bill burke 30th annual demonstrating ~ damascus … · billy ray hughes...judging billy...
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Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
13
Bill Burke
Demonstrating ~ Damascus Steel
I have been making knives since 1998, received Ms
stamp in 2008. I make most kinds of cutlery using
carbon steel and my own Damascus.
30th Annual Batson
Bladesmithing Symposium &
Knife Show Celebration
On April 6-8, 2018
At Tannehill Ironworks at Exit 100 off I-20, 11
miles west of Bessemer, AL
Demonstrators Dinner on Thursday Evening is
Free to Everyone
Registration Fee is $75 to AFC Members & $100
for others includes one-year membership fee in
AFC
Demonstrators Bill Burke……..Damascus Steel
Rick Dunkerley……........Liner Locks James Crowell...Forging, Grinding
& Heat Treat James Batson….Heat Treating Extravaganza
Joe Keeslar………..…...Handles & Guards Lin Rhea....................Skeleton knives
Mickey Wise….Rendezvous Knives Butch Sheely………Hawk Forging Bill Wiggins…...Handle Shaping
Billy Ray Hughes...Judging Billy Bates…...Engraving
Colonel Tim Ryan….Auction Mel Pardue…………. Automatics
Kenny Rowe………Leather Sheathes Tommy McNabb...Inlays & Silver Sheathes
Mark Haddix …….….……..…Youth Hands-on Neil Faulkenberry…..…………Adult Hands-on
There will be a charge of $10
per 2-hour class for Hands-on Forging
Knife Show Fee & Tannehill State Park Fee are included in Registration Send your name, address &
phone number with registration fee & if you plan to attend dinner
To: Judd Clem 111 Yorkshire Dr, Athens, AL 35613 or contact by phone 256/232-2645
or by e-mail, clem.judd@att.net
Bring items for Auction, Tail Gate Sales &
Knives for Knife Show & Heat Treating
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
14
Rick Dunkerly
Demonstrating ~ Liner Locks
I started making knives in 1983 and made stock
removal knives until 1990. Started forging my knives then
and passed my ABS Master Smith test in 1997. In 2006 I was
awarded the “Maestro” rating by the Italian Knife Maker
Guild. In 2014, I was inducted into the Montana Circle of
American Masters by the Montana Arts Council. In 2016, I
was voted in as a member of the Art Knife Invitational.
My focus is on Damascus steel folding knives although I do
produce a few fixed blade knives each year. My knives have
won over 25 national and international awards. I’ve also
taught Damascus steel and folding knives both in the US and
Italy.
Jim Crowell
Demonstrating ~ Forging, Grinding & Heat Treating
James Crowell began making knives in Mt. View, AR in
1980 and is a past Ozark Folk Center, State Park, Resident
Blacksmith and Knife maker. He earned the distinction of
Master Bladesmith from the American Bladesmith Society
in 1986 and was certified as the first, non founding father,
Instructor for the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) that
same year.
Jim is a long time faculty member of The Bill Moran School
of Bladesmithing at Texarkana College and teaches all over
the country at seminars and “Hammer-Ins”. His flawless
work, regarded by many as among the best hand forged knives
produced, has appeared in every trade publication and is in
collections throughout the world. He has won many awards
including the first American Bladesmith Society Bill Moran
Knife of the Year, the Blade Magazine Best Forged Knife and
was the winner of numerous American Bladesmith Society
Cutting Competitions. Jim won the first World Championship
ABS cutting competition in 2003 at the Blade Super Show in
Atlanta Georgia.
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
15
Jim Batson
Demonstrating ~ Heat Treating
Jim Batson learned to Forge and heat treat blades from
Elmer Sybold in Mineral Wells, Texas in November of 1976.
Made Damascus steel with Daryl Meier in 1978 and joined
the ABS in 1981. Became a Master Bladesmith in1993.
Started the Alabama Forge Council with Gavin Harris and
John Beckworth in about 1985. Started inviting Nationally
known bladesmiths to the Batson Bladesmithing Symposium
at his forge in Madison, Alabama 30 years ago. Jim moved the
event to Tannehill State Park for the 8th Annual Batson
Bladesmithing Symposium.
Joe Keeslar
Demonstrating ~ Handles and Guards
After a stint in the United States Marine Corps, Joe completed
his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Arts Education at
Murray State University with majors in Wood and Metal. He
then taught Industrial Arts at Murray High School for the next
twenty-three years, retiring in 1993.
