Yakima Hammer In - Interview with Dave Lisch on damascus- forge chisel a bear head

blakesnowden

blakesnowden

Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
201
Just got back from the Yakima hammer in and WOW what a fantastic concentration of talent in that room. Such noted damascus gurus as Tom Ferry, John Davis, Gary House and Bill Cottrell to name only a few were in attendance, and wowing the rookies like me with their creations.
I am completely blown away by the production of mosaic damascus. It is 3 dimensional geometric chess, married to quantum dynamic unification theory.
To describe the process is nearly impossible; and even when Tom Ferry drew out the geometry attempting to simplify what he was creating with a grease pencil, I could only marginally grasp at the concept he was trying to force feed into my novice skull.

I travelled with Chuck and Brenda Bybee who in case you don't know run
Alpha knife supply (dot com) We showed up with a truck of the finest ivory, stag, fossil and exotic woods I have ever seen on a table. Those guys are as nice as the day is long, and Chuck knows how to show a guy to the best burgers, subs, and crab and swiss grilled cheese sandwhiches on the planet.

The upbeat, hilarious and (imo) soon to be ABS stud has got to be
Dave Lisch. He like a few other guys like Mike Rader have worked with Tom Ferry and the other kingpins of the northwest damascus world (and it shows; their stuff is incredible) and have fully grasped and excelled in the chinese math that is making mosaic damascus.

Here is a quick little edit of Dave Lisch talking about some damascus and the process of hot chiseling (if that is even a term) a wildlife butt cap.
Dave is a great guy totally funny and cool and
someone I would be proud to call my friend. I hope you enjoy it.

** FYI ~The video is edited and the chiseling process is on fast forward in this video*

[youtube]mjYLm25Okeo[/youtube]
 
The first part of that video is great, but it goes a little crazy about half way through.

Dave sure makes some great steel, and some really fine knives.
 
Blake thanks. And yes, the steel was flying, the presses where smoking, the exchange of knowledge was at an all time high. some how I missed Bruce Bump talking about the cut and shoot. My bad. It was clear that everyone at, 'The Pursuit of Excellence Hammer-in' had a good time, a big thanks to Kelly Cupples for his generosity and putting on a Great Event.
 
Dave thats a cool video! I like that bear pommel.
It was good to talk with you at the hammer-in. Nobody stayed on schedule with the talks it seemed. I was there on time for mine but nobody showed. Maybe we can get together in Eugene?
 
next time you guys do something like this in the area, it would be nice to see an announcement in the Community forum.

If I had known about this hammer in, I would have liked to attend to see what forging is all about.
 
Keith I am going to try and be at Josh's. and would like to meet you. Mike g sorry but kelly was worried about too many iron in the fire. Bruce I will see you in org.
 
I sure wish I could have made it.

But I'm trying to honor all of my promises/commitments and felt I would make more people happy by working on those than going east. Sucks, cuz I really wanted to see everybody!!!

Glad you guys that made it had a great time.... like I'm surprised! LOL :)

Keith, I'll see you at Josh's :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top