This weekend was the 10th Trackrock Hammer-In. Carl Rechsteiner and the folks of the Trackrock Campgrounds set up another fine get-together. I made the trip with my grandson, Avery, and a friend of his in tow. Avery and David had a great time and as a I listened to these 2, not real dominant young fellows, try to one-up each other as they told their tales on topics neither one had a clue, I could not help to think that I was witness to how the "alpha-male" theory came about. I don't know when I have laughed so much.

There was a good turn out on Saturday. There were forges of all types and all had folks at them heating and hammering.
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And, like the commerical of old, "when Carl speaks, everyone listens"
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Knives were not the only thing on the venue. Ruth Simmons was there with her own "unique anvil" and working on her copper roses.
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Avery and David both were given forge and anvil time thanks to Carl and Rick Lowe.
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This is the one thing about Trackrock that makes it so different from other meetings-- the focus on passing the craft forward to the next generation of knifemakers. John and I shared Carl's commitment to teach the craft and spend time with the kids to give them an option to the choices that pull so at them today.

But a 7 and 8 year old does not have a great attention span on a beautiful Saturday with temps in the low 80's. The beauty of Trackrock pulled at them and they did as any child would do---opt to roll down the hill.
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Avery and David were so proud of their blades they forged. They were quick to show them off to their families--each telling their tales of how hot the forges were and how they now are knifemakers. Carl promised to help them with the handle and sharpening at the Georgia Guild Meeting in April.
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Avery has his Pappy's ambition to be a good knifemaker. He has decided after 2 forged knives he said he thought he was ready to make a folder :lol

They sure were into it while i was there watching. One thing that really impressed me was how accurate they were with thier hammer blows. Carl would draw a spot with his soap stone pen and that is where he would hit it. :101

Thanks for posting the pictures Joan. Glad you brought the boys up. Both Avery and David did well and completed their knives (couple of times, though, it seemed like they were competing more for the loudest anvil ring!).

Really good crowd this time with a lot of hard hammer music. Several "first time" blades and hawks were smithed and appetites wetted for fire and steel. Many great ongoing conversations/disscussions with a lot of helpful expertise distributed generously all around.
What it's all about.

I am very blessed to be a part of this and want to thank all who came, participated, watched, helped.........hope all of you had a good time.

Terry, next time stay long enough to hit something! Thank you for the materials.

I had a great time at Trackrock, even though I had to leave earlier than I would have liked. As usual the people were great, and the food was fantastic. It was worth the 6 hour drive just to get those ribs. I always learn something at these gatherings, not just about forging, but every aspect of knifemakeing. The time is definitely well spent. I think that I lost the honor of having the highest anvil by at least 6 inches and also the tallest forge stand. I think that I still might have the heaviest forge. Got to work on that.


This two bricker probally gets the honors for the lightest forge and it put out blade after blade. Note the smile on the owners face.

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Carl is still holding court.

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Ruth.......

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and her rose

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Carey giving one a few more taps


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Joan I hope that you don't mind me posting a few pictures on your thread.

Don't mind you posting pictures at all. I did not take as many as I normally do because I was a little over-protective of having 2 boys with me. Avery does good on his own but I was a little concerned about his attention span with David there. You know boys know no danger---and David demonstrated that when he tested what I said about everything there being hot---he decided he'd run his finger down a hot blade :flame: It was just hot enough to get his attention.

I hear both boys are still telling everyone at school about their trip.

It's not that boys don't know danger; it's that they are invincible. Danger is what keeps them going on any given Saturday, and makes the week worth while. They were fun to watch. What would any of us have given to have the chance to forge a knife, like those two young men did, when we were their age? What is it worth to have two men, like Carl and Rick, spend that kind of time with them, giving them memories they will always have? With a friend, as a witness, to back their stories up? Priceless!

I'd like to say a special thanks to Carl for putting the hole Trackrock thing together. I can't remember when I enjoyed a weekend more.

Thanks to all the Guild members who were there. You are a great bunch of people and I can't wait to do it again.

Carey