Frank Hendricks

[erikha]

For those of you who knew Frank, and for those who are interested in this great man, here is a link to an interview that he did for television in 1993. He was a great man, a great teacher and most of all a great artist. See him at http://www.pedernalesplace.org/frankhendricks.html

Eric Haga

 

[Ron Smith]

Eric, I want to thank you for the memories. Frank was a grand man and teacher like you said, and I had the good fortune of knowing him. He was one of the original founders of FEGA. Seems like another world ago, but I so enjoyed seeing him again. It is unfortunate that the world will never know Frank except for his work, but that work speaks what is in his heart. Accuracy, grace, and beauty...................Ron S

It is too bad you cannot see engraved articles in the video, but the spirit of the man comes through.

 

[CJ Allan]

I was fortunate enough to have met him, and spend some time with him at one of the early FEGA meets in Vegas.........
He explained in quite some detail on how he did that riffle he won the award with that year......seemed like we talked for hours on the art of engraving.....and where it was headed......

It was this meeting, and conversations that I'll Never forget....

Fantastic work......even more Fantastic of a Man.......

thanks for posting this link........cj

............. Tree stumps bolted to benches, and "Bondoed" to the floor.......

 

[fegarex]

Thanks Eric,
I too remember Frank well from many FEGA meetings. He would literally bring his mobile shop to the shop and demonstrate. Beyond all that he was one heck of a story teller and could keep you in stitches during dinner.
The interview brought back many fond memories of a great man.

 

[michaelp]

Eric, thank you for posting that,it was a joy to watch and listen to a man who expressed how I think we all feel

 

[Roger Bleile]

Eric,

My thanks also for posting this bit of engraving history. It was both wonderful and sad to hear Frank's voice again. I can't help but note all of the engravers I've known or corresponded with during my lifetime who are no longer with us. I hope this video clip or a transcription of it can be preserved in the FEGA historical archives. As great and helpful as the internet is, it is the nature of the beast that over time web sites and postings come and go and I would hope that this clip and other historical material can be preserved.

Roger

 

[sdcoxx]

Eric,

As a student of engraving, the history and contributions of those who have helped make it possible for me to learn and enjoy this great artform is VERY important.
Thanks, for sharing.

The Cafe interviews help give us an insight into an engraver's life and work, as well.
I appreciate having access to these informative resources.

Thanks,
Stephen

 

[richard hall]

found something of interest , MUZZLE BLASTS , SEPT. 1972

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Richard; That would be a nice little set of knifes to have wouldn't it.

 

[jimzim75]

I would have liked to have met the man. I would like to see more of his
engraving. Thanks for posting this thread . I have archived in my collection
the interview.

 

[richard hall]

mike, just to have foresight back then or a crystal-ball to see the future would have been most helpfull. in the 70" , i was lucky to afford magazine subscriptions let alone go out and buy anything else for myself, that was back when if you were lucky, you made $3.00 an hour ....... when one of us, comes across past history much like that knife advertisment, and post it, history is not lost altogther, and fellow engravers continue to live on.

 

[Jim Kelso]

Thanks Eric for posting this. Frank was very helpful early in my engraving career around 1977 and plated a couple of my engraved guns in his frosted nickel which was a white finish but showed the engraving nicely. He was always very helpful on the phone and I admired his innovative designs and techniques, especially the concept of iron inlays for high relief work. It was a thrill to meet him in Vegas(was it 1979?).

I really enjoyed the video to see and hear him speak in his beautiful natural setting.

Thanks again.

Jim

 

[TFACARVING]

My dad used to do a lot of work with Frank and (Gary Richards if anyone knows him) while he was in San antonio. He owns a little Gunshop in town both good men and hand engravers. They are who got me interested in engraving in the first place

 

[John B.]

Good to see and hear this old thread back in the active area.
As everyone said, Frank was a great artist/engraver and friend/mentor to so many of us.

 

[Mike Dubber]

As a founding member, I recall Frank's willingness to guide us through the process of forming a guild. As many have recalled, each of us at the very first meeting put $20 bills into Tommy Kay's hat to help fund the effort. When it came to time select leadership, we all looked to Frank. He volunteered to help draft a Charter, and during the following year, he incorporated FEGA in his home State of Texas.
In 1983 Frank Hendricks packed the essentials of his engraving studio in a horse trailer and brought it to the El Rancho Hotel in Las Vegas. He put on the first FEGA Seminar that year - it was absolutely wonderful. He was an artist, an engraver and a gentleman of the first degree - remembering him makes me smile in gratitude and admiration.

 

[John B.]

As Mike Dubber said and many will recall, the great work and effort that Frank applied at the formation of the Guild in 1982.
But some of the newer engravers, members and friends may not know that the idea for the formation of the Guild was the inspiration and work of C. Roger Bleile.
The considerable organization required to bring the founding members together in Las Vegas was also by the work and efforts of Roger Bleile.
Roger still serves. He is a leading author of engraving books and articles.
He is also the Historian of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America.
Roger is a valued and active member of this Cafe family.
Unfortunately, I missed that historic founders meeting due to conflicting business.

 

[SamW]

Ditto Mike and John...great memories and times. Who would have thought FEGA would go so far? And many thanks to Roger for starting it all!!

 

[Roger Bleile]

Thanks for the positive comments John and Sam. Frank was someone who we all looked up to and was the right person at the right time to move the guild forward as our first president.

 

[Roger Bleile]

My dad used to do a lot of work with Frank and (Gary Richards if anyone knows him) while he was in San antonio. He owns a little Gunshop in town both good men and hand engravers. They are who got me interested in engraving in the first place

TFA, Do you mind telling us who you are?

 

[TFACARVING]

TFA, Do you mind telling us who you are?

My name is Eric sotelo, I'm still pretty new to engraving kind of figuring out what I'm good at and looking at different references stuff like that