SOFA 2012 Conference

One of the first things we noticed when we arrived at the conference was a gathering of blacksmiths, a real crowd was collecting. 

When it was all over with 63 anvils were on display. The supplier was Yoder Blacksmith Supply Company of Fredericksburg Ohio. They told us that they left 14 more back at their shop.

A Columbian double horned anvil.

These anvils were brought by Steve of Matchless Antiques, perhaps you've seen his anvils on EBay.

Steve and my blacksmith posed for me. This was after we bought a gallon of the "best" apple cider from Steve.

 Tailgaters.

 More tailgaters.

Still more tailgaters.

 Friday afternoon we went to downtown Tipp City. The blacksmith pointed out this iron work.

Saturday nights demonstration.

This hydraulic tire shrinker was sold on the auction for $290. My blacksmith had a similar one at one time but sold it to a good friend.

 Christopher Thomson was awesome to watch. Here is his web page.

 Susan Hutchison demonstrating.

David Robertson demonstrating.

If you missed the Ohio  conference this year, there's always next year. 

SOFA Gallery 2012 at OneTrueMedia.com

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www.onetruemedia.com

Heritage Festival 2012

If you came out and saw us at the Heritage Festival, "Thank You". It was a grand time. 

If perhaps you'd like to purchase something more, just give us a call . . . our phone number is on the business card on the side of the screen. You can also email us . . .that is on the top right side of the  page. We accept pay-pal and will ship anywhere in the good old U S A.

Hamilton Steam Engine show 2012

Phil Cox and his wife Margie welcomed a group of  BAM members to the steam engine show. 

Here Bernie is trying out Phil's Depew. Don't let the name fool you, it was "sweet."

Bob Evans made this awesome looking forge. Bernie enjoyed using it, especially after he found the water trough attached.

 AWESOME, Phil can count on his hands the ones he and Sid Suedmeier know about.

Did you know Blacksmiths can fix anything?  Even broken car windows.

Phil gives Ken a quick demonstration.

Ken and Matthew work as a team.

Bernie strikes for Phil.

We saw this in the row of gas engines. Phil might like one of these.

It was dry there too. I could lay my hand in this crack without it touching.

Mike works on a project.

I don't know how the "love shack" ended up in this picture.

Ken, Bernie, and Bob get their spoons ready for the homemade ice cream. Each trying to out do the other one.

Bob and Margie show off their Little Giant Hammer shirts. Sid would be proud of this!

 Some serious work is going on here by Ken and Bill.

Soon the ice cream making was started.  Phil has 2 vintage makers, one dated 1923, the other one was a present to his parents on their wedding.

The eight blacksmiths posed long enough for Margie and I to snap a few pictures.

This video shows Phil's excellent ice cream!

Two young men came with these miniatures. They told us about the blacksmith that made them. Details were unbelievable. They were invited to Phil's meeting in November. If deer season doesn't interfere they will be there.

This knife, well it was a real knife, even sharpened. The frame it is in, is 3 inches by 5 inches. You take off the border and that knife isn't over 2 1/2 inches long. Unbelievable!!!

Visiting was a big part of the day. Many thanks to host Phil and Margie. Nothing better than good friends, good weather and good times. 

Life is good!

A blast of the past

Once upon a time there was a shop by the name of . . . . 

The Blacksmith of Missouri Association would once again hold a meeting in the famous shop of the late, great Doug Hendrickson, aka Dr. Iron.

A day before the meeting friends would gather to collect, brush off, price, and box up the remaining inventory of Doug's shop.   Items were then set out for sale to the blacksmiths attending the meeting.

The blacksmith torches off the bolts where a trip hammer once beat out tons of metal.

Doug's BAM apron was one of the items for sale.

Items ran out into the yard. 

The shop looks the same as it did years ago. But it's not the same without Doug.

Friday evening after some dusty, dirty work and a dip in the Black River, fellow blacksmith's pulled out their instruments and played music. Something that would have been done in years past.

Saturday morning, the meeting was opened with thank yous from Bonnie, Doug's awesome wife. She blessed us with a prayer and thanked us for the work being done in Doug's memory.

Today the items being made were all things Doug was famous for. Here Bob Alexander works on an iron skillet.

 Pat McCarty works on the handle for the skillet.

Bernie made two veggie choppers just the way Doug made them. A very close copy, because when cleaning out the shop, we found two old blank cut outs left there by Doug, and those are what he used for the demo. 

Trade items was a bottle opener. I spy one out of Damascus, a folding one at that.

Two unique ones, both a multi-purpose tool. 

Maybe the most unusual one, a crayfish!

 A dragon even appeared, made by my blacksmith.

At noon the Relay for Life ladies, aka "the lunch ladies", showed up with BBQ pork sandwiches, slaw, baked beans, and homemade dessert, including iced tea and lemonade for only $5 a plate. The bargain of the day.

Dr Joe, Doug's dentist, came and presented the organization with a check in memory of Doug to go towards a scholarship fund.

I was a little late in taking all the demonstrators pictures. I don't know, I think these four shown here at pretty hot. However the fry pan indicates that the missing demonstrator, Al Stephens, is "hot".

It was an awesome day, tools being purchased, techniques shown, and lots of stories told, some included a few tears too. 

Thank you Bonnie, for hosting a wonderful event for all of us. 

Miss you much Dr. Iron.