Willow Bow Ranch Seminars
for the High Endurance Performance Knife
The most significant reason that the seminars exist is that we believe that there is a need for knives that the future owners can depend on when the chips are down. Many times it doesn't take much to change a nice calm day into a nightmare. The 911 tragedy is but one example, the same can happen at home, a few miles from home or on a camping trip in remote areas. Our goal is to expand the number of truly High Performance knives in order to make them more readily available to the man who seeks one. We read and see lots of knife testing and competition, most of these fail to evaluate what we call endurance performance. For a knife to qualify as a 'high performance' blade it must be capable of cutting exceptionally well, holding its edge, easy to sharpen and be strong enough that the owner cannot bend it with his hands. The test blades, with the assistance of a lever should be able to withstand at least two and ½ 180 degree flexes, and then returned to straight, capable of again being used as a knife.
This sounds pretty tough, but when the blade smith learns how to forge high quality knife steel at the correct temperature, harden and temper the resultant blade in such manner as to push the steel to its limits the methods are easily taught and can be mastered with a little practice.
Should you chose to come to one of our seminars we request that you bring your own glove or gloves if you use two, shop apron if you use one, safety glasses, ear plugs and your favorite hammer. All clothing worn in the shop should be fairly fire resistant, cotton shirts and pants are good enough. Nylon or other highly flammable materials will not be allowed in the shop. The shop is also a no smoking facility, if we can help it.
The cost for the seminar is $300.00/day and we require a $300.00 deposit to reserve your place. Lunch and dinner are provided at the ranch. You can fly into Riverton regional airport and we will pick you up there if you wish or rental cars are available. For those who drive a map is included that describes the way to the Willow Bow. We have made arrangements with the Sundowner Station Motel (307) 856-6503 for a special rate for our students. Rates are currently $50.00+taxes for a queen or $55.00+taxes for 2 double beds if anyone wants to share a room. Should you wish to stay at the Willow Bow we have space available however it may mean that you will be sleeping on the floor of the office with other students. The shop has running water, sinks, shower, and stool.
Forging
This is the first and most critical activity. You will learn the techniques and importance of forging a blade to shape at low temperature. We request that your first blade be a drop point hunter style blade about 5 inches long. This is necessary in order that all learn the basics, if you want to do your own design that is OK but we request that the first blade by all participants be fairly uniform as this permits us to teach the forging operation and keeps all blades consistent for heat treating and grinding.
Forging that first blade is critical and is taught the first day. This is necessary in order that each blade will be able to participate together in the operations that are to follow.
Students will learn from their own actions as well as by watching others perform similar activities, we all learn together and will be able to teach others by their experience. The forging, heat treating, grinding as well as learning how to test blades for endurance cutting and toughness comes first; these are serious foundations for blades to follow. The blades you make will be able to cut rope at the high performance level, be easy to sharpen and the points of your blades will easily scratch or seriously mar mild steel and be strong enough that you will not be able to flex them with your bare hands.
Very close to one week is necessary for the completion of one blade, providing the most successful methods our testing has revealed. This is not all hands on time on each blade, while other aspects of the forged blade are discussed and demonstrated, the blade will be experiencing thermal cycles, each of which is of value. You will be able to make other blades, but this first blade is the most critical to the understanding of the High Performance Blade and through it you will be able to experience it all.
Etching
Etching your blades will make a better blade smith of you because this is the only way available to the blade smith at this time that will obviously reveal the nature of your forging methods, temperature control and hardening. When you etch your blade, the significant nature of the blade you have developed will be as easy to understand as reading the Sunday comics. Etching tells not only you, but the man who may one day need to depend upon the knife you made that it can be depended upon.
The skills required to develop the high performance blade are not complex, they are simple but as is anything that is worthwhile they take time and practice, your devotion will make the difference.
The schedule of the seminars are very flexible, we usually start around 9:00 AM, eat lunch and dinner at the Willow Bow in order that we don't have to waste time going to and from restaurants. Most classes will last until at least 10:00PM or as late as participants are willing to work and learn. . A coffee pot is in the office at the Willow Bow Knife center, as is one of the most complete libraries on knives from the past and literature you may want to review. All is available for you to use; all we ask is that you replace books and tools where they belong.
We try to keep our student - instructor ratio at two students for one instructor. We teach safety as well as methods in order that you will be able to continue your interest in making knives for as long as you wish with both confidence and knowing that the knives you sell will be worth the investment.
We are ready willing and able to teach all aspects of the high performance knife, you are encouraged to ask questions and I suggest that you take some notes to review when you have time. No previous experience is necessary; your abilities as far as working with your hands and desire are what make the knife maker.
I hope this discussion answers most of your questions, if you have any concerns don't be reluctant to call any time.