Can't wait until Oct.

[madness522]

I just sent in my check for the 2 week ABS bladesmithing class in October at Haywood Community College!  I went to my first hammer-in this past March and had such a great time I joined the ABS and finally got all the stars aligned just right to allow me to take 2 weeks off work and head up to the mountains to learn all about forging a blade.  Yes I am excited!!!

[jonathan creason]

I would really love to get up there and join you.  Unfortunately, I don't think it's in the cards for me this year.  Have fun!

[Lin Rhea]

I'm happy for you Barry. You'll have a great time. Be sure to take your camera. Lin

[Ragnarok Forge]

How much is the class?  I am contemplating taking it myself.

[mater]

Where is this school?

[Wampus]

There are 3 ABS schools.  One in SW Arkansas, One in NC and one in Maine.  Up near the top of the ABS web page, just to the left of the ABS logo, you can mouse over the "schools" tab and click on either one of the school names to get info for that particular school with schedules, prices, etc.     http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=174  

I was digging through my old notes recently and noticed that it was 20 years ