Knife Making Schools?

Joined
Oct 15, 2002
Messages
751
Does anyone know of any knife making school/classes/seminars?
Any info would be appreciated. Location is'nt a problem as long as it's in the US. I would be looking for at least a 5 day coarse.
I've been looking around, but hav'nt found much information.
Thanks alot!
 
The Texarkana College/Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in cooperation with: The American Bladesmith Society, Inc.
and
The Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation.


School Information


All Bladesmithing courses will be taught in Washington, Arkansas, in a replica of a one-room school house and a stable/barn that blends in with the old-time atmosphere of the town, also known as Old Washington Historic Park. The school consists of a modern classroom in addition to the work area which include six forges, six anvils, six grinders, three trip hammers, work benches and related tools.

Washington is located in southwest Arkansas, 8 miles north of Hope, on State Highway 4, approximately 35 miles from Texarkana. This restored village of fewer than 200 residents dates back to 1824.

For more information on any of the School of Bladesmithing courses, please contact:

Scotty Hayes, Director, Community Services
Texarkana College
2500 N. Robison Road
Texarkana, TX 75599
Phone: 903 832-5565, ext. 3236


The above information is taken from the ABS web site.
 
Here is a link to the site Keith got that info from.

Aside from small, weekend clinics and hammer-ins, the Moran school is the only knifemaking school in the country.
 
I would think that more makers get their start on their own, then the lucky ones find someone to help guide them through their early learning process.
 
Originally posted by mschwoeb
I would think that more makers get their start on their own, then the lucky ones find someone to help guide them through their early learning process.

You are most likely correct in this assumption, but if someone has the time and finances necessary to take these classes, then I think that they would be of great benefit. So many mistakes that would be made by trial and error could be eliminated by knowing what to do in the first place. Those that take these classes would have a real head start.

This school teaches the forging method and will not be of as much value to those that want to try their hand at stock removal.
 
Keith,
The school at Washington also teaches fit and finish. They have classes on grinding, handles, sheath making, damascus, heat treating, and just about anything that going into making a knife. After forging, the blades have to have "stock removal" grinding and sanding.
I started in 1989 by forging because I didn't know that they made flat bar tool steel (O1). My heat treat left a lot to be desired and I stumbled along till 94' and happened on a knife making class at a Vo-Tech. In 97' I joined the Arkansas Knifemakers Association and then the American Bladesmith Socitety. With a lot of help from some excellent knifemakers, the progress in skills has surpassed anything that I might have been able to achieve on my own. Most everything I have learned is the combined information of every one that I have talked to since 97'. I haven't gone to any of the weekly classes but have attended almost every hammer in since and the classes at the hammer ins are very good and cover a wide assortment of items. It does cost to go, but it is still cheaper when you consider the mistakes and time you have saved.
There is also a school in North Carolina, John Folks, I think, that also teaches a lot of crafts including knife making.
Whether you are a stock removal maker by choice or necessity, the school at Washington will be an asset to your hobby or career in knife making.
 
Thanks guys for the great Info. I'm going to look into the schools a little better when I get a chance.
I would start on my own, but I need the basics down first, and I don't really want to waste the time on something that can be easily learned from a pro. I'm looking for a class to get started then I plan on honing the skills that I learn.
Thanks again!
 
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