best education ?

6

69camaro

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Dec 7, 2006
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I have been saving my money to attend the ABS class. I am having second thoughts and would appreciate some advice.

A little background:
I started blacksmithing about (3) years ago. I have a good 180# anvil, functioning hand crank forge, Coote grinder, surface plate, torch and good basic fabrication skills. I have only made about a dozen knives and most were stock removal. I really like the hammer forged method and want to pursue it further.

How would you suggest I use my money to acquire better skills?

Thanks in advance!!
 
The ABS school Intro classes are a solid two weeks of training and practice in forging, heat treating, grinding and hand finishing blades.
The class took me from zero to the ability to forge and finish. It's generally considered to shorten your learning curve by a year or two.
Besides, its a blast, real fun with new friends!
I highly reccommend it.

John

John
 
John White said:
The ABS school Intro classes are a solid two weeks of training and practice in forging, heat treating, grinding and hand finishing blades.
The class took me from zero to the ability to forge and finish. It's generally considered to shorten your learning curve by a year or two.
Besides, its a blast, real fun with new friends!
I highly recommend it.

John

John
Click to expand...

I'll Second that!!!!
 
The ABS school is great. I attended a Damascus class in 1990, and learned a tremendous amount. It was money well spent.
One thing to consider, who is teaching the class? Just because someone is an excellent knifemaker does not mean they can teach it. Some are better teachers than others.
Charles Ochs taught the damascus class I took and we all made high quality damascus blades the second day.
I would highly recomend any class Charles Ochs teaches. As far as the other instuctors I have not had any experience with them and therefore couldn't make any recomendations good or bad.
If I was taking another class, I would ask around concerning how good a teacher was from those who had taken a class from that teacher.
 
Most all the classes are taught by Master Smiths such as Greg Neely, Jerry Fisk, JR Cook, Bert Gaston, Roger Massey and Steve Dunn to name a few. All masters of the Art of knife making. Other than being an apprentice under a MS this is the way to go.
 
I did the intro class back in 04, wouldn't trade that experience for anything. You will learn alot.
Another option for you is to seek out one on one instruction. I have taken 2 classes from Ed Caffrey in Montana. Both were areas I wanted to work on. I cannot fully describe the benefit you gain by doing this. One on one time with a great teacher and a talented knifemaker will push you ahead exponentially. Just something to think about.
 
I really appreciate the feedback. I was thinking of switcing to one-on-one instruction as well. The 2 weeks required is a little tough on my schedule. I could more easily manage 1 week a month over the winter months.

Any suggestions for a bladesmith that does this type of instruction? By the way, I am really not interested in Damascas at this time. My interest is in period and kitchen cutlery.

Thanks
 
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