WILTON – Bill Reid, a founding member of the Western Maine Blacksmith Association, will be giving a demonstration on the making of knives at the Association’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Bill has been making knives since 1951 and specializes in crafting folding, or pocket, knives.
Bill will be explaining the physics and geometry of knives as well as the process of tempering. He will have an assortment of finished knives and handle parts to show and knife patterns to share.
The WMBA meetings are held in the Wilton Farm and Home Museum building at 10 Canal Street in Wilton. The business meeting starts at 7 p.m. and the demonstration will start at 8 p.m. All are welcome.
WMBA was founded in 2005 and operates two forges, one in the Farm and Home Museum and one at the Farmington Fairgrounds. The Association also has a rolling smithy that makes appearances at area festivals. Most of the members are amateur blacksmiths.
A full-day beginners blacksmithing class is planned for a Saturday in October, and the group expects to be able to offer half day classes on blade smithing and ornamental work as well.
For more information about WMBA, the upcoming demonstration and the classes, call Rodney Porter at 778-3033, or Janine Winn at 491-1465.
