New abs website

joshsmith

joshsmith

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
646
The new ABS website has been launched!

A few years back Greg Neely called Burt Foster and asked if he could figure out a new website for the ABS. After some discussion Burt called me and together we presented a plan for the would be website to the ABS board in Reno. With their blessing we moved forward. Burt and I shared such a close vision for what we wanted this site to look like. Together we created the look, feel, and navigation of the site. We wanted a site that represented the quality of the ABS members knives. Burt and I are quite satisfied that we achieved that goal with the site you see now. As Burt and I neared the end of the design phase we ran into trouble with the programming.

This is where Dan and Sally Cassidy stepped in and took over. With the construction nearly complete someone had to figure out how to make the membership issues behind the scenes work. Over the last year or two Dan and Sally have put in countless hours resolving these issues moving the ABS into the 21st century. Dan Cassidy also spent countless hours figuring out how to incorporate a forum for the members. Burt and I pushed hard for this new forum with the ABS board and to their credit they allowed it. However Burt and I just didn't have the knowledge of computers to create the forum. Thank you Dan and Sally for helping Burt and I out.

I think the combination of Burt and my design with Dan and Sally's know-how has combined for a fantastic site. In all it took a LONG time and a lot of hours but it has been accomplished. I really feel this is one of the best resources on the Internet.

Check it out http://www.americanbladesmith.com
 
Definitely worth the wait Josh.
Really like the expended format including list/information on ABS Journeymen Smiths and maker photo sites.

A big congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.
 
WOW! I love the site... there's masters smith just down the road from our cabin!! SWEET
 
Really well done. LOTS of info in many pull-down menus.

I just joined the forum as well. That will be a smart idea for ABS specifics. (Not loving the 640 pixel/50 kb max size limits on photo posts, but that's me. Dial-ups are letting the tail wag the dog....) That said, it will work fine.

All-in-all VERY up-to-date.

Thanks for the notification and your work. (And the link to my site!) :)

Coop
 
Excellent, dynamic and compelling....'bout frikking time.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks guys. I hope the ABS will utilize this website and the power of the internet to its fullest potential. Building it is only half the battle. The ABS needs to use this site to promote the forged blade AND its members. I commend them for taking this first step and wish them luck going forward.
 
Its a long time coming for sure but they did a great job on it. The pics are smallish but did you notice the dagger on the main page? They had to dig back to 2003 for that one. Yep its mine. whoohoo!
 
Bruce Bump said:
Its a long time coming for sure but they did a great job on it. The pics are smallish but did you notice the dagger on the main page? They had to dig back to 2003 for that one. Yep its mine. whoohoo!
Click to expand...

Bruce,

Burt and I chose your knife to represent the quillion dagger test for Masters. It was a great example! We chose the Samuel Bell by Harvey Dean to represent historical American knives, Bowie's, and forged carbon steel knives. I couldn't think of a better knife than that one.

The last knife that Burt and I chose was Larry Fuegens Cortez folder. We wanted to represent folders and the ultimate in what can be achieved in an art knife. After Burt and I turned the site over it was decided that some in the ABS wanted a Bill Moran knife instead so that is what they went with. I do not agree with that decision but it is not mine to make. All in all it turned out well.

The last picture is a fantastic one that Burt Foster staged in his shop. When he sent it to me I couldn't believe it. I thought was perfect.
 
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Josh, very nice site. Thanks to you, Burt, Dan and Sally. Well done.

If I could change one thing, it'd be to put all the blade smith listings in one spot,
add the list of apprentice smiths to the Blade Smiths drop down button.
 
I was very impressed when I discovered the new site was live last night. I think that it will be a HUGE asset to the ABS!
 
I like the new ABS site. It is nice that they finally have a modern website.

Congratulations to all involved.

Jim Treacy
 
Don Hanson III said:
Josh, very nice site. Thanks to you, Burt, Dan and Sally. Well done.

If I could change one thing, it'd be to put all the blade smith listings in one spot,
add the list of apprentice smiths to the Blade Smiths drop down button.
Click to expand...

Hey Don. When Burt and I started there was just no way to list all the apprentice smiths. The information that we had was too outdated and it would have been a huge task to get it right. However, I know the ABS has gone to great lengths to update and organize their membership database. I think it would be much easier to add the apprentice smiths to the site now. I think that's a good idea and someone should request that happen to the webmaster and the board. Having the apprentice smiths listed witht their contact info would really make the ABS site a go to spot for links and other contact info.

Josh
 
Fantastic site and very informative, I guess I will spend a lot of time browsing through and enjoying it. Us guys here,over the big pond don't have anything like this to drool over.
 
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