Questions about ABS

D

Dixieblade57

Joined
Jun 20, 2007
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OK I am going to show how ignorant :eek: I am here with this post!!!! I googled this topic without alot of success! I am still learning all that I can about knifemaking. It looks to me that being an ABS member is a good thing. Having said all that here goes.

Can anyone join the ABS?

Besides final certification are there other benefits to being an ABS member?

What is the cost for joining?

How do you find out if there is and ABS school in your area?

How many of you makers are actually members of the ABS?

If all this is covered somewhere else I apoligize for my ignorance, just point me in that direction!

How many of you are certified ABS Journeyman or Mastersmiths?
 
As has already been said, it's not about what you can get from the organization, it's about supporting the organization. That said, I have gotten a great deal of knowledge from ABS 'smiths. Anybody can join, but you've got to prove yourself to get a JS/MS stamp. I'm headed towards testing not because it will "do anything" for me, but simply to prove to myself that I can produce knives that are considered of high quality by my peers.

-d
 
Anyone can join. The cost for a maker is $60 per year.

The ABS can expose you to a great deal of talented makers, that you might not otherwise know about, or have access to. The ABS doesn't hold your hand, or force feed you anything.....its about furthering the art of the forged blade. My opinion is that you get out of it, what you put into it.

There is only one ABS school that I am aware of....in Texarkana....if you attend their Basic Bladesmithing course, it will knock a year off the time your required to wait for your JS testing.

All the rules for JS and MS testing can be found at:

http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ go to the links for "Journeyman Smith testing", and/or Mastersmith testing.

I've been an ABS member since 1990, achieved my JS in 1994, and my MS in 2000. Not sure of the total on JS numbers, but as of the last Blade Show their were 97 active ABS Mastersmiths in the world.

Has it helped my knifemaking career? Yes. Firstly it forced me to improve my skills and my knives when I decided to test for my JS and MS. Secondly, It may or may not help from a business aspect.....thats mostly up to you, but when I achieved my MS, the entire way customers ordered knives, and looked at my work changed. I remember thinking "After I get my MS, I'll have it made!"......nothing could have been further from the truth. I had established an expected level of quality, and from that moment on, that level of quality must be met or exceeded with each knife that leaves the shop....but I choose to look at that as a good thing, in that it makes me constantly strive to be better than what I am.

Is the ABS for everyone? No. Its about an individual challenging themselves, and being willing to work....if a person expects to be "spoon-fed", its not the place for them. However, if the person is willing to do their homework, it will expose you to many resources you would not otherwise find.
 
Thanks for the info and imput on the subject evryone.
Ed that is exactly the info I was looking for. I would be happy if I could just find some metalsmith classes offered in my area!

Perhaps I misstated when I asked what else could the ABS do for me. I was curious if some of the supply places would offer discounts on materials. Getting stared in this knife making has meant a trying to tool up in a different direction than I was before.
I still am able to use alot of the same carpenter tools I used in some ways but a new grinder would be nice and some burners for my forge I finally got all welded up. Thanks Ed for all the advice on design with that forge.
Oh yeah, and a anvil would help too. Some how I never found a need for those last two items when I was doing trim,custom cabinets and furniture work.:) I am not lazy I started doing construction when I was 14yrs. old. Worked in that field up untill I got my back screwed up and had to have lower back fussion. I have now discovered that same passion and desire in my knife building, that I used to have when I was building custom furniture pieces. I don't hope to get rich or famous from knifemaking but hope that I can make a few bucks to help out with all the bills. At least at this, I can lay it aside when my back is giving me a fit and then pick up again when the back is easier.
I see the ABS as opportunity to expand my horizions and maybe a step up in the knifemaking world! Also I was hoping to hear that it would help open a few doors and maybe enlighten this ole mind a little! "I always figure when you get to old to learn, your dead"!!!!!!You have got to be willing to give to recieve!

Thanks again for the replies, the only dumb question is the one you forgot to ask!
 
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Dixie,
No, there's no discounts from suppliers that I know of for being an ABS member.

You can go to ABS hammerins without being a member. I've never seen a member of the ABS not help someone because they weren't a member of the ABS.

I believe that they run a satellite course for the ABS basic bladesmithing course in NC.

Like Mr. Caffrey said, $60.

I'm an apprentice member of the ABS.

If you're looking for an anvil I know of a 260# Hay Budden in great shape with a leg vise for $400 or so up here near Montgomery.
 
Will Leavitt said:
If you're looking for an anvil I know of a 260# Hay Budden in great shape with a leg vise for $400 or so up here near Montgomery.
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Nice price on that one, $1.50 a pound pretty damn low for an anvil like that if the face is good and the horn is still on it.
 
Will Leavitt said:
If you're looking for an anvil I know of a 260# Hay Budden in great shape with a leg vise for $400 or so up here near Montgomery.
Click to expand...

If I was in your neighborhood, if they were in good shape, I'd beg, borrow or steel to make that purchase!
 
When they say attending the ABS school knocks off a year to getting a JS stamp, is that an estimate of how fast your skills will improve from attending, or is there an actual time requirement of some kind that must be met that they subtract one year from after attending?
 
If you go to the ABS school and take the Introduction to Bladesmithing class you have to wait 2 years (from the date of joining) to take the JS test. If you do not go to the class you have to wait 3 years. You do not have to test within any time constraints other than the wait. Once you begin the testing process though you have 3 calendar years from taking the performance test to complete the fit and finish portion in Atlanta. if you cannot finish within that time frame you will have to do the performance test again.
 
The basic Bladesmithing course was offered last year at Haywood County community Collage in Clyde NC last year. I think Bill Wiggens and some others are trying to make it a regular thing. Definately go to a hammer-in and participate in all you can. It is no less than sensory overload. So much honest well ment advice. Its great when someone tells you how to make your knives better and then shows you how to do it. I'm still digesting info from the one I attended last spring.
 
A C Richards said:
If you go to the ABS school and take the Introduction to Bladesmithing class you have to wait 2 years (from the date of joining) to take the JS test. If you do not go to the class you have to wait 3 years. You do not have to test within any time constraints other than the wait. Once you begin the testing process though you have 3 calendar years from taking the performance test to complete the fit and finish portion in Atlanta. if you cannot finish within that time frame you will have to do the performance test again.
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Thank you, sir! Is the Intro to Bladesmithing designed mainly for those wanting their JS testing, or is it worthwhile for anyone interested in the craft?
 
sharpeknives said:
The basic Bladesmithing course was offered last year at Haywood County community Collage in Clyde NC last year. I think Bill Wiggens and some others are trying to make it a regular thing. Definately go to a hammer-in and participate in all you can. It is no less than sensory overload. So much honest well ment advice. Its great when someone tells you how to make your knives better and then shows you how to do it. I'm still digesting info from the one I attended last spring.
Click to expand...

I am happy to say that recently when I decided to start teaching again Bill Wiggins immediately took me on board for an "Intro to Bladesmithing Course" in 09. I will keep you folks updated about my class, and the NC school deserves our support in growing into a regular effort that is well worth it.
 
Hello all. I am an ABS member, knifemaker, and a journeyman smith. I am hoping to go for my master at this years Blade. The ABS has definitely helped me improve my skills, just because of the vast amount of knowledge the members have and willingness to share that knowledge. I also have gained other things too. Such as a lot of really good friends and good times and memories. Yes as said before anyone can join and that is the beauty of it. It is not just for knifemakers, it is for anyone interested in the forged blade and how one goes about making a forged knife.
Dixieblade, definitely attend a hammer in, you will be welcomed. Batsons would be a great one to start with. P J 234 the intro course is for anyone interested in learning how to forge a knife and then get it ground and ready for a handle. As someone once said you will learn more in two weeks than in five years on your own. It really shortens your learning curve. The ABS may not be perfect, but for me I am glad to call myself a member.
Good luck and best regards

Brion
 
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