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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Ray Hammond on May 30, 2009, 07:51:00 PM

Title: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 30, 2009, 07:51:00 PM
On Friday he was awarded his Master Smith designation by the American Bladesmith Society.

Congratulations, Lin. Your knives were really something special...the Quillion dagger was just unreal folks.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: drewsbow on May 30, 2009, 08:44:00 PM
Congrats Lin   :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: DANA HOLMAN on May 30, 2009, 09:12:00 PM
I'm proud of you lin,  :notworthy:    :clapper:  
dana
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: LONGBOWKID on May 30, 2009, 09:49:00 PM
Congrats my friend!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Kevin Evans on May 30, 2009, 10:30:00 PM
Congratulations Buddy!!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Wampus on May 30, 2009, 11:11:00 PM
Great job Lin!  Congratulations!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Emmons on May 30, 2009, 11:25:00 PM
Awesome!!  Way to go Lin!!  I could not have happened to better guy.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: TxMoon on May 31, 2009, 04:57:00 AM
WOW  Congrats!! I knew it I knew it!! I have been waiting to hear this all weekend long.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: OconeeDan on May 31, 2009, 01:12:00 PM
Saw Lin (and others) at the Blade Show.  Congratulations to Lin!
Here he is with one of his knives that were judged for the MS stamp.
 (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/OconeeDan/DSCN0393.jpg)
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: prarieboy on May 31, 2009, 03:37:00 PM
Congrats Lin and thanks for taking time to help others while on the journey!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: skullworks on June 01, 2009, 06:54:00 AM
Congrats!!!!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: tippit on June 01, 2009, 07:33:00 AM
Congratulations Lin!  A well deserved accomplishment  :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Lin Rhea on June 01, 2009, 08:08:00 AM
Thanks guys!!

I'm up early at a Hotel in Mississippi while the rest of the bunch sleeps in.

It was a very good show that I wont soon forget. I met lot's of new friends and renewed some old ones. It was a pleasure to visit my buddies, Ray Hammond, Dan Masson, Ian Johnson and his talented Dad, and of course, Karl!!!! What an honor to get to know Doug Campbell. This guy will go far in knifemaking. I hope this is the beginning of a long friendship. Thanks for being there Doug.
       
        The good thing about the Blade show as well as the other traditional events is that I get to meet people from all over the world and that's very special to me. I'll get home this evening sometime and may check in then. Thanks again. Lin
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Nosight on June 01, 2009, 09:08:00 AM
Congrats Lin..

This made the weekend extra speical..

Later.......Buzz
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: kbaknife on June 01, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
It is always an honor to be associated with Lin Rhea, M.S.
A gentleman of high standards and deserves all the good things that come his way.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: hunt it on June 01, 2009, 10:31:00 AM
Dang, that means this is gonna cost me more! Congrats Lin!!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: madness522 on June 01, 2009, 12:23:00 PM
Way to go Lin!!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Doug Campbell on June 02, 2009, 12:58:00 PM
Lin, congrats again and it was a great pleasure to get to shake your hand in person. Y'all will go a long way to find a finer gentleman and knifemaker than Lin Rhea. Can't tell you how much in means having you help me and others in our quest of "The" knife. You are one of the Good Guys my friend, Thank You!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: mwmwmb on June 02, 2009, 10:40:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Jon Christensen on June 04, 2009, 09:13:00 AM
Congratulations Lin.
Wish I could have been there to do it in person.

  :clapper:  

Jon
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Lin Rhea on June 04, 2009, 09:35:00 AM
Thanks guys. I'm still excited about it. I forged my first MS blade this morning for a good friend in Alabam. He's a very traditional kind of guy too.

Jon, Before this thing's over, Doug's going to be sorry he met me.   :biglaugh:  We missed you at Blade. Lin
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Phoenix 1967 on June 04, 2009, 09:18:00 PM
Congrats Lin... Mastersmith is a great designation, but the help and advice you give to the new folk truly shows the man beneath the Title. Thank you and congratulations
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Jon Christensen on June 05, 2009, 06:16:00 PM
Just visited your site Lin.
Not a mention of your MS rating.
Guess it takes time though.

Jon
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Lin Rhea on June 05, 2009, 06:22:00 PM
Yea Jon. I have to get the photos and then get them to my web guy. I gave him a heads up, so it wont be long. I have a group shot of my test knives now, just got it today. Most are hunting or Camp type knives, but one might not qualify. If this is not permitted, I understand. Lin

  (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3598430118_4b7599867a.jpg)
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: tippit on June 05, 2009, 07:22:00 PM
Lin, To have you bless this site is the qualification.  To see your MS qualifying blades is an honor.  Congratulations again...simply amazing   :notworthy:  tippit
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: 4runr on June 05, 2009, 09:20:00 PM
Congrats Lin!

Outstanding blades all.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Jon Christensen on June 06, 2009, 11:27:00 AM
Lin,
Thats a beautiful set of blades. I know how much blood (literally), sweat and tears goes into them. Looks like you nailed each one perfectly.

From the photo I can't see the damascus pattern. Do you have a closeup of it?

Again, you did a great job. Very nice work!!!

Jon
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Lin Rhea on June 06, 2009, 11:52:00 AM
Thanks Jon,
             It's true, I played it safe and only used damascus on the pig sticker. It has all twist pattern. I think they call the higher layer count maiden's hair, in this case 425 layers in the blade. This knife had to pretty well carry the rest when it comes to "fancy" stuff.

The rest of the knives are Carbon Steel. I was just trying to keep it clean. I was stressing the types of knives that I use and make on a regular basis. Of course, I was presuming a little on the judges good nature, not really knowing how far out on a limb to go. So, I guess I stayed close to the tree, compared to some.

  (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3460410617_0f520bf912.jpg)

Some might wonder why a person would go to all the trouble to make these test knives and do all of the worrying and sweating. I have to say that I learned more on this set of knives than any others. I was pretty isolated too, not being able to show four of them to any other Mastersmiths before the show. So this means I had to get it right the first time, keeping that thought in mind. That does make you try very hard and set a very extreme, in some case, standard. Thanks, Lin
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Doug Campbell on June 07, 2009, 12:29:00 AM
I can tell you Jon that "pig sticker" was very impressive. Everything was imaculate from the damascus to fit and finish, incredible fluting and wire work. And it didn't have to carry anything Lin, those other blades were plenty impressive too.
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: tomh on June 07, 2009, 10:44:00 AM
Congratulations Lin, I have always enjoyed seeing your work. Hopefully someday I will get to see it in person!!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: 2Knives on June 07, 2009, 10:46:00 AM
Very fine work...of course everybody already knows that!
Congrats again Lin!
Someday I'm gonna have to break my piggy bank and get a L.R. knife!!!!
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Bill Moore on June 11, 2009, 11:47:00 PM
congrats from Wild Bill in Wyoming good job Linn
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: Sharpster on June 14, 2009, 11:05:00 AM
Congratulations Lin,

Your knifes are all truly works of art. The title "Mastersmith" may have been made offical only recently but, the ABS judges knives by technical standards alone. To those of us that measure not only the knives themselves but also the man behind them, you earned this title long ago. Well done my friend.    :thumbsup:

  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

Ron
Title: Re: Congratulations to Lin Rhea!
Post by: SoNevada Archer on June 15, 2009, 07:20:00 AM
Congrats Lin! Wish I could have been there too!