Trackrock pics

VANCE

VANCE

Joined
Mar 13, 2006
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here are a few....had a dead cell phone most of the time but managed to snap a couple...

hopefully ken and al will post some more here

view from our cabin
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allen getting his curly q on
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andy and rick lowe...he might be the nicest guy ive ever met (rick) l0l
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ken forging a knife from a center punch...despite carl...crex....telling him it would make a nice center punch
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andy "doin work!"
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carl had something nice set up for SUPERBEN
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these 2 days were awesome....& luckily andys idea of the GO PRO being attached to the drunkest guy did not occur:D


thanks to andy & the crew for making this a great experience
 
Thanks for sharing Vance......looks like you guys had a productive & fun time.
 
Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing pics with those of us who live a long ways away!
 
Awesome Vance! Thanks for posting pics.

What's the handle material on the front Ulu?
 
Phillip,
Thanks for sharing the pics. One question, did you not want the go pro attached to you?

Just kiddin. Glad y'all had a good time, can't wait to see some finished products.

Preston
 
im not sure kris.


at the time andy mentioned it... i was down......allen is crazy btw
 
There's no way I can do a complete write up of everything I experienced this weekend. Not my first trackrock, but this was one absolutely rock it. The knifemakers attending are some of the best in the business and they are very gracious with their time and expertise. The best thing you'll see is a kids face light up after one of these knifemakers helps them make their first knife. The 2nd best thing are the teenagers who are coming into their own talent after spending a couple/three years learning this almost lost art of forging a knife.

So .. too much going on, but I'll share my favorite snaps I got.

Dennis Bradley is a knife wizard. I sat and chatted with Mr. Bradley on Friday for a bit. A retired teacher (metal shop), he's been making knives for 40 yrs. His file work is over the top. I wish I had taken a pic of his 'file work' samplers he put together.

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Carl (CRex) Rechsteiner is a true artist .. with both steel and leather. Definitely one of the hidden gems of Georgia. If you get a chance to score one of his hand forge knives - do not hesitate.
Carl is organizer of the bi-annual Trackrock Hammer In. He brought a good selection of his knives to display/sell. I bought 2 of them One is a double edge rope/cable damascus, oak/antler handle and amazing sheath - the smaller is for my daughter's Christmas stocking. :)


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Andy hammering a CurlyQ while Rick Lowe overseas the worksite.

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Ken hammering out a knife from 52100 steel .. while RLO assisting.

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Yours Truly. I was given the opportunity to hammer out one of the CurlyQ's and I jumped all over that. Yes, that's my 'Awesome Sauce' hat. :p
Thanks to Rick Lowe for showing me how it's done!

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Few of the finished CurlyQ's .. BAM! I believe it goes .. From Top to Bottom, KEB, Recluse, BF.

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Beer-thirty. L-R, Ken, CRex, Andy, and Sandy Morrissey (do a search for Sandy ref leather).

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I was able to spend 4 hrs this evening with Sandy and I couldnt absorb the stuff he was showing me fast enough. Sandy has been working with leather for 70 yrs and considered by many as one of the best all time sheath makers. A true master.
A fellow LEO, Moto enthusiast, and leather man - we really hit it off and I was honored to get some time/advice from him.

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Looking good there Bud in your coordinated Bib & Brace and Awesome Sauce topper. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I had to close my eyes and try to imagine what the sounds must have been like to go along with the sights. It should be interesting to see how you put the insights that Sandy shared with you during your little chat into your own work. I'll bet you would have liked to do a complete "Vulcan Mind Meld" with him. Amazing that he's made thousands of sheaths & yet never carried a knife !
 
Magical things can happen when a group of professionals that span several generations get together. Thank you for sharing some of the magic here Phillip and Bud.
 
Interesting stuff...nice pics. Love seeing these guys getting "primitive" on the the anvil! Beautiful curlies on those handles!
 
Thank you for posting these pics Phillip and Bud. I had a great time at Trackrock and it was nice to meet and talk knives and leather with both of you. It was also nice to see Andy, Ken and Allan again and to watch the Fiddleback crew forge out the curly qs.
There were many talented makers and I learned alot.

Keep up the great work.
Take care. Nathan
 
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Great pics Bud, glad to see the hammer make its way into your hand as well.

Preston
 
Here are a few more pics from this weekend. What a great time. big thanks to Rick Lowe for all of the teaching and help!!! Great to see some familiar faces, meet new people, soak in vast amounts of knowledge, and relax a bit with the rest of the crew. First WAS Knives sporting curly-qs, some with a twist!











 
Awesome pics, I really like those skinners & that tiny knife.

Looks like you guys had a great time, thanks for sharing!
 
Just finished unpacking the truck after the weekend in Track Rock. As always, it was a super time with good friends. Special this time to be able to spend so much time with the Fiddleback crew around the forge. Andy, Ken, Allen and Bud got right into hitting hot steel and show plenty of potential. Didn't get Phillip on a hammer, but he kept up the moral support for everyone and got good photos. Those forged curly q tangs are going to look great with handles and finish. These events go all day long and well into the evening. Well......the forging tends to stop around 9:00, but the evening just takes off. Very relaxing to sit around with these guys, tell some tall tales and generally just enjoy the company. Already looking forward to the spring session!

I can only second what Bud has to say about Sandy Morrissay. He's been my mentor and close, dear friend for nearly 12 yrs. now. Bud's 4hrs. with him had to be a treat and treasure for sure.
 
Yepper, Great time indeed!
Always a bonus to spend time with the Fiddleback Fraternity. They have gotten to where they sort of behave themselves.
As was mentioned, a lot of kids got to try doing something a little different with their opposing thumbs. They all seemed pretty happy with the experience.....what it's all about folks.
You'll notice going down through the pics which of the Fiddlebackers are the quicker learners.......just look at who's wearing safety glasses and who's not. Had to push on Allen a bit, but he finally acquiesced (guess with all the pretty girls wandering around the event it seemed cooler with them on top of the head GQ style).

Thanks for sharing all the pics Phillip and Bud. Enjoyed finally meeting both of you.

ps - Spending time with Dad (Sandy M) is always a blessing on both sides of the table. He is still a treasure. One of the best ways to honor him - as RLo so aptly put it - EAT MORE BEEF!

pps - Spring Trackrock will be the last weekend in March 2015 - confirmed.
 
Wow, looks like it was a blast! Now that I am back in the south I would love to go observe this and interview some of the attendants there. The combined knowledge of the group there must be astounding.
 
This was truly a great weekend. I never want to miss it, period. I wish we had more pics of that beer thirty conversation. I realized during the conversation that it was a crowd that I was truly honored to sit with. Every one of them mentors and great men.

Bud, you got every model wrong in your pick. Tsk tsk. Top to bottom its a Bushfinger, and two recluses. Geez, what kind of insider are you? LOL.
 
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