Today we're talking with 18th century artist and knifemaker Steve Auvenshine about his history in muzzleloading and how his life as a Kentucky state trooper started him down a muzzleloading path that started with a CVA kit and lead to Hollywood production. Steve is credited for 13 movies/tv shows, including 1923, Pale Blue Eye, Jurassic World, and Crossbones with one more on the way. You've seen his work hanging from the belts of Chris Pratt and the Rock and he's quite possibly cleaned the most muzzleloaders featured on the silver screen.

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The Jumanji Knife: https://blademag.com/tv-and-movie-knives/knife-jumanji-welcome-jungle

The Jurassic World Knife; https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article263243223.html?fs=e&s=cl

Steve's IMDB Page with a list of all the productions he's been involved with: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2935660/

Follow Steve Auvenshine's work:

https://www.facebook.com/auvenshine/

https://www.instagram.com/auvenshine_knives/

American Bladesmith Society (ABS): https://www.americanbladesmith.org/

Conversation Time Stamps:

0:25 Steve's start in Muzzleloading

9:48 Early Artistic Research

18:35 Steve Auvenshine's Independent Work Process

14:30 Artistic Principles in Knifemaking

28:00 Making a Bowie knife for Duane "The Rock" Johnson

37:45 Making a knife for Sir Patrick Stewart on "Piccard"

45:20 From Kentucky Trooper to Knife Maker/ First Hollywood Job "Master and Commander"

57:18 Armorer on Netflix's Pale Blue Eye

01:00:00 Historic Accuracy in Hollywood

01:10:00 Classes and Education Opportunities

01:11:47 Where to find Steve's work

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Today we're talking with Frank Jarboe, a Kentucky boy turn theologian turned character demonstrator about his passion for history, research, and the context of history both then and now.

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Frank has been dedicated to living history for 20 years, but before that, he was a passionate learner and lover of history. His family has been in the United States since the 1600s, so there is a personal motive to his study of history and he hopes to bring a similar connection to the public as he and his wife Carol share their many character demonstrations at 40+ events each year.

View some of the Jarboe's work on their youtube channel

ParsonJohn.org

ReenactingSchedule.org

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Muzzleloading is leaving 2022 with a bang, not a whimper. We’re back with the final “Muzzleloading News” update for the year and it’s a jam-packed episode.

Learn more about these stories here

Swiss Contest- https://schuetzenpowder.com/contest/

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• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

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Today we're talking with Contemporary Master Horner Art DeCamp. Art's work has been an inspiration to me and my historic research for several years. His books are second to none in their accurate documentation and assessment of original horns and I'm excited to be sharing his story with you today.

While Art is considered one of the best craftsmen of the contemporary age, he had humbled beginnings as a young boy in Indiana. His father was a firearms appreciator and Art followed suit, continuing a family appreciation of historic arms. The DeCamp family home was near Fort Ouiatenon in Lafayette, Indiana, home of the "Feast of the Hunters Moon", a massive long running living history event. As Art puts it, "It was hard for me to get away from history." In second grade, Art brought a filled powder horn to his 2nd Grade show and tell the program, even at that young age he couldn't help but share his appreciation for historic works of art. As a young man Art dove deeper into muzzleloading culture by building an off-the-shelf muzzleloader kit. The experience got him started but Art was looking for more, the kit wasn't shaped right, the components weren't beautiful, and things weren't adding up. With the help of several dedicated family friends, Art took to building his own muzzleloaders "from the blank" with sets of parts, diagrams, and illustrations of original pieces as his reference.

For years Art would balance his job, his family, and his appreciation for historic crafts. "As a parent, I worked a lot in the evenings after the kids went to bed", Art says, "I thought it would change once they were grown but I still find myself working into the night!". Art is a very jovial guy, even as we reminisce about his time on the road driving a couple of thousand miles round trip to see some original pieces at the KRA shows he laughs, "I don't know how you explain driving 2300 miles round trip to go look at some old guns." As a young man with a young family, I appreciate Art's openness and honesty about including his family in his passion, "A time comes when you have to put your kids first and that's important". If you find yourself in a similar situation, you'll enjoy the insights and commentary Art has on not only being an artist but a father and husband as well.

Like many others, our conversation ebbed and flowed as the evening progressed. From Art's history to his thoughts on the contemporary community, we covered a broad range of topics, but towards the end, we settled on one topic I think is important to hear discussed from an artist of Art's caliber- Getting started and getting better. Art's advice for someone looking to make traditional accoutrements echos a positive montra I love hearing from contemporary masters, "Don't be bashful, reach out and ask for help."

