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Author Topic: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog  (Read 13255 times)

Offline Ken G

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Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« on: January 11, 2010, 05:55:58 PM »
Eric,
I'm not a student of Peter Angstadt and I'm sure this is a great copy of his work.  It is probably beyond my ability to appreciate but I am simply amazed at your ability to realistically age a gun.  Simply amazing.  I study every piece I see in hopes of being able to duplicate that finish someday.  
Ken

LINK TO SITE
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/
« Last Edit: January 11, 2010, 05:56:28 PM by Ken Guy »
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2010, 06:18:54 PM »
So cool in so many ways...... ;D
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Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2010, 09:46:57 PM »
I am stunned by this piece. Always a fan of your work, EK, I find this rifle is a joy to behold. There is such a conversation going on with the carving and engraving, form and finish. marvelous work.

Thanks, Tom
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Berks Liberty

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2010, 07:29:57 AM »
Eric's work is an inspiration to me.  I work really hard not to leave a gap and then...$#@* a gap!  Then I do something else and... $#@* something else that isn't perfect happens.  I look at that rifle and some of the other work I've seen of Eric's and it makes me feel better.  Eric you do some very, very excellent work! 

Jason
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Offline B Shipman

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2010, 08:10:20 AM »
Completely different work than mine, yet I love it. These things really look like something 200+ years old.
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Offline t.caster

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2010, 08:33:45 PM »
The MAN ought to be featured on the "American Masters" TV program. He must be 270 yrs. old to do such folksy work! ;D
Absolutely a joy, to behold his workmanship!
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Tom C.

Offline smallpatch

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2010, 01:18:48 AM »
Tom,

That's what I thought too.  When I went to Dixon's three years ago, I went to a class that EK was teaching.  I had a mind-picture of the old bearded guy with gray hair, and shabby clothes, hunched over a bench full of old antique tools.

I never expected to see some one who looked like a young, clean cut, college kid.  I'm not sure of Eric's age, but I'd say mid 30's????  I could be wrong, but I'm getting kinda old myself, and they all look young to me.
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In His grip,

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Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2010, 01:26:11 AM »
Eric must be over forty by now... or at least old enough to know better!
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Offline chris laubach

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2010, 07:36:27 AM »
Eric,
Great rifle! I like it!!!



Chris Laubach
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Offline Jim Filipski

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2010, 02:44:58 PM »
This young man exudes the very essence of the 18th century, which he then boldly applies to his Art and Craft.

His knowledge of the way things "became"  is a unique gift and is not to be looked upon as anything less then one that strives for perfection in an imperfect world. Every tiny piece of his work can tell a story if you look deeply.
Bill Shipman said it well in that, Eric's work is a major departure from the road many of "our" building styles have taken.
At times is may be hard for someone to understand "the perfection of his imperfection", so to speak, but for many of us who can see it and feel it, we realize his talent.

Eric is one of the true "modern" masters of the 18th Century Firelock, however it appears, he is working back then and has brought his guns to us from that time.

Great work, Eric!

Jim
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Offline Tom Currie

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2010, 03:45:48 PM »
How many of us would have the courage of conviction to wander so far from classic Lancaster and Northhamptom styles and venture out into the sticks and attempt such a folksy build ? And then be brave enough to put some age on it ? I'm not there yet, maybe someday. Big EK fan here.

( Southern boys excluded , you're already out there )

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Offline smshea

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2010, 04:59:50 PM »
I see Eric as one of the pioneers in research of this region as well as popularizing contemporary work from the area. Because of his paving the way, Its easier for me to dabble in the work from this area. I'm very grateful!

Allot of very cool guns came out of that area and I love to see them get attention!

Great work as usual Eric!A real inspiration.
Thanks
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Offline t.caster

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2010, 06:02:25 PM »
Mid 40s!?  :o
Oh, great...next your going to tell me he's NOT 8 FOOT TALL!

Will the real EK please stand up....
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Tom C.

