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HCC and the American Bladesmith Society, Inc. to Hold the Great Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show

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Last updated:Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 10:52 AM Posted:Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 04:39 AM

Haywood Community College and the American Bladesmith Society, Inc. will hold the Great Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show on March 5 through March 7. The event will be held on the HCC campus. The cost of the symposium, knife cutting demonstration, and "Battle of the Bladesmiths" contest is $55. On Saturday, March 6, the knife show and auction will be open to the public beginning at 1 p.m. and will be free of charge.

 Demonstrators for the event include: Master Smith Jason Knight on forging, grinding, and heat treating; Master Smith Terry Vandeventer on handles and guards; ABS Founder B.R. Hughes and Master Smith Greg Neely on ABS judging standards; B.R. Hughes and "American Bladesmith" Editor Carolyn Hughes on promotion; Steven Rapp on blade grinding, silver handle wrap, and silver sheaths; Journeyman Smith Len Landrum on Damascus steel; and Kevin Jones on custom knife collecting.

A $500 scholarship will be given to a paid participant for use at one of the three American Bladesmith Society schools. To register, please call Laura Simmons at (828)565-4244. For more information on the Great Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium and the "Battle of the Bladesmiths" contest call Bill Wiggins, at (828) 226-2551 or email wncbill@bellsouth.net.