June, 2010

I am rushing to get ready to go to the Blade Show; last minute knife prep, packing, paperwork...  I've only got three knives to put on my table.  But then, the point of being at the Blade Show is just to be there.  One of the knives is a nice damascus hunter with mammoth ivory handle slabs and engraving.  It is posted on the "Gallery" page and "Available" page.

I am working on a damascus dagger that will have  a wrapped, "San Francisco" style handle.  I had hoped that this would be the center piece on my table at the Blade show, but I was not able to finish it in time.  The handle frame is formed and the blade is in the final finishing stages before etching.  The handle will have abalone inserts in the frame.  I am working on the guard for the dagger and chose to do a complicated sculptured design.  The guard sunk my hopes of taking the knife to Atlanta as it was taking too long to make.  Perhaps I can get the knife finished for the AG Russell Show.

I've not mentioned the KCKA in my newsletter in some time.  I am pleased to say that we are still adding new members.  The next shop tour will be in Chanute, KS, at Steve Hansen's shop.  The date for this event is August, 21st.  I will not be able to attend as I will be in San Antonio at the ABS Expo.  Details of the shop tour will be posted on the KCKA site soon.

We have had a minor plague of carpenter bees this year.  If you are not familiar with these insects, they resemble bumble bees and have the disturbing trait (for people who own a log house) of boring holes in wood to build their nests.  Needless to say, they are drilling nesting holes in the logs of our house.  These bees are difficult to kill with insect spray as they are either at work on the logs, as made apparent by the saw-dust falling from 3/8" diameter holes in the logs, or they are buzzing about the house.  Their flight path is extremely erratic, however during their flight, they occasionally hover for a second or two.  Because of this, I've discovered a new and rather fun diversion.  I have found that I am able to shoot the little varmints from the air as they hover, using a .22 rifle loaded with bird shot cartridges.  This is not easy to do and one must be very close to being on point with the gun when they choose to hover.  Following a bee with a rifle makes one pivot about in circles and swing the gun barrel wildly as you try to stay on track with the bee.  I'm sure that the neighbors think that I have gone quite mad as they watch me circle the house with a rifle in hand, stop to swivel about as if I were afflicted with some neurological disease and finally discharging the gun, often in the direction of the house.  The bird shot cartridges are practically harmless to the logs, but quite loud and are indistinguishable from the sound of "long rifle" shells firing lead bullets.  So, the neighbors undoubtedly think that I am shooting holes in the house.  Oh well.....I've found that people often give you a little more ground if they think you are a bit "touched".  :-)

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