Going to ABS school mabye

D

DgrantD

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I have never made any knives but am interested in doing it after trying my hand at fileworking scrap steel. I would like to take the Intro to knife making course and the Damascas class, with my level of experince (none) do you think I would be ok in these classes? To hard? Thanks alot.

Grant
 
Why not? If you can use a hammer and are interested you can forge. Your have to start somewhere, might as well learn from folks who have taught others. Good Luck
 
Hello Grant, from what I have heard and from talking to other ABS members, the intro to bladesmithing class does not require you to have any knifemaking knowledge. I imagine some would be helpful, but they basically take you through the steps involved and pass on some very good information and knowledge. I have been involved in knifemaking for 10 or more years, but I am going over to take my first class in march. I say go ahead and enjoy, you will learn an awful lot and have a real good time.
 
The Intro class shouldn't require any experience, but taking the Intro class and the Damascus class back-to-back might be a bit much..but what do I know, give it a shot!
 
Go for it!!!
If you don't, you may regret it.If nothing else you walk away with just a better understanding of what goes into the craft and are just that much more wiser.
 
I tend to do things in the wrong order, well what most people consider wrong:) I would take whatever class you wanted to. I have been making knives for less than a year. I started with damascus and have not tried anything else yet. I welded my first billet last april.

Just a word of warning, damascus can be addicting and will keep you up at night thinking of new patterns to try:)

Most important, IMHO, have fun!
 
Grant, I took the Intro to Bladesmithing class in
1994. I had NO forging experience. I learned more in those 2 weeks than I could have in 10 years on my own. I had an excellent instructor (Micheal Connor) and the facilities are outstanding. I highly recommend the School. Money well spent.
 
Originally posted by Coach
Grant, I took the Intro to Bladesmithing class in
1994. I had NO forging experience. I learned more in those 2 weeks than I could have in 10 years on my own. I had an excellent instructor (Micheal Connor) and the facilities are outstanding. I highly recommend the School. Money well spent.
Click to expand...

That makes at least two of us. I "sorta" forged one blade prior to going. I cannot say enough about the school or Mike Connor or Roger Massey as instructors. Not only did I learn a lot, I made some life long friends as well.

C Wilkins
 
Grant, you will really like the courses. But; if it were me I would not take the courses back to back. The intro course will be a huge learning experience. It is great but it is an INTRO which means it will give you the tools to work, learn, experiment, and improve on your own with a good basic knowledge. there is so much to learn on your own in your shop with your tools. When you are comfortable with your forging, heattreating, handles, etc. then step up and take a damascus class. Then you can concentrate on the concepts of welds, fluxes, patterns, etc. without being distracted by such bugaboos as ruining a good billet by forging it badly, killing a good damascus billet while trying to get your grinding down is a real bummer, warping a beautifully patterned blade in the heat treat will ruin your supper. I say these things because it happens to everyone. By getting control of the carbon steel and then being able to really focus on the damascus class will save several detours in the process. Only my two cents worth; hope I can meet you at the school. Mike
 
Yea I see where you are coming from mike, that makes alot of sense. I will probably take this course in feb and come back later on in the year for the damascas, Thanks alot for all the help guys.
 
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