April 7-9,2000
The Twelfth Annual
Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show
Featuring:

OLD TIMEY KNIFE MAKING------------------------COUSIN WILLIAM WHITE
MOSIAC DAMASCUS STEEL------------------------------RICK DUNKERLEY
SABER FORGING, DIRKS & FITTINGS-----------------------VINCE EVANS
FORGING ASSISTANT------------------------------------------------DONFOGG
FANCY FOLDERS--------------------------------------------------STEVE DUNN
FRICTION FOLDERS-----------------------------------------CHUCK PATRICK
HANDLES & GUARDS--------------------------------------JOSEPH KEESLAR
INTERFRAME FOLDERS-------------------------------------MELVIN PARDUE
DAMASCUS FOR BEGINNERS-----------------------------------KEITH KILBY
KNIFE GRINDING, FINISHING & SHEATH FITTINGS------ALEX DANIELS
HANDSON BLADESMITHING ---------------------------------BILLY WATSON
JAMES BOWIE'S LIFE ---------------------------------------BELL R. HUGHES
LEARN TO SCRIMSHAW ----------------------------------------MARY BAILEY
BADER GRINDERS---------------------------------------------DAN JOHNSON
LEATHERSHEATHS---------------------------------------------KENNY ROWE
TREADLE HAMMER FORGED BLADES--------------------GAVIN HARRIS
BUILD YOUR OWN AIR HAMMER---------------------------------MARK LINN
SIMPLE ENGRAVING & SELLING YOUR KNIVES-----------BILLY BATES
AUCTION----COLONELS DAVID CORNETT& ANTHONEY GOODRUM
TAIL GATE & KNIFE SUPPLY SALES

At TANNEHILL IRONWORKS at Exit 100 off 120, 11 miles West of BESSEMER, ALABAMA

These artisans will demonstrate their craft and teach hands-on Mini Seminars.
Bring examples of your work or, collection for the KNIFE SHOW & AUCTION.

Bring examples of your work for the KNIFE SHOW, COLLECTION EXHIBIT & AUCTION.

The Knife Show and Knife Collection exhibits will be on the afternoon of Saturday April 8, 2000 from one thirty to five o'clock. The auction will begin at 6:30 o'clock. Collectors and knife enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the Symposium and learn first hand how the knife & sword blades are forged and made.

This symposium is for the knife & sword enthusiast, collector, and maker.


ABOUT THE DEMONSTRATORS:

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MARY BAILEY, Nashville, TN. Mary is an outstanding scrimshander and teacher. Her work can be seen on the best of knives.

BILLY BATES, Decatur, AL. Billy does exquisite engraving with graver and hammer.

COLONEL DAVID CORNETT, Pine Mountain, GA. David is a skilled blacksmith and licensed auctioneer.

ALEX DANIELS, Town Creek, AL. This full time knife maker and Knife Guild member will show you how to grind and finish blades. He will also make a German silver throat and tip for an antique Bowie sheath.

RICK DUNKERLEY, Lincoln, MT. Rick is a master bladesmith and a truly gifted knife maker, wheather straight or folder. This big game guide is noted for his damascus.

STEVE DUNN, Smiths Grove, KY. This soft spoken master bladesmith will impress you with his skill. He is truly a fine craftsman. His folders are nice.

VINCE EVANS, Show Low, AZ. I cannot over praise the work of Vince Evans. Vince made a basket hilt Scottish sword that I could not believe. It was fantastic. Not only will Vince demonstrate the forging of a saber blade but he will show us how to make guard, handle and fittings.

DON FOGG, Jasper, AL. Don creates knives and swords which are truly art masterpieces. Don will assist Vince Evans with the sword forging demonstration and go for Rick.

COLONEL ANTHONY GOODRUM, Coden, AL. Anthony, one of the founders of the Bayou Forge is a competent blacksmith and licensed auctioneer.

GAVIN HARRIS, Greasy Cove, AL. Gavin will forge blades on a treadle hammer in the reclining position.

BILLY RAY HUGHES, Texarkana, TX. B. R. Hughes a 1993 Cutlery Hall of Fame inductee & a . founder of the American Bladesmith Society, and Bowie historian will give his rendition of the life of James Bowie.

DAN JOHNSON, NY. Dan is a sales representative of the Stephen Bader Co., the maker of knife grinding equipment.
He can solve your grinding problems.

KEITH KILBY, Jefferson, GA. Keith's knives are extra nice. The fit and finish of this ABS Master Bladesmith's knives are exquisite! Keith is a fine teacher and an expert on all aspects of knife making.

JOSEPH KEESLAR, Almo, KY. Joe is truly a Master Hammer Man and Knifemaker. His Bowie Knives maintain the feeling of the past This Master Bladesmith is a member of the Board of Directors of the ABS.

