Lin in Knives Illustrated.

[kbaknife]

You guys, if you don't get Knives Illustrated, go to your news stand and pick one up.
Master Smith Lin Rhea, and the other four of the "class" of five new Master Smiths in the American Bladesmith Society for 2009 are featured in the latest issue.
It's great to see one of our own in print.
I'm sure all - or most - of you guys know that Lin, myself, Matt Lamey, Doug Campbell, Kevin Evans and more are members of the American Bladesmith Society.
The highest ranking is Master Smith.
I have been honored to meet and come to respect Mr. Lin Rhea, one of the most humble and good natured knife makers I have come to rub elbows with.
I've been lucky enough to have my Journeyman Smith table right next to him and his lovely wife the last two years in Atlanta at the Blade Show. This will probably change this year with his new status and I hope like heck he gets to move a little closer to the front of the class!!! (in the ABS section)
He deserves it.
We both make knives full time and spend a lot of our time in the professional knifemaking world, but I think I can speak for us both - as well as Doug Campbell and Kevin Evans - that we sort of think of Trad Gang as our home-away-from-home.
We should all feel lucky to have Lin here with us.
I know I do.
Congratulations, Lin.
And since I have already mentioned his name, as I write this, Kevin Evans is in Old Washington, Arkansas at the ABS school on his second week of the Introduction to Bladesmithing course which will take him far in his pursuit of his Journeyman Smith ranking. When I called him on Sunday he was on his way over to visit Lin. I hope he made it there and they had a good visit.
Good times for all.

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks Karl. I guess I better pick one (KI) up myself.

Kevin stopped by the house on Sunday, but I was not home and missed him. He called and I should see him tomorrow when I go down to DeQueen, Ar to our monthly meeting. I will probably stop off at the school too and smell the smoke. Lin

[DANA HOLMAN]

Thank Karl for letting us know.
I agree that Mr. Lin is one of the nicest guys i have ever met. i met him at old washington ark, at the hammer-in. Congratulations Lin, thanks to all of you guys, for all the help on Trad Gang
Dana

[tippit]

It is such an honor to have Lin and the rest of the experienced smiths hang out a little here.  It not very often one can ask advise from soon to be Journeyman Smiths, Journeyman Smiths like Karl and especially Master Smiths like Lin.  

Everyone here who is enjoying the process of making their own knives is very Lucky to have such talent to help teach us all    tippit

[OconeeDan]

Thanks for that noteworthy post Karl.

Congratulations Lin, I can't think of anyone who deserves the recognition more than you!

I, too, am honored to have met Lin, as well as Karl and Doug.  All first class guys.

Dan

[Steve Nuckels]

Great news Lin!  I'll get my copy!

Steve

[Doug Campbell]

Yep gotta agree with everybody else, we are very lucky to have guys like Lin on this forum. Not to mention many other very accomplished Knifesmiths. Congratulations Lin and Thank You for all the support and help!!      

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. But, whatever we do know, we need to "pass it on" (quote from Joe Keeslar).

I'll tell you a secret. When I see the fine deer and game you guys bring in with your trad equipment, I am just a little envious.    Lin

[Ray Hammond]

congratulations, friend.

Glad to see you getting well-deserved recognition.

[Kevin Evans]

Congrads Lin
Lin is also in the 30th anniversary edition of Knives 2010

[Billy Stewart]

Congrats Lin couldn't be happening for a nicer guy!!

[Lin Rhea]

Billy!!! When did you get here? Lin