What to expect at ABS Michigan Hammer In?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
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It looks like the ABS is doing a hammer in less than an hour away from me in a little over a month! Exciting! I had some questions about what to expect before I commit to going:

1) I assume the registration fee of $125 is for people who want tables to sell stuff, correct? I am confortable selling my knives, but not around a bunch of pros! Should I waive the fee and show up just like Joe Public?

2) My main goal is to learn something about making knives (of course!). Ideally I want to walk out of there with my first forged blade in hand, but is a hammer in more hands-off type of learning? FWIW, I have 1084 steel that I could take a piece of with me in case I get a chance to whack it with a hammer!

3) Are the knifemaking demos open to the public or only to registered people?

4) The ABS website says "tailgate sales welcome". Does that mean I can take a few knives with me in hopes of making a sale without having t worry about offending someone?

Thanks in advance!
 
Doc
The registeration fee is for the people who will be watching and participating in the events as described on the site. The only thing the general public can attend without paying is the knife exhibit/show.
There will be a "green coal" section that you can do hands on forging with an experienced person. This one will be with Charlie Smale. He is really good. Bring that bar of steel with you, gloves would be handy as well.
The rest of the events are for smiths of all levels to watch and see how the particular process is accomplished.
Tail gate sales is if you have something you want to sell i.e. steel,belts,forges,grinders,wood or whatever you have. Don't bring any old refridgerators as they will probally not sell well. Stick with knife related stuff. You bring the items, put it on the tail gate and a price. Most of the time there is not even a person anywhere around the items. Just a price marked and a bucket to put you money if you want one. Put you money in and go, etc.
You kydex some, if you have any extra you might put some out if you want to sell it or trade it for something.
The exhibit/show part is where you have a table, picnic table or whatever we can come up with up there, you lay your knives out and see if anyone shows up to buy. I have seen people spend $20,000 or so at one of these events. You never know.
Reguardless of experience come and learn and put your knives out. I have seen knives priced at $10,000 right next to a $25.00 knife. We are in the same boat. We like knives and want to share them.
I have been going to hammer-ins for 15 years now. I still learn something at each one of them. And they are still fun.
More and more we are having collectors come also to learn the real ins and outs of how the knives are made. This educates them cheaply as to what to ask for and what to look for when buying their knives. So the hammer-ins are for both the maker and collector. This should be an annual event. It will grow each year.
Anything else I can help explain just let me know. I will keep an eye on this for a few days. This promises to be a good time.
The ABS is also looking to try to set a hammer-in up in New York State area next year if we can find a good place.
jf
 
Thanks for the info! So I should pony up and pay the fee? sounds good to me. I didn't know if the fee was for exhibitors only. That clears it up! Also, I don't fo any forging whatsoever. Should I still bring knives even though they are stock removal?
 
Outstanding! Glad to hear a Hammer In is coming to town. I've wanted to learn about forging, I'm sure this would be the best place to do so.

For those interested, the Hammer In with be the Scagel Blade Forging and Knife Exhibition on August 24 through 26 in Fruitport, MI. For more info check this out..... http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ScagelHMN.htm

It's going to be at the residence of Dr Jim Lucie. Dr. Lucie makes some of the nicest Scagel style knives I've ever seen.

Off to juggle my vacation days :D .

Take care,
Tom
 
I would kill to go to a hammer in we dont have does in alberta as far as i know go and enjoy the show you lucky bastard
 
This ought to be a great hammer-in from what I have heard and read. Go if you are in the area and can make it. I know there are some makers that are going to make some long trips to be up there.

As a collector I am planning on going to the fall hammer-in and spend a day or two in the shops of a few friends that live in the area and I am already looking forward to it.
 
Originally posted by fisk
The ABS is also looking to try to set a hammer-in up in New York State area next year if we can find a good place.
jf
Click to expand...

:D :D :D I hope it's somewhere near the city. :) :) :)
 
We are shooting for it to be close but will have to wait and see what is available.
jf
 
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