Ron Claiborne's Hammer-in

B . Buxton

B . Buxton

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
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Just got back from Ron Claiborne's hammer-in in Knoxville Tn. and it was a good time. Finally got to put some faces with some names and had great conversation with several makers.

Met Alex Daniels & Ken Durham who both put on a great tutorial for making silver tip and throat sheaths.

Larry Harley who put on a very informative tutorial for canister welding.

Richard Williams from Dolly Wood put on a great show for hand welding and heat treating a blade useing a coal forge (this guy really knows how to control that hammer and move steel where its suppose to go).

Len Landrum showed us all his technique for heat treating 52100, and then cut 7 - 1" ropes clean with a blade he heat treated, then they chopped several 2x4's with it and with out resharpening, cut 6 - 1" ropes clean. There was one of his blades there that had been bent 90 degrees, and Len told me it had been bent so many times that he didn't really know how many for sure, but it was a bunch and there wasn't a crack in it anywhere. Fantastic Heat treat.

There were others making damascus and forging out blades about all the time, kept a fellers head in a spin constantly trying to take it all in.

A few more of the makers that attended were Rade Hawkins, Ron Duncan, Bill Wiggins, Mike Fitzgerald, Jim Gardner and many many more. I apoligize for not mentioning them all, but to be honest there were several I didn't get to meet and some I can't remember. There was probably around 75 makers that attended from all over and it was truly a great time.


I sincerely Thank Ron and Phyllis Claiborne for taking the time and effort to put on such a fantastic event. If they decide to have another hammer-in next year, I strongly recommend to anyone that can attend to be sure and get there, you won't be sorry and I know I'll be there.;)

Bill
 
Bill,
I had a great time as well. I really enjoyed meeting you and talking knives. Thanks for the info. you passed along to me. Hope to see You there next year!!
Bill
 
Bill, you really know how to hurt a guy.:( :( Boy, do I wish I could of gone. I would of loved to teased Fitzo.:D :D Any pic's?????
 
I had a great time too. Wish i could have made it there for more than just an afternoon. Next year though, I am going to plan on spending the weekend.

I got to talk to Bill Buxton, Ron Claiborne, Fitzo, and Terry Dodson. Others were there that i would have liked to chat with, but I ran out of time and had to get back to the little woman in Alabama.

At least now I have a year to prepare for the Iron in the Hat drawing. I gotta out do that gorgeous blade that Ron Duncan made. Well I will try to anyway.;)
 
Bill W. I learned a bunch talking to you and Len saturday night, truly enjoyed our discussion. Everythings as clear as mud now. :D
Good luck with your J.S testing.

I.G, you should have came down, could have used some help keeping Fitz in line. :D Sorry no pictures, but there were several taken by others so maybe some of them will post a few here.

Laredo, sean sorry didn't mean to forget you. it was good talkin with you and I can't wait to see that next piece you was talking about.

Bill
 
Bill: Did that Big Ole Scooter Trash get out of line again. NAH, he is Gentle Ben and probably smells like him TOO.:eek: :eek: :p :D :D
 
I.G your right, he's a good friend but he did try to stir up a little trouble at a local gas station down there with one of them Tennessee fellers. Be sure and ask him about it next time you talk to him.:D But don't mention my name.;)

Bill
 
Bill, you know me I won't say a word that you said it. Yeah Right.:D :D As soon as I sign off I am going to bust that Big Bro's Butts, all 4 of them.:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
I want to say a huge thanks to Ron Claiborne and all the demonstrators. I can't think of a better start for a want to be forger like me.

It was truly a treat to see Bill's knives and and Hawk's in person, the photos while great, just don't do them justice.

Tom
 
Thanks for the nice compliments Tom. The hammer-in is a good place to learn, I've only been to 3 hammer-ins and I've learned a great deal at each one. Now I just need to get back to work and try out some of these new techniques.

Bill
 
Hi, folks!

I'll echo the sentiment that the hammer-in was such a really great time! There is so much info overload it is dificult for this old worn out brain to retain it. It was great to see my friends and meet new people. Ron and Phyllis are just such wonderful people...... I am blessed to count them as friends.

George, thank you for the msg. It was really refreshing to get back to the abuse when I got home... :D Wish you could have been there, bro!!

Laredo and Bill W., it was cool to meet you guys. Look forward to the next time.

My only difficulty is I caught the lung rot and am still trying to shake it. I'm amped to try to make some "w" pattern Damascus but Nanc just don't think it's a good idea to forge with an oxygen hose up me nose. :D Ah, well, one of us needs to be reasonable I guess... I sure can't.

Good times.... thanks all who made my time such fun!

PS, I think Buxton's knives made a bigger splash than he'll be willing to admit.....
 
Nanc just don't think it's a good idea to forge with an oxygen hose up me nose.
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Mike, I can suggest another place to stick it, so it will be out of the flame.:eek: :eek: :eek:
Hope you feel better Bro.;) ;)
 
Thank you, George! I love you, too! :D

Gonna take awhile to shake this, I'm afraid. Hopefully the pneumonia shot will keep me outta the freakin hospital.

On a sadder note, bro, sounds like the scoot may be gone in a couple weeks. End of an era. Is there any market for used tats? :) :( :)
 
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