fun for everyone.

Hopefully, this will be just the first of many more to come!

We opened up the Summit on Friday morning. Ed and Chad spent some time explaining the process of developing and engineering mosaic Damascus patterns.
Then we watched them build the initial billets that would eventually be the pattern they were looking for.

 

[Steven Kelly]

Then it was squarshin' time!!

 

[Steven Kelly]

And more squarshin" and some Hammerin" too!!

 

[Steven Kelly]

There was some learnin' through visitin' time!!

 

[Steven Kelly]

Then we chopped it all up and Put it all back together.

 

[Steven Kelly]

And eventually came up with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steven Kelly]

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who came to this event, it was entirely funded by the sales of raffle tickets.
Ed Caffrey built and donated two of his forging hammers. Tickets were sold to anyone who wanted to participate in the raffle.
I am so proud to have been a part of putting on an event that anyone in the knife community could attend, free of charge. The amount of knowledge passed along by everyone from the most advanced maker, to the newest beginning maker was unbelievable.

Congratulations to the winners of the raffle, and THANKS AGAIN to everyone!!!

 

[montana guy]

When was this announced and in what part of the forum? I would have loved to come but had no idea it was going on. Looks like it was fun.

 

[J. Doyle]

Thanks for hosting, Steve. I had a great time! Lots of fun as you said.

Good pics too.

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

Looks like a blast, the second chunk of damascus is especially nice.

 

[hellgap]

Excellent event, looks like it was a ton of fun and a learning experience. Kellyw

 

[Phillip Dobson]

Thanks again Steve for hosting this. I had a great time, learned a lot, and I got back home eager to work on things (and I don't even have a forge). Many thanks to Chad and Ed for sharing their knowledge. I think we all learned something.

Chad taught us how to "cheat" by making cool designs in a canister and drawing it out. It may be "cheating", but it's not easy.

Chad's billet went from this.

To the forge (many times).

To this.

Ed went the more traditional route with a layered mosaic pattern. There was also some extra time, so he forged out a few blades.

Showing the process behind the pattern.

Demonstrating what proper fluxing looks like.

Forging a blade for fun.

The finished billet.

 

[Gary Mulkey]

Thanks for the photos. Looks like a great time. Beautiful setting as well.

Gary

 

[Steven Kelly]

Great photos phillip.
It was a pleasure meeting and getting to know you!
I am glad you were able to attend...