For the St Judes Auction of 2012, I donated a come forge your own knife in the morning & hog hunt in the afternoon. Xroadshunter (George Galan) won the listing but unfortunately...
1) He couldn't make it last year.
2) I lost my hog lease this year when the Bacon Strip was sold :(
He called this spring saying he and Rushlush (Jesus Martinez) would be turkey hunting on Jesus's lease not far from our farm in Aiken. Not being able to offer the hog hunt, I felt a little better in offering Two for One Forge-a-thon for George & Jesus. We had a great time with both guys swinging hammers on hot steel. They pounded 90% of their blades. I just refined the blades, ground, and heat treated them. Here they are ready for Sheep Horn handles going on today. We finished the day with a steak dinner. Then they were on their way back to talk to some SC birds.
I know they have some pictures so as soon as they realize this post is up maybe they'll post some. Thanks George & Jesus. I had a great time sharing my passion and finally meeting Jesus...tippit
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5%3C96%3Dot%3E2%3A%3A%3B%3D48%3B%3D324%3D39%3B%3A48%3B23332%3Cnu0mrj)
Cool! I would have loved to been in on that ! :thumbsup:
Now that's a memory made!!!
congratulations to the 'knife makers' and thank you for the great donation Jeff. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow......that's a cool way to spend some time!!!
Tippit it was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for letting me in on the forging of my own knife and the hospitality. I had great time. Again thank you!
Can't get any better than a Tippit knife guys. That's a knife for a lifetime. I hear tell that they are scarcer than hen's teeth though, hold on to them.
Just finished the Sheep horn for Jesus (bottom knife) and Ram's horn for George (top knife). By the way George, I did leave a bit of your hammer ding in it :) Hope you guys like 'em after all ya'll made 'em ;)
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv6488%3Dot%3E2395%3D%3C78%3D763%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A%3B44833%3A23%3Bot1lsi)
Great looking knives! Best part though was just being able to spend a day at the Tippit and Molly spread. Priceless!
Man that sounds like a blast. Ive enjoyed Tippits company the last couple springs turkey hunting. Ive heard tales of his forge I can't imagine spending the day with him working metal. Sounds like a blast.
I had a little extra Ram horn left over...just enough for a small 6 1/2 inch neck caper.
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8%3B%3Dot%3E2%3A%3A%3B%3D476%3D643%3D39%3B%3A47655232%3Cnu0mrj)
Dave...
Here's the Tippit Forge South. Notice the sign, Zach forged it out for me.
(http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73485%3Enu%3D32%3A4%3E%3B87%3E672%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3B3775%3B4432%3Cnu0mrj)
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp5436%3A%3Enu%3D32%3A4%3E%3B87%3E672%3EWSNRCG%3D3894%3B959%3C632%3Cnu0mrj)
Sounds like a load of fun ,,,, fine looking blades
I just have to say that Jeff went above and beyond all expectations. Jesus and I had a great time and learned quite a bit during our stay with Jeff and his family. From learning to not be timid with the hammer to shooting a round on Jeff's make shift water bottle course with his grand-son and son-in-law to ending the day with a great meal and conversation with the rest of the family.
Jeff I just want to say thank you for offering the crash course. Your generosity, good nature, and willingness to teach is one of the reasons I love this site and the people I've met. I hope to share another camp with you soon, but for now here are some of the pics from the day.
Thanks Again!
Some tools of the trade
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae43/xroadsPE/20140321_152442.jpg) (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/xroadsPE/media/20140321_152442.jpg.html)
Jesus pounding the steal
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae43/xroadsPE/20140321_114217.jpg) (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/xroadsPE/media/20140321_114217.jpg.html)
Irons in the fire
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae43/xroadsPE/20140321_111756.jpg) (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/xroadsPE/media/20140321_111756.jpg.html)
Me trying to figure out which way the steal is going to turn
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae43/xroadsPE/IMG954316.jpg) (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/xroadsPE/media/IMG954316.jpg.html)
And the master himself
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae43/xroadsPE/20140321_152615.jpg) (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/xroadsPE/media/20140321_152615.jpg.html)
Those are some beautiful knives ;)
Veeeerrryyyy cool. I bid hard on that one!! Sorry I missed out! Looks like a great time!
Awesome job fellas!!
Matty you pushed me to my limit that night,but it was a blast
Those are awesome. What an opportunity.
Most-excellent report Doc!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Awesome! Great job, guys!
Great stuff!
Matty,
I actually remember that night very well. You & George were going head to head on a bidding war. I remember trying to keep it going by offering you an incentive of a Gaggle of Girls. Funny as Molly & I had four young unattached ladies over tonight for dinner. Living in a Horse Community, men folk are in the minority. It definitely is a good hunting ground for a Young Man...maybe not so much for an Old Man whose not into horses :)
Awesome knives Jeff! I really enjoyed the process photos too, thanks for sharing sir!
Tippit, I'd love to come prowl around your "good hunting ground for a young man"... Hey, I can dream, can't I ???
This is good stuff right here!!!
T
I was able to finally see up close Jeff's work as we passed his blades around the campfire at the Tennessee Classic. Beautiful, solid and functional. He also put an edge on my father-in-law 1950's Western. His sharpening skills were a tad bit better then my free hand method
:bigsmyl: '
My special knife is now more special.
Jeff - The knives you make are awesome and I'm curious to know how you got started making them? Did you have a mentor or prior experience in machining?
Thanks, David
Jeff-Love the forge pictures and the sign Zach made. Looking forward to sharing a camp again soon.
Great looking work fellows!!!!!!!!
NittanyRider,
I'm a veterinarian...therefore not great with machines :) I've always made most of my bowhunting gear though. Anyway I purchased one of Doug Campbell's little capers. I PM'd him back saying how great that little knife was and told him I had a bunch of forging gear our horse farrier had given me. He started teaching me online through PM's right here on Trad Gang... April 03, 2005 11:55 AM as I still have all my lessons saved! Since then we have become great friends but I'm still a grasshopper in comparison...tippit
Rainy day yesterday so good day for a little leather work. Closing farm down for trip back to Boston now I don't need to worry about getting these out to George & Jesus.
Thanks for watching but remember to support this years St Judes Auction...save a Kids Life. tippit
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv85%3Dot%3E2395%3D%3C78%3D763%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A%3B78583523%3Bot1lsi)
Yes, I saw in your profile that you are a veterinarian, which is why I asked. I'm a software developer and although I have no relevant skills, I dream of learning a craft someday. Thanks for the inspiration!
That's really cool!!!
What an awesome end to a past St. Judes auction. Great looking knives and there is definately a tippit influence there!
Maybe one day I'll own a tippit made knife :thumbsup:
Thanks for what you always do for St. Jude tippit. Your knives are ones to be desired for sure!! Great craftsmanship.
Very cool!
That is a very cool shop and some sweet looking knives!