ABS Intro to Bladesmithing course

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
4,131
Who here has taken this course? I have heard some amazing things about it!

I figure I could muster the cost of the course no problem, but what about room and board? Where can you stay? Where can you eat? How much should I expect it to cost?
 
Clinics are great,I would still recommend going to the "Intro course". I am not saying that you will never learn how to properly forge without going but it will take a minimum of 5 years off of the learning curve.

I don't know of a single person that has ever regretted going.

C Wilkins
 
Also don't forget about the California Knifemakers Association. This is a great resource for anyone in Ca looking to learn knifemaking. We meet about 9 times a year in the shops of our members. We have classes in everything from forging (taught by Red St.Cyr MS, Jimmy Rhodenbaugh JS, Scott Taylor MS and Bill Herndon JS) to stock removal (classes by me, Bill Herndon, Barry Posner and many others). We also throw in classes on misc skills such as engraving, sheath making (leather, kydex and metal), scrimshaw and even things like business management and taxes.

This year I am trying to line up meetings at places such as Protec, Hrsoulas, and Emerson Knives.

I am also in the process of opening our website. It will have things like a for sale area (where members can offer thier works for sale) and a large section of photo tutorials.

When you figure that it only costs $30 per year, it is one heck of a bargin.
 
I'm planning on attending the school in May '03. I've done a little research regarding accommodations. This is what I found on the ABS website.

FOR MOTEL OR HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Best Western Inn 870-777-9222 Call for Bladesmithing Rates
Hope Arkansas $$$

Super Eight Motel 870-777-8601 Call for Bladesmithing Rates
Hope Arkansas $$

Holiday Inn Express 870-722-6262 Call for Bladesmithing Rates
Hope Arkansas $$$$

Quality Inn of Hope 870-777-0777 Call for Bladesmithing Rates
Hope Arkansas $$

1914 School/Bunkhouse 870-983-2684 Call for Bladesmithing Rates
Washington Arkansas $

The rates are cheaper as you go down the list. It seems like the School/Bunkhouse is 10.00 per night and Quality Inn is 15.00 per night with the Bladesmith discount. I'm guessing that I will need a car while I am there and I found one for 20.00 or 25.00 a day. Plus food and fun money.

Rick
 
SOunds like you're planning on flying, might price/look at time/money/convenience driving instead, as then you don't have to rent a car. Just an idea, I have a tendency to drive just about everywhere myself.

ANother thing if yo'ure trying to cut costs(I really am a poor college student in case it hasn't shown yet ;) ) would be to call the places and maybe pay a bit more for room with a small fridge, and then bring along a cooler of food. If you stick with simple stuff(I'm big on dry cereal and sandwiches for road trips myself), could cut out a lot on food.

Those are considerations I plan on thinking about whenever I get around to taking class. Course, by then will hopefully have a better job with this degree and all, but less I spend on class more I can spend on tools and supplies. ;)
 
I had been considering driving, but I would be looking at $300 in gas and six days extra off from work (read: unpaid). Depending on airfare rates, I might fly instead.
 
When I went, the College had a van for the teacher, we stayed at the holiday and road to class witht the teacher. Might check it out.
 
Originally posted by Sweany
When I went, the College had a van for the teacher, we stayed at the holiday and road to class witht the teacher. Might check it out.
Click to expand...

Well, that would cover most transportation while I'm there. How much did the room cost you?
 
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