ABS president/cutting finals

I'd like to give my impression of the cutting competitions. I remember not too long ago I considered a 10 inch knife as overkill and just a big boy's toy. What I've witnessed at the cutting competions has changed all that. These knives are tools that really work! In the right hands they are really awesome. I have competed and truthfully did'nt care if I won or not.My proficiency with the knife may be such that I never win an event, but I wanted my knife to take the punishment and still come out cuttin. Yes , I do want folks to know that my knife can take this kind of bruising and hold it's edge and because of the competitions, I have improved my knives so they perform better in the different events, but there is more to it than that. These events promote knifemaking (not just forging)and educate the public that had the same views I used to have.
Anytime one of these events are taking place , they draw a crowd. I was invited to a gathering of friends and aquaintances and the host asked me to bring my anvil and a small forge. I let others forge a little and we enjoyed that, but before it was over I had my competition knife out and we were cutting cans and bottles and everyone was really excited about it! A lot of them commented on the fact that they did'nt think a knife could cut like that.
My point is , if for no other reason but to educate the public and remove their misconceptions about knives and knife people, these competitions are beneficial. The gun people get to shoot their guns! We get to cut! :) Lin
 
Jerry,
My reason for bringing up this thread is partly to show one observation I had, and ask a couple of questions. First, to me.. maybe to these Mastersmiths (which you have unknowingly mentioned two of them) it appears for example that the ABS rules about who and how one is elected President, and finances of the organization are not commonly known within the ranks of high profile members. Is it shrouded in secrecy and only known to a few people who make all the decisions, such as John Perry, or B.R. Hughes?..

With the cutting competition, it's been a good discussion. I remember hearing that CATRA machines do very good quality control testing, used by some production companies. Maybe to balance out the human element, something like that can be employed. But, I enjoy the entertainment of the live competitions too. Jerry, I have to compliment you on the presentation and humor you put into the event. It's always fun.
David
 
I was at the ABS Banquet in Atlanta where, if I am not mistaken, the Treasurer gave his finacial report. I wouldn't exactly call that shrouded in secrecy.

As far as automating the cutting competition, the only purpose this would have is testing the edge. IMO there is more to a knife's cutting poitential than just that, balance and handle shape also play a large part in it and to my knowledge there is no machine available to calculate that into the equation. Many seem intent to make this competition out to be more than what it is, a valuable base used to improve the participants knives and allow them to have some fun and provide some entertainment.
 
I was at the awards banquet on Friday night and Greg Neeley gave the financial report to all that was in attendance. No secrets. The board of directors decide who is going to be the next president. No problems with that. The organization is run similar to large companys. Input is recieved by the board members from the members and the board members make the decisions. The decisions are not always exactly what all of the members want and agree on but nothing is unanamous in any organization. I don't always agree with everything the board does as I am sure that not all the board members agree all the time.
The orgainzation is a very good one, there are 1200 plus members world wide and its members join voluntarily. They have set up a 3 tier system of blade smiths and it has helped the customer when it comes time to buy a knife. I have always believed that if you are familiar with the ranking system, you can buy a knife with confidence from a maker you never heard of, knowing the range of his quality by his rank in the ABS.
This is my 2 cents and I may have missed a point or two. If you don't know what is going on, then go to some of the functions and get involved.
 
David
No secret. I do not mind telling you here. It is clear in our bylaws that each member has/had or can get how and when etc the elections are done and who is responsible for who and what. For as the money goes we have a professional accountant that gives us a proper audit each quarter and if and when we change treasurers then an audit of his entire time of sitting in that position is audited. We also get a yearly audit. That kind of thing has to be closer watched and accounted for. Any other questions I will be happy to answer.
j
 
It is clear that the ABS needs better advice on how to shroud things in secrecy - what with putting all that information in the by-laws and presenting a financial report in public for all in attendance (yours truly included) to hear. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Roger

edited to add: I distinctly recal one of the speakers at the banquet (I can't say I remember who, but it was whoever gave the financial report) inviting any member who was so inclined to review the financial report and any supporting documentation for themselves. But as to how the money was spent - that could not have been more clearly presented by the speaker in question.
 
fisk said:
David
No secret. I do not mind telling you here. It is clear in our bylaws that each member has/had or can get how and when etc the elections are done and who is responsible for who and what. For as the money goes we have a professional accountant that gives us a proper audit each quarter and if and when we change treasurers then an audit of his entire time of sitting in that position is audited. We also get a yearly audit. That kind of thing has to be closer watched and accounted for. Any other questions I will be happy to answer.
j
Click to expand...
Who was elected President?
 
Joe Keeslar. Chairmen or Presidents of the ABS serves terms of 2 years. They can serve a max of 4 years and then must roll off wether they want to or not. This will be Joe's last term.
 
Thanks for the answers, especially about financial reporting. Jerry, does someone have to be an ABS member to read the bylaws? I went to the ABS website, didn't find anything... I'm just curious how the voting process works, and WHO is allowed to vote. (.. for President, .. for the ABS Cutlery Hall of Fame?)
David
 
fisk said:
Joe Keeslar. Chairmen or Presidents of the ABS serves terms of 2 years. They can serve a max of 4 years and then must roll off wether they want to or not. This will be Joe's last term.
Click to expand...
Cool. Joe is a great guy.
 
David
Those are two different things.
The board votes as to who will be prez. The general membership has no vote. Just write or email Jan at the ABS office and request a copy of the bylaws.


The Hall of Fame members are chosen through a long series of votes, sometimes 8 or more. The panel that choses these HOF members are editors, writers and collectors. None of them are smiths but are deeply associated with the forged blade. The last time someone was chosen they all turned in a list of 20 names, If a person was suggested twice or more then his name when in the hat to begin voting and it goes from there. When the final count is done there is two ABS members and at least one non member to insure that when the envelopes are opened the count is correct. The envelopes goes to BR Hughes who is the ABS secetary and the last ones remain there until the final panel counts.
 
Thanks Jerry, I appreciate the information.

*Is there any thought to adding KNIFE THROWING events? I'm sure that would tickle the wallets of the insurance folks. (.. but wouldn't we LOVE it!) :eek:
David
 
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