So, this will be a bit random but it's a place to start a conversation...
The 6th annual KnifeDogs Hammer In/Grind In will be held the last weekend in August... Friday 8/26 thru Sunday 8/28
If you have been to one of ours in the in the past, thanks for coming and you know how tight space is here. That changes significantly in about 6 weeks. Our new 12,000/sq' warehouse is nearing completion (our current warehouse is 3,750/sq') and we will be moving into the new space in early or mid March.
Some changes I am anticipating.
First,
We are adding a knife show. We will have room for 50 tables, probably more but 50 is a number that is easy to commit to right now. There will be no charge for anyone that wants to set up. Bring your own table and chair. We will give you a space. If you can't bring a table, we will arrange to have some tables to rent from a local rental place. I don't have any idea what that will cost you. The first table is free (limited to a typical card table or a 6'x3' folding white table). If you need more than that, call me. I'll spend some funds on advertising locally but honestly we will do this first one on a budget and depend on the internet and word of mouth. If you set up a table to sell supplies for this weekend, I am completely fine with that. This event was never about selling stuff for us and if you knife stuff you want to sell, bring and table and set it up. Do not bring anything other than knife related items. It's not going to be a flea market.
I have to know in advance for planning purposes so registration is required and that will be organized later.
Second,
Saturday night we have normally shut down at 6pm and sent everyone to forge for dinner on their own. This year we will have an optional evening dinner and beer kegger. There will be a modest charge for this dinner. I am looking into some live music from 6:30 to 9.
If you play an instrument, bring it and plan on playing it. It would be fantastic to have some pickup music - all kinds. If we can get enough knife maker musicians to commit to playing a song or three, you won't get stuck hearing some local band I choose that works for nearly nothing and plays badly. I need guys to play for free beer. It's win/win.
Third,
We will have several additional grinders, drill presses and work benches for session tracks.
Fourth,
I will be contacting several of our suppliers for demo equipment and abrasives.
Fifth,
If you sell grinders, tools or other knife related equipment - even if it competes with USAknifemaker.com, again I am fine with that. I have to know in advance for planning purposes so registration is required and that will be organized later.
Sixth,
Friday last year we "opened" at noon. We will do that again. It worked well. We had an informal social Friday night and we will do that again. The shop wasn't really open Friday night but will be this year if you want to get started early.
Seventh,
We have avoided promoting our annual event locally due to not having enough room. With the new location and space, we will most likely have quite a few locals stop by.
Eight,
In the past, it's been very unstructured with no schedules or agenda. You can still do that but we will also put together a specific schedule for demo times in different aspects of knife making.
Nine,
I am seeking volunteer instructors for anything knife related. This can be as much or as little as you want. I'm pretty flexible. Contact me and I'll get you on the "official schedule". I will have a few paid instructors that will work their tails off all weekend but we need some volunteer instructors to hold a class/session/demo/whatever for an hour or two. If you have a skill, consider sharing it. Someone probably took some time to show you a few things, consider passing some of you knowledge on.
Ten,
In the past we have limited attendees to 25 to 30. We are opening it up this year to 100 and there should be plenty of room. If you want to get your hands dirty, you will be able to.
Finally,
My goal is to have an annual world class HammerIn/GrindIn/Knife Show and this event will be a learning experience. We will be trying some things we've never done before but you can be part of it. What doesn't work this year will change next year. I am committed to growing this into an event that gets people excited. I'd appreciate any comments or feedback....More later as this unfolds.
t
The 6th annual KnifeDogs Hammer In/Grind In will be held the last weekend in August... Friday 8/26 thru Sunday 8/28
If you have been to one of ours in the in the past, thanks for coming and you know how tight space is here. That changes significantly in about 6 weeks. Our new 12,000/sq' warehouse is nearing completion (our current warehouse is 3,750/sq') and we will be moving into the new space in early or mid March.
Some changes I am anticipating.
First,
We are adding a knife show. We will have room for 50 tables, probably more but 50 is a number that is easy to commit to right now. There will be no charge for anyone that wants to set up. Bring your own table and chair. We will give you a space. If you can't bring a table, we will arrange to have some tables to rent from a local rental place. I don't have any idea what that will cost you. The first table is free (limited to a typical card table or a 6'x3' folding white table). If you need more than that, call me. I'll spend some funds on advertising locally but honestly we will do this first one on a budget and depend on the internet and word of mouth. If you set up a table to sell supplies for this weekend, I am completely fine with that. This event was never about selling stuff for us and if you knife stuff you want to sell, bring and table and set it up. Do not bring anything other than knife related items. It's not going to be a flea market.
I have to know in advance for planning purposes so registration is required and that will be organized later.
Second,
Saturday night we have normally shut down at 6pm and sent everyone to forge for dinner on their own. This year we will have an optional evening dinner and beer kegger. There will be a modest charge for this dinner. I am looking into some live music from 6:30 to 9.
If you play an instrument, bring it and plan on playing it. It would be fantastic to have some pickup music - all kinds. If we can get enough knife maker musicians to commit to playing a song or three, you won't get stuck hearing some local band I choose that works for nearly nothing and plays badly. I need guys to play for free beer. It's win/win.
Third,
We will have several additional grinders, drill presses and work benches for session tracks.
Fourth,
I will be contacting several of our suppliers for demo equipment and abrasives.
Fifth,
If you sell grinders, tools or other knife related equipment - even if it competes with USAknifemaker.com, again I am fine with that. I have to know in advance for planning purposes so registration is required and that will be organized later.
Sixth,
Friday last year we "opened" at noon. We will do that again. It worked well. We had an informal social Friday night and we will do that again. The shop wasn't really open Friday night but will be this year if you want to get started early.
Seventh,
We have avoided promoting our annual event locally due to not having enough room. With the new location and space, we will most likely have quite a few locals stop by.
Eight,
In the past, it's been very unstructured with no schedules or agenda. You can still do that but we will also put together a specific schedule for demo times in different aspects of knife making.
Nine,
I am seeking volunteer instructors for anything knife related. This can be as much or as little as you want. I'm pretty flexible. Contact me and I'll get you on the "official schedule". I will have a few paid instructors that will work their tails off all weekend but we need some volunteer instructors to hold a class/session/demo/whatever for an hour or two. If you have a skill, consider sharing it. Someone probably took some time to show you a few things, consider passing some of you knowledge on.
Ten,
In the past we have limited attendees to 25 to 30. We are opening it up this year to 100 and there should be plenty of room. If you want to get your hands dirty, you will be able to.
Finally,
My goal is to have an annual world class HammerIn/GrindIn/Knife Show and this event will be a learning experience. We will be trying some things we've never done before but you can be part of it. What doesn't work this year will change next year. I am committed to growing this into an event that gets people excited. I'd appreciate any comments or feedback....More later as this unfolds.
t
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I've already contacted Beth! I can't wait, this is going to be awesome. I will share it on my Facebook and other forums. Let me know if there is any other way I can assist.