Joe’s love of crafts began at a very young age. He tooled
leather as a teenager, made his first knife in 1962 and built his
first Dixie Gun Works kit long rifle in 1964. Active in black
powder buck skinning, he built Pennsylvania flintlock rifles,
pistols, fowling pieces and accessories.
Inspired by Bill Moran, Joe began making Damascus in the
mid-seventies. In the early 1980’s he attended an ABS Ham-
mer-In at Washington, Arkansas. He immediately joined the
ABS, due to its focus on education, and promptly switched
from rifle-making to knife making.
Joe received his Journeyman Smith rating in 1987 and Master
Smith rating in 1989. He has been a frequent Instructor at the
William F. Moran Jr. School of Bladesmithing, Haywood
College and New England School of Metalwork. His work
appears regularly in important knife related publications and
on the internet. He received BLADE Magazine’s Industry
Achievement Award in June 2013 and an Aldo and Edda
Lorenzi Award in June 2015.
Joe has authored three very successful books: “Handles and
Guards,” “Forging and Finishing the Brut de Forge Knife” and
“Making Leather Knife Sheaths.”
He served on the Board of Directors of the ABS from 1991 –
2015 twice as Chairman (2003-2007 and 2013-2015). In 2011
was named to the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame.
The ABS twice recognized his exceptional service with the
Don Hastings Award. In 2015 he was honored with the Paul
Burke Lifetime Achievement Award.
Since retirement from teaching, Joe has added a French
connection to his resume. He with wife Suzanne exhibited at
the Thiers Knife Show from 1995-2017 and have become
acquainted with a number of fine French and European knife
makers. Since 2000 Joe has been instrumental in the creation
of an ABS bladesmithing school at Ostiches, Belgium, as well
as the addition of several European Journeyman Smiths and
Master Smiths to the ABS rosters.
Maker- Joe Keeslar image by SharpByCoop Maker- Joe Keeslar image by SharpByCoop
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
16
Lin Rhea
Demonstrating ~ Skeleton knives
I’m Lin Rhea. I’m a member of the American Bladesmith
Society rated as Mastersmith. I’m currently working as the
historic blacksmith for the Historic Arkansas Museum in
Little Rock, Arkansas. I study the old blacksmithing
techniques used by past masters and try to enlist these in
my knife making today. I share as much as I can by way of
videos, photos, and social media. I’m privileged to be allowed
to instruct knife making classes at various locations around the
country. This has allowed me to make lifelong friends as well
as help form a network of creative thinking which I hope will
continue to thrive.
Mickey Wise
Demonstrating ~ Rendezvous Knives
Unfortunately Mickey did not have any photos of his work
by the time we published this but we do have a couple of
still photos of him demonstrating at the 2014 Batson Blade
Symposium. Alabama Forge Council has a video of Mickey
Wise’s demo and Steve Dunn’s demo (in the same DVD set)
for sale. The 2 DVD set is $10. and its contents are listed as
“handles, guards and blade making”. Contact AFC Treasurer,
Judd Clem to purchase the video. clem.judd@att.net
Mickey lives in Alabama and has a long time connection to
the Batson Blade Symposium. Mr. Wise will be demonstrating
Rendezvous knives.
The X Rhea Bowie. Photo by Lin Rhea.
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
17
Butch Sheely
Demonstrating ~ Hawk Forging
I started bladesmithing and blacksmithing in 1982, after
getting involved in historic re-enacting. For the next twenty
plus years I forged knives, tomahawks and various other
items, mostly for re-enactors. Ten years ago I started
bladesmithing and blacksmithing full time. I take great pride
in making the best knives and tomahawks that I can, starting
with forging, grinding, and heat treating and including the
hand sewn leather sheaths. I have always enjoyed traditional
style knives, axes and hawks. I believe this goes back to how I
got started in re-enacting.
I joined the American Bladesmith Society in 2005, after
attending a number of ABS hammer-ins in Michigan and
Ohio. In 2009 I was awarded my Journeyman rating from
the ABS. My long term goal is to achieve the Master Smith
rating. I have received the Antique Bowie Knife Association
Award for “The Best Bowie” displayed by a Journeyman
Smith at the Blade Show in 2011, 2013 and 2014. I have won
the “Best Historically Inspired Knife” at the 2015 Arkansas
Custom knife Show and the “Best Period Piece” in 2008 and
2010 at the Ohio Classic Knife Show.
Most of the working knives that I make are forged from 5160.
I also use 1084, 1095, W2 and 52100. The majority of the
Damascus that I make is 1084 and 15N20. I use only natural
materials for handles, including wood, stag, antler, horn and
bone. I believe that the appearance and feel of natural
materials fit the style that I make.
