Editor: Gary P. Fields March 2012 email: garyfields@mac. From the President s Desk: Gene Worden We had a terrific meeting on February 23rd with very good attendance and participation. It was, first of all, another opportunity to recognize and congratulate the Best of winners and encourage those who did not participate to get something in the competition next year. These great makers should inspire everyone. Not only was the January Show a great success in participation and attendance, but it was a financial success as well. Dave Ammons reported, for the first time in a very long time we are in a financially secure condition that will enable us to provide stronger promotional activity in support of the future shows. Much of this success is due to Jim Ort s outstanding work as show coordinator. THANKS AGAIN, JIM! But let s not forget he cannot do this all by himself. We need much more participation by members to get all the work done. As we get more successful, the workload increases. Ray Rybar has asked for more input on what members want to see in our shop tour/demonstration program. Please contact Ray (928-567-6373 ray_heidi_rybar@hotmail.com) directly and quickly regarding work you would like to see, or to include your shop in the program. Ray had a great schedule for us in 2011, and no doubt 2012 will be even better. Thanks also go to our new Meeting Program Coordinator Larry Braasch for setting up a great presentation for us on Japanese Edged Weapons by Brian Quinn, an AKCA member and President of the Japanese Sword Society of the United States. Not only did we learn a tremendous amount of information about Japanese edge weapons with their 1000+ years of history, but we also learned what a valuable resource we have in Brian. We would like to hear from more of you about your work and interests so please contact Larry Braasch (602) 390-5207 tbirder2@aol.com to schedule or suggest a presentation. Celebrate Your Blades. Gene
2 Musings from the Editor: Gary Fields We are going to put ads in the newsletter again so get your ads in to me by the fifth of next month for inclusion in the next issue. If you need to make an ad I will design something for you, just send me the information that you want on the ad and any picture you might want included in the ad. We just had the best presentation in years. The presentation was given by Brian Quinn and was about Japanese Edged Weapons. Brian is the president of Japanese Sword Society of the United States (J.S.S.U.S.). We also had a short discussion about the Last Knife and Gun Show and what we need to improve in future shows. We are looking for ideas for advertising and how to get volunteers to help with future shows. If you have ideas contact Jim Ort (ort@cox.net) or Gary Fields (garyfields@ma.com)
3 Japanese Edged Weapons: Brian Quinn At the February meeting Brian Quinn, President of the J.S.S.U.S. and A.K.C.A. member, presented an antique historical grouping of Japanese edged weapons and sword fittings from his collection for the membership. Included were an 18th Century katana, a WW2 period handmade army officers katana along with an original N.C.O. katana, several hand guards (tsuba) representing the 16th through late 19th Century, a signed and dated spear point (Yari), a framed group of various arrowheads (Yanone) and other blades & related fittings. Brian discussed the Japanese Sword Society of the United States, displayed several research books on swords and gave a short time-line on the developement of the Japanese swords in Japanese culture. The full display of Japanese edged weapons and related fittings. A Museum quality 18th C. matched pair of Nanban style tsuba for a Katana & Wakizashi (Daisho). A framed group of 17th & 18th C. Japanese Arrowheads (Yanone). Continued on Page 4
4 Continued from Page 3 A fine late 19th C. art work sword guard (Tsuba). Brian Quinn discussing A WW2 period Japanese long sword (Katana). Members at the February 2012 meeting.
5 From the Knife & Gun Show Co-ordinater: Jim Ort The January AKCA Knife and Gun Show was a big success with record breaking attendance. While we have no way of knowing the actual attendance because of an unattended gate being left open, the traffic flow for most of Saturday was very heavy and Sunday was quite busy so the minimal estimated attendance was >1200. The financial statement for the Show will be announced at the February or March club meeting. If we are going to have successful shows in the future, club members have to step-up and volunteer to help work on the next show. A list of positions will be included in future newsletter. Advertising Rates: A business card ad costs $25.00 for 12 months or a want ad costs $10.00 per month, Larger ads are also available. All ads must be sent to the editor no later than the 5th of the month to be included in that month s newsletter and content will be regulated by the editor. If you have any questions call or email the Editor. Remember the Club can not be successful without your Help!!!
