Trackrock Hammer-in Sept 2015

[crex]

Trackrock Hammer-in Fall 2015

Date: Weekend of Sept 25 & 26 Best News: Open to all & no
Location: Trackrock Campground, Blairsville, GA admission fees
Directions: WWW.TRACKROCK.COM >Can’t beat that!<
Activities: Bladesmithing, Hawk forging, Leather Crafting, Anything Knife Related

Who: Anyone interested in knives, knife making, hawks, leather work, collecting, trading, etc. Watch, meet and talk talented bladesmiths, master leather craftsmen, collectors, etc.
See old discarded steel, scrap metal, wood and bone transformed into functional works of art.

General: Craftsmen from several states, finished knives on display, collections on display, etc.
Family oriented event.

Behave! No unsafe or reckless behavior will be tolerated.

Additional: “Iron in the Hat” event Saturday to help fund event. Please bring usable item for this event. A chance to pick up valuable plunder - knifemaking materials, parts and pieces. Strictly voluntary, participation encouraged.

Donation Knife: None Selected at Present

Accommodations: Full hook-up & primitive camping available (check web site), Trackrock is an excellent campground and very well maintained. Several motels near: Blairsville and Young Harris.
Please contact me via pm if you wish to participate, or need any further information.
Ps – Catered BBQ plate 12 Noon on Sat. Prices set by caterer. First come first served.

 

[SA Condor]

I'll have to go vicariously through those that are able to attend and then post pics

However, spring 2017 . . . I'm there!

 

[prom52]

We are locked & loaded for the Fall 2015 Hammer-In at Trackrock. Looking forward to meeting you Carl, and participating in what has always appeared to be a fun filled event. Not to worry, there will be pics

 

[bonafide]

I'm there!

I picked up a couple old 6" pipe wrenches. Hoping you can help me out with them, Carl. :thumbup:

 

[crex]

>>6" wrenches<<
Make no promises, but will do we'll see what we can do (you know how busy I get).

>>I'll have to go vicariously through those that are able to attend and then post pics <<
There have been a few days when this doesn't sound so bad......very few. Most fun is in being there and the doing! Do hope you can make the Spring event,
it will be the last weekend in March 2016.

 

[crex]

Just bringing it current.

 

[swonut]

I just started a new job as a Mechanical Engineering Intern (at 44 y/o) and have about an hour and a half of vacation at this point, so I can't make it. However, if you are considering or on the fence, GO!!!! I went back in the spring and it was an absolute hoot!

 

[crex]

Congrats on the new job. At 44 you are not old, just starting to ripen.
Sorry you can't make TR this fall. This is #29 or #30 (I'm over ripe and can't remember without adding them up). There will be more as long as I can grip a hammer. Next spring is last weekend in March.

 

[swonut]

Just a bump of encouragement for all you folks that may be on the fence about going. It's worth the drive! Wish I could be there. Hopefully in the spring I'll have more than 3 hours of vacation and can take a Friday off to drive down.

 

[VANCE]

I totally forgot about you not being there this time Blaine

Bummer... It's going to be a Skelton fiddleback crew this time though

 

[swonut]

It definitely put a bug in me and I added an Anvil and a forge burner to the projects in progress in the garage. I need to finish up the forge as I've got everything lined up but the refractories. However, between all the "projects" and a new job for which I have a ton (HVAC Engineer) to learn, I've been at most able to keep the kids and pets fed. BTW, my daughter and I need to post up a four legged friends picture of Otzi.

Luckily Stacey Apelt (Bladesmith) is local, but I need to find some time to get out to talk with him.

 

[Fiddleback]

It definitely put a bug in me and I added an Anvil and a forge burner to the projects in progress in the garage. I need to finish up the forge as I've got everything lined up but the refractories. However, between all the "projects" and a new job for which I have a ton (HVAC Engineer) to learn, I've been at most able to keep the kids and pets fed. BTW, my daughter and I need to post up a four legged friends picture of Otzi.

Luckily Stacey Apelt (Bladesmith) is local, but I need to find some time to get out to talk with him.

