ABS intro to bladesmithing week one of two

[Allen Newberry]

I am just back at my house for the weekend in between week one and week two of the ABS Introduction to bladesmithing course. So here are a few pictures from week one.

Here is a shot of part of the forging area:

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/2530/img0585k.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img0585k.jpg/)


Jim Crowell using one of the power hammers:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3006/img0599io.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/i/img0599io.jpg/)

We have been able to use the power hammers. Which is fun. It makes the slow stuff go fast. It also allows you to make mistakes quickly.


Here are the grinders. There are a couple of Burr Kings, a few KMG's, and a few Baders. Several of which are variable speed.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5185/img0598x.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img0598x.jpg/)


Jim Crowell was scheduled to be our instructor for the first week. Tim Potier was scheduled to be the instructor for the second week. However, Tim came up and helped out the first week on his own dime. Gordon Graham also helped out the first week and is planning on coming up for the last couple of days of the second week. So instead of having one instructor for our forging we had three!

Jim Crowell (He sure makes it look easy!):

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/776/img0613xe.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/img0613xe.jpg/)


Tim Potier A very fun guy. I am looking forward to learning a ton from him next week. EyeeeeEEEEEEE! :

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7835/img0619fq.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/img0619fq.jpg/)


Gordon Graham I was sure glad he came down to help out!:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3121/img0601if.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img0601if.jpg/)


One of the fun parts of the week is that some talented makers sometimes drop by. When John Perry stopped by on Friday I managed to pick up one of his sanding jigs and one of his broaches.

Here is a picture of J.R. Cook when he dropped by:

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/315/img0600oh.jpg (http://img828.imageshack.us/i/img0600oh.jpg/)


On Thursday evening some of us went to Kenny Rowe's and some of us went to the meeting over at Uncle Al's. I went to Uncle Al's and I had a good time seeing makers I hadn't seen in a while. There was some good BBQ and a flintknapping demonstration.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6444/img0617w.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/img0617w.jpg/)


Here is a picture I wish I had before coming up. It is the kitchen in the bunkhouse. The kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer with an icemaker, a microwave, and an oven/stove. (Now you can plan your meals.)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1264/img0596vf.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img0596vf.jpg/)


And finally here is on of the blades that I forged:

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9289/img0615e.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/img0615e.jpg/)


If there is anything that you guys want to see while I am up there for week two just let me know and I will see what I can do.

[Lorien Arnold]

so awesome Allen! I'm really looking forward to more of this:)

[Roger Pinnock]

Great report Allen -nice to have a peek inside this important training program. What would I like to see? More of the same - including blades in varying stages of completion. And a closer peek at that Cook bowie. ;)

Roger

[Eli Gautreaux]

Thanks for the pics, looks like a great week. Hope it's another good one for you next week too.

[Kevin Jones]

Thanks for sharing your week with us Allen.
They really have a nice set-up down there.

That JR Cook bowie is really something.

[Allen Newberry]

Thanks for the comments guys! Unfortunately that was the only photo that I got of the Cook bowie, so we will have to hope he posts up some pictures at some point. As for the class, I had a good second week as well. I managed to have fun, learn quite a bit, forge several knives, and forge one that was able to successfully cut a rope, chop a couple of boards, shave hair, and bend 90 degrees without breaking. I will have to dig through the pictures to see which ones turned out and start working on a part two post.

[Jim Treacy]

Alan,

Thanks for the pics of the Intro Course. It brings back good memories.

I took the course in Dec. 2007 with Jerry Fisk and JR Cook. As a collector, I had no intention of becoming a knifemaker, but had alot of fun and made some great friends. I also greatly increased my knowledge as a collector.

Thanks for the comments guys! Unfortunately that was the only photo that I got of the Cook bowie, so we will have to hope he posts up some pictures at some point.

I found this on JR's website. I believe it is the same knife. Here is his description:

This is a Damascus Composite "W" pattern Modified, South West Bowie. I have been working on the textures and etching of the Damascus.
I think this one turned out very nice. It is an extremely deep etch.

The blade is 10" and it is 15-1/2" overall. The clam shell guard is Damascus from the same steel as is the butt plate.


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/jjtjr/Cook2010Bowie.jpg

Please post some more photos if you get a chance.

Jim Treacy

[Bruce Bump]

Thanks for sharing Allen. Whew I love that bowie!

[Allen Newberry]

Thanks for sharing Allen. Whew I love that bowie!

He did do a good job on that one. The etch is really deep on it; although, it is hard to see in the picture.