I have demonstrated at a number of American Bladesmith
Society, Inc. Hammer-ins, since 2010. I have also
demonstrated several times for the Alabama Forge Council,
the Batson Blade symposium and for the Southern Ohio Forge
and Anvil Blacksmith Quad State in 2015.
Bill Wiggins
Demonstrating ~ Handle shaping
Growing up in a family of hunters and outdoorsman I
have always been interested in knives. With custom knives,
I started as a collector. While visiting a local maker became
interested in making my own knives. As a stock removal
maker, I was at The Blade Show where I saw Bill Moran and
Jay Hendrickson doing a forging demonstration. I walked
straight back into the show and bought my first forge.
After making the decision to become a bladesmith, I enrolled
at The Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. I have taken
both the Intro and Damascus courses. In 2006, I earned my JS
rating and I am currently working toward my MS rating.
I am lucky to live in Western North Carolina with my
wonderful wife and three great kids. They have all been very
supportive of my knife making and ABS projects. I have been
fortunate enough to work with the ABS and the Haywood
Community College to help establish Hammer-ins as well as
ABS sponsored knife making classes here in the southeast. I
am looking forward to being part of the ABS for years to
come.
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
18
Mel Pardue
Demonstrating ~ Automatics
I made my first knives in 1957. Most were made from old
cross cut saw blades. They were fixed blade hunting knives. I
worked for an engineering firm in Mobile, AL. for eleven
years and made knives in my spare time during this period.
In 1968 I was offered job in Tampa, FL. Where we stayed till
1973. I built a home with a knife shop in back where I could
spend more time making knives and have the equipment I
really needed to make knives.. Still… I only making knives
part time until I met Mr. Frank Cenrtofante, a well Known
knife maker at that time. We became friends and over the next
year he encouraged me to join the Knife Maker’s Guild.
In 1974 I applied for Guild membership and was accepted.
Over the next couple years Frank Centofante, helped me,
encouraged me and advised me of the proper equipment
needed to make knives. There is no way I can repay Frank for
all the help and encouragement he gave me over the next two
years.
In 1976 I was accepted as a voting member of the guild. I
continued making knives in my spare time. By 1978 my
knife making business had become a full time business. That
allowed me to make the decision to sell my half ownership in
the surveying and engineering business and we moved to my
current location in Repton, Al. We built a house and shop and
moved to Repton, Al.
Since 1974 I have attended every Knife Maker’s Guild show
and served 14 years on the Board of Directors. The last 10
years of the 14 I served as Vice President of the Knife
Maker’s Guild.
Over the last 24 years, I have worked with Benchmade Knife
Company as a knife designer.
I have taught Knife making classes every year for the last 20
years or so at the Batson Blade Symposium. Over a 5 year
period I taught at the American Bladesmith Society school
several times. In the last 25-30 years I have taught classes in
my shop in Repton, AL. when time permitted.
Billy Bates
Demonstrating ~ Engraving
I have been engraving about 25 years. When I’m not
engraving I’m either working at my regular job as a surgical
R.N. Or camping with my family. I look forward all year to
coming to Tannehill. In all these years, I have only missed the
very first Batson Blade Symposium.
Much of my engraving is done as commission work for
customers. Collectors, bladesmiths, gunsmiths, blacksmiths,
etc. love to customize and personalize their pieces. Imagery
used may be words, floral work, logos, etc. Items regularly
engraved include; guns, knives, swords, axes, and fishing
reels.
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
19
Kenny Rowe
Demonstrating ~ Leather Sheaths
I have been custom making leather gear over 40 years, 24 of
which have been full time. Sometime in the late 80's we met a
few custom knife makers and knife collectors and started
making custom leather sheaths for these guys. Ever since
then, our sheath business has been one of our biggest
businesses here at Rowe's Leather. We have customers not
only in the US, but also all over the world. Each year we
attend 2-3 knife shows, the Arkansas Knife Show in Little
Rock, AR in February, the Blade Show in Atlanta, GA in
June, and usually one other show depending on time and how
backed up we are at the shop. For several years, we worked
side by side with the ABS Bladesmithing School and offered
a sheath making class here in our shop in Hope, AR. I also
attend and instruct at Bladesmithing Symposiums such as
Piney Woods Hammer In located in Washington, AR each
spring and fall, and have attended numerous Batson
Bladesmithing Symposium and Knife Shows in Alabama.
