BAM conference 2012

Let me take you on a walk through the conference this year.

Allen from Astragal Press always brings the best books.  The books are of interest to everyone, from blacksmiths, bee keepers, wood workers, antique tool collectors, to quilters like me!  This time he told me that he found me through my blog.  Come to find out, his wife is a quilter!  I won a book and an Astragal Press T-shirt in the iron in the hat drawing! Here's a cool video I found of Astragal Press on U tube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=564w7g_VtWM

Walt Hull and Bob Ehrenberger forging.

You can buy homemade soap from Phil!

There is always an informal gathering going on somewhere.

Iron in the hat run by Karen is always a big hit.

A tribute to Lou Mueller.

Men (specifically George in this case) in kilts is always a 'good thing'!

An auction item I didn't win.

My blacksmith made this pipe tomahawk from an old wrought iron gun barrel for the gallery.

A Doug Hendrickson frying pan (Peola Valley Forge). It was sold later at the auction.

Meat skewers made by Jim Ratliff.

Iron antlers made by Burton Mannell.

Impression of an Impressionist by Smyth Boone, one of the demonstrators this year.

Fireplace tools made by Marty Finley.

Cattails made by the late Ed Harper, bird bath added by Nancy Gentzsch.

BAM trunk made by Pat McCarty.  Once again sold at the auction bringing a great donation.

Copper boxes by Don Neuenschwander.

Awesome forging done by the late great Joe Wilkinson.

Another item by Joe.

Cattails by Don Nichols.

Dipper and anvil made by Phil Cox (also known as the "Master Bean Chef").


It was another great conference!!!

The Ringing of the anvil

This past week, the blacksmith and I attended the annual Blacksmith Association of Missouri conference. 

Friday night was an emotional night for us.


In the last two months we have lost three of our members. 


At the end of the night, all those in attendance were asked to walk past one of the two anvils set up and strike it one time for each member that died. 


To see and hear nearly a hundred people walk in silence, pick up the new hammers, and hit the anvil three times brings me to tears now as I write about it, just as it did that night.

Rest in Peace

Joe Wilkinson

Ed Harper

Dave Shepard

You will be missed.


And at the fundraiser auction on Saturday night, my blacksmith purchased one of those hammers. It will always have special meaning for both of us.

Hand forged cross

Alex, our 7 year old grandson, will celebrate his first communion this weekend. 

Grandpa made him something very special. 

He even personalized it. We think Alex will love it. 

These are available for purchase and can be personalized for you. Cost is $25.

A blacksmith's delight!

Today we went to Excelsior, Missouri to an auction.  Mr. Martin, the auctioneer, had been telling us for over a year of this up coming sale. 

There were 4 or 5 wagons full of tools.  This one had most men stumped.  It was decided it might be a door lock mortising machine.  What do you think it is?

 Here's another unique item.  When I saw this tag, I had to look further.

 I can't imagine grinding food for human consumption on this thing!

Forges, many forges. 

Forge blowers, many forge blowers.

Anvils, many anvils.  

Trip hammers, many trip hammers.  4 to be exact. Two were 25 lb. Little Giants, one 50 lb. Little Giant, and one 100 lb. Little Giant.

100 lb Little giant.

 And who won all these hammers?  Phil did!

I am pretty sure Phil will be needing some new mud flaps by the time he gets home too.

He's loaded and ready to go!  Safe travels!

The BAM meeting was held March 17, at Hank Knickmeyer's shop in Cedar Hill.  Hank is a world famous maker of knives and pattern welded steel.  His demo for the day was "canned" damascus.  John Murray also demoed his hammer making technique.

The trade item for this meeting was a "multipurpose tool". 

Spork by Steven eikerman.

Hammer/tack puller by Pat McCarty.

Twisting wrench, many sizes to choose from.

OSB made a pair of tongs.  Not only would it hold various sizes of stock, it will open your beer or your wine bottles.

Muzzle loader shooters will recognize this tool, a pick/screw driver/flint knapper.  Made by Bob Triphohn

Bob Stormer made a knife with a bottle opener on the back side.  It was made from a horseshoe. 

George Rousis made a key ring from old wrought iron that featured three sizes of drilled holes, a bottle opener and a screw driver.  OSB was very happy to be the recipient of this item.

A lot of conversing (BS) goes on at these meetings. 

It was a beautiful sunny day, that is until just as we finished lunch. The sky opened up and it poured then!

A great meeting, Thanks Hank and Bonita!

A group of blacksmiths

If you have a group of geese, they are called a gaggle.  A group of cows is a herd.  A group of birds is a flock.  So what is a group of blacksmiths called?  A good time!

Saturday, a small local club came for a hammer in at the shop.

One even celebrated a birthday!  Congratulations on another year Don!

Doug and Bob worked on a pair of tongs.

Mike and Scott worked on hooks.

Twiddle dee and twiddle dum . . . well who knows what they are working on.

Bruce grinds a knife blade.

BT worked on a tomahawk.

Terry lost in the smoke. . . .as usual.

BT helps Bob with the tongs he was making.

Thanks to Sean (in the middle) for some of the photos in this posting.

Lunch was served, consisting of pulled pork sandwiches, slaw, and chips.  Birthday cake and chocolate chip cookies were served for dessert. 


Eleven blacksmiths enjoyed the day hammering and visiting. Several wives spent the time sharing their show and tell with lots of quilts to look at.


Life is Good!