ABS school

J

joemamma12

Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Messages
91
I posted a thread about the ABS school a while back and I'd like to to hear from the people who have gone. I'll be graduating high school this year and I'd like to take a year off and learn a little bladesmithing and then start college (and study electrical engineering). I've always had a love for knives and medieval weaponry. If I end up finding I have some talent for it I wouldn't mind doing it as a career. I guess I'll find out when I get there. To the people who've been, how's the bunkhouse and is there anywhere close to get food or should I just bring it with me? Lastly, can you absolutely say it's worth every penny and say it would be worth it for a person to drive from Indiana by himself in his ol'S-10 (I'd be going by myself because nobody I know wants to go).If i do go I'd plan on going to the June intro class.
 
It's certainly worth it if you're serious about learning to forge blades. People come to the school from all over the world. Indiana is just short hop compared to France, England, South Africa, etc.

I can't tell you about the bunkhouse, I spring for the Best Western in Hope, Arkansas.

No, you don't need to bring any food. You can walk across the road from the school to the old tavern which is now a great restaurant. Good home style cooking, and lots of it. Just the thing for a hungry bladesmith.

You can also take a left from the school on the main highway and drive 8 miles to Hope. There's plenty of places to eat. There's a steakhouse, Mexican food, pizza, etc. just minutes away from the school. Me? I like the tavern.
 
It was definitely worth the drive, I'm from Southern Indiana. The bunkhouse is for those on a budget, they have a full kitchen or there is a store or the tavern. The restored blacksmith shop is across the parking lot and there is a full time smith/historian that also makes knives. If you can't go the full two weeks, try the spring hammer-in as an option.

Good Luck,
Steve
 
I'll agree, it was worth the drive...AND I CAME DOWN FROM
MONTANA! I thought October would be a cool month...sheesh.
 
My first experience with the ABS school was the Intro. class in Oct.1998. I stayed in the bunkhouse for the two weeks and really enjoyed it. The majority of the students also stayed in the bunk house and there was never a dull moment. We worked our butts off from 7:00am till 5:00pm daily(sometimes later)and I learned a lot and had a great time doing so. Sure I got disgusted and said alot of bad words at times when the steel I was hammering on would not cooperate but when everything started coming together you can't imagine the feeling of achievment.

I have many fond memories of the people I met and consider several close friends even though we are many miles apart. Is it worth it? To me and alot of other folks, yes!

Scott
 
One thing I failed to mention in the email I sent you. I brought a stand fan with me for use at the school. I had lots of friends come by for a visit where I was working. We were fortunate that a cool front came through the middle of the first week in late September. I don't believe you will be so lucky if you go in the summer.

C Wilkins
 
Is there a website I could visit to get more informatoin about this ABS school?
 
Now when you say hot, how hot do you mean? Do you mean 70, 80, 90, 1000 or 99999999999999999999999999999999 degrees? I have never been to Arkansas so i have on idea how hot it gets.
 
It's not just the heat alone...it's the high humidity!

C.L. forgets that living in Houston!
 
well... on a scale from 1(being no humidity) to 10(being extremely humid) how would you rate Arkansas?
 
A fella at your age just getting out of high school, humidity is not an issue. For a fat old guy like me, Phoenix, Arizona is a 10! :)

C Wilkins
 
im lying.
it gets hotter than hell here in AR sometimes during the summer.

the heat aint so bad,its the humidity. its awful.
ive been thinking about going to the abs school,im looking into it...would need financial aid,though.
 
Anyone know what the average age is at the school?
I'm in California and know nothing about smithing, but the more I read the more I want to learn how. I've considered getting a couple books on the subject and try to teach myself as a hobby, but it's pretty intimidating not knowing anything about the tools or materials.
Currently I'm trying to find a school or some type of Apprenticeship.... anyone have any ideas or resources?
 
I went in October and it was still hot.
June? You a masochist? :)

Budget or not, the bunkhouse is the way to go. You'll have several guys to visit with in the evenings. After the first week, I ended up buying a 19" TV/VCR combo and we all bought some videos to pass the time. Just a thought. I personally had a great time, made some friends, and it was worth every dime.
 
I went in April to take the Intro and the Damascus class plus the Spring hammer-in. After the second day of the Intro class everybody said that it was worth it to come down to the school!!! I came a long way, exactly from Germany and it was one of the best experiences I ever made. I met so many people that are high class bladesmiths and everybody was eager to share their knowledge. I really liked it and when I was back home I felt that there was something missing.
The great people I met were: Harvey Dean, Jim Walker, Don Fogg under whom I passed my JS test, Larry Harley with his famous moonshine,Mike Williams, J. Crowell, Audra and Mike Draper, Jerry Fisk, Terry Primos, John Fitch, James Batson, Uncle Al,...and of course the students I took the class with. If I forgot anybody I really appologize.
The weather was on some days quite a bit hot and I tell you, with them gasforges running you got to be carefull not to dehydrate.

Just go for it and you will find out if this is the right thing.
I knew it before I went.

Cyrus
 
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