ABS Handles and Guards at Haywood Community College

[KHall]

There are stilling opening in the up coming ABS Handles and Guards class at Haywood Community College, Clyde, NC. The class is the week of June 8-12. To register contact Doug Burchfield at ddburchfield@haywood.edu or 828-550-6215.

Instructor – James Rodebaugh, MS
Fee – $700
This class is designed to continue the course of study set forth in the ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing course. This class includes detailed information on creating handles, both full tang and hidden tang, guards, butt caps, decorative file work, spiral dagger handles, handle material choices, guard material choices, pin stock, adhesives and overall finish. Students will be instructed on how to finish off a professional looking knife. Participants are expected to possess the skill and knowledge to forge, grind and heat treat blades prior to this class. A limited amount and type of materials will be provided, students are welcome to furnish and bring their own handle and guard material. It is required that students enrolling in this workshop provide their own, finished blades ready to be completed.

 

[javand]

I took this class a few years ago and consider it the best money I've ever spent on knifemaking, and I've got many nice tools. Jim is a phenomenal teacher who has reasons he's more than willing to explain as to why we do the things we do. He's never offended by a question, and never deflects or gives a non-answer. He's also undoubtedly one of the "cleanest" makers in the world. In the top percentile of skill, especially when it comes to fit and finish.


If your guards aren't *perfect*(in fit or style), or you find handles to be tedious, this class will benefit you, regardless of how long you've been making knives. He caters to your level, and there are only a few other makers at his, so it's extremely information rich. You'll still be processing things six months later.