6 2012 Wuertz Hammer-in is a Blast!: Mike Mooney Here, Tim Hancock demonstrates his method for forging a damascus billet using his hydraulic press at the 2012 Wuertz Hammer-in while Owen Wood and Mike Quesenberry watch. Photo by: Ron Oka The Wuertz Farm and Wuertz Machine Works in Casa Grande played host to their second Hammer-In last month. Knife makers and knife enthusiasts from far and wide gathered for the two-day event. Everyone learned a lot and had a great time in the process. In addition to a number of AKCA club members in attendance, there were folks there from California, Idaho and Canada, among other places. The instruction was top-knotch and very useful. On Saturday, ABS Master Bladesmith Tim Hancock of Scottsdale demonstrated welding up a damascus billet by the traditional method, followed by ABS Master Bladesmith Owen Wood of Colorado showing how to do the same thing using a completely different technique without the use of flux. ABS Journeyman Bladesmith Mike Quesenberry of California demonstrated the forging an integral blade to produce a nearly indestructible knife. Tim taught his method for flat-grinding a blade. He sure made that look easy. Owen then fit-up and welded a multi-bar damascus blade like the ones he uses on his exquisite folders. On the second day, Tai Goo from Tucson demonstrated his technique for forging to a finished blade. That blade was completely ready to have a handle attached and be sharpened right off the anvil. Mike Quesenberry showed us how he finish grinds one of his integral knives using the blade he had forged the day before. Travis Wuertz showed how he can grind an integral by stock removal using the new surface grinding attachment for his truly wonderful TW-90 grinder. Travis then gave us lots of creative tips and tricks for using the TW-90 more effectively. If I ve missed any important content, I apologize, as the side discussions on a wide range of knife making topics may have distracted me from some of the formal content. I participated in discussions on subjects from grinding to clay coating for hamon temper lines to knife design to damascus patterns, and a whole lot more. In addition to the fantastic instruction, a lot of shared learning and camaraderie, we were treated to some marvelous food, including Marvin Wuertz delicious smoked meats for lunch on Saturday and a wonderful breakfast on Sunday prepared by Marvin s sister.
7 2012 Demonstrations: Ray Rybar I am delighted to present to you this year s lineup of demonstrations. You will see both familiar demonstrations and new ones in this year s lineup. Many new members have asked for demonstrations that some of you more seasoned members may think you have seen. Don t be fooled, however, because there will be new innovations added to what you might assume you have already seen. There is also some new and exciting blood added to the demo line up. All scheduled demos will go as scheduled regardless of the number of people who sign up. The demonstrator will be paid $300.00 by the club for the preparation and class demonstration. Members will pay $25.00 to attend a demonstration. Non-members may attend for a $50.00 fee per demonstration. If you are sixteen or younger you may attend a demonstration for free if you attend with a paying member or non-member. Remember to bring a good raffle item to the demo. This always makes for a good time and the proceeds benefit the club. Sometimes the demonstrations produce a completed work. In such cases the maker has the option to keep it or auction it off. If the item is auctioned the demonstrator keeps the proceeds from their work. Remember to contact Gary Fields (602-510- 1117 or garyfields@mac.com) if you are interested in car pooling. The first outing will be April 14, 2012 at 1005 East Grenada Avenue Apache Junction, Arizona 85119 at the shop of Todd Kopp. Todd will be demonstrating the grinding of both a single edge blade and a double edge blade. Yes, Todd has done this for us once before, however; this is a great opportunity for all members. Many new members will want to take advantage of Todd s unsurpassed grinding skill. Ask yourself why you see so few quillion daggers as compared to other knives. Why is the price of quillion dagger so unashamedly high? The answer is because proper double edge grinds are difficult at best and impossible for many good cutlers. Todd is the unarguable master of the double edge grind. Most schools explain what is wrong with most double grinds. None that I know of show you step by step how to do one and have it come out perfect. Now is your chance to strike while the iron is hot! The next class will be May 12, 2012 at 2328 S. Sunset Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. It will be at the shop of Ray Rybar. I will hand forge two blades. One full tang with no ricasso and the other a stick tang with a forged ricasso. I will make a piece of Mokumé-gane that can be used for guard or butt cap material or anything else that your imagination might desire. Time permitting I will do some etching that can be used to embellish any blade. Again, I am keeping new members in mind but seasoned cutlers are always asking me questions on these subjects so now is your opportunity to see it done. The next demonstration will be on June 9, 2012 at 5541 East Callé Del Narcisco, Sierra Vista, AZ 85615 at the new shop of Jonathon Wick. Jonathon is without equal. The Energizer rabbit better hope that Jonathan never decides to try out for his job. That rabbit would be in the unemployment line instantly. This is the third time this demonstration will be performed. I was