Knife sheaths are absolutely one of our passions here at
Rowe's Leather, and we take pride in our fit and finish, as well
as the functionality and usability of each sheath.
Tommy McNabb
Demonstrating ~ Inlays and Silver Sheaths
Tommy McNabb is a self-taught blacksmith since 1979. He
began making knives in 1982 when he hand-forged his first
knife out of Damascus steel. Tommy has studied knife making
and blacksmithing at the John C. Campbell Folk School with
Glenn Gilmore and at the Penland School with Daryl Meier.
He also studied with Jim Batson, Bill Moran, Don Fogg, Ron
Newton, and many other great knife makers. In addition to
serving as treasurer of NC Chapter of ABANA for 6 years,
Tommy is a founding member and served as the first president
of NC Custom Knife Makers Guild. In 1988 Tommy started
producing a line of knives for the hunter and sportsman. He
also fills custom orders for collectors and galleries that
include mother-of-pearl inlays, silver wire inlays and other
exotic treatments.
Photos by Rowe’s Leather
Tommy McNab in the shop. Photo by Trena McNabb.
Photo by Tommy McNabb.
Bituminous Bits ~ Journal of the Alabama Forge Council JAN/FEB 2018 ISSUE
20
B. R. Hughes is one of the founders of the American
Bladesmith Society and has held the office of ABS secretary
for more than 30 years. He has served as head judge for the
master bladesmith and journeyman bladesmith ratings for a
number of years. B. R. has authored or co-authored five books
on handmade knives and more than 500 magazine articles on
this topic.
He has been inducted into the American Bladesmith Hall of
Fame and the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.
Mr. Hughes taught and coached in the public schools for
ten years before joining the staff at Texarkana College in
Texarkana, Texas where he served as Instructor of Journalism,
Director of the Evening School and Dean of Students for
thirty years. During that time he was instrumental in the
establishment of the W. F. Moran School of Bladesmithing in
Washington, Arkansas, the first school of bladesmithing in the
world.
Colonel Tim Ryan
~ Auctioneer
Tim Ryan has held the auctioneer position for Batson Blade
Symposium and for SBA Conference for many years. Known
for his storytelling, wit and charisma, Tim can coax a dollar
out of your wallet like a snake charmer. Enjoy the show! He is
a professional and knows the worth of the objects he auctions
so he will surely try to get a fair price for them to honor the
makers and support the cause.
Items are donated and auctioned to raise funds for future
educational endeavors related to bladesmithing. This is a great
cause which is near and dear to your heart so give, give, give.
You will see a return on your investment and maybe come
away with a few handmade treasures. Support your hobby,
honor friends and those who’s work you respect by bidding on
their work.
Neil Faulkenberry
~ Adult Hands on Forging
I have been involved with the Batson Bladesmithing
Symposium for 23 years. The work I do is 18th and early 19th
century homespun knives and accouterments.
~ Neil Faulkenberry, Greenville, Alabama.
Mark Haddix
~ Youth Hands on Forging
Mark Haddix is the current Alabama Forge Council President
and long time AFC member. He has been forging with us
since AFC began in the 1980’s.
Mark’s interests and skillset are quite varied with regard to
blacksmithing and metal work. At a recent AFC conference he
demonstrated steel roses and steel magnolias and in the past
has demonstrated other types of functional forged work. He
has taught ‘Green Coal’ many times and is adept at teaching to
many different learning styles.
Steel rose by Mark Haddix.
Photo provided by Steve Alford.
