The Ashokan Knifemaker's Seminar is next month and, while not a sword seminar (the sword seminar will be held in 2005), most of the techniques demonstrated are applicable to making either swords or knives.
The program begins at 6:00 PM Friday, September 17 and ends at 1:30 PM on Sunday, September 19. Cost for the weekend is $200.00 ($150.00 for students) and includes meals, lodging and demonstration fees. The seminar will be held at the Ashokan Field Campus which is about 30 minutes west of the Kingston, NY exit on Route 87. Contact the Ashokan Field Campus at 845-657-8333 for further information.
Here is a list of demonstrators and what they will be covering:
Kevin Cashen (knife and swordsmith)- lecture-"Hype! Can't We Just Make Good Knives?" demonstration-"Heat Treatment"
Lee Jones- lecture/show- "A Few of My Favorite Things" selection of knives from his collection
Rick Barret- (Japanese style swordsmith) demonstrations-"Blade Forging", "Heat Treatment" and "Handles and Guards"
Bill McGrath (martial artist) demonstration- "Bowie Knife Self Defense"
J.D. Smith (bladesmith) demonstration- "Decorative Filework", "Damascus-Multiple Billet Forging Techniques"
Jim Siska (stock removal maker) demonstrations- "Blade Grinding", "Hand Finishes and Damascus Etching"
Dan Maragni- lecture "Why the Europeans Kicked Everybody's Ass" a look at the cultural, economic and technological factors which allowed the Europeans to develop the most effective armies in the world.
There will also be "open forge" time when participants can try their hand at blade forging under expert supervision and a knife display and show on Sunday morning.
The Ashokan Seminar is one of the oldest knifemaking seminars in the country (started in 1980) and one of the best. The atmosphere is relaxed, the setting beautiful and the demonstrators skilled and ready and willing to share information and techniques.
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