there for both of the last two and I still have not absorbed all the information he covered. This demonstration is phenomenal! I have scheduled this for spring so all who missed it in the fall are able to attend. You will get to see lost wax casting, sand casting, copper sheath formation, silver soldering with enhanced techniques, Shibuichi, and Shakudo. Plus, lots of little extras that Jonathan throws in. For instance last year Jonathan made fire with two sticks like Indians or Aborigines. This is a must see and I will not impose upon Jonathan to do it all gain a fourth time. Get it now. Make your arrangements early. You will not want to miss this extravaganza. The July 14 th demonstration will be held at 3944 East Lark Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 at the shop of Mark Larson. Mark has been making knives for longer than some of our new members have been alive and he does a dandy job of it. Mark s shop is a delight to look through even if you re not interested in knives. Mark is also a top- Continued on Page 8
8 Continued from Page 7 notch machinist and has a neat and clean variety of machine tools that he uses on a regular basis since he has manufactured different products for K&G and Pieh Tool Co. for years. This year Mark will show us how to do a full tang handle with scales and a stacked Scagel type stick tang handle. The August 11 th 2012 demonstration will be at the shop of Chris Contos at 2161 Kachina Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305. Chris is relatively new to the Arizona Knife Collectors Association but he is definitely not new to knives. Chris has been a long-standing member of the Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association and has been forging knives for years. Chris is well schooled in all aspects of ferrous as well as non-ferrous metal manipulation to include engraving and tool making. I have been to Chris demonstrations before with the Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association and have been engaged from start to finish. For us Chris will give a class on stone setting, bezeling and silver soldering. If you were at the last show you may have seen Chris unique application of this combination presented as blade handles. He will also instruct us on reprosé which has been used in handles for centuries. Don t miss this one. Chris is in demand and keeps a tight schedule. No guarantees I can get him again. September 22 nd 2012 will be again at my shop, 2328 South Sunset Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. I will host and we will be blessed by having Navajo artist, Gilbert Begay, do a demonstration for us. This will be a onetime shot so don t miss this one. Gilbert Begay is a cousin to David Yellowhorse who is also a well-known Navajo artist. Gilbert s home is in Gallup New Mexico but he shows and sells a lot of his product in Jerome, Prescott and Sedona. When Larry Fuegan gave us a carving class at my shop Gilbert wet our appetite with one of the latest innovations in the blade world stamping, stamping with engraving and stamping combined with repose. When it comes to stamps and stamping Gilbert is not a want to be or has been. He is at the top of the game. He will show us how to combine stamps for a fantastic engraved look. He will also demonstrate how to cut a stamp and use it. Again, like Chris Contos there is no guarantee I will ever be able to get Gilbert Begay again. Plan to attend so you don t miss out on this valuable knowledge. October 20 th 2012 will be at 11624 South John Harvey, Vail, AZ 85641 at the shop of Hans Wienmueller. Hans is a master folder maker of all types. It has been more than two years since he has shown us the how to s on the slip joint folder. For all of us and especially our newer members Hans will build a slip joint knife from start to finish. He will show the Bill Ruple jig, spring making, grinding and file work. When it comes to folders Hans is unsurpassed. This was proven last year when his folder won a worldwide Blade competition that awarded him free advertisement, a table at the Blade show and tons of exposure. Be there. The November 2012 demonstration will be held at the shop of Tim Hancock at 2912 North 153 rd Street, Rio Verde, AZ. The exact date will be announced at a later date. Those who have been around for a while know that Tim needs no introduction. For the youngest of new members be aware that Tim is the king of the contemporary bowie knife. They are sought after worldwide by collectors. He will give us instruction on guard fitting and the skeleton bowie handle complete with handmade silver button head rivets. You will never get this kind of professional instruction at any school or class for twenty-five bucks. If the Lord doesn t take me first I will surely be there. December, tentatively the 8 th, Larry Fuegan will finish out our year with his exceptional carving class. Larry will let us know a little later in the year if the 8 th will work for him. This demonstration will be conducted at either Pieh Tool Co. or at my shop. Details will be announced later in the year. Be sure to pencil in Larry for December so you don t forget and miss the date. Larry s demonstrations are always a hit. Members this is your schedule for the coming year. Stick, it to the refrigerator and don t lose it. Do these classes help? Are they worthwhile? Ask Lee McDowell. He joined the club just a few years ago and has attended many of these demonstrations. This year he won the Best Miniature awarded at the last AKCA show. He then sold the piece for $350.00. He is on his way. Congratulations Lee!
