Press Release, from Gil Hibben

Ed Fowler said:
Bob Loveless made the statement "custom knifemaking will be a success when there is a custom knifemaker at every country cross roads". I feel the same about knife shows and organizations, the more shows, the more organizations, the more knife makers the better off we will be. Competition only improves our product and service to our community.
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More the merrier from where I sit, but am not going to either show.

My thoughts on this matter are very, very simple.

I have made no secret that in my opinion, the ABS squandered away superb momentum to be successful and strong....mostly due to gripping tightly to an old founding philosophy and not embracing technology(like a robust website).

BUT.....Jay is giving the appearance of "dancing on the ashes". IF Jay was turned down on bringing the Moran exhibit to the ABS Expo, he should have resigned his Directorship, and moved on, unencumbered by a guilty conscience.

IF Jay is still on the ABS Board of Directors, and is doing his thing with the Moran Society(two entities that this year at least, will be in competetion), not only is he in the wrong, but so is the ENTIRE ABS Board of Directors for allowing that.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You cannot starve clients or knife makers to shows, they will go to the one that they feel best suits their desires.

The Guild has extended an open hand of friendship to the ABS for some time, I applaud their leadership and integrity.

I am not aware of any similar sentiment from the ABS toward the guild.
 
Ed Fowler said:
The Guild has extended an open hand of friendship to the ABS for some time, I applaud their leadership and integrity.

I am not aware of any similar sentiment from the ABS toward the guild.
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This is not about the ABS/Guild specifically, Ed....this is specifically about a Director of the ABS acting against the organization he is supposed to represent and support.....

IF I was watching one of your sheep at your request, and I killed it and ate it because I was hungry, did I do you justice, when you trusted me to do right?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The bottom line is that this gives more people in different markets 1000 miles apart the opportunity to be exposed to hand forged knives. Even though the Guild already includes makers who forge their knives, the inclusion of the Moran Foundation puts a spotlight on forged knives.

It also gives the makers another opportunity to show and sell their knives. The more people we can get interested in handmade custom knives, the better for all of us in my opinion.

I certainly don't see this as any overt action against the ABS. The Moran Foundation simply accepted the invitation of the Guild for a mutually beneficial opportunity to promote handmade knives.
 
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Ed Fowler said:
You cannot starve clients or knife makers to shows, they will go to the one that they feel best suits their desires.

The Guild has extended an open hand of friendship to the ABS for some time, I applaud their leadership and integrity.

I am not aware of any similar sentiment from the ABS toward the guild.
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I'm not aware of any animosity that the ABS has toward the Guild. As far as including ABS in the Guild or vice versa, my guess would be that the Guild can do so because it doesn't have as narrow a focus as the ABS. While both forged blades and stock removal can be in the Guild, only forged can be in the ABS. So a Guild show can have forged blades without going against its mission statement, while the ABS can't have stock removal without going against its mission statement. Thus ABS shows can't open their doors to all Guild knifemakers. I wouldn't say that's not extending an open hand. I'm pretty sure there are ABS members who are Guild members as well, or came to the ABS from the Guild and were received with open arms.
 
From what I read the last ABS Expo was a barn burner, makers sold out and the show was packed. It does not sound like they are in any danger.

There are many ways for an open hand of friendship when we truly want it to happen. And when it does happen both sides win!
 
joshsmith said:
W.F. Moran Foundation Mission

Our mission statement reads as follows: The purpose of the William F. Moran, Jr Museum & Foundation, Inc. is to educate, preserve and promote the ancient art and craft of hand forged knives and tools used in bladesmithing, and to establish a William F. Moran, Jr. Museum for the collection and preservation of hand forged knives and bladesmith metalwork, and to preserve the Moran Forge as a working Bladesmith Shop.

Plus

A 50 table forged blade show

American Bladesmith Society Mission

The American Bladesmith Society, Inc. pledges to diligently, reasonably and responsibly work exclusively for the purposes of promoting and advancing the art and science of the forged blade and other implements. And also to inform and educate the public in respect to bladesmithing, metal forging and heat treating processes, knife and tool design and fabrication, related arts and other areas in which the Society has expertise.

Plus

A 50 table forged blade show
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Josh - I hear you - and I have to say this has me scratching my head a little bit. Okay, maybe a lot.

Roger
 
Ed Fowler said:
From what I read the last ABS Expo was a barn burner, makers sold out and the show was packed. It does not sound like they are in any danger.

There are many ways for an open hand of friendship when we truly want it to happen. And when it does happen both sides win!
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Ed, you have not addressed my statements....maybe a little more straight talk, and a little less kumbaya would be in order here.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way, but diversion is not called for.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The way I see this is the William F. Moran, Jr. Museum & Foundation, Inc. being a guest of the Knifemaker's Guild at the Knifemaker's Guild Show is a positive thing for both organizations as well as knife making in general and something that doesn't hurt any.

Speculation about discussions, that might have taken place or not, by those that weren't involved doesn't do much good at all. It does make an interesting read if it is used for entertainment pruposes only. :D

These are three good organizations represented by competent Boards that know more about this than anyone else. All, more likely than not, have discussed many things about their future and the future of knife making that are not talked about outside of the Board Meetings for many reasons. Most of which are probably good. It is what "Boards" do.

I think I'll go make a knife....
 
