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I'm thinking about putting together a Northern Michigan seminar for this July. It would be similar in scope to the Ashokan Seminar (www.knifeseminar.com), except all about razors only.
The idea would be to have top razor makers and honemeisters come and lecture and demonstrate. This would not be the "Tim Zowada Show".
Northern Michigan is a great place to visit in July, with plenty of stuff for the family. If there is enough interest, I"ll start putting it together.
Are you in the UP or northern mitt? I would love to do this if time and money allow.
This seem like a great idea to me. I am looking forward to it.
Charlie
It would be in the Petoskey area, about 40 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge.Quote:
Originally Posted by nun2sharp
If I have the time and can swing the travel, I'd love to be there.
making a post, so that I can be subscribed. It is about a 4-5 hour drive for me and I will have to swing it by SWMBO. However, with the interest from those so far it would be hard to miss. We have some great members and vendors in Michigan already, even better if they can join!
I will be there for sure if work permits. It all depends on the weekend it falls on.
Sign me up! :)
How many days, cost, lodging....the usual questions.
Randy,
Thanks for your interest. right now I am planning on Friday evening through Sunday Lunch. Lodging will be at local motels, or rustic camping on my property. If we have enough interest, I will check in to a hotel package deal.
The current plan is for a free, or nearly so, seminar. A lot depends on what the demonstrators are willing to do. I don't plan on making any profit. The purpose is to share information, and make new friends, for all involved. We may all get together and order subs, or pizza, to make a couple of the meals easier.
If this goes well, my hope is to move it to a local camp, with lodging, and food service, next year.
The format will be similar to the Ashokan knife Seminar here: New England Bladesmiths Guild 2011 Sword Event
I just have to tweak it for razor stuff. I've been the director for the Ashokan Seminar since the 90's. The concept and format are well proven. We just need to get enough people coming. I'm planning on setting up a Constant Contact page for registration, next month.
I hope all this helps.
Tim Z.
The number of days looks a lot like what we have experienced with other razor meets in Ashville, NC 2009...Mid-Mo Meet in 2010 and 2011 and this last razor meet at Mike Blues.
The popular events were the honing demo's ( with microscopes attached to the computer) and hone reviews & hone try out. Displays of razor collections. When the equipment was available forging, grinding and heat treating were also very well received. Razor restoration was also of high interest. A demo of making a small billet of Damascus would probably go over very well.
For me this will be a 500+ mile drive each way. It looks like the number of days would make it worthwhile.
Randy,
That's similar to what I have in mind. Here are some of the ideas I kicking around:
Damascus Making Demo.
Razor Forging Demo.
Razor Grinding Demo
Heat Treat Demo.
Honing Demo - I can now video link to my Zeiss scope at 1500x!
Hart Steel Manufacturing Lecture
Soaps and Goops Lecture
Shaving Techniques Lecture
Restoration Techniques Lecture/Demo
Razor/Stuff Show and Sale
There will be more as I get ideas and suggestions. The Hart Steel guys have agreed to help. I'm currently working out some of the details with a couple custom makers. I will, most likely, do a demo. I will be inviting the vendors as well. I do want to emphasize that this seminar will not be all about me. I'm just the organizer.
If you have any ideas, or suggestions, I would love to hear them.
I just thought of one more topic: Antique razors and collecting
Looks like it will be a busy Summer.........:rock:
I'd be in hog heaven. Wish I could be there. We need lots of pix, video, etc. so the rest of us can live vicariously :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Zowada
-Bubba (the tapatalk redneck shooting a Nook Color)
camping at the Zowada compound? Sounds like a blast to me. My wife and kids might get bored.... Wait a minute, they have hair and I am sure the rest of us will be hairless on our arms and calfs. This sounds great. If anybody is coming up from the south and needs a driving break, let me know I am near the Ohio border just off the expressway.
Naw. Send the wife and kids to play in Petoskey, or Mackniac Island!
I would love to come if I can make it, Petoskey is 3-4 hours from me.
I've got a few odds and ends to wrap up this week. Next week I will start putting together a schedule of events and set up a Constant Contact page.
Very interested!
not sure but i would love to attend this as i might not make the midmo. not to mention that the island is very close. we will have to see but i would truely love to attend
I haven't forgotten about this. I have been swamped working out the logistics of my recent business change. I will get on the schedule and a Constant contact page right away.
Tim Z.
We need to get some dates on this.....please.
After much thought. I have decided to put this on hold until 2013. Ending my affiliation with Classicshaving.com has taken a toll on any spare time I had to work on the seminar. Ten weeks is just not enough time to do it right.
Here is the good part, instead of rushing to put together a "get together" this will be a full fledged seminar. The plan is to concentrate lectures and demonstrations at about 60% user oriented, and 40% making and restoration. The tentative list of speakers includes Lynn Abrams, Charlie Lewis, 2 or 3 of the Hart Steel guys, Myself, a professional barber, and others.
The initial plan is to have it here, at my shop. If attendance grows to over 30, or so. It will be moved to a local camp facility with lodging and catering facilities. The shop equipment is portable enough that all the demonstrations can still be done at the camp.
I appreciate everyone's patience with this delay. I'm sure it will be worth it. Meanwhile, since I'm back "on my own" you are all welcome to visit my shop, pretty much any time.
Tim Z.
Too bad, but keep us updated! And thanks ahead of time.
Even better, combining two things I love, straights and camping.
Thanks for lettings us know. I will be looking forward to next years Razor Gathering. I hope all works out for you.
I hope to see you at some future razor gathering, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Chicago?
Your Garage is bigger than mine! LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by randydance062449
I know I'll be keeping an eye out for it; I'll be up there near you already anyway—One of my freelance summer jobs is in Interlochen, the other side of Traverse City from you.
If I get a new deck constructed this summer then I will , hopefully, have a Razor Gathering this fall.Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
Forgive me if this has been mentioned somewhere in the thread, but where in northern michigan will this go on next year?
Tim Z.
Are serious you about stopping by your shop? I am in Big Rapids Mi. and would be very interested in meeting you and seeing your place. Would need directions.
Jamie
It will be in the Petoskey area. I am about 40 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge to the U.P.Quote:
Originally Posted by TwistedOak
Jamie, Yup. I'm serious. Just let me know when it would be convenient. We'll work something out.Quote:
Originally Posted by barbiesdude
Randy, I will try to attend more of the gatherings. I just need to pay attention to the forums and find out when, and where.Quote:
Originally Posted by randydance062449