I would love to be able to be locally influenced by Stacey Apelt. Im sure I would learn a ton just touring his shop. I love doing that. Not too many makers that I have learned more from here at BF. Hopefully I haven't bothered him too much over the years. I try to compensate ole Carl for having to put up with me by saving pretty pieces of wood for him. Otherwise, he may have chased me away long ago.

I wish you were coming Swo. I'll be there tonight, but have to leave in the AM to make Hannah's tournament. I missed a sick diving tagged double play she made last week and I don't want to miss any more.

 

[prom52]

Even though Mother Nature did not fully cooperate, I'd have to say that the Fall Hammer-In at Trackrock was a resounding success. Fortunately all of the forging takes place under roof, so the passing showers did little to dim the enthusiasm of the knife makers or the attendees. Here is the view when first entering the shed:

Carl Rechsteiner does a fantastic job of organizing this event, not to mention his skill in crafting some amazing hand forged traditional knives. Here are a few shots of Carl's table displaying his fine work:

So many to choose from....needless to say a few of these blades left the event with new owners.....several members of the Fiddleback Crew could not resist the temptation:

Here is a shot of Carl reviewing a recent creation of our very own Allen Surls, along with fellow BF member, Bill510C:

Here's Rick Lowe striking a pose with Allen's fighting bowie with Phillip in the background:

One of the coolest aspects of this event is the opportunity to hammer some steel under the watchful eye of a talented Guild member. Here is my wife learning to shape a piece of 1095 carbon steel under Rick Lowe's direction with Andy Roy in the background:

Rick suggested to make it a collaborative project so I joined in on the action:

To say that my wife and I had fun would be an understatement. The expression on my wife's face says it all:

Earlier in the day she reminded me that "size matters"as she held up one of Dennis Bradley's finely crafted bowies:

I was fully in agreement when I held up a fossilized wooly mammoth tooth found in the area around Ocala Florida:

Here are some additional shots of the forging taking place during the event:

Finally, I'll close out this post with a photo of one of the living legends of the knife world Sandy Morrissey, Master Sheath Maker. You may recall that Bud had the opportunity to pick up a few tips from Sandy at one of the Hammer-In events last year:

I would like to echo the words of several of our fellow Blade Forum members who have had an opportunity to attend this event by saying that it's a worthwhile trip and definitely needs to be put on your "bucket list" along with Blade Show.

Peter

 

[Uncle_P]

Peter,
Great pics sir. You and your wife certainly look like y'all are having a good time.
Thanks for sharing the experience.

Preston

 

[Comprehensivist]

Thanks for posting all these photos Peter. It gives us a window into all the fun that goes on there. I had the pleasure of meeting Carl and Rick at the Blade Show. Both are impressive gentlemen and I am sure that they are even more gracious when they are working in theie element teaching people how to forge knives.

I am glad that you and Susan had a chance to get a hands on lesson in pounding steel. I am sure that it gives you a new appreciation for what goes into making a nice knife and sheath.

Phil

 

[Tim the Wizard]

Looks like a great time.

 

[Tekton]

Thanks for posting pics. Looks like a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

 

[crex]

Hey Peter, really enjoyed meeting you and Susan. Glad you stuck around for the better weather on Saturday. The event went very well and I believe everyone had a good time .... I know I did (always do). We try very hard to get anyone interested in hitting some hot steel the opportunity to do so. It's always fun to put faces on you "Spider Lovers" and as always Andy is good entertainment.

 

[hasco]

Thanks for posting all of the great pics Peter! I would love to attend that event some time. I am glad you and your wife had a chance to go join in on all the fun!

 

[prom52]

Thanks for everyone's comments. It's definitely a fun event and also inspiring to see the level of dedication these craftsmen put forth to help educate the youth, as well as, a few mature enthusiasts that step up to the anvil....lol We're looking forward to having our little knife finished out. It will be a keepsake for sure. In honor of Rick Lowe's love for Osage handles I believe it would be fitting to have its handles crafted as such since he was our instructor. If you're reading this Rick, thanks for inviting us to your anvil & for a great experience !