Art DeCamp has been building muzzle loading rifles and powder horns since 1980, and specializes in replicating the Kentucky rifles, and shop-made screw-tip horns of Pennsylvania. His horn making is concentrated on the lathe-turned, screw-tip type horns from the various “schools” of eastern Pennsylvania, and accurate replication of Tansel style engraved horn work from central Indiana. Much of his horn working time is spent performing historically accurate museum quality restoration work on original powder horns.

Follow Art's work on his website http://www.artspowderhorns.com/

The last of Art's Books can be found here: https://www.crazycrow.com/powderhorns-and-accouterments-books/pennsylvania-horns-of-the-trade/

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Today we’re talking with friend of the program Eddie Davenport about his recent adventure to Montana to star in the History Channel’s Mountain Men: Ultimate Marksman. Eddie has won multiple national titles through the N-SSA but this was by far the most intense competition he’s been in.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

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Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

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For contacting Eddie

Instagram Currituck_Kid.

“Mountain Men: Ultimate Marksman” premiering Thursday, November 3 at 9:30/8:30c on The HISTORY Channel

“Mountain Men: Ultimate Marksman” tests skilled weapons experts like never before –from using a bow and arrow to hit bullseyes while balancing in a moving river to firing historic rifles through a 12-foot wall of fire. The series incorporates fascinating facts about American history with explaining how weapons were made for successful survival for living off the land. Each weekly, one-hour episode brings together four talented competitors to a ranch in Montana as they strive to become the “Ultimate Marksman,”a title achieved only by completing three rounds of precision-based challenges. Each competitor must use a different centuries-old weapon and technique to effectively hit targets. The challenges also present a unique twist requiring competitors to move through the landscape in a way that only mountain men and women would. At the end of the third and final round, the marksman or markswoman with the highest total points earns the coveted title and walks away with a grand prize of $10,000.

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Simeon England is a nationally recognized craftsman, blacksmith, gunsmith, bladesmith, from South Central Kentucky specializing in 18th century hand forged tomahawks, flintlock rifles, and hand forged blades.

I met up with Simeon at the 2022 Contemporary Longrifle Association show. Simeon displays his work at this show and talked me into handling several of the ahwks he had on display. Instantly I recognized a difference in how it handled compared to my ‘throwing’ tomahawk. This sparked a nearly hour long discussion about the form and function of original tomahawks. Much like many of the tools of the 18th century, tomahawks had their own special use and it was evident Simeon had not only done the research, but was excited to share it openly.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

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Resources for newcomers:

Practical Blacksmithing volume 1-4

Jim Wright, American Pioneer Video

The Art of Blacksmithing —-

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/simeon.england

https://www.instagram.com/simeonengland/

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Today we’re talking with Mike Judson, a living historian with an appreciation for the history of the Northwest Territories and what would become Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. Mike has spent time in the American mid west and mid south and has worked to find and enjoy the history of any place he visits. At the age of nine he began shooting with his family, this interest began to foster his appreciation of history at a young age. Even now, many years later history is a big part of Mike’s life.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

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Like many in muzzleloading, Mike has seen the continued cultural changes in the United States and worries about what it means for the future of a hobby he’s been involved with for decades. While chatting we talk about several events that no longer exist, whether affected by the economy or a dissolving patron base, we’re seeing a number of events go away, and with them, staples of local history.

You could say this concern over the future of not only the Five Medals event but the livelihood of Mike’s friends who depend on these events to support their families has spurred another change in Mike’s living history journey. In recent years Mike has begun to think about the future and how he can support an incoming generation of enthusiasts so that someday he may pass the reins and see them carried forward.

I wanted to talk to Mike because I’ve seen that very desire, the desire to see this continue in my interactions with him. I’ve known Mike since I was a boy and he’s been a great friend to me in my own living history journey. He’s provided resources and keywords I use in my own research and I can’t thank him enough.

This interview is about Mike’s story, but it became more than that, I think. It became the story of a man’s passion through time, changing like the seasons. Each season supports and nurtures the next.

Follow Five Medals Living History online at https://www.facebook.com/Five-Medals-at-The-Trace-103932441259144 

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Today we’re talking with Mike McCoy, a muzzleloading enthusiast and competitive muzzleloader from North Carolina. Mike got his start shooting muzzleloaders at a 4H Shooting Sports event. After getting bored with shooting .22 rimfire, Mike wandered over to a shotgun area but didn’t stay long. Across the way he noticed billowing black smoke rolling through the grounds. Mike would spend the rest of his time at the event throwing lead down range with a muzzleloader.

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That Christmas he received his first muzzleloading rifle and the rest is history.

