Time to focus on ABS

RyanW

RyanW

Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
3,327
I have been lurking here and not posting much... I have been lucky enough to have some orders that have kept me busy, and I have been mostly doing stock removal knives of almost every variety. The knives I truly love are Hand forged Fighters, the makers I follow / stalk are those that hang out in the ABS world: Quesenberry, Wheeler, Lurquin, Derosiers (x2), Knight, Rhea, Lisch... These are just some that I have been fortunate enough to meet in person.

I have been an ABS "Apprentice" for a few years now, and have decided that 2015 is the year to make some real progress towards my JS Stamp. I will be setting aside time each week to dedicate to 5 knives, and would love input and encouragement along the way. The Bladeforums community has been there with me from the beginning and I hope to share my JS Journey with anyone interested in this thread.

Knife #1 is going to be one I am familiar with, I did a collaboration with Claudio Sobral (CAS) a few years ago on a design I drew up after some amazing help from Nick Wheeler in getting it just right.



I will do my very best to leave my pride and feelings at the door, and hope to get suggestions and advice along the way!
Thanks for reading..
Ryan
 
Ryan, I am pulling for you in your pursuit of your JS goal. Your well on your way. My advice is to get your knives done early and get them in the hands of several Mastersmiths for critique. Also keep in mind that they want you to succeed and will only try to give you advice to help you achieve your goals. Please keep us up to date on your progress.

Chris
 
I'm a big fan of your knives, especially your fighters, and I'm excited to see where this goes. Not being a Mastersmith myself I don't have much to give in the way of advice, but I think I speak for most of the Bladeforums community when I say we're behind you all the way. It's gonna be an exciting year for Ryan W Knives :D
 
Good for you Ryan!

you do great work now, so i think you are ready to take it to another level :thumbup:

the guys you mention are great role models, and also super nice guys - I'm sure they will be happy to help you out

I liked the collab you did, and I think "knife #1" looks quite promising :D

Bill Flynn
 
I'm a fan of your work Ryan. I've even borrowed some of your ideas for my own creations (and gave you proper credit when I posted them). I applaud your ambition. The first step is always a good game plan and it seems you are determined to do this. We are all behind you and wish you success.
 
attaboy!!!
 
I think you have done great developing your foundation skills.
Will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your JS knives.
I have enjoyed watching the progression of your style and skills over the last few years.
 
Great news Ryan...you will do awesome
 
Go Ryan.
I have no doubts you will make the grade.
My advice is to keep them fairly basic in design but as clean and attractive as you can.
 
Last edited:
I'm excited to here this! It will be great for all knifemakers to watch your journey into bladesmithing, and I'm sure very inspiring as well. I really hope that you decide to post all of your progress and work etc. in your blog, I love that place and would love to see it come back to life, not to mention being able to follow all of your progress in one place would be nice :D Good luck brother, I'm sure it'll come naturally to ya considering all of your past work! :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
This is going to be easy for a guy with the kind of talent you poses :)

All kidding aside I do not see you having any problems at all

You have a great eye for detail

My only humble suggestion and I know you already know this is that most stock removal makers have no concept of distal taper in the blade portion of their knives except for ground clips

I'm talking about the kind of taper that starts at the guard and tapers

When ghey get into forged knives they just keep making knives like they did when they were doing when they did stock removal pieces

But heck I know you are up to speed :)

Excited to see your progress which I'm sure wil be great
 
Ryan I have liked all your work that I have seen here and like others have said, I don't think you will have any problems. Good luck.
Cheers Keith
 
Thank you everyone for the support and words of encouragement... Joe P! I really appreciate the advice and that is something I definitely need to work on, and really hope to get it right. I spoke with Mike Quesenberry yesterday and will be making it out to the Arizona Hammer In, in March. I am a hands on learner and look forward to spending some time with these amazing makers and teachers. I Told Mike, I have done some work hammering steel but really am just able to rough shape and not very skilled at forging the entire blade to shape.

I did get some time working on Blade #1 this week, I did not hammer any of the bevels in which I will have to work on! I will be hammering out a few of these just to get used to it.

 
Q-Dawg has about as good an eye as anyone I've ever met, collector and maker alike!
He's one dude who I'd want in my corner if I were in your shoes. Hell, he's a good dude to have in your corner regardless!
Remember, slow and steady...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top