My pics of Ashokan Bladesmith Symposium 2010

[Matthew Gregory]

The 2010 Ashokan Bladesmithing Symposium was this weekend. For me, this is the most important knifemaking event of the year. The openness, willingness to share by all involved, the cameraderie - and the shenanigans! - all make for an incredible weekend of education and entertainment.
This year was particularly important for me, personally, but I'll save that reason for last...

Held on the Ashokan Field Campus in Oivebridge, NY, the settings cannot be more beautiful, and the weather was PERFECT. Here's some shots I snapped:

I started the weekend by taking a hike with my wife Jill and a regular at Ashokan (and incredible guy!) Howard Schechter. Howard lived as a homesteader in the campus's 1820's era cabin and farm for two years, living exactly has a homesteader would - a tough life, indeed!

This is a shot of Howard posed next to the carving he made in 1973 after adding the woodshed:

The inside of the cabin still includes many of the items and tools that Howard used, such as the fireplace (the only source of heat for the building), and the spinning wheel which he used to spin sheep's wool into cloth:

The first demonstrator up was Jerry Rados, who lectured on the importance of overall design, fit and finish. I had pictures of a blade which Jerry passed around, but there was so much chatoyance in the blade that the autofocus of my camera wouldn't work! Heartbreaking! I'm hoping my twin brother Gary Graley got a better shot of it, as he's a camera maestro. Here's an attendee inspecting the amazing tolerances Jerry keeps on all of his knives (which all happen to be take-down, freeing every part of the knife for disassembly and cleaning with one simple tool!).

On Saturday, ABS Mastersmith J.D. Smith did a great demo on his forging technique:

The event draws enthusiasts, collectors and makers alike:

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Rob Dekelbaum (aka Deker, on the forums) and his ubercool techniques for forgewelding damascus was up next. His passion for the craft is almost physical, and it shows in his presentation. I have NO interest in damascus, yet I bought steel for just that purpose after his demo... coincidence, or some form of subliminal programming? Dunno.

He was also the guy in charge of demonstrating the Iron Kiss power hammer, which he masterfully wields:

Special guests Peter Gill and Roger Pinnock, rabid collectors both, did an exceptional essay on what collectors look for in a knife, and why... LOTS of questions were asked, and I know that many suppositions I had made previously were entirely incorrect.

As Roger is a friend of mine, I was astonished to find out that he has an amazing singing voice. He brought out into an impromptu cover of "Toora Loora Loora" that had me weeping...

Dan Pierson was so moved, that he also broke out in song:

Peter brought a few blades to help exemplify what he looked for. The first was a classic hunter from ABS Mastersmith Lin Rhea:

This Jason Knight piece was passed around, as well:

Once the ball got rolling, the questions picked up and the guys had to be interrupted so that the next demo could start! Great discussion, no doubt!

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Rick Barrett and his apprentice Josiah Boomershine gave an exceptional demonstration on habaki engraving technique. Josiah did all the work, with Rick adding commentary and explanation for historical background and modern application. Here's Rick and Josiah, with Nathan Zowada in between running the video camera:

My personal straight razor had been pushed past it's safe effectiveness, so I took this weekend as an opportunity to have Tim Zowada show me his honing and stropping technique. When he finished, I stole some cool peppermint and tea tree shaving soap from Butch Harner and headed over to get the two-week-old beard I had gone, as it was itching the hell out of me! My twin Gary Graley took a series of pictures of the first pass to entertain you with:

Man, am I one handsome devil!

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Dave Martell did two different demonstrations, predominantly involving kitchen knives and their design, as well as proper sharpening practice. An animated speaker, he makes his living sharpening cutlery:

Here are some highlights of the knife show that was held after the final demonstration on Sunday. Turnout was high, and it appeared as though lots of things changed hands...

Tim Zowada straight razors. I'm pretty sure these two were spoken for, and brought only for example. Stunning!

J.D. Smith had some work on hand from he and his partner Josef Shnayder:

A rare and awesome piece by ABS Mastersmith Kevin Cashen:

A cool little damascus piece from Paul LeTourneau of PML Knives:

Some beautiful fittings from Rick Barrett and Josiah Boomershine:

One of Rick's superbly etched tactical pieces with it's removable scales off:

 

[Matthew Gregory]

The next bit will be some portraits of some of my favorite folks from the show, in no particular order.

Mace Vitale, hogging a forge to make a sword for next year's Ashokan sword event...

Aldo Bruno, the New Jersey Steel Baron, showing the kids how it's done:

One of the finest people in all the world, my pal Sammy Salvati:

Butch Harner, I need one of his straight razors. Call him and tell him to give me one, please:

Good ol' Justin Mercier in his skirt - ahem - kilt:

Kevin Cashen always looks at me this way:

... of course, maybe it's because I caught him picking his nose!