HMathews,

I have discussed this with Jay Hendrickson and Johnny Perry and many of the other board members. After doing so I've learned that the board was NOT fully informed as to their plans. Further more the ABS Expo Committee was not informed of their plans. I can also say after discussing this with Jay and Johnny that I am more concerned than I was before. I know the facts behind the situation and that is exactly why I am fighting as a committee member for the makers I represent in the ABS Expo. Fighting this online is not necessarily in my own best interest. But our committee and I are represent 55 tables holders and have to ensure NOTHING, including inside forces, come between these table holders and a successful Expo. The tables holders should be furious and calling their board members to express concern.

As a committee member of the ABS Expo I feel this is a major conflict of interest by two of our board members. I do not feel they are acting in the best interest of the ABS and its members first and foremost. I feel their duty as board members is to the ABS and their committees first. Instead their interest is elsewhere.

Again my problem is with these two board members, not the Guild.
 
This morning, I talked with Gil Hibben, Knifemaker's Guild President, and advised him that the Moran Foundation has respectively declined the Guilds Invitation to attend their September 2010 Show.

This will solve all of the misunderstandings and innuendos that have occurred since our January 31st invitation.

E. Jay Hendrickson
 
Jay, I am really sorry to hear this as I was very much looking forward to having you as our guests at the Guild Show. I was also very much anticipating seeing the Moran collection. I understand your position.

It is a shame. I think some people are failing to see the big picture. Literally thousands of people in the Louisville and surrounding area would have had maybe their first exposure to the Bill Moran's knives, the Moran Foundation, the ABS and perhaps even hand forged knives. Many collectors who can't or won't travel to Atlanta or San Antonio will spend their money on something else.

This is terribly disappointing on several levels and I think it is disservice to the knife community in general.
 
Mike Carter Custom Knives said:
Jay, I am really sorry to hear this as I was very much looking forward to having you as our guests at the Guild Show. I was also very much anticipating seeing the Moran collection. I understand your position.

It is a shame. I think some people are failing to see the big picture. Literally thousands of people in the Louisville and surrounding area would have had maybe their first exposure to the Bill Moran's knives, the Moran Foundation, the ABS and perhaps even hand forged knives. Many collectors who can't or won't travel to Atlanta or San Antonio will spend their money on something else.

This is terribly disappointing on several levels and I think it is disservice to the knife community in general.
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Mike,

The failure of big picture visualization is yours, as well as others.

I would like in the future to be able to travel to the Guild Show and see the Moran display, perhaps as much as you would like that to happen.

Jay Hendrickson, as a member of the ABS Board of Directors, has SWORN to uphold and further the mission of the ABS. Simply put, acceptance of the Guild's Invitation to attend and display at the Guild Show with the Moran Foundation contravened this duty.

My suggestion of resigning his position of Director would have been one suggestion, his turning down the invitation to display at the Guild Show, and wreak havoc on an organization he has sworn to protect would be another.

The whole situation is unfortunate. IF the ABS had accepted Jay's request to display at the Expo, or had figured out a way to make everyone happy, this would have been a happy situation all the way around.

If we learn nothing else, we should come away from this, with thoughtful lessons and introspection concerning communication and duty.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I assume as others here, I have mixed feelings on this subject and see both sides.

In the spirit of attempting to find middle ground.
Could the William F. Moran Foundation and the Bill Moran Display be represented at the Guild Show yet while not offering the additional tables to Moran Foundation member makers for selling knives?

I feel everyone agrees that there's a benefit from as many people as possible being exposed to the Bill Moran Dispaly whether it be at the Guild Show or the ABS Expo or BOTH for that matter.
 
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I think you are missing the big picture. This was about two ABS board members doing something that would have taken away from their own show. In the end they made the right decision but in doing so they damaged and disgraced the ABS. It appears the ABS was in a no win situation here. I'm sorry their own board members put them in that situation.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I assume as others here, I have mixed feelings on this subject and see both sides.

In the spirit of attempting to find middle ground.
Could the William F. Moran Foundation and the Bill Moran Display be represented at the Guild Show yet while not offering the additional tables to Moran Foundation makers for selling knives?
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Very good post. The Moran display would be an assest to any show and I'm sure the guild and abs would agree. I for one would LOVE to see it.
 
Kevin Jones said:
In the spirit of attempting to find middle ground.
Could the William F. Moran Foundation and the Bill Moran Display be represented at the Guild Show yet while not offering the additional tables to Moran Foundation member makers for selling knives?

I feel everyone agrees that there's a benefit from as many people as possible being exposed to the Bill Moran Display whether it be at the Guild Show or the ABS Expo or BOTH for that matter.
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GREAT suggestions, Kevin. I hope this is discussed, and approved.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kevin Jones said:
I assume as others here, I have mixed feelings on this subject and see both sides.

In the spirit of attempting to find middle ground.
Could the William F. Moran Foundation and the Bill Moran Display be represented at the Guild Show yet while not offering the additional tables to Moran Foundation member makers for selling knives?

I feel everyone agrees that there's a benefit from as many people as possible being exposed to the Bill Moran Dispaly whether it be at the Guild Show or the ABS Expo or BOTH for that matter.
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The main room of the Guild Show is almost certainly going to sell out to Guild members. I don't know if they will open the additional ballroom just for one display.
 
I don't understand. The ABS show is limited to 50 tables. If the Moran Foundation were to have 50 tables at the Guild Show, wouldn't that give some ABS members (who are also Moran members) who couldn't get a table at the ABS show an opportunity to show off their unique skills and art. How can this possibly be considered a conflict of interest. This should be considered a melding of two wonderful organizations, the ABS and the Moran Foundation, giving more opportunies to its memberships. How sad this won't be happening.
 
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