Yesterday Sat 10th, Dave White hosted a meet-up / gathering at his home. ElJay was in the state visiting his wife's relatives, so a gathering was called for. Dave and his wife (Ellen) welcomed us to their home. Eljay drove up from the Richmod area, as did JT Crosby. Myself along with wife & son (Jeanie & Evan) drove up from Roanoke for this. A few others had planned on coming, but vehicle problems arose.

It was great to meet these fine people and get to share time and knowledge with them. Eljay brought one the baskets that he is working on for Thomas MacDonald (Mac) and it looks great! JT brought some of his Dha's & Tulwars to show, Dave had his Eric Stevenson basket-hilt to display. I brought along the MRL Scottish Back-sword newly acquired from Nathan and a few other pieces. The weather didn't co-operate & allow for cutting to happen, but we still enjoyed the fellowship, food,discussions and fine company all the same.


Thanks again to Dave & Ellen for their hospitality and I'll post pictures as soon as I get 'em back.


William
aka Bill

Hi William

It sounds like you guys had a great time ..... wish I could have joined ye !

Dave said that he was going to send me some pics of the baskethilt Eljay is doing for me .... can't wait to she hows she's a looking !

Looking forward to your pics as well ! Mac

Mac,

Good to see ya' back. Trust you had a brilliant time across the pond. Yes, "she" looks very fine, ElJay is a great guy and a talented one at making basket-hilts..
Had a good discussion with Mr. E about doing a Mortuary hilt project in the future.

I'm hoping to get pics back tomorrow, so I'll post some here and on the gathering album of the site.

Aye,

William
aka Bill

OK, finally got my pictures back.

First the group...from left to right.....
JT Crosby, Dave White, Evan Goodwin, E.B. Erickson & me.

---

 Attachment: 51.77 KB

Next, just for Mac, the newest basket ElJay is working on for you.....

---

 Attachment: 55.75 KB

Another shot of ElJay's magic....

---

 Attachment: 53.64 KB

One more for ya' Mac......

---

 Attachment: 53.25 KB

JT's collection he brought along...

---

 Attachment: 59.17 KB

The other end of the table..
from left to right.....antique basket belonging to ElJay, Cold Steel B-H & Eric Stevenson B-H belonging to Dave W. & on the end MRL Scottish Back-sword & Paul Chen Mortuary that I drug along.....

---

 Attachment: 54.55 KB

ElJay & JT checking things out....

---

 Attachment: 42.04 KB

Hi William

Many thanks for posting those pics ..... my new baby is looking very nice !

It seems like yesterday I was standing in front of the original, that piece is based on, at the Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh !

I shot these photo's ( of the original John Allan Sr. ) there, which has the inlay jumping out at ya ! Mac

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

That's going to be another winner Mac. Do you have a blade in mind for it, or is Eljay mounting it?

Sounds great Mac. Those pics of the original really turned out well.

Hi Thomas and everyone else,
As long as we're talking about your sword, I'm in the US until July 26, and today I assembled your sword today for the first time in a month. I ended up leaving the blade at 34", but thinned it a bit more at the tip. It feels good, and I think you'll like the balance and overall weight. As you requested, the basket is a bit on the small side, but I don't think you'll have any trouble wielding the sword. I've got a little bit of fine tuning to do on the scabbard and blade etching (grip is done) and the blade, scabbard, grip and pommel will be ready for mailing. As you noted, the basket gets to go back to Thailand with me!

The mini gathering in Virginia was a lot of fun, and it was great to meet some of my internet aquaintances in the flesh. JT's dhas rekindled my interest in the things, and since I live where they were used, I think maybe I'll do more looking around for good ones than I have in the past 3 years. Dave and Ellen live in a beautiful (and fairly remote) location, and their hospitality was unmatched. Bill and family was a lot of fun, and he's got a budding bladesmith on his hands! Next time I'm out that way we'll alll have to get together again!

--ElJay

Hi Guys, I haven't posted here in sometime-need to get on the stick!

Nice pictures William.
Mac-I have some shots of your basket but I need Ellen to download them to disc and I will send them to you. Unfortunately
she is really swamped at work right now.

dave

"ello Dave,

Have a few more pic's that I need to scan. I've started an album here under the "events, gatherings" album section.
Cheers,

Bill :cool: