Pretty jazzed about attending the upcoming
Big Sky Conference, Hammer In and Knife Show taking place in Missoula, Montana July 15, 16 & 17. The way this show works is like this, it begins with a private knife show and sale on Friday evening at an art gallery in downtown Missoula. Knives are displayed and offered via a lottery format. There is a great spread of food and drink. The makers offering knives this year will be Tim Hancock, Harvey Dean, Richard Rogers, Bill Ruple, Owen Wood, Edmund Davidson, Larry Fuegen, John Young and Josh Smith the host of the show. Each year there are some different makers as well as regulars returning each year. Preceding the Friday evening show attendees are invited out to Josh's spread for some socializing, food and drink, cigars, guns and in general a great time. Oh yea, there is a fee to attend and attendance is limited, about 40 people.
On Saturday the hammer-in begins. Beside the group from Friday a large number of knifemakers show up to view demonstrations/lectures on knife making, design, Damascus, etc.. All day there is food, drink, cigars, guns. Here is a
link from last years event when the
bowling ball cannon was fired. Dinner is at a local country club, about 100 or so attend this. The festivities continue into the evening for all those that are interested and begin again Sunday concluding mid-day.
The show is great fun, a chance to spend time with a wonderful bunch of people. If you ever get the opportunity I would recommend attending.
