I want to learn how to be a BladeSmith

There are three knifemakers from DE listed in the Knives 2009. Two are from Newark and another from Greenwood. They are all stock removal makers.
Addresses and phone numbers are available in the back of the book.
 
There really is no degree for becoming a blade smith. You would benefit from one on one instruction, as well as from reading into metallurgy. The ABS offers a way to benchmark you level of skill with the Jouneyman smith and Master smith titles. These are peer reviewed titles that strive to uphold some sort of standard of smithing. However, just because you are or are not an ABS rated smith, doesn't say a thing about what you make.

Tai is a superb bladesmith, and I doubt anyone here would discredit his skill at making blades. I've also heard he is a superb teacher and would jump at the chance to take some lessons. On the same topic, the ABS offers classes that have similar expertise in instruction with some of the best in the business teaching the classes. And you can learn a lot by watching for "hammer-ins" within a reasonable distance from your area. There, makers gather and beat on steel and share techniques.

To become a bladesmith, you have to learn the craft. However you choose to go about that doesn't really matter. What does matter is the quality and finish of the work you produce in developing a reputation among your peers. And you don't have to be the most widely recognized smith in the world to produce excellent blades.

However you do it, just learn the craft. Finding some blacksmithing classes to attend can help. Even some welding, machining, and metallurgy classes can be of benefit.

Above all, have fun!

--nathan
 
I'll second Nathan, I'd take lessons from Tai as long as he doesn't play the uke. I have heard him pick on the guitar on a video and he's purty good.

There is an accredited college up around you that offers blacksmithing as a degree program and one of the graduates was able to get his area of concentration as "bladesmithing." I'll have to hunt around to find it again, it was on another website.

Spend time with other makers, go to hammerins, read, draw, grab some steel and cut and file it into a knife. If you have never made, no, if you have never FINISHED a knife, you really don't know if you're cut out to be a maker. I always say if you're going to be a knifemaker you're going to make knives. You're going to use files, rocks, tree limbs or whatever you have handy to make a knife.

Good luck on choosing a vocation, I'm sorry if you choose knifemaking because it's a disease of the soul. :p
 
Ed Caffrey said:
You asked the question if there are online sources for Bladesmithing. This is not the sort of thing that you can learn, beyond basic theory, from an online course. It requires hands on experience, determination, and time. My recommendation is to find a Maker that may be near you, and in the absence or that, consider taking a hands on type course from an established maker. Generally speaking, the time and money you would spend on a 3-5 day course with an established maker will literally cut years off your learning curve. There is no "magic bullet", this is an ever learning craft.
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Perfectly stated~!!
This is my approach. Read, participate, take lessons with a purpose in mind, then practice- practice- practice then back to lessons again.
 
Ya know Tai. Your ABS bashing needs to stop. If it's okay for you to bash the ABS , then it would logically be okay for bashing any other groups that one may not approve of.

So cut it the hell out :D please. This is not the platform.

I would not allow folks to go on a Knife Makers Guild bash either. Understand what I mean ?

Mark
 
Found it...

"Folks, the revolution is well underway. At Mass College of Art in Boston Ma., I've run a bladesmithing program for over 12 years now. It is always filled with enthusiastic and capable art students ready to take on a challenge. In 2007 we graduated a sculpture major with honors and his concentration was in bladesmithing!! That's right, he did nothing else but forge blades for 4 years. And got really good at it, surpassing myself in some areas! "

This was copied from another maker's forum. I hope it's all right to post it here.
 
My approach was to self learning as a hobby, but I had no choice, there is no bladesmiths or knife makers around in my country. If I had a chance I wouldnt hesitate to take a course or join a group, and I wouldnt mind who they are, ABS or any guild or any school, even a maker, invest in education, take your time and LISTEN what they say. I would be years ahead if I had a chance :(. You guys should see how lucky you are, you are covered with experienced makers, masters of crafts. Use the chance man...
 
I have taken a couple classes which are not too far from Delaware.

