[ABS Webmaster]

5th Great Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium

Plans are now set for the Great Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show on March 9, 10, and 11, 2012 at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. This will be another outstanding event with another Battle of the Bladesmiths and a great line up of demonstrators.

Demonstrators for the Hammer-In:

Jerry Fisk, MS - Arkansas.............Forging, heat treating, and grinding

Greg Neely, MS - Texas................Hand finishing blades, finishing Damascus, and ABS Judging Standards

Burt Foster, MS - Virginia.............Knife Photography and Laminated blades


The registration fee is $65 and you can pay at the event registration table or contact ABS Office Manager Cindy Sheely at 419-832-0400 or email cindy@americanbladesmith.com

For more event information contact - Bill Wiggins (828) 226-2551 or Email wncbill@bellsouth.net


Accommodations

-Lodge of Waynesville, 828/452-0353, two queen beds, 2 adults- $45.99 plus tax, ask for Bladesmith rates, 909 Russ Ave (US276), take exit 102 off US74/US23

-Days Inn, 828/452-9009, two queen beds, 2 adults- $59.95 plus tax, ask for Community College rate 232 Phillips Rd, take exit 102 South off US74/US23

-Super 8 Motel, 828/454-9667, two queen beds, 2 adults- $59.95 plus tax, 79 Liner Cove Rd, take exit 104 off US23/US74, you can get a discount if you have AAA or AARP.

-Best Western, 828/456-4402, two double beds, 2 adults- $58.49 plus tax, 2 queens or 1 king, 1 or 2 adults - $67.49, this is a 10% discount if you say you are with the American Bladesmith Society, 130 Shiloh Trail, take exit 98 North off US23/US74

Directions

-From Ashville, take I-40 West, Exit 27 onto US 19/US23, take Exit 107 onto East Jones Cove Rd, and follow HCC signs

-From Sylva, NC, take US23/US74 East, Exit 105 onto Jones Cove Rd, turn left, turn right at next stop sign, HCC is on left

Cutting Demonstration

Participate in the Cutting Demonstrations. Bring a sharp knife, 15" or less in length with a blade no longer than 10". The handle should be pinned and have a safety lanyard.

Please Pre-Register

Get your $65.00 Pre-Registration fee in early. Also plan to attend Demonstrators Dinner on Thursday night. Register on line, by mailing registration form and check to the ABS Office, PO Box 160, Grand Rapids, Oh or register through the ABS Office via phone, 419-832-0400 and credit card.

[ABS Webmaster]

The demonstrators dinner will be on Thursday, March 8th at 6:30 pm at the Sagebrush Steak House, 895 Russ Avenue, Waynesville, NC and all attendees are encouraged to attend.

[ABS Webmaster]

Bill just finished the final schedule for the Spring Great Smoky Mountain Hammer-In and I received a copy from Cindy.

Download a copy below:

 SCHEDULE 2012 S GSM.pdf (9.05K)
Number of downloads: 80

[Jerry Fisk]

I am really looking forward to being at the hammer-in. We gonna whup up something, Grind it then heat treat it. I know of more ways to do that than Jimmy Carter has peanuts.

[ABS Webmaster]

The 5th Great Smoky Mountain Symposium got underway today at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. Cindy Sheely is handling the ABS registration table for us. Cindy just emailed the below photo of Master Smith Burt Foster giving his demonstration on Knife Photography.

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The Battle of the Bladesmiths is being held tonight with Scott McGee, Shelby Mihalevichy, Burt Foster, and Jason Knight competing for the Title.

Burt Foster won the Battle of the Bladesmiths tonight. Congratulations!

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Cindy just emailed some photos of the contest action from her IPHONE.

[ABS Webmaster]

The Cutting Demonstration was held Saturday evening at the Great Smoky Mountain Symposium.

Rob Singleton won 1st place and Bill Wiggins placed 2nd. Congratulations!
Rob and Bill tied and they had two tie breakers.

Master Smith Greg Neely presenting first place award to Rob Singleton