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Blacksmith Talk-In
Dave Koenig, Richard Boswell, Bob Nichols
Kleb Woods Nature Center near Tomball
The August meeting was held indoors and offered HABA members and members of the public to learn more about the craft of forging ferrous , blacksmithing. There were three speakers. Download a brochure by clicking Blacksmith Discussions
Dave Koenig lead off with a dynamic and well illustrated talk he has given to three groups since the first of the year titled A Story of the Smith and Forging. The focus of his talk is on the very beginnings of the craft, how it started and the role of the smith in antiquity.
Richard Boswell followed with a talk that discussed and brought the blacksmithing craft from the Far and Middle East to the U.S.A. Richard's presentation will be a condensed class he presented to the American Society of Metallurgists last year. Click Long Journey of Blacksmiths to down load a pdf version of the presentation.
HABA's newest Board Member Bob Nichols pepared two new talks on two subjects that smiths cannot seem to get enough information about, Wootz steel, the original Damascus and a bit of science about Heat Treating Ferrous Metals. Bob's talks will greatly augment and compliment the previous presentations.
Click these links to down load pdf versions of his presentations:
Whatz Wootz
Basic Heat Treating for Blacksmiths
Each talk allowed plenty of time for discussion and assured that everyone left Kleb Woods with a new appreciation of the blacksmithing craft. This day was not spent on 'How To' forging processes but on broadening our appreciation of the origins, development and impact of the person and the craft on world cultures.
The program was held in the excellent, in-doors, air-conditioned conference center at the Kleb Woods Nature Center near Tomball.
When & Where :
Saturday, August 15 :
The schedule looks like this for Saturday morning:
- 8:00 am : Sign in and setup
- 8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
- 9:00 am : Dave Koenig's Talk and Q&A and Short Break
- 10:30 am : Richard Boswell's Talk and Q&A
- 12 pm : Break for Lunch
- 1 pm : Bob Nichols' Talk on Wootz and Q&A and Short Break
- 2:15 pm : Bob Nichols' Talk on Heat Treating Ferrous Metals and Q&A
- 3:15 PM : Meeting Adjourned
Where :
Kleb Nature Center located at 20301 Mueschke Road near Tomball,Texas.
Directions to Kleb Woods Nature Center
The Kleb Nature Center is officially located at 20301 Mueschke Road, Tomball,TX but the parking lot and Nature Center are off of Draper Road. Just follow the County, Precinct 3 signs from Mueschke Road.
Here is the County's map link:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx? v=2&cp=30.072269~-95.737782&style=r&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10378709&s p=Point.p0bwgx70ntgz_20301%20Mueschke%20Rd%2C%20Tomball%2C%20TX%2077375%2C %20United%20States___&encType=1
Directions to the Nature Center from where you live are available from this link.
What to Bring
Bring a lot of curiosity and maybe even a notebook.
Plan to bring a lunch or eat at a local restaurant.
You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!
Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !
Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Notes about this Website This website is Under Development and will continue to evolve for HABA Members.
The use any of the material from this site is at your own risk. All persons associated with this material disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or application of this information. They assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, fitness, proper design, safety or safe use of any information presented here.
Please send all feedback/correction/omission/suggestions to your webmaster, Richard Boswell .
Enjoy!
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Last updates were on August 22, 2009
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