Texarkana College

J

joemamma12

Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Messages
91
has anybody heard or been to the Texarkana College. i'm really interested in going but i have a few questions. i live in Indiana and for me to go i would have to stay someplace. if i were to get a hotel room for two weeks it would be like 40$ a night or around there. that's 560$ on top of the 600 for the opening class. has anybody gone there and can tell me it's completely worth the money? 600$ wouldn't be that bad but putting on the other 560$ would hurt me. i've had a love for knives and swords ever since... well, pretty much forever. i'm not sure if want to do it as a career but i guess i'll find out when i get there. has anybody ever gone there or even heard of the place?
 
It is cheap and I can say this because at this moment we are having a seminar over here form an ex-student and ex-teacher from there: Jerry Fisk, and it should save us Brazilian makers some 10 years of trial and error experiences. as a matter of fact, the semanr starts on Saturday but I have learned enough from being with a Mastersmtih during two days that I can ssure you it is worthwhile. Go for it, you will definitelly not regret the money you will spend!!!!
 
Actually the ABS Bladesmithing School is sponsored by Texarkana College, but not in Texarkana (I'm assuming that this is what you were wanting to know about). The school is just outside of Hope, Arkansas in a little town called Washington. This is where James Black's original forge was supposed to have hammered out the original Bowie knife. If you go to www.americanbladesmith.com, you can get a list of hotels under the announcement for the Hammer-In. There you will find numbers for the Best Western, which gives a cut-rate to students at the school and I think it's about $40/night. The best buy is if you stay in the school bunkhouse for about $10/night.
 
Oops! Your link didn't work Jeff.

The School is co-sponsored by the ABS and Texarkana College, and as Jeff stated, is physically located in Washington, Arkansas -- about 8 miles from Hope, Arkansas. It's called The Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing.

The link to the ABS Website is: http://www.americanbladesmith.com/

The link for the School is: http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ABS_School1.htm

Yep, been to the school for classes, and to Hammer-Ins (weekend seminars) twice a year since 1996. Great school. You'll love it.

You can also call and talk to Scotty Hayes who is over the Continuing education Division of Texarkana College. Here's the phone number and other info:

Scotty Hayes
Texarkana College
Continuing Education Division
2500 North Robison Road
Texarkana, TX 75599

PHONE: (903) 838-4541. extension 3236
FAX: (903) 832-5030

Don't let the Texas address confuse you. Texarkana is in both Texas and Arkansas. On the main drag you can stand on one side of the road and be in Texas, and talk with a friend who is across the road in Arkansas.
 
i plan on going in June of next year. how fast do the classes fill up and do i have to send the money when i register?
 
Regarding registration and payment, at the bottom of the class schedule on the website, Scotty has placed the following message:

#####################

REGISTRATION: Prospective students may register for any of the classes listed by mailing in the attached application with your check for the total amount of tuition. If the specific class you want is filled, you will be notified as soon as possible. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-registered basis. Refund requests must be received 3 weeks prior to the first day of class. Request may be in writing or you may call us:

Contact Scotty Hayes, ABS School Director
(903) 838-4541, ext. 237
Texarkana College
2500 North Robison Road
Texarkana, TX 75501

####################


The link to the application mentioned above is:

http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ABS_SchoolEnrollForm.htm

I doubt if the June Intro to Bladesmithing class is full yet, but I'd call Scotty and let him know of your interest, and verify that there is an opening. I just noticed that his extension listed on the website differs from the last schedule I received from the College. But I do know that if you call the main number and ask them to connect you with Scotty Hayes, they'll get you in touch with him.

I see your instructors are going to be Dr. James Batson and Charlie Ochs at the June class. You'll learn a lot. Have a good time.
 
By all means, go. I just got back from the class they had the last two weeks of September. I made some lifelong friends and thoroughly enjoyed the class. I had the time of my life and learned quite a bit.

As far as tuition is concerned, it should be sent in with your registration but as Terry explained above, give Scotty a call.

If you are going in June, take a fan! Even in September it was warm. I had a number of visitors "stop by". We were fortunate that in the middle of the first week, we had a cool front move through and it stayed for the duration. You won't be so fortunate in June.

Coal or propane? In my class, everyone started out with coal and primarily forged with it for the entire two weeks. We did fire up the propane forges and they were used by a couple of the folks. Our class size was nine folks. It was originally 12 but 3 peopled begged out at the last moment due to their work and/or travel requirements or restrictions immediately after September 11th.

I stayed at the bunkhouse along with 6 other folks and we all had a great time. I have to admit that I was apprehensive at first about staying there but I wouldn't do it any other way. Oh, and don't believe anything about it being haunted or anything. Its just the wind! :)

C Wilkins
 
Both. They prefer you to use what you plan on having in your shop. There are several small propane forges available and several coal forges.
 
The ABS school is a place where you can get a head 5 years in your knife making ability in one class. Its well worth the it!
 
Videos might be a good prep before taking a hands on class, also it looks like there are several different classes if you take the first class maybe videos would help with the classes you can't take. I know with computers it help to study something before taking the class that way you can learn more if you are familiar with the material.

Does anyone know where to buy and what tapes are the best(If there are any tapes)?
 
If you're at a point in your life where you can afford the $$$ and the time off then do it. Strike while the iron is hot! I went this year in the spring for the Intro, Damascus, Handles and Guards and the Spring Hammer-In. The classes were back to back and I'm really glad I did it that way. The best advice I can give you is to go before you develop too many bad habits on your own. I had to overcome several myself because I had been forging for about a year on my own before attending the classes. It's well worth the time, money and effort. Go for it! And stay in the bunkhouse if there's room. Get your registration in as early as possible and request the bunkouse and you'll most likely get it. There are clothes washing facilities available for you close by. Hard to beat a deal like that for $10 a day.
 
The ABS school is a great place. I just got back from the fall intro class. I learned a lot and made many freinds. I would suggest staying in the bunkhouse as well, its easy on the budget and you can sit and talk with the other guys staying there, definatly beats sitting alone in a hotel room watching HBO all alone. I came away with enough knowledge to pass the journeymans test, now i just need to keep practicing for a couple years and take my test. If any of the Bunk House guys are reading this, this is Brent!
 
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