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TKG Fall Hammer In, Nov 12, 2016

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TKG Fall Hammer In, Nov 12, 2016

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 [...]

By Jason Fry|November 17th, 2016|Event Reports|0 Comments

A word about “handmade” knives and the TKG

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 [...]

By Jason Fry|November 2nd, 2016|Membership News|0 Comments

TKG Fall Events

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, [...]

By Jason Fry|September 13th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

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Tarleton Knifemaking Workshop a Success!

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Tarleton Knifemaking Workshop a Success!

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 [...]

By Jason Fry|July 7th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Troubleshooting Common Knifemaking Problems

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 [...]

By Jason Fry|May 25th, 2016|Tips and Tricks|0 Comments

TKG Regional Shop Tour April 30, 2016

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 [...]

By Jason Fry|April 29th, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Texas Knifemakers’ Guild Annual Meeting

The Texas Knifemakers' Guild will have its annual meeting on Sunday, April 10, 9:15 a.m. at Market Hall in Dallas, 2200 Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207. This meeting will be open to all TKG members, interested parties, and members of the public. The meeting will be in the east end of the north hall. This location and time has been approved by the Dallas Arms Collectors, our hosts for the Lone Star Knife Expo. The published agenda items are as follows: Open meeting agenda 1. Welcome, intro of officers and board, brief purpose of the guild 2. Membership report- how many current members, and [...]

By Jason Fry|March 31st, 2016|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Lone Star Knife Expo, April 9-10,2016

If you are a knifemaker and have not yet signed up for the Lone Star Knife Expo, we would love to have you. While the TKG does not have a financial interest in this show, as knifemakers and collectors, we all ought to be interested. This is the largest gathering of knifemakers in one place that Texas has to offer! There will be excellent knives in the room for purchase, and excellent knifemakers present for conversation and teaching. Blade Sports will have a major competition. There will be awards for best of show in several categories. There will be purveyors of knifemaking supplies as well. [...]