- Joined
- Jul 2, 2009
- Messages
- 378
The last few months have been rather special for all the Nicaraguan bladesmiths; all two of us. Recently we've added the first ever ABS Journeyman Bladesmith from Central America to the list of JS's from around the world. His name is Ramon Morales. Ramon has worked in my school as my welding teacher for 8 years and you can imagine how proud we are of him. Although this accomplishment warrants celebration I'd really like to take this opportunity to brag on the ABS. You see, without an organization like the ABS I'm of the opinion that the caliber of knives in the world today just might be a bit less and many craftsmen, especially me, might not be as good as we are today had it not been for the standards put forth by the leadership of the ABS. The educational leaning of the ABS also makes it an organization that looks toward the future to keep the skill of the forged blade relevant and not just a distant memory.
It took more than Ramon's skill to achieve the title of JS. It took the help of many people. I'd like to brag on some of these people here because they helped Ramon all along his path and they are all members of the ABS.
To start with it was Jason Knight who first came to Nicaragua and taught a week long course in bladesmithing. Jason paid for that trip himself and that is where Ramon got his first look at how bladesmithing should be done. Jason has also donated many grinding belts and tools to our shop. Soon after that Burt Foster came to our shop and taught another week long course. Like Jason, Burt paid his own fare to come down and teach. Burt came a few months ago, again on his own dime, to administer Ramon's performance test. When Butch and Cindy Sheely heard that Ramon had a goal to try for his JS they knew he had to be a member of the ABS for three years and that the membership fee was a big deal for someone living in a developing country. They offered to pay Ramon's membership for those three years to help encourage him. Bill Wiggins knew we couldn't get any other steels besides 5160 so he donated a huge amount of 1095 to our shop so we would have good steel to work with. Last year at Blade while my table was next to Tad Lynch's he asked us what he could do to help us. I couldn't come up with anything so Tad offered to donate a box of stabilized woods so Ramon could use them on his knives. Dan Cassidy help us with the paper work required for Ramon to get his Visa to travel to the Blade Show. There have also been countless others who have offered advice and prayers when we needed it. We are so thankful to all of you who encouraged and believed in this project.
It takes much more than a guy working on his knives to pass the JS test and the ABS is much more than a certification entity. Had it not been for the ABS with it's caring and thoughtful members many of us wouldn't have the encouragement that it takes to advance our craft. I'm proud to be a member of the ABS and I know Ramon is too.
Here are some pictures to enjoy.
Jason Knight was the first to come to our shop to teach back in 2007. You can see Ramon in the background staring intently, soaking up everything Jason said.
Burt Foster came down the following year. Here he is being presented with some tongs made by Ramon.
Burt forging a blade with Ramon and Jaime.
Fast forward to 2014. Here is Ramon at his JS testing table with me.
The official handshake from Joe Keelar confirms it. He got his JS!
A handsome group of JS's right there.
And finally here's what all that encouragement, teaching, coaching and hard work has built up to: Ramon's JS test set.
It took more than Ramon's skill to achieve the title of JS. It took the help of many people. I'd like to brag on some of these people here because they helped Ramon all along his path and they are all members of the ABS.
To start with it was Jason Knight who first came to Nicaragua and taught a week long course in bladesmithing. Jason paid for that trip himself and that is where Ramon got his first look at how bladesmithing should be done. Jason has also donated many grinding belts and tools to our shop. Soon after that Burt Foster came to our shop and taught another week long course. Like Jason, Burt paid his own fare to come down and teach. Burt came a few months ago, again on his own dime, to administer Ramon's performance test. When Butch and Cindy Sheely heard that Ramon had a goal to try for his JS they knew he had to be a member of the ABS for three years and that the membership fee was a big deal for someone living in a developing country. They offered to pay Ramon's membership for those three years to help encourage him. Bill Wiggins knew we couldn't get any other steels besides 5160 so he donated a huge amount of 1095 to our shop so we would have good steel to work with. Last year at Blade while my table was next to Tad Lynch's he asked us what he could do to help us. I couldn't come up with anything so Tad offered to donate a box of stabilized woods so Ramon could use them on his knives. Dan Cassidy help us with the paper work required for Ramon to get his Visa to travel to the Blade Show. There have also been countless others who have offered advice and prayers when we needed it. We are so thankful to all of you who encouraged and believed in this project.
It takes much more than a guy working on his knives to pass the JS test and the ABS is much more than a certification entity. Had it not been for the ABS with it's caring and thoughtful members many of us wouldn't have the encouragement that it takes to advance our craft. I'm proud to be a member of the ABS and I know Ramon is too.
Here are some pictures to enjoy.
Jason Knight was the first to come to our shop to teach back in 2007. You can see Ramon in the background staring intently, soaking up everything Jason said.
Burt Foster came down the following year. Here he is being presented with some tongs made by Ramon.
Burt forging a blade with Ramon and Jaime.
Fast forward to 2014. Here is Ramon at his JS testing table with me.
The official handshake from Joe Keelar confirms it. He got his JS!
A handsome group of JS's right there.
And finally here's what all that encouragement, teaching, coaching and hard work has built up to: Ramon's JS test set.
