Save the date: 2nd annual Bowie's memorial hammer-in

[Alan Longmire]

I was just asked about the cutting competition, so here's the info.

 

It will be the final event Sunday just like last year.  It is informal, not affiliated with Blade Sports, and the only prize is bragging rights. 

 

I’m still pondering what to cut.  We’ll do the ping pong balls, water bottles, and the rope cut for sure.  I am thinking about adding Tai Goo’s cigarette paper challenge in place of the coke can chop.  That is when you roll an empty cig and stand the tube upright, then try to slice it cleanly in half.  Since we’re outside we’ll cheat and use a little dowel to set the tube over so it doesn’t blow away.  Needless to say that’ll be the first challenge if we do it.  It’d be cruel to do it after all the other cutting.

 

If you have any other ideas, let me know!  The 2x4 chop is out, unless someone can convince me otherwise.

 

Rules for competition knives:

1. Full tang, pinned handle or full length hidden tang, pinned handle
2. Lanyard through the tang, not just handle material.  It can be in front or behind the hand, your choice
3. Must have a guard OR be made in such away that it’s impossible for the hand to slip onto the edge. Historically correct seaxes are out, there…☹
4. Maximum overall knife length 15 inches, minimum handle length 4 inches.
5. Most importantly, the knife must have been made by the competitor.

[Alan Longmire]

 

Tentative schedule as far as I know so far:

 

Friday

First demo at 10 AM - Robin Lynch blacksmithing

Next is me doing a hawk, OR grinding a folder blade if my elbow isn't up for heavy forging. edit: depending on available time I will move myself to Sunday. 

12 noon : Lunch

1-3 Gerald Boggs, probably axe making.

3 - 5 Mark Zelasky, indoor presentation on Bowie knives.  Probably California knives.  Depending on what happens this might get moved to end of day Saturday.

 

Saturday:

Open at 9 AM - Precise order of presentations/demos unknown, but:

Burt Foster lecture on design
Jason Knight forging a blade
Bill Wiggins grinding said blade

Lunch at 12:00, Iron in the Hat ticket drawing at 1 PM sharp.

Stephen Fowler forging a kitchen knife

Brandon Franklin doing something

 

Sunday

Open at 9AM

Whoever didn't demo Saturday, 

cutting competition,
End of event around 2PM.

Part of the idea of this hammer-in is a lack of precise schedule to keep the semi-chaotic feel of the original event.  We'll have two demo areas this time as well, one for blacksmithing and general forging, one for blade-related stuff.  It is possible there will be simultaneous demos.  We haven't figured that out yet.

But anyway, if you only have one day, Saturday is probably best if for no other reason than the chance to take home some cool loot from Iron in the Hat.

Edited Saturday at 07:43 PM by Alan Longmire
schedule subject to change without notice!

[Alan Longmire]

As of 3:30 pm today, the power for the grinders, etc, is installed and working fine. PA system is in hand, tested, and working as desired. The tent and the bleachers arrive a week from today.  Things are coming together nicely!