- Joined
- Jul 2, 2009
- Messages
- 378
Hey Gang,
I'd like to share a recent development with you all in regards to bladesmithing. You may or may not know of two master blade smiths,Jason Knight and Burt Foster's, and their involvement in the Vocational School here in Managua, Nicaragua. Both of these gentlemen have come here to teach the art of blade smithing to the apprentices in my school (www.esvoministries.com). Two of my students, Ramon and Jaime have taken a great liking to blacksmithing and especially blade smithing. With the help of Jason and Burt these two men (not to mention myself) have come a long way and have been forging and finishing blades like crazy. I know that between the two of them they've made over 150 forged blades so far. Ramon and Jaime continue to improve and are developing into some great artisans. We are trying to carry on what Jason and Burt have so generously given to us by providing others the opportunity to learn blade smithing.
It was about 8 months ago that a North American who teaches in Nicaragua came to my shop because he had heard about our blacksmithing classes. He was very interested in something that he and his young son could do together. Since I have way too many things to do I let Jaime take Steve and his son Finn and show them some forging techniques. This became a once a week class for Steven and Finn and a way for Jaime to make a little extra cash. Very soon Jaime was teaching Steve and Finn how to forge and finish blades and the LOVED IT! Finn is only 7 (almost 8 according to him) and is very adept at maintaining focus and following instruction. We don't normally take on 7 year-old students but because his father was there we decided it would be okay. Steve and Finn are just about to leave Nicaragua and will be moving to Ecuador with Steve's wife, Jennifer and their daughter Mazy. They have already purchased an anvil to send to Ecuador so they can continue their knife-making ventures. Steve says Jaime is a very patient instructor who does a great job of teaching yet letting the student do all the work.
We are excited to be able to continue the work that Jason and Burt came down to teach. I'm thinking of even greater plans for Ramon, Jaime and myself but for now we are happy to be able to carry the torch of blade smithing here in Nicaragua.
Below is a picture of Jaime instructing Steve and Finn in the forging of a blade.
Finn filed his own blade and did a great job!
This is a pic of Finn's first knife. It took some time but he did it all himself.
Jaime, Finn and Steve with some of the other knives that are in process along with some tongs and other tools they've forged to be used when the go on to Ecuador.
Thanks for looking!
Mike
I'd like to share a recent development with you all in regards to bladesmithing. You may or may not know of two master blade smiths,Jason Knight and Burt Foster's, and their involvement in the Vocational School here in Managua, Nicaragua. Both of these gentlemen have come here to teach the art of blade smithing to the apprentices in my school (www.esvoministries.com). Two of my students, Ramon and Jaime have taken a great liking to blacksmithing and especially blade smithing. With the help of Jason and Burt these two men (not to mention myself) have come a long way and have been forging and finishing blades like crazy. I know that between the two of them they've made over 150 forged blades so far. Ramon and Jaime continue to improve and are developing into some great artisans. We are trying to carry on what Jason and Burt have so generously given to us by providing others the opportunity to learn blade smithing.
It was about 8 months ago that a North American who teaches in Nicaragua came to my shop because he had heard about our blacksmithing classes. He was very interested in something that he and his young son could do together. Since I have way too many things to do I let Jaime take Steve and his son Finn and show them some forging techniques. This became a once a week class for Steven and Finn and a way for Jaime to make a little extra cash. Very soon Jaime was teaching Steve and Finn how to forge and finish blades and the LOVED IT! Finn is only 7 (almost 8 according to him) and is very adept at maintaining focus and following instruction. We don't normally take on 7 year-old students but because his father was there we decided it would be okay. Steve and Finn are just about to leave Nicaragua and will be moving to Ecuador with Steve's wife, Jennifer and their daughter Mazy. They have already purchased an anvil to send to Ecuador so they can continue their knife-making ventures. Steve says Jaime is a very patient instructor who does a great job of teaching yet letting the student do all the work.
We are excited to be able to continue the work that Jason and Burt came down to teach. I'm thinking of even greater plans for Ramon, Jaime and myself but for now we are happy to be able to carry the torch of blade smithing here in Nicaragua.
Below is a picture of Jaime instructing Steve and Finn in the forging of a blade.
Finn filed his own blade and did a great job!
This is a pic of Finn's first knife. It took some time but he did it all himself.
Jaime, Finn and Steve with some of the other knives that are in process along with some tongs and other tools they've forged to be used when the go on to Ecuador.
Thanks for looking!
Mike