MARK LINN, Pinson, AL. Mark is your host as president of the Alabama Forge Council. He was instrumental in having the new forge pavilion at Tannehill. He will show you how to build an air hammer which incorporates the latest state of the art.

MELVIN PARDUE, Repton, Al. Melvin is on the Board of Directors of the Knifemakers Guild. He is known for his fine folding knives and his willingness to improve and perpetuate the craft.

CHUCK PATRICK, Brasstown, NC. Chuck is truly a master with the hammer and anvil. Chuck will demonstrate the making of a frontier style friction folder

KENNY ROWE, Hope, AR. Kenny is a fine leather crafter and maker of good durable knife sheaths.

GLYNN HOLMES, Helena, AL . Symposium Chairman. Glynn is member of Vulcan Forge and has worked hard for the Forge. Council in its endeavors.

BELLY WATSON, Deatsville, AL. Billy is, the founder of the Montgomery Forge, a veteran of the Rendezvous Trail. A Billy Watson knife is well. known to the Buckskinners. If you are a beginner, he will get you started with the basics of blade forging.

WILLIAM WHITE, Morgantown, KY. Cousin Willy's knives are sought after by collectors and those who like rendezvousing. His period knives are forged close, annealed and hand finished with file and abrasive paper on his kentucky grindrer. You will be thrilled with Williams work as I was. If you haven't seen his tape on knife making, you are missing a treat.

REMEMBER to BRING

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KNIVES FOR KNIFE SHOW

ITEMS TO DONATE FOR THE AUCTION

TOOLS & MATERIALS FOR TAIL GATE SALE

AGENDA

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April 6, 2000
1 to 5 pm Checkin
5 to 7 pm Demonstrators Dinner
7 to 9 pm Checkin

April 7 & 8, 2000
7-8 am Checkin
8-12 noon Demonstrations
Lunch
1-5 pm Demonstrations
Dinner
7-9 pm Auction & Bladesmiths
Roundtable

April 9, 1999
8-12 noon Demonstrations
Departure

DIRECTIONS

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Tannehill Ironworks an Alabama State Historical Park consisting of an Iron & Steel Museum, Tannehill Furnaces, Craft Cabins, 195 improved campsites, Gristmill, cotton gin , 45 historical buildings, etc is located at McCalla, Alabama about 11 miles west of Bessemer. From 1.59 & 1.20, take exit 100 and follow signs to Tannehill (about 2 miles). >From 1459 take exit 1 and follow signs (about 7 miles). www.tannehill.org

BY AIR

Fly into the Birmingham Jetport which is located 40 miles from Tannehill. Transportation will be provided, if needed. Call Barbara if you need a ride from the airport.

BE AWARE!
No Alcoholic Beverages are allowed at Tannehill Ironworks

PreRegistration & Entrance Fee

The Symposium fee is $125.00 per person. Please preregister.
Send registration and fee to:
Robby Armstrong
189 BroadArmstrong Dr.
Brownsboro, AL 35741 (256-5393975). The entrance fee to Tannehill, a Historical State Park, is included. The knife show is free to the public. Your knife show table exhibit fee is included in the $125 Symposium registration fee.

Everyone is encouraged to show & sell their knives

LODGING & ACCOMMODATIONS

FOOD
A snack bar, Sweet Shoppe & a Country Store are in Tannehill. The restaurant burnt to the ground.

CAMPING
Camping is available at Tannehill Ironworks near the Demonstration Area at Mill Creek. Improved ( water & electricity) @ $14 per night & Primitive camping 0 $9 per night . Cabins are also available. Check in at Country store. For reservations, call 205.477.5711.

MOTELS
There are many motels & restaurants off 1459 toward Birmingham. Ask for AFC Bladesmith rate.

Sloop Inn, 205/4240000,1259 Greenmor Drive at Ala 52 at exit 6 off 1 459 about 15 miles from Tannehill. Demonstrator's Motel.

Hampton Inn, 205/9670002, at exit 19 at the intersection of 1459 and US highway 280 about 30 minutes from Tannehill.

River Chase Inn, 205/9857500, 1800 Riverchase Drive at Ala150 at exit 104 off 1459 at the Gallaria about 20 miles from Tannehill.

Day's Inn, 205/8226030, located at intersection Lorena Road and US Highway 31 at exit 252 off 165 about 22 miles from Tannehill.

Ramada Inn, 205/4249780,1121 Ninth Ave, at exit 108 off 1'20 about 11 miles from Tannehill.

Robby Armstrong
robbya@HiWAAY.net Brownsboro, Alabama near Huntsville