I could use some help

B

BladefulArt

Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
156
I'm not quiet sure rather this belongs in this forum or not, but coulnd't find any other area it could go under. Anyway, I have been considering taking a class or 2 at the ABS school of bladesmithing in Arkansas.

Heres the problem, I have never been traveling before in my life, so know nothing about it. I live in Mississippi, so how would I go about getting their? Bus, train, or what? I already have hotel prices figured out.

This leads to another problem, once I would get there, then what would I do? I think I looked up bus or train routes from my area before, if memory serves correctly, the farthest they go is to Hope, which is around 8 miles from the school. So does Hope have taxi service that would take me there, if not, then how could I get there from that area?

Also, I was thinking about choosing the Star 8 hotel (think thats the name) if I decide on this. Wheres the nearest store from there? Already checked and that particular hotel does have a frige and microwave in the rooms, so that should save some money on food for the 2 weeks.

Srry for all these questions, tried other forumms, all they told me was to call them and I dont think they could help with travel problems so I didnt bother. My parents know nothing about traveling either.

A side question, what buffing wheel and compound should be used with linen micarta?

I would also appreciate any reference book that anybody might know of that could help me with knife names, as I'm no good at coming up with them.

Also, if this is the wrong forum section, tell me.
 
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Call the school.
I'll bet they have been asked this before
(Got this from ButcherBlock's thread)
TC Continuing Education
2500 N. Robison Road
Texarkana, Texas 75501

(903) 832-5565 ext. 3270

Scotty Hayes, Director
 
Maybe you could try AAA and see if they can give you some help. I know they sell what is called a "trip ticket" that is an outline of your travel agenda. I think they could pretty much give you a play by play of the trip.

I remember when I was younger and first started traveling and it is a bit intimidating. I am a seasoned traveler that used to make over 200 flights per year and the first thing I learned is to not be afraid to ask questions and not to be afraid to ask for help.

Also, if you are active in a church, there maybe a local church of the same denomination (or another for that matter) with some contacts that might be able to help you out.

Don't feel bad about calling the ABS school, yours will probably not be the first questions that they have had and I bet they would be very willing to help you. let us know how you make out with your travel plans. Your information might be very helpful to someone else once you figure it out!
 
I'm going to assume from your brief profile that you are young.
Travel to Washington ,AK from Mississippi is not a long or difficult trip. A bus or train would be cheap and fairly simple. You might even find someone going that way who will drop you off, or at least take you part way. As for lodging, it depends on how fancy you like it. Many students stay at the school bunk house. If you stay at the Super 8 motel, I am sure you can catch a ride to the school each day with one of the other students staying in town.
I would assume you have done some reading on the school, but here is the link:
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ABS_School1.htm

The lodging info is here:
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ABS_SchoolInfo.htm

There are a lot of smiths on this forum who have been there, and can tell you about the school and the bunkhouse. Maybe some of them will chime in.

Some more info about you may help. Age, occupation, location, etc. ( You should put this in your profile,too.)

Big Smitty has an excellent idea (assuming you have a church you attend).
Call the local Baptist/Presbyterian/etc. church in Hope/Washington area and talk to the pastor. If you are a little bashful about doing this, have your pastor call for you. If you are a young person ( say below 21) they may well have a family that will host you for the stay.At the least someone may meet you at the bus/train station and drive you to the school when you arrive. I'd be willing to bet there is a Sunday dinner after church in it,too. At any rate it will give you a contact person in town who can answer questions.
Stacy
 
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I'd suggest that you buy/borrow/rent a vehicle, and drive to the school.

Yes, It may be more expensive, but you'll be on your own. It won't matter if
there's a store close, or a bus/taxi available. AND if you make a knife in class,
or if you should buy something large while there...you can bring it back with you
without added shipping expences or government intervention.
 
I live about 28 miles from Hope, AR. and Pretty sure there isnt a Taxi service. Nearest store (Wal-Mart) is across the street from the Super 8, along with a couple of food joints.

Your better off with your own ride.
 
Well, Let's Talk.
I'm interested in taking a bladesmithing class myself. Looking at the classes in September but I'm not sold on that time frame. I live in Mississippi, (Jackson Area). Last time I checked, my passenger seat travels in the same truck as the driver seat, seems like a waste for it to be empty. Besides, I like company on road trips. I'm 45 years old, teach at the Medical Center in Jackson, and somewhat mentally stable:D Send me a PM and lets talk, maybe we can work something out if we're intereted in the same classes. If I need to meet or talk to parents, it's not a problem. Email off the site is 4570buffalo@comcast.net. My real name is Gerald (Gerry) McGuire.
 
Appreciate all the help, but I think I'm limited to bus/train for now as I see no financial way to get a vehicle of my own at this moment. (and i noticed how unreliable used vehicles are.) Big Medicine, thanks for the offer, but I would have to get to know somebody first before traveling with them.

Think I changed my mind and settled for the bunkhouse instead, closer to the school and cheaper.
 