Offline Majorjoel

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2010, 10:28:22 PM »
Eric is actually Dorian Grey, born in 1727 in a now non-exhistant Lehigh PA village. He hides a portrait of himself somewhere in a back closet, guarded well. He will always appear to us as a 35 year old gunsmith with great talent. Heck, he's only had 250 plus years to perfect his style! ;D
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Offline Eric Kettenburg

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2010, 07:35:35 AM »
I really appreciate all the kind comments - really!  THANK YOU!  Glad some of you like these crusty old things as do I.

For the record:  I just turned 38.  Also just had yet another 'incident' (no, not the embarassing incident back last spring, i.e I ran myself over with my own truck yes there it's finally out in the open...) that's going to cut into production some, but hope you all will bear with me.

****About gaps:  I think someone took off the buttplate and didn't put it back on all the way, because I while I like to beat them up and throw things at them and wear the stock, I would definitely not build a rifle with a gap like that.******

I look at these Angstadt rifles a lot like music - think the Carter family, or Ralph Stanley, or the Allmans, or the Grateful Dead - truly "American" work, take it or leave it, it is what it is and it tells a story and owes no real debts.

Back to watcing Dawn of the Dead.  True happiness is a zombie flick!  Zombies!!!!!!!!  WOWWWWWEEEE! 
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dannybb55

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2010, 03:22:35 PM »
Quote from: Eric Kettenburg on January 16, 2010, 07:35:35 AM
I really appreciate all the kind comments - really!  THANK YOU!  Glad some of you like these crusty old things as do I.

For the record:  I just turned 38.  Also just had yet another 'incident' (no, not the embarassing incident back last spring, i.e I ran myself over with my own truck yes there it's finally out in the open...) that's going to cut into production some, but hope you all will bear with me.

****About gaps:  I think someone took off the buttplate and didn't put it back on all the way, because I while I like to beat them up and throw things at them and wear the stock, I would definitely not build a rifle with a gap like that.******

I look at these Angstadt rifles a lot like music - think the Carter family, or Ralph Stanley, or the Allmans, or the Grateful Dead - truly "American" work, take it or leave it, it is what it is and it tells a story and owes no real debts.

Back to watcing Dawn of the Dead.  True happiness is a zombie flick!  Zombies!!!!!!!!  WOWWWWWEEEE! 
 
 Shaun of the Dead is the best of them all. Hey Eric, could you every post an article on forging a lock with proper hand tool tech? Something simple like a big German lock or maybe a Doglock for the New England types?
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Offline Tom Currie

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2010, 08:06:10 PM »
Question is Eric, did you have a rifle in hand when the truck ran you over ? was it an different attempt at aging a rifle ?  ;) In all seriousness, take care of youself man. There are a bunch of us out here that look to you for inspiration, and look forward to seeing the research you do. 
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Offline smshea

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2010, 08:26:12 PM »
38!!! I think this "TRUCK THING" was just an attempt at the easy way out of turning 40! Don't get crazy...It's not that bad.  ;)
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Robert Weil

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #18 on: January 17, 2010, 07:00:55 AM »
I confess. I did in fact remove the butt plate on Eric's Angstadt rifle. This was to get the lid to stay closed. (very dry in California)
....and being the great technical wizard that I am, I failed to fully re seat the butt plate! Now you know that butt was/is  without any gaps...... even after he ran over himself!
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Offline Eric Kettenburg

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #19 on: January 17, 2010, 03:30:49 PM »
Too much talk of butts and gaps!!!  ::) ::) ::)
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Offline Don Getz

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #20 on: January 17, 2010, 06:42:39 PM »
Eric.....Do you have an "E K" on there anywhere?   If not, it is going to drive someonw crazy 100 years from now.   Gee whiz, it is so good, I wish I had the imagiination to do stuff like this...........Don
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: Eric Kettenburg on the Blog
« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2010, 01:23:27 AM »
I've been drooling over this thing again.   I just don't understand how he does it.  Take a brand new rifle, make it  look 250 yrs old.  Like it's REALLY 250 years old.  If I did it, it would just look like anew rifle that I had beat up.

I love it, love it, love it.

Eric, sorry to hear about your mishap.  You are a thoroughly dangerous man.

Ple-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ase  finish my rifle before you hurt yourself again.

In His grip,

Dane
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In His grip,

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