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Houston, TX 77095-2649

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To Preserve and Promote the Art and Craft of Blacksmithing Through Education.

Welcome to HABAIRON.ORG, the website of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association, the Internet resource of choice for the blacksmith in and around Houston, Texas. We have the technology!

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January 28, 2006

Annual Knife Making Work Shop
and Auction




Cowboy Szymanski
at
Phenix Knives
in Bellville, Texas



If it is a new year, it must be time to make a new knife at our annual Knife Workshop, and to donate and bid at our Annual Fund Raising Auction. This year's workshop was hosted by Cowboy Szymanski at his new shop in Bellville, Texas. He has helped in many of our previous knife demos and was a featured addtion at our last Fall Forge Fest in Oldenburg. Everyone favorite and Cowboys's mentor, Lee Oates of Bearclaw Knives, was there to help out.

Example RR Spike Knives This year's theme was the Railroad Spike Knife. Some of the many things that can be done with this material are found at LAMA's Dave Mudge site.

We finally enjoyed a rainy day in the region, but that did not slow anyone down from attending or working under tents outside the door on Main Street. Cowboy gave a great demo on how to handle a spike, we had a wonderful auction, and the day continued with many knives made and taken home by young and older. Needless to say, the old blacksmith shop ambiance was perfect for inspiring the crowd with a fine day of fellowship enjoyed by all.

Another page of photos from Richard Boswell is available by clicking Knife Photos.
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When & Where :

Saturday, January 28 :

The schedule went like this for Saturday morning:

  • 8:00 am : Sign in and setup
  • 8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
  • 9:00 am : Begin Demo
  • 9:00 am : Begin Workshop
  • 11:00 am : AUCTION
  • 12 pm : Break for Lunch
  • 1 pm : Continue Workshop
  • 5 pm : Conclude


Where :

Phenix Knives in Bellville Phenix Knives
305 E. Main
Bellville, Texas
77418-1527

Map to 305 E Main St

Directions

Go west fom Houston on I-10 to Sealy. Go north on 36 to Bellvile. This will parallel the train track in town. Turn left on Main St, and shop is on left side of street before the town square.

Go north west from Houston on 290 to Hempstead. Go south west on 159 to Bellvile. This becomes Main St. Go past RR tracks. Shop is on left side of street before the town square.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about knifemaking, more information may be found at these sites :

The Auction

It is our tradition to have our Annual Fund Raising Auction at this meeting and we need you to provide and donate tools, materials, and stuff that we want to bid on. During the holidays you might crank up your forge and make something for us. And if Santa brings you a new anvil this will be the place to recycle your old one!

Please take a look around and see what you can donate to this auction next time.

This being HABA’s annual fund raising auction you can bet there were some pretty nice pieces available. Several pieces made by demonstrators at this years programs were put on the auction block.

There was an assortment of work donated to HABA by members and Sponsors which are always big sellers, including:

  • Three Swedish forging hammers from our HABA sponsor, Blacksmiths Depot.
  • Six new books from our HABA sponsor, Pieh Tool Company Inc., Oriental Armour, Wild Game Cookbook, Decorative Cuts and Ornaments, Indian and Oriental Armour, Firearm Blueing and Browning and Authentic Art Deco Jewelry Designs.
  • An assortment of polished tools from the Brent Bailey demonstration in June.
  • A CD from Brian Gilbert, author, editor and publisher that contains eight old books about our craft.
  • A camp tripod from James and Richard Porter.
  • A humming bird from Tee Hines.
  • A horse head fork and hunter style knife from Cowboy Syzmanski's demonstration in October.
  • numerous more items including a wooden mallet Mark Finstad made from his anvil stump, a pink flamingo A.J. Garret had given as a door prize at his demo, knives, leaf spings, materials, and tools.

Tailgating

As mentioned above, this is also a great opportunity to do some tailgating. If you have an anvil or vise, or any other smithing tools or materials you no longer need, throw it in the truck and put a price tag on it. This event does draw buyers.


What to Bring

Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!

Bring your tools. A number of forges will be available.

Plan to bring a lunch or eat at a local restaurant.

Bring a chair to sit in.

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 February 01, 2006

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