awesome learning experience

[Scott Roush]

Just returned from the Midwest ABS hammer in (Dayton, Ohio).  I'm terrible about taking pics folks, but I just wanted to say how great of an event it was.  Great guards and handles by Joe Keeslar.  Awesome to finally hold one of his knives... wish I could buy one!

Great grinding and heat treating by Kevin Cashen. I learn so much every time I listen to him.

Fun watching Mace Vitale win the cutting contest.

Butch Sheely gave a great tomahawk forging demo. Makes it look so easy.

But the best learning experience was having Doctor Jim Batson critique my knives.  He asked me if I wanted him to be hard, and he was. Even though I didn't have stick tang knives with ricassos, he judged them the same way knives get judged for JS.  It got interesting as a whole crowd of people gathered around while he slammed me. Very humbling folks.  But the man changed the way I look at my knives and, more than anything else I've learned, will lead to big improvements. I hope.

For you new folks.... go to hammer-ins!!!!!

[skullworks]

Glad you had a great experience!

[Lin Rhea]

Scott,
  You will learn much faster with that attitude. We all do. Just think where you'll be in a year. Lin

[Kevin Evans]

Thats Great Scott!!
As Lin told me once I know you can't remember everything they say ,but it will come back to you as you work.
The more you improve the less and less they
have  to say.LOL
Remember just make every knife better than the last. Kevin  

[tippit]

Scott,
Glad you had such an educational hammer-in!  Whenever I attend a veterinary meeting, if I can come away with one idea to change the way I practice...it was well worth it (that's over almost 40 years...and still learning)

Now as to ABS symposiums, everything is a Great Idea.  I sure do enjoy them too!  Joe Kesslar is an amazing guy.  If you get a chance to forge with him...don't offer to carry his bucket of tools.  At 67 or 68 years young, he still starts his blades with a 10 pound hammer and still shoots a Harrison longbow over 70#   :eek:  

Brute de Forge is actually describing him not his blades     Doc

[Steve Nuckels]

Good for you Scott!  I need to follow you around Bro!

Steve
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Potomac Forge