BladefulArt said:
Appreciate all the help, but I think I'm limited to bus/train for now as I see no financial way to get a vehicle of my own at this moment. (and i noticed how unreliable used vehicles are.) Big Medicine, thanks for the offer, but I would have to get to know somebody first before traveling with them.

Think I changed my mind and settled for the bunkhouse instead, closer to the school and cheaper.
Click to expand...

If you stay at the bunkhouse, it is the cheapest way to go and you can walk over to the classes each morning. There are at least 2 places to eat lunch that you can walk to. I'm not sure about breakfast or supper though.
If you call the bunkhouse the lady there is very helpful. Just don't know how you would get from Hope to the bunkhouse in Old Washington.
 
Gerry, I just wanted to say that your offer to this fella put a big smile on my face and that was an effort you should be commended for! :) :thumbup:

Good on 'ya :)
 
NickWheeler said:
Gerry, I just wanted to say that your offer to this fella put a big smile on my face and that was an effort you should be commended for! :) :thumbup:

Good on 'ya :)
Click to expand...

I'm with Nick on this one. I know that as knifemakers online (especially here on BF) we're used to seeing a lot of "virtual" help. It's nice to see some real-world help offered through the "virtual window".

That said, I can understand somebody not accustomed to travel not wanting to hook up with a ride from an online compatriot.

My suggestions are definitely to contact the school for any information you need. I guarantee you won't be the first asking the question, and you've got to remember that the staff is there to help you. If nothing else, see which instructors are teaching the class and give them a call (I've never met an ABS MS that won't take a phone call with a smile). Odds are they'll be able to answer questions for you and might be able to offer some ideas or help with your "last mile" problems of travel.

Whatever you do, take full advantage of your class experience! NEVER be afraid to ask a question, no matter how "silly" you may feel about it. If these folks weren't there to answer your questions and bring you into the world of bladesmithing, they wouldn't be teaching at the ABS school. Also, avail yourself of every opportunity to talk to everybody assembled at the school. "Class time" isn't the only time to talk knives, I guarantee it. Even if you're not talking knives, I'll bet everybody learns something from the conversation.

I'm sure that the whole experience of traveling, going to the ABS school (man, I wish *I* could go!), meeting folks, and realizing just what caliber of people knifemakers as a whole are will be a life changing experience for you. Enjoy it, make the most of it, and just make sure that you "pay it forward" to those you can help in the future.

-d
 
When I went I stayed at the bunkhouse, I think that it was 15 bucks a night. I drove down form the frozen yankee north ( connecticut ) so I had my truck.. Contact Scotty Hayes, the instructors stay in Hope at one of the hotels, one of them will give you a lift to the bunkhouse. If you do stay at the bunkhouse the only reason for a vehicle is to go into town to do laundry and shopping. It is a dry county, no beer for miles.. You can get breakfast across the street at the convenience store. Lunch and dinner can be had at the restaurant at the school. There is bound to be a few guy's with cars at the bunkhouse so transportation is not a real issue once you are there. To save money we did a little shopping at walmart for groceries and made sandwiches for lunch and had frozen pizza several times. If you have any questions feel free to pm me..
 
I will chime in with the rest. If I remeber correctly when I attended the ABS school Scotty picked a couple of gentleman up at the airport in Texarkana and then returned them there for their return trip. It would be worth the call to speak with Scotty. The bunkhouse is also the way to go if on a limited budget.

Dave from Diller
 
Thanks, guys.
I participate with another forum group interested in single shot rifles and black powder firearms, including cannons and mortars. After we "talked" to each on the forum for a while, we started having a "get together" we refer to as, "The Annuals". Even though most of us hadn't met, we knew each other. You can learn a lot about a person from the way he writes, what he writes, and the way he responds to other posts. I understand his reluctance and I think reasonable caution is a good thing. I am new to the forum, but I plan to get to know ya'll better over time.

By the way, I've had to put off my own bladesmithing course anyway. I was about to register and send a check, when I noticed the course was for 2 weeks. Can't take off that much time in September, will have to wait for a summer course. Looks like I'll spend a little more time in the forge, and see if I can pick up a little technique via DVD and trial and error.
 
When I went, Scotty picked us up at the Texarkana Airport and drove us to Hope. The motels are cheap there, unless it's the watermelon Festival. It's actually cheaper to pay for a week and leave a day early, than pay by the night.

There were 2 places to eat in Washington, where the school is, so you can eat out or buy groceries. Hydration is a biggie, so plan extra for Gatorade.

Food in Hope is mostly buffets and reasonable. The instructors stay in Hope and take everybody who needs a ride in the school van. Thursday nights are the exception to the buffet. It's Mex food on Thursday.

Depending on the instructor, a 40 hour class may be closer to 50-60 hours. If folks want to work late they will let them because no one is going home anyway.

I spent 6 weeks there and learned a bunch.

Best of luck.

Gene
 
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