BR Hughes
~ Judging
30th Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show Celebration
Visit the Tail Gate Sales, Knife Suppliers, Demonstrations and the Hands-on Forging
AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE TAKEN AT HOOT N’ HOLLER
THURSDAY, 5 April 2018
3-6 HOOT N’ HOLLER---------------REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN 6 pm CONVENTION CENTER-------DEMONSTRATOR'S DINNER, Everyone
FRIDAY, 6 April 2018 Bring Auction & Iron-in-the-hat Items to Hoot N’ Holler
7 am HOOT N’ HOLLER----------------REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN starts
8-10 FORGE PAVILION----------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Bill Burke
VULCAN PAVILION-------------RENDEZVOUS KNIVES with Mickey Wise CLASSROOM---------------------- AUTOMATIC FOLDERS with Mel Pardue
GREEN COAL----------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Neil Faulkenberry
10-12 FORGE PAVILION ---------------BLADE FORGING with James Crowell VULCAN PAVILION ------------HANDLES & GUARDS with Joe Keeslar
CLASSROOM----------------------LINER LOCKS with Rick Dunkerley BATSON PAVILION -------------HANDS ON ENGRAVING with Billy Bates BATSON PAVILION -------------LEATHER SHEATHES with Kenny Rowe YOUTH FORGING----------------HANDS ON FORGING with Raymond & Mark
GREEN COAL----------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Bill Wiggins 12 LUNCH 1-3 FORGE PAVILION---------------- SKELETON KNIVES with Lin Rhea VULCAN PAVILION ------------ RENDEZVOUS KNIVES with Mickey Wise CLASSROOM---------------------- ABS KNIFE JUDGING with James Crowell BATSON PAVILION -------------HANDS ON ENGRAVING with Billy Bates BATSON PAVILION--------------SILVER WIRE INLAY with Joe Keeslar
YOUTH FORGING----------------HANDS ON FORGING with Raymond & Mark GREEN COAL----------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Butch Sheely
3-5 FORGE PAVILION ---------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Bill Burke VULCAN PAVILION ------------ INLAYS with Tommy McNabb
CLASSROOM----------------------LINER LOCKS with Rick Dunkerley BATSON PAVILION ------------HANDS ON ENGRAVING with Billy Bates YOUTH FORGING----------------HANDS ON FORGING with Raymond & Mark GREEN COAL---------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Mickey Wise
5-7 STEWART CABIN-----------------COOKOUT with Glynn Holmes 7-9 FORGE PAVILION-------------HEAT TREATNG EXTRAVAGANZA with Jim Batson BRING YOUR BLADES READY FOR HEAT TREATING
SATURDAY, 7 April 2018
Bring Auction Items to Auction Table ---------------------Show your Knives Knife Show & Auction are Open to the Public
7 am HOOT N’ HOLLER--------------REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN starts 8-10 FORGE PAVILION ------------- BLADE GRINDING with James Crowell VULCAN PAVILION ---------- OLD TIMEY KNIFE MAKING with Mickey Wise CLASSROOM-------------------- AUTOMATICS with Mel Pardue
BATSON PAVILION -----------HANDS ON ENGRAVING with Billy Bates BATSON PAVILION ------------FILEWORK with Joe Keeslar YOUTH FORGING----------------HANDS ON FORGING with Raymond & Mark GREEN COAL--------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Lin Rhea
10-12 ` FORGE PAVILION -------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Bill Burke VULCAN PAVILION ---------- HAWK FORGING with Butch Sheely CLASSROOM-------------------- AUTOMATIC FOLDERS with Mel Pardue BATSON PAVILION ------------HANDS ON ENGRAVING with Billy Bates BATSON PAVILION ------------ LEATHER SHEATHES with Kenny Rowe YOUTH FORGING-------------- HANDS ON FORGING with Raymond & Mark
GREEN COAL----------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Bill Wiggins 12 LUNCH 1-3:00 KNIFE SHOW & EXHIBITION with all 3-5:00 AUCTION with Auctioneer, Col Tim Ryan
-------------- AUCTION ITEMS DONATED by ATTENDEES ------
All Donations are tax deductible. PROCEEDS GO TO the Alabama Forge Council Building Fund.
SUNDAY, 8 April 2018
8-10 FORGE PAVILION --------------- SKELETON KNIVES with Lin Rhea VULCAN PAVILION -------------GUARD & HANDLE GRINDING with Bill Wiggins
CLASSROOM----------------------- SILVER SHEATHES with Tommy McNabb
10-12 FORGE PAVILION----------------HEAT TREAT & TESTING with James Crowell VULCAN PAVILION ------------ DAMASCUS STEEL ETCHING with Bill Burke
HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME & GOD BLESS
Batson Blade Symposium 2018 April 6 – 8, 2018
Registration Form
Name_____________________________________ Badge No.___________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________State ______________ZIP ______________
Telephone: ( ) - ______________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________
New AFC Member [ ] AFC Renewal [ ]
I hereby state that I understand that blacksmithing and/or bladesmithing is inherently a dangerous occupation. I am fully responsible for using eye, ear, and respiratory protection and safe work methods and conduct. The Alabama Forge Council, its officers, volunteers, and demonstrators spe-cifically disclaim responsibility or liability for any damages, injuries, or destruction of property in-curred during any conference or meeting of either the Alabama Forge Council or member forge re-sulting from acts or information presented thereat.
Signature: _____________________________________Date _______________
Item Cost Each Total Cost
Symposium Weekend
Symposium
Green Coal $10.00 / class
AFC Dues $25.00/yr
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