Week of February 15-21
2/15/24
Great class this morning with Alissa, Dan, Nicole, and Kevin! Everyone started out with an idea of what style of blade they wanted, but as they were hammering and saw how the steel was moving, they all switched styles. It was fun to watch. And, thanks to Kevin, we have a new handle design for the railroad spikes--the Crater Twist! Combining the twist and the tactical. Love student inspired deisgns!
2/15/25
Ella was back in the forge this afternoon and brought her brother and his girlfriend! Ella has done welding and steel flowers wothnis, so this was the first time in the forge for her. And it was Nathan and Julia's first class with us. Fun fact, I've known Nathan since he was in 1st grade. He and my middle child went to school together. So it was fun to catch up with him too.
And of course, they all made really nice knives!
2/16/25
Mike and his son are back, and brought the whole family! Mike was last here in January. He brought the Boy Scouts from Chicago. He and his son, Austin, did the railroad spike knives before, they were able to do railroad spike daggers! Beautiful daggers too! Today Mike brought his wife, father, and 2 other kids with him. They all drove over from the Chicago area. They all did great and made very sharp knives!
2/16/25
Alissa and Preston *finally* made it to the forge! Alissa was one of Jon's nurses (pre-glio) who then became our friend. She and her husband, Preston, were so supportive last year, and Jon and I valued their friendship so much. So I was so excited when Preston arranged a Valentine's Day surprise for Alissa (who quickly found out ). It was so great to have them in the forge! And they made some beautiful, and ridiculously sharp, knife!
2/18/25
This family was so much fun this afternoon! Cait, Arnold, and their son Henry, came from the Southeast side of the state to make Railroad Spike Knives. They were so funny, and made really beautiful knives!!
2/18/25
Alexander was back tonight to finish his billet knife. Last time he got up to heat treating. Tonight, he did the finish sanding and handle work. Beautiful knife!
2/19/25
Jason and his daughter Lydia are back and brought even more family! His brother-in-law and nephews made their first knives, Railroad Spike Knives of course, and did a remarkable job! Jason and Lydia have done a few classes with us. Tonight they made scary cheese knives!
2/20/25
It was a stealth mission this morning for Kevin's homeschool class! His mother loves the paper towel holder we have and has wanted Kevin to make one. So today he finally did as an early birthday present. But since she was waiting for him in the studio, Kevin and I had to hide what we were doing the whole time. It was a success and she loved her gift! Then he was able to continue working on his damascus knife. He got the shaping all done, sp next time it's grinding and possibly finishing it.
2/20/25
Birthday Welding this afternoon! Kayleigh brought her husband and father-in-law in to celebrate her husband's birthday today. We learned all the basics or MIG welding, and made very creative pencil holders. Fun class!
2/20/25
Breanna was back tonight! It was a ring making marathon. She has collected a very nice selection of old silverware to make jewelry from. Really nice pieces today!
