The New England School of Metalwork is set to hold its 12th annual bladesmithing symposium Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 15-17, at the 7 Albiston Way in Auburn school.
This event is endorsed by the American Bladesmith Society and features demonstrations by certified Master Bladesmiths from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Live demonstrations include kitchen knife making, bronze casting, historical Viking weapon construction and blade forging, as well as a Battle of the Bladesmiths featuring four bladesmiths competing for a $5,000 cash prize, according to a news release from the school.
The highlight of this event will be a live knifemaking battle between four young bladesmiths, Leo Potter from New Hampshire, Luke Nivala from Massachusetts, Jeremey Yelle from Quebec, Canada, and Kember Feuerzeig from California. They will compete to see who can make the best knife in only two hours. The event is free and starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 16.
Another highlight is the “Teaching Area” where anyone older than 16 can try their hand at forging a blade under the observation of an experienced bladesmith. All participants in the teaching tent must have leather shoes and long pants. The goal of both the New England School of Metalwork and the American Bladesmith Society is to educate people on the history and craft of metalsmithing, and this event is the culmination of that goal.
Friday night will kick off with the ceremonial first forging, and afterward attendees can gather at Side by Each brewery to taste custom beer.
The event will have multiple simultaneous live demonstrations on various knife-making related topics all day Saturday and Sunday. There is also an auction, tailgate tool sales and knife show. Reasonably priced lunch items will be available courtesy of the Anvil Café.
“The New England Bladesmithing Symposium is a perfect way to learn about man’s oldest tool. There is so much knowledge and experience in one place that it is a must-see for anyone interested in knives;” said NESM Executive Director Dereck Glaser.
The full event costs $100; one-day passes are $50. To register, visit newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com.
For more information, contact Glaser at dglaser@newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com or 207-777-3375.
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