9 Thoughts from the Past President: Dave Ammons This is a quick note to remind you that at this time last year we changed our by-laws. In the past we would be holding elections at the next meeting for our officers and board members. Due to the bylaw changes this will not happen this year, as all terms of service have been extended to two years. This does not mean that we should not take the time to look back on what happened last year and highlight the good and the bad. Each of you should also look at all of us (your elected officials) and the programs that we instituted and make an honest assessment. Then please provide us with both positive and negative feedback so that we can better serve you and the Arizona Knife Collector s Association. Otherwise, we will move blissfully ahead doing what we done thinking all is well in our knife world. You all know I am a pretty positive guy so as a change of pace I ll start with a few of the negatives I observed last year. First I was disappointed with the elections last year. We couldn t even fill a full slate say nothing of actually holding an election (we didn t fill the Vice-president position until 3 months later). It was a case of arm twistin and cajoling to get people to step up to the plate. We have many talented individuals in the AKCA, many who would make great leaders, but the tired saws of I m too busy, yer doin a good job, jus keep on doin it, and who me? seems to be the norm. As I said, disappointing. Another thing that fell by the wayside was the yearly Club Knife. Many members of long standing have supported the makers and the AKCA by purchasing the AKCA Club Knife every year. Somehow over the last several years the prestige honor? of making that years offering seems to have been diminished, and the idea that the Club Knife should be an investment that will grow year after year like gold or silver has become prevalent. In my opinion, that s the wrong way to look at it. The AKCA Club Knife should be an affordable (I understand the economy is hurting) example of the skills of one of our current makers that can be displayed with pride with those made in the past. This cements the relationship of the club to the maker and the collector and those that have been there and done that before us. I hope we can get it back together in the next few months. And as always there is the Don t gripe if you aren t participating and if you see something that needs doing lend a hand. The AKCA is putting on some fine shows, not Jim Ort and Gary Fields, or at least that s the way the advertisement reads. Let s make that happen by volunteering when the need arises. So much for a quick note I tend to get a bit wound up sometimes. I do want to at least touch on some of the great things that happened. You all know I am a great fan of the Shop Tour/ Show and Tell program. Last years was outstanding. How about two, that s two, great shows that were successful on many fronts; financially (I know I am the treasurer), the expansion of our membership, the good will produced between us and the gun community, and the exposure we provide to the public of our reason for being, knives. A win-win. And then there is the growing numbers who attend our meetings, provide informative and enjoyable programming at the meetings, and bring neat stuff for all to see and talk about. It is something when I can say the drive from Tucson to Phoenix has become a looked forward to and enjoyed monthly event. So I will close with the hope that I will see you all at or next one.
10 Financially the AKCA is doing well. All bills have been paid to date and there are funds to meet expected expenses and a cushion for that rainy day. For exact figures members in good standing can contact me or come to the meetings. It has been decided that with our newsletter being posted to the World Wide Web and being distributed to a lot of non-members, putting our finances on the front page is not a good thing. If you have an opinion on the subject feel free to contact me or better yet, come to the next meeting. I hope to see you there. Dave Ammons (dcammons@msn.com) March 22 nd Concealed Weapons Phoenix Police Department April 14 th Todd Kopp Grinding Single & Double Edge April 26 th TBD May 12 th Ray Rybar Forging 2 Blades, Mokumè-gane May 24 th TBD AKCA President - Gene Worden (602) 870-1393 June 9 th Jonathon Wick Casting, Copper sheath formation, Silver Soldering, Shibuichi, and Shakudo Vice President/Secretary - Mike Mooney (480) 987-3576 mike@moonblades.com Treasurer -Dave Ammons (520) 471-4433 dcammons@msn.com Board Members Jim Ort - (480) 948-1494 ort@cox.net Lee Mcdowell - (623) 512-0252 lee_mcdowell@msn.com Gary Fields - (602) 510-1117 garyfields@mac.com Newsletter Editor - Gary Fields (602) 510-1117 garyfields@mac.com Program Coordinator - Larry Braasch (602) 390-5207 tbirder2@aol.com June 28 th TBD July 14 th Mark Larson Full tang handle, stacked Scagel stick tang handle Monthly Meetings: AKCA Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM at the El Zaribah Shriner Hall at 552 N. 40 th Street Phoenix, Arizona. See map on the last page of this newsletter. CSCA Meetings are held the Second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 PM at the Coco s Restaurant at 4601 East Thomas Road Phoenix, Arizona. For further information contact: John Brown 602-697-2004 johnbrown8@cox.net Web Page: http://coppercutlery.com
Arizona Knife Collector s Association 6225 N. Tucson Mountain Drive Tucson Arizona 85743