Like many muzzleloading enthusiasts, Mike would get away from the sport while he started his life but as an adult Mike found himself getting pulled back into his childhood sport.

After catching up with some other shooters from North Carolina on themuzzleloadingforum, Mike got hooked up with a local muzzleloading club, the Lafayette Longrifles. Now you can find Mike practicing and shooting competitively on the weekends as he pursues accuracy with his muzzleloaders.

Mike’s interest in competitive muzzleloading has opened up a whole new world of both muzzle loaders and friendships. Thanks to his mentor Buck Buchannan, Mike has recently fallen in love with competitive muzzleloading pistols, though he admits he needs more practice (as we all do). For Mike, competition muzzleloading is a personal challenge and an opportunity to learn from better shooters.

Connect with Mike and the clubs/associations Mike and I were chatting about

North Carolina Clubs and Associations

North Carolina State Muzzleloading Rifle Association:

Holds our state shoot in September

https://m.facebook.com/North-Carolina-State-Muzzleloading-Rifle-Association-104371348917885/

[email protected]

Lafayette Longrifles:

Shoots every 4th Saturday of the month

@lafayette_longrifles (the Sta)

https://m.facebook.com/LafayetteLongrifles/

[email protected]

Crosse Creek Rifle and Pistol Club:

Shoots every 2nd Saturday of the month

https://crossecreekrifleandpistolclub.com/

Contact Buck Buchanan

[email protected]

French Broad Rifles

Shoots every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.

http://frenchbroadrifles.com/

[email protected]

Y'all can reach me at:

@rickeymac76 (the Sta)

RM Mac (FB)

[email protected]

919-285-1731 (call, text, or leave a message)

Mike is an NMLRA Field rep for NC and the new secretary of the state association.

I'm the guy in a banana shirt shooting a flintlock.

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Hey everyone, this is a "feed drop" of sorts to share that I was a guest on the T Rex Talk podcast from T Rex Arms. T Rex Arms is an American company that started just a few years ago, but they have grown a ton and have a strong mission to not only make and sell practical, useable products, but they also want to educate and train Americans with practical skills and history. 

You can listen to the full conversation at this link HERE , look for "Flintlocks & Old-school Skills w/ Ethan Yazel"

Isaac and I talk alot more about a wide variety of topics related to muzzleloading, I hope it's a fun listen for anyone interested in muzzleloading or firearms in general.

Thanks to a good friend, Jordan Goodwin, my name came up when T Rex Arms needed some historic arms for their video "Why everyone needs an AR 15". I was able to advise a bit on the history of firearms in the United States and got to visit the T Rex Facility during the production of the video. 

Watch the video HERE. The video, while focusing on modern firearms ownership and our right to do so, discusses the importance of civilian firearms ownership since the beginning of the United States.

Isaac Botkin was kind enough to give my wife, baby and me a tour of the facility and was a gracious host during our time in Tennessee.  

I can't thank Isaac and the rest of the T Rex Arms team enough for the opportunity to help out on the video and be a guest on their podcast. It's not often that muzzleloaders and modern firearms come together, but it's always fun when they do.

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In this episode we're chatting with Pennsylvania Federation of Blackpowder Shooters President, Jeff Warner about his interest in muzzleloading and how its changed over the years.

For Jeff, competition is serious, he practices whenever he can and dry fires his flintlock in his living room. Just before recording Jeff competed in the Pennsylvania State Championship and is now planning for a trip to Kentucky for the annual inter-state muzzleloading competition.

It's not all serious for Jeff though, shooting competitive muzzleloaders is as much about score as it is hanging out with good friends and learning along the way. Since getting more active in muzzleloading Jeff has begun building his own longrifles, his wife Sam just won the PA state Championship with a rifle he built, forging his own knives and collecting accoutrments made by his friends. 

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

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The passion Jeff has for muzzleloading has grown as he has. As a young adult he became active in the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters and has been elected President now for several years. For Jeff, it's important to not only enjoy the clubs and events in his home state, he feels that it is important to give back and support muzzleloading clubs to ensure muzzleloading has a future.

The Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters is an organization of clubs and individuals interested in activities associated with Black Powder Firearms. The association was started in 1983 as a means for the muzzleloading clubs in PA to schedule events with the best chance to include as many shooters as possible. Since then the group has grown and now organizes the PA state Muzzleloading shoot where state champions compete for first in a variety of matches and classes. 

LINKS: 

Pennsylvania Federation of Blackpowder Shooters 

Jeff on Instagram  

The Federation on Instagram  

The Federation on Facebook  

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