Mini hammer in at Randy's

When I was talking to cheflarge ( Al) about my USA trip he very generously invited me to Detroit to visit him , Knowing Randy was near him I have asked Al if it is possible to see Randy in the mean time . Well , my small trip turned into a mini hammer in thanks to Al's and of course Randy's efforts . Mike managed to fit into his busy work schedule , Delbert Ealy came for the day , Randy jr. demonstrated his Damascus skills using the press, and Randy senior showed us some of his knives , knives in works and his mammoth tooth stash ( a.k.a Siberian mammoth dental clinic )



The trip started Al picking me and Mike from airport and driving to Northern Michigan . On our way we stopped by at a local smokehouse which had the most variety of the cured meats , sausages and salamis I had seen a long time . After some shopping we made to Randy's place , and got into his workshop . Randy had some Damascus knives in works and was just etching his 300mm dammy suji to show us the pattern .
Me and mike we started trying the press while Junior was instructing us how to use the press and the dies .
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Getting to know how much to press was lot harder than it looked . After few hours in the shop Al cooked us jambalaya while I helped with the chop chop . Great dish from a great chef , many people went for the second and third servings including my self
Al had his knives with him , we have inspected his collection including my last knife without my makers mark
We realised we didn't have any wine key the open the bottle of wines we brought but being surrounded with knifemakers it didn't pose a serious problem .
Del and Randy made this( left handed )wine key from a mild steel rod

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Around 3 In the morning we called it night
Next morning after lots of coffee and breakfast we got into shop again . Randy heat treated couple knives and Rockwell tested them in front of us before and after tempering cycles



Jr was showing me more Damascus and I was getting more accurate with the press and Mike was learning tips from Randy how to grind a knife . One of Juniors friends Zeb who came in for the day was forging the bloom steel he smelted

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For a quick lunch we had some of the best pastrami I tried thanks to Mike . I haven't had a chance to take any pics , I hope Al and Mike will add more pics into this thread
I have docked away from shop into the kitchen to start prep for the dinner . After a simple dinner I have cooked with Mike's and Al's help we went back into the shop for a bit and Junior was very generous to give me a Damascus bar he forged as a present .
We had an earlier night due to our early flight schedule and next morning we hit the road bright and early to catch the planes.
It was a great gateway for us , like grown ups camp with full of knife and knifemaking . Thank you Randy for spending time with us , for the information you shared , for the goodies For your hospitality , Jr. And Lisa putting up with us , thanks Al for organising this and picking us from and driving us back to airport ,Thank you Mike for coming for the smoked salmon and pastrami , thanks Del and Zeb for coming . It was great time , thanks you all that attended making it awesome fun .
Please feel free to add pictures if you have any

 

I hate technology

 

Can't add much to that, Mert, well said. All I can say is I would cook along side you fellas anytime. What an awesome time!!!

 

So cool!

I want that wine cork. Although I'm a weakling and probably couldn't pull the cork even with that.

 

Looks like a great time! I visited Randy and Jr what must be three years ago now, and the whole family is amazing. Great people with amazing talents.

 

Cork is in use. Like kids in a candy store.

 

Great pics, Mike. Did you get that "Mrmnms Forge" custom gyuto finished yet?

 

Almost forgot about it , pics or it didn't happen Mike .

 

Not tall enough for a gyuto, maybe like a long petty? I spent about an hour thinning it to practice. Put an edge on it just to see how it felt before the picture. Takes a great edge with Randy's heat treat. Caught up with local sharpening so I hope to finish thinning this weekend. Won't put a handle on for a few weeks but I'll post completed pix after my next road trip.

 

Awesome, can't wait to see it, Mike.

Mert, if I recall correctly, you should be traveling back home soon. Did you get a chance to stop by Blood Root Blades? Be safe...... " May the beloved Knife Making God's of Forge shine down on you and yours and safely delivery you home with the knowledge that was sought and new friendships that will last a life time!" Cheflarge

 

I am typing this waiting on a plane before approaching our gate , we are about to spend some time ( 6 hours) in LAX then 14 hours towards Sydney . I haven't had a chance to see Blood root blades , when I was in the area I couldn't get a hold of Luke , when they were available I couldn't make it , next time maybe .
It was a great trip , thank you all .
I am looking forward to go home and get into my shed
This is what I have made , was given to me or acquired during my trip
Some 52100 , stainless clad 52100, Damascus gyuto I forged at Bills shop, a Damascus bar to be used for cladding , some mammoth tooth , saya material and big Damascus billet thanks to Randy and randy jr. 2 blanks given to me by Marko , some Karelian Birch and walrus Tusk thanks to my friend Anton

There are few more things like metal saw , some more steel , etching machine and some more bones not pictured

 

Good score. Happy travels, although 14h sucks.

Stefan

 

Thanks Stefan , should have stopped on Hawaii for a day or two

 

Sure should have, we could have done a 'sand in'

Stefan

 

Hey guys. I sure had fun. The whole family enjoyed your visit and we will long be talking about all the great food and fun we had when you all were here!!

Mert I hope your travels are safe and look forward to when we meet again.

Blessings
Randy
\
PS. Tom you are always welcome to visit again. I will keep the coffee on!
Thanks for the kind words.

 

Looks like you have a couple of things to keep you busy, once you get home, Mert!

 

Thank you Randy , likewise it was great fun , we just made it home sometime yesterday , hopefully we can repeat this sometime

 

Wooha! I'd love to see what this will turn into.

 

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(Double post.)