Handles and Guards Class at Haywood Community College

[KHall]

There are still opening for the Handles and Guards Class at Haywood Community College June 6-10, 2016. The fee is $700. To register call Enrollment Management at 828-627-4505.

Instructor - James Rodebaugh
class is designed to continue the course of study set forth in the ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing course. This class includes detailed information on creating handles, both full tang and hidden tang, guards, butt caps, decorative file work, spiral dagger handles, handle material choices, guard material choices, pin stock, adhesives and overall finish. Students will be instructed on how to finish off a professional looking knife. Participants are expected to possess the skill and knowledge to forge, grind and heat treat blades prior to this class. A limited amount and type of materials will be provided, students are welcome to furnish and bring their own handle and guard material. It is required that students enrolling in this workshop provide their own, finished blades ready to be completed. This is a week-long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

 

[javand]

I took this class maybe 4 years ago, and consider it the best money I've ever spent in knifemaking. Jim is a phenomenal teacher with *reasons* why he does everything the way he does, and is happy to explain those reasons. It's debatable whether there's another maker that exhibits better fit and finish, especially when it comes to guard and handle fit and fine detail work.

I highly recommend this class if you're having problems taking your guard fit (clue, if you can see even the tiniest line where your guard fits up to the ricasso of your knife, you could benefit from this class) and handle work to the next level. It set me years ahead.


I don't however recommend this class to stone beginners. If you've taken the intro class, or are already a reasonably competent knifemaker however, you'll get 100x your money's worth out of it. If you're making pretty solid knives, but want to move up to making higher end pieces, you can't make a better investment IMO, and Jim will tailor the information to suit your skill level, and expectations appropriately. In fact, advanced students can likely glean the most from this class, although it will be information and skill overload no matter what level you're coming in at.