So,
I'm back. I got back late last night and spent some time with my wife and family last night and this morning. We had a wonderful time as usual, and the time went by soooo fast. I almost this event could be a full week rather than just a weekend. The smelt that Tim and Kevin did was very cool and also very productive, almost a 6 lb bloom. The tamashagiri (test cutting with mats) was really awesome.
The real prize for me was Peter Johnson, his lecture style was very interesting and engaging, but it was the material he presented that really blew me away. I could listen to him for weeks. I have held some historical swords and now I have a much deeper understanding for the design elements present that made them truely excellent weapons. The next time I make a sword I will really have my work cut out, because i won't be able to make one without taking the material he presented into consideration. I also got to meet Jon Arthur Loose, someone whose work I have admired for years, It was cool for him to, because he said the same thing about me.
I will be catching up on my backlog of pm's today.
Thanks,
Del