To Guild or not to Guild. That is the question?

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As a new (Read that REALLY Green
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) knifemaker I am wondering whether or not to apply for a Knifemakers Guild membership? Maybe the Professional Knifemakers Assoc. or something like that. I know they have Min. Requirements like Dues, Must have a catalog Etc. I know I will be doing this for the long haul. I love it!
You who are members, is it worth the wait?
Has it really helped?
I know one thing I don't want too look back 5 yrs from know and say Man if I had only applied when I started I would be a member by now
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I joined the American Bladesmith Society 2 years ago. I should have joined much sooner like about 6 years ago. I would be a Journeyman and close to a Master rated smith by now. The ABS costs only $5o.00 per year and I get alot of help from other members. My knife sales really took off by just putting the Apprentice certificate on display at shows. My prices have doubled and people like the fact that Im dedicated enough to join a society. I passed my performance test with my forged 10" bowie and will go to the Blade Show in Atlanta next year for the judging and Journeyman presentation. ABS is into forged blades and damascus which is right down my ally. Im not familar with The Knifemakers Guild but I think they are very respected. My advice is to study them all and join the one that matches the type of knife you will specialize in. Bruce
 
Right now I am doing stock removal. But who knows Forging Damascus is never out of the question
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Bob the abs is a heck of an organization with a lot of helpful people.I received my journeyman stamp just this weekend.Now is the time to get started because it will be 3 years before you can test.
 
Robert, Congradulations on earning the Journeyman Level. You are one year ahead of me. Was the judging difficult? By next year I think I will be ready for it.

BobH You can test the performance of your blade at any time but cant be judged and receive the journeyman level until 3 years from joining. Now is the time to join and then find a ABS Master-Smith in your area to apprentise under. He will sign your performance certificate when you are ready. You will get a packet of by-laws ect. when you pay your first dues. I joined on their web site: American Bladesmith Society.Com They have a list of all the Master Smiths there also.Hope to see ya. Bruce
 
Don't you have to sponsored by a current member to join the Knifemaker's Guild?? I'm in my 5th year of knife making and have often wondered about joining the Guild or some such organization. Also, another big question anyone has to ask before signing up with an outfit like that is, " Am I ready?". I hope someday to be a full fledged member of the Guild, but time will tell. Take care!! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
First off Michael and Robert....Great meeting and talking with you at the Blade show! It was so great to put names and faces together!
Now, on to the meat of the question. Many buyers of custom blades see membershiip in a recognized organization as a commintment on the maker's part. That, in turn, will lend credibility and value to your work in the eyes of potential customers. Standards are also set for the organization, and peer pressure from within can be a powerful motivator to maintain quality! This is another area that customers see and recognize.
The ABS sets and maintains standards by the judging standards for Journeyman and Master smith ratings, and as an active member, there is always the inward thought of keeping up quality.
I am not a member fo the Guild, but do know that you must have the signature of 5 Guild members who have voting status in order to apply for membership. These signatures are not easily received, or lightly given since whoever signs is verifying on their reputation, that your work is of the highest standards.
A couple of other items on the Guild, you must attend the Guild show at least every other year, and must maintain current dues, Which I believe are substancially more than the ABS. A current Guild member can give you more complete, and perhaps more accurate information than I on the particulars.
I suppose the bottom line is that by belonging to an organization such as the ABS or the Guild, it shows the commitment to not only knifemaking, but to a certain standard.



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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.caffreyknives.com
 
Hi, Ed.
It was great to meet you this weekend. I am sure we will be linking up many times in the future.

Since I just went through the process, I can help out a bit. You must have four voting members signatures. There are five lines on the form, but you are allowed one rejection. You must present at least four knives for inspection. Send your paperwork in plus a $25 application fee and wait to be considered for probationary status. I was told there is a waiting list just to become a probationary member. Once you are accepted as a probationary member, you will be on probationary status for three years. You must attend the Guild Show at least two of those three years and have your knives judged by a technical committee. There are some other details, but that is the gist of it. I believe Bob Terzeuola is the man to contact for more info.

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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
 
I have been making knives since 1983 under the direction of R.W. Wilson.he talked me into joining the Guild , which I finally did in 1989.My wife and I have not missed a Knifemakers Guild Show since.It's a blast!A room full of the best knifemakers in the world!All the guys you read about in Blade, Tactical Knives,Knives illustrated and Knife World.You can spend 3 days picking their brains ,drooling over knives,socializing, and having a great time.I have never had a "Bad" show with the guild.It's only about 1 1/2 months away.I've been busy making knives for the show (when I can peel myself away from Bladeforums).Come down to New Orleans next month if you can.you won't regret it.
 
Congrats on the MS stamp Ed, saw your work and it's tops for sure. As to the knife organizations, look them over and pick what fits you best, Guild=stock removal, ABS=forged blades, ETC. Just get on board with someone that can help you along. Why spend years learning the hard way what you can learn in months with these organizations. also don't let a jack ass or two in the organization you hook up with upset you, The world has a small percentage of them and these organizations each are no exception.

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old pete
 
Interesting topic. I have been trying to answer these questions, myself:

1. How much of the benefits of membership is just social, like a fraternity?

2. Do people join just because they are joiners, or because there are benefits only available to members?

3. How much of the improvement in your skills results directly from your membership, versus from practicing - making knives - over time which would have transpired had you not been a member?

4. Are your knives more marketable because you are a designated member, or because you have become a better maker?

[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 06-09-2000).]
 
The main benefit is to the buying public. If a knife deal goes bad, the Guild will get
involved with arbitration. I believe that a knifemaker and a collector are the final say
in the dispute. If the maker is found at fault, he/she must make good, or he/she will
be publicly removed from the Guild.

The Guild inspects your work before you are accepted and also the first two times the new maker attends the Guild show. Most organizations only require a check to be a member, and there are no quality requirements.

There are a lot of good makers that are not Guild members. They are just not joiners.


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A.T.
http://www.customknives.com
AKTI #476
 
Just a caution from someone who is new enough to be still on the 'outside' a bit. If I see Knifemakers Guild - or ABS Mastersmith on someone's wall cetificate or business card, I know I am in the presence of someone who has earned his stripes the hard way. I am impressed.

On the other hand, if someone introduces himself as "Hi, I'm John Doe - XYZ Guild master-dude" - the impression I'm left with is that the guy needs a bigger hat.

As someone's signature reads - "If your work speaks for itself - Don't interrupt!"



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
Very good point Rob
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I first look at the work then the maker.
In the world of Corporate America you run across many people who's ego exceeds their ability. In the world of knifemaking the proof in right there on the table or in a sheath!
I will say one thing we have 4 guild members in our knife collecting club (Arizona Knife Collectors Assoc.) and every one of them including D Alton Holder are great guy's.
I will tell you not one of them has ever made a point of flaunting their memberships or anything like that. Mainly what I have found is that their ability (Talent) far exceeds their ego! Enough said.
 
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