View Full Version : Saturday's meeting


Harry Mathews
02-27-2006, 09:36 PM
Charlie and I really enjoyed hosting the meeting with Dean and Lori. Everything went great and the rain held off just long enough for everyone to get up the hill next to the church with out getting stuck.
Carl helped me christen a new anvil Friday afternoon with a mini hammer in. I forged my first blade, while he forged three and helped Don fix a burner. I think I will actually be able to make a knife out of it. Charlie is still waiting to see the finished blade before he passes judgement on the quality of my work and allows me to put our logo on it.
The friday night social was a lot of fun. I wish more could have been there. Charlie's son, Bland, did a great job on the venison and had people going back for seconds that "don't eat venison".
The meeting Saturday was well attended. I want to thank Dean Gates, Wayne Hensley, and John Costa for very informative demos. At past meetings we have seen how to hog off metal in one pass with a 5hp grinder, Dean showed us how to do it with finesse while flat grinding a blade. Wayne Hensley, Georgia mentor, and Board Member for the Knifemakers Guild, gave an update on the Knifemakers Guild.
John Costa finished off the demos on Saturday afternoon by forging a hawk out of a rasp. He had people wanting to buy it before it was finished.
Thanks to all those people who came to the meeting. The interaction of about 30 knifemakers from all over the state with skill levils ranging from novice to pro is what makes the Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild so much fun. It is impossible not to learn something new.
Charlie and I especially want to thank Dean and Lori Gates for co-hosting the meeting with us. They made putting on the meeting easier and much more enjoyable.

Robert Washburn
02-28-2006, 07:40 AM
Also sorry that we had to leave so early Thanks for a wonderful time Robert

Harry Mathews
02-28-2006, 08:26 PM
As far as I know, not one sheet was turned in. When we get a little time, and I get the light box set up, I will try to post a list of the pictures and have the identities with them. We thought we were making the contest easy by leaving out a bunch of the South Carolina makers(the only two were Herron and Hendrix), including some knives by current Georgia Guild members, and using classics like, Randall, Lile, Moran, Bone, Valochovic, Birt and Cooper. We started to tie a black ribbon around the Moran out of respect for the passing of a great knifemaker but we couldn't find one in time. That would have made it too easy. Maby we need a demo on knife identification:)
We were glad you came to the meeting. I might need to get a little help when I get my forge cranked up, if you are willing. If you get to Statesboro, drop by. We are always glad to have visitors.

Crex
02-28-2006, 08:53 PM
What a great weekend! Sure hated to packup and leave. I think everyone had a good time. I can hardly wait for May 20th to come around. That's the date of the Spring Meeting and it will be held at the shop of Wayne Hensley in Conyers, GA. Make your plans now to be there.

Sandy Morrissey
03-01-2006, 08:47 PM
Conyers is easy for me to get to and I am looking forward to being there! ---Sandy---