The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland runs 2 day weekend classes, usually in the spring. They have a nice facility down in Westminster, MD at the Carroll County Farm Museum. In Mid-May they have their annual Blacksmithing festival where J. Nielson will be doing a demo. I attended last year and it was great. Here is their URL: www.bgcmonline.org/


Up in Layton, NJ at the Peters Valley Crafts Center there is a 5 day class taught last year by J. Arthur Loose. They have a wonderful shop up there in a picturesque little valley. They should post the new class schedule next month on their website.
www.petersvalley.org

I very much enjoyed both. The BGCM class is better suited to the beginner and they require that you take their Intro to Blacksmithing to learn the basics of using a coal forge. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. -Doug
 
Code: 
Folks, the revolution is well underway. At Mass College of Art in Boston Ma., I've run a bladesmithing program for over 12 years now. It is always filled with enthusiastic and capable art students ready to take on a challenge. In 2007 we graduated a sculpture major with honors and his concentration was in bladesmithing!! That's right, he did nothing else but forge blades for 4 years. And got really good at it, surpassing myself in some areas! "
I guess that means they gave someone a BS degree for Bladesmithing. :eek: Kinda remind you of anyone?? :D
 
Keep an eye and ear open for posts on hammer-in events and the big knife shows in your parts. The BGCM event in the spring is a short drive for you. The Ashokan seminar in the fall is in NY, but it isn't a prohibitive drive from DE.

Filling out your profile will allow others to have some idea about you, and to know the area you live in. There are a lot of good makers within a couple hours drive who might extend an offer.
Stacy

Tai, I think it is time you let it go with the ABS thing. Greysteel asked a simple question. He wanted information and suggestions. You offered him nothing but confusion and doubt. This is a place to exchange ideas, not fight over hurt feelings. Take it to Whine and Cheese or one of the other forums if you want to , but leave this forum for open exchange and Q&A. Thanks.
Stacy
 
Well it looks like you have a lot of advice to look over. I like what Don said...."Start making knives and working on guns..." ! It really is good advice.:D

I would just like to say this about the ABS. Out of all the folks I've met that are members I have never met anyone I didn't like, and I have learned something from just about everyone.:thumbup:
I pay my dues, but I DID NOT BUY MY STAMP!
Thats something I earned.
Mace
 
Mace said:
Well it looks like you have a lot of advice to look over. I like what Don said...."Start making knives and working on guns..." ! It really is good advice.:D

I would just like to say this about the ABS. Out of all the folks I've met that are members I have never met anyone I didn't like, and I have learned something from just about everyone.:thumbup:
I pay my dues, but I DID NOT BUY MY STAMP!
Thats something I earned.
Mace
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Dude, did you forget you met me?!?! ;) :p

I totally agree with what 'ya posted Mace! :thumbup:
 
Here’s a couple of thought for you.

I bet there are gun & knife shows in your area. If you collect guns and knives you probably knew that already. If you frequent those just talk to people and ask questions. You may well find some one local that can help you out some.

It’s not a bad idea to look into your local community college. More likely than not there are affordable classes you can take that would fit into your schedule and help you out on some of the basic skills you will need. Intro to art and basic metalworking classes will be more helpful in the long run than you may think. Of course this really all depends on what you know already and what exactly you want to do.

When you do finally get to talk to a knife maker keep in mind some guys like to think their way is simply the better way. That’s O.K. even if you don’t agree. Chances are you can learn plenty from them even if what they are doing is not what you think you want to do. It’s a good idea to let them tell you how they do things and be respectful. This is where it helps to have at least some idea about the basics before you start asking to many questions.

Finally stick around here, read the stickies on the top of the page and, be patient.

Here are a few things you may want to look into; heat treating, steel types, belt grinders.

Good luck and have fun! :)
 
Steelshaper put the basics in a nut shell. The "be patient" part is the most difficult to learn. Knife maker and blacksmith forums contain a vast amount of "free information", offered by those who have gone before us. You must sort through this information and decide what to keep. When I tell people that I am a self taught knife maker, I am stretching a bit. All it means is that I never took any classes. A great part of my knowledge is from the internet. The rest is from trial and error.
There is no "best way " to learn knife making. You must find your way to learn. If the desire is there, regardless of time and money limits, you will become a maker of knives.
 
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