Official Ashokan dates & Challenge update

Matthew Gregory

Matthew Gregory

Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
6,676
Heard through the grapevine that the official dates for this year's Ashokan Bladesmithing Symposium will be September 17-19th. Start your plans, kids!

Also, I've been struggling with the challenge for this year. I'm worried that too many folks are going to be intimidated by the specificity - or even just an overall disinterest in - a ballock dagger. When Mace & I first started these lil' sideshows, we were intending to do it in a spirit that didn't preclude neophytes from wanting to try their hands at it. I'll admit, also, that I would much prefer to have the 'challenge' part of the event to be a reflection on pushing the maker's skill level, rather than a competition among all. I think that the goal is to get as many folks as possible to show what they can do, and possibly open up conversation at Ashokan that allows for learning and interaction, with masters offering tips to the less skilled, and those that aren't masters getting great methods and ideas from their peers, as well.

Is anyone open to making the 'challenge' a bit more in the overall spirit of Ashokan, or do folks prefer the competitiveness?

Is there anyone else that just can't seem to get being the ballocks dagger as the selected implement this year? Maybe we should open it up to encompass stabbing weapons in general, or maybe even as broad as belt knives?
 
I think keeping it to a dagger theme would push many people to try something new, the ballock dagger may be a bit of a stretch for some. maybe keeping it a dagger but not requiring it to be a ballock dagger (kudos to someone who does a ballock though?)

-Page
 
Uhh I have been wanting to do a dagger for awhile. Then again I am not making my first attempt at knife making. I like a little competitiveness, although I don't think I'll end up on top, or even close.
Though I would encourage people putting up anything that would challenge and their skills.
Paul
 
i'm with matt on this one. obviously we're going to have a broad spectrum of skill levels at the event, so i think a "competition" is kind of useless.

i think it should be more in line with what ashokan is all about, learning.

maybe we should go with more of a broad spectrum, maybe not just daggers but stabbing knives. fighters, daggers, poniard etc.

this should be more about pushing your skill level and stepping it up that trying to make a nicer knife than don fogg.

pick a knife that falls within the criteria and have at it. make it to the best of your abilities, and make it a project that will advance your knifemaking skills if possible. don't try to do something way beyond what you're capable of, and don't try to spend 700 dollars on materials to make that same old knife you're been making for the past 6 years look a little nicer.

and overall have fun. we don't need an official competition for me to know that paul, matt and I will all be competing with each-other, and bustin each-others chops the whole way. while out right raggin on mace for showing up with something half finished.

i vote for stabbing knives
 
I think stabbing Mik....uh I mean knives would be a great idea......:rolleyes:

This was started as a "challenge" not a contest....I for one would like to see it stay that way. More about pushing yourself and not about trying to win a block of wood.

Daggers...pose a fantastic challenge...(I have been challenging myself with them for the last few months!) I think we should keep it kind of specific so we can compare, share, and learn....If we make it as general as "belt knives" I feel we will lose something.
My vote is for daggers...at least 6" blade....style, handle...etc. up to the maker.
Mace
 
I agree, a dagger of any style should be fine. It will allow many levels of possability.
 
I'm still doing a ballock dagger ! I've never made a dagger, and i really want to do a ballock dagger =) Now to just get the time to actually DO it!
 
I'm down for ballock daggers still. I'm thinking about turning the ball guard on the lathe using some damascus. :D:thumbup:
 
Maybe for a change we can do a challenge that doesn't involve knives. Maybe we could write a song, could even be an unofficial asokan theme. Something like ... detachable penis...
Paul
 
I finally was able to get back to my shop this weekend. The doctor has cleared me to return to work on Wednesday, so I forged up a cable billet and started the Ballock dagger. The blade is rough forged and 60 grit ground, I just straightened the tang this morning. Hopefully I will have it ground ready for HT by tonight (pictures will follow then)
How's everyone else doing?

-Page
 
Please explain what challenge you are talking about. There's nothing about a challenge or competition on the website. I can glean bits and pieces, but please explain how it works and what was done in the past.

I have a big piece of s30v still, and a giant piece of damascus. . . .Well, it took me three months working on my folder, I suppose a month isn't impossible for a dagger. . . .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top