Jason Fry – Texas Knifemakers Guild

30 10, 2017

Baird Hammer-in 2017

By Jason Fry|2017-10-30T01:55:47-06:00October 30th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

TKG hosted a hammer in at Chad Cunningham's ranch south of Baird on 10/28/17. There were about 70 people in attendance including both members and non-members. We had demonstrations by Dale White and Bryan Borton, by Bill Poor, by Chad Cunningham, and a few others. Vendors included Terry Dunn with stabilized wood, Texas Farrier Supply with general knifemaking supplies, Charles Turnage with mammoth ivory, Matt Marti with custom forging hammers, and another gentleman who made custom forges. Thanks to Jason Boone for the video. https://youtu.be/5kAtNXT-Kt0

14 02, 2017

TKG Fiscal Year 2017 Board Meeting

By Jason Fry|2017-02-14T01:23:46-06:00February 14th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The TKG 2017 FY board of directors meeting will be held Saturday, February 25 at Joe Allen's BBQ, 301 S. 11th St, Abilene, TX 79602 at 6 p.m. We'll eat, then meet. The board will elect officers, set the FY 2017 budget, discuss and set procedures, and plan for future events. Members are welcome to attend and observe. The relevant decisions and conclusions from this meeting will be communicated via the TKG Facebook group, the TKG website, and will be shared at the annual membership meeting in April.

10 01, 2017

TKG and Silver Spur Knife Show, Abilene, TX February 25-26

By Jason Fry|2017-01-10T04:27:12-06:00January 10th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Texas Knifemakers' Guild is partnering with Kim Sansom of Silver Spur Gun Shows to host a knife show in Abilene, February 25/26. The show is inside the Taylor County coliseum. We will have our own area with all the TKG makers together. Kim will advertise the show through her usual channels, and myself, Bryan, Charles, and Jason will spread the word through our local contacts. Tables are 8ft and $55 each. Kim has asked that you call the office at (806) 253-1322 or email at info@silverspurtradeshows.com to reserve your tables. Just be sure and say "We are with the Knifemakers Guild" so they will [...]

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2016 “Knife in the Hat”

Event Reports, Membership News

24 11, 2016

2016 “Knife in the Hat”

By Jason Fry|2016-11-17T01:46:41-06:00November 24th, 2016|Event Reports, Membership News|0 Comments

A tradition among knife makers is the knife swap known as a "Knife in the Hat." Each maker who wishes to participate makes a knife. When all of the knives are finished, names are drawn, and your knife goes to someone else. In turn, you receive a knife from another maker. A KITH is a great way for makers to own other makers' works without having to shell out the cash. Another benefit, and perhaps the most relevant to the TKG, is that with our exchange there is an expectation of feedback. You see, it's rude to point out the flaws in another man's knife [...]

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TKG Fall Hammer In, Nov 12, 2016

Event Reports

17 11, 2016

TKG Fall Hammer In, Nov 12, 2016

By Jason Fry|2016-11-17T00:21:47-06:00November 17th, 2016|Event Reports|0 Comments

Multiple pictures above, click for gallery. The TKG hosted a hammer-in at Chad Cunningham's ranch south of Baird, TX on November 12, 2016. Last year it rained and folks got stuck in the mud, but this year we couldn't have ordered better weather. Around 45 people came to the event, from as far away as Lubbock, San Antonio, and Bonham. The event featured five organized classes or demonstrations. Jason Fry, TKG president and national Knifemakers' Guild member, taught a class on "Fit and Finish." He spoke about the details that separate a good knife from a great one, or a great knife from an excellent [...]

2 11, 2016

A word about “handmade” knives and the TKG

By Jason Fry|2017-01-13T21:04:31-06:00November 2nd, 2016|Membership News|0 Comments

The following is from the most recent national Knifemakers Guild newsletter (November 2016). While the TKG is not formally affiliated with the national guild, we hold many of the same values and standards. Our goal in the TKG is to promote knifemaking, however you do it, but whatever your method, full disclosure is a must. "The Guild recognizes that the term "Handmade Knives" is difficult to define and subject to varying interpretations, but hold that, at a minimum, it requires that a maker personally grind, forge, or knap the blade, and honestly disclose how each component is produced. The real question is how much work [...]

13 09, 2016

TKG Fall Events

By Jason Fry|2016-09-13T01:21:17-06:00September 13th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

TKG has two events coming in fall of 2016. We are partnering with Silver Spur Gun Show to host a knife show in Lubbock, TX October 8/9. Similar to the April show in Dallas, we'll have a separate knifemaker area inside the Silver Spur show. We have 20 tables reserved, and are still accepting table holders. Contact Jason Fry at frycustomknives@gmail.com for more information. As the TKG is an educational nonprofit organization, we will not be handling the financial aspects of the show. Table fees, etc. will be handled by Silver Spur. The TKG interest is primarily in bringing knifemakers together to share our craft, [...]

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Tarleton Knifemaking Workshop a Success!

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7 07, 2016

Tarleton Knifemaking Workshop a Success!

By Jason Fry|2016-07-07T19:10:50-06:00July 7th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Tarleton State University Agriculture Mechanics department Texas Knifemaker’s Guild partnered June 21-23 to host a knifemaking workshop. Offered as a continuing education workshop for Texas agriculture and shop teachers, the experience was focused on each student building a complete knife during the workshop. They say “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” and this workshop was no exception. 24 Ag teachers, 8 TSU students and employees, and 10 knifemakers made a total of 42 knives over the 2 ½ day workshop. Each participant started with a bar of steel. Knife designs were chosen and then the knives were ground to shape on 11 professional-grade belt grinders provided [...]

25 05, 2016

Troubleshooting Common Knifemaking Problems

By Jason Fry|2016-05-25T19:46:27-06:00May 25th, 2016|Tips and Tricks|0 Comments

Here are a few tips for dealing with some of the places where things commonly go wrong. Dealing With Warpage Sometimes the blade comes out of the quench crooked. It can be straightened hot, above roughly 500 degrees, immediately after the quench. Use welding gloves. Once it’s cool, it can be straightened during the temper cycles. Clamp the blade to a piece of steel that is flat. Use shims if necessary. Run through temper cycles as usual. Sometimes takes a bit of trial and error, but works almost every time. If you want a two-piece knife, go ahead and try and straighten one cold by [...]

29 04, 2016

TKG Regional Shop Tour April 30, 2016

By Jason Fry|2016-04-29T21:50:49-06:00April 29th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

There will be a shop tour/ open house at Robert Swiesthal's house April 30, 25154 Gosling Road, Spring, TX 77389, 10:30 a.m. The agenda will be a shop tour as well as some demonstrations including whetstone sharpening, sheath making, and filework. Robert is also a taxidermist, so there may be some information in that regard as well. BBQ sandwiches and drinks will be provided. Bring a dessert or chips. Lone Star Knifemaker inspection will be available. There will also be a swap meet area, so bring knife stuff or supplies you don't need and see if you can trade them off for something else. Everyone's [...]