(lighten up, you old coot!)

Stacy Apelt and I managed to avoid one another all weekend again. Not sure how that keeps happening...

The incredible Jim Siska, who I'll never forgive for telling me that I'll never be good at grinding because I don't have a biological work rest (otherwise known as a big belly) - great guy!

J.D. Smith. The man makes some really cool stuff!

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Keith Kaiser, the human Switzerland of every practical joke:

Had a couple good long talks (that are never long enough!) with Dick Sexstone, maker of some of the most creative folders:

Josiah Boomershine, I really can't wait to see the work that comes out of him in the next few years!

I missed too many chances to photograph people, and too many photos I took turned out poorly. Ah, well... hopefully next time.



FINALLY, here's the biggest thing to happen to me on this weekend. During the knife show on Sunday, my friend Paul LeTourneau was setting his wares out on a table, and he pulls out a small tactical folder he'd been working on when last we were together. After sorting out some issues he was having with the detent ball in the liner, he had finished it up. As I'm examining it, I notice how smoothly it's opening for me - the reason for which should have hit me deeper than it did. After waiting through my critique for my dumb ass to see the obvious, he points out to me that the action is now left-handed, and the reason it's working so smoothly for me is that I'm left-handed, and he had made it for me!

Here's some pics of the first PML Tactical folder ever, and it's mine! Thanks, Paulie - can't tell you how much it means to me.

 

[Michael Starr]

Stunning pictures (pictures of Mr. Gill excluded) and excellent commentary!
Are the shots of the woods and lake below the reservoir?
It truly is beautiful up in that next of the woods.

Sorry I missed it - looks like a great time was had by all attending.

Thanks for taking the time to post these, Matthew.

 

[S.Knowles]

Great Pics.... Sexy, It was good to see you and Paul this weekend. How did I miss that PML folder? And no, I wont feel your face yet!

Shawn

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Very cool shots there Matt !
my brother from another mother...

G2

 

[PMLKnives]

Great Pics.... Sexy, It was good to see you and Paul this weekend. How did I miss that PML folder? And no, I wont feel your face yet!

Shawn

you only missed the folder because matt doesnt share well, can't blame him though.

It was a really good time, can't wait for next year. Hey wheres the minibike pictures!

 

[Tad Lynch]

Man, that looks like fun! Awsome stuff.

I wish I could come up--at our hammer-ins in Arkansas we hardly ever have any singing.

Tad

 

[butcher_block]

what a blast
and waht great work and info that was passes around for all

and matt i shaved last night jsut so you know now i can sell razors again (and my respirator seals to my face right so i can work )

 

[Allen Newberry]

Awesome post. Thanks for taking the time! It makes me wish I was there for sure.

 

[Marcel54]

J.D. Smith had some work on hand from he and his partner (who's name escapes me - I'll edit this post after I find out):

J.D.'s partner is named Josef Shnayder and they work under the name of Amerruss on these fabolous projects.

Looks like you had a geat time.

Marcel

 

[Matthew Gregory]

J.D.'s partner is named Josef Shnayder and they work under the name of Amerruss on these fabolous projects.

Looks like you had a geat time.

Marcel

Thank you! Gotta go edit now...

 

[BowieBooster]

Man, that looked like a great weekend!

 

[RogerP]

Great shots Matt!

This was a really enjoyable event - so much knowledge so willingly shared - and what a cast of characters!

Here are some more shots for you:

I want Mace on my team.

Delbert Ealy on the secrets of Mokume:

Mokume in the making:

Fellow forumite Gary Graley:

And the talented Mr. Jim Siska:

Fellow knife nut Bill F. with a knife everyone went nutty over:

Matt: "Coop is going to KILL you for doing this!" Roger: "Nah, he's probably going steal my background."

JD. Smith looks over the Mojo camp knife. He's not laughing, that's good, right? His knives blew my socks right off.

The Wiggly bridge gets EXTRA wiggly when Matt is the second person in single file:

Sunset over the Catskills at the Ashokan Reservoir.

Roger

 

[deker]

Awesome photos everybody. It was great as always to come to another Ashokan, see old friends, and make some new ones. I especially enjoyed the presentation from Roger and Peter. My only regret is that they didn't have 2 or 3 hours for this one. I also really enjoyed meeting J.D. and having the opportunity to chat about damascus with him and Delbert in one place.

I just can't wait for sword Ashokan next year!

-d

 

[PMLKnives]

I've often seen Mace holding Mace. Which forces me to carry mace, but never holding a Mace, which also makes forces me to carry mace. If you ever meet Mace you should also carry mace, or at least a taser spear.

 

[Mace]

Good times....good times
Mace