Reasons to join the ABS

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I was done with this thread, but will add one final thing.
It may come as a surprise to some folks, but I have a High School Degree.......:eek:


I have done a lot of other studies, but have no higher degree. That didn't stop me from becoming a research chemist at age 18, or doing electronics for the government, or becoming a goldsmith. The point is that if a person wants to learn, he/she will with or without higher education. On the converse, I have met many post graduates who think they know everything necessary and aren't interested in learning any more.

Now I rest my case.:D
Stacy
 
Tai makes excellent points in his typically artistic manner. I’m not certain some of you caught what happened in this thread.

I haven’t joined yet as I need additional answers that are not available on the ABS web page. The page itself is not well designed.

The process toward acquiring a JS or MS should be more concrete as in:
While waiting the one or two years for the JS/MS test you should learn, practice and develop skills in these areas…
One should also learn these aspects of metallurgy. Honor system of course.
It appears that a variety of knives need to be shown and edge retention and HT are tested at the JS level. Is safety, metallurgy tested?

There should also be a “benefits of membership” page.

It sounds like the MS is paid (not certain about this) and this is not typical of any of the fields that I am involved with. As a member and mentor of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers institute I do a full day of observation free of charge to get members certified. They are observed for safety, technique and their knowledge is tested.

There is a danger in this JS/MS system that need to be reviewed. I think several things can happen that harm the image of ABS:
1 Assumption that only MS certified makers are accomplished bladesmiths.
2 Potential for elitism within the membership (over time)
3 Abundance of MS certified makers (that diminishes the desired achievement)
4 Potential for having someone certified “MS” that actually only knows how to pass the test.

One method of change in the system I would suggest is a simple ABS certification that indicates an accomplishment that is to the standards of the society. The word master suggests a much higher level of achievement. One approach to getting true “masters” is taken on by the Violinmakers/Bowmakers Federation. To become a member you have to have lifetime achievements and expertise and have your work reviewed by a board after you are nominated by a member of the federation. As a member, it is expected that you will help educate and mentor others through direct contact or written work.

The concept of the ABS is fine in that it puts on meetings for dissemination of information. Most of it is Eastern but I do see a California event. With time, the current regionalization will hopefully expand.

ABS should also (as with most organizations of this flavor) with time, place more emphasis on web based education (tutorials, archives, lending library).

Anyway…those are my thoughts based on my many areas of interest, corporate management and a stint in the education system.
I might join anyway :)

Dean Lapinel
 
Strange Deloid, you don't have to make any assumptions. I think the change that you're proposing is already what they do. If you'd like to know what's recommended during the waiting period, just look to the test requirements and work on spots that would benefit you most.

Happy New Year, Craig
 
Steelshaper, you say you respect people more that "blazed their own trail" and also some that are in the ABS. Care to expound on that?

I live in Washington state, NOWHERE near the school, and scheduling always kept me from attending. I had to learn just about everything on my own, with help from a few friends, the forums, and then took a class with my friend Mike Vagnino in Visalia, CA. I started making knives at 12 and did stock removal till 22, then learned forging on top of that, and didn't go for my Js until I was 29. WHEN I took my Js, I had been a full time maker for over 5 years, and had sold knives everywhere from across town to a professor in China. I had a back-log of 3 years.

So who blazed my trail? Do I deserve respect, or am I just another product that the ABS machine popped out?

My point is, the ABS doesn't "just create" any smith. It's all on the shoulders of the smith to get there.

The ABS allows you to go through the ranks and prove that you were able to work through it. It gives you some accredidation.

Maybe if those folks who don't respect any of the ABS smiths had to put the blood, sweat, and tears into preparing 5 knives, then placing them in the judging room and walking away so that they can be judged by 5 of your peers... and then wait an hour or more to hear if they passed... THEN maybe those people would have a better understanding.

For me, it was very rewarding to go through the process and I fiercely disagree that it somehow takes away from what I have achieved as a knifemaker.

edited to better make my point
 
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steelshaper said:
What are some of the reasons some one would have for joining the ABS I am not much of a club joining type of guy. Still I can see some big reasons to join the ABS. I just can’t decide if it’s really for me or not. I forge knives so that’s not the issue (just wanted to make that clear).


The first thing that comes to mind is if I join the ABS and go through all the steps and get the stamps I will get name recognition. That should be desirable but I tend to think that’s not really "ME".

Honestly though I don’t really know much about it and that’s why I was hoping some of you folks would help me weigh the pros and cons of joining the ABS.
Click to expand...

Have you had enough answers to decide if "it's really for you or not" Mr. Crump ? Please say yes so this thread can quit muddying up the forum :) This whoooooole looooooonng thread is about opinions anyway....so it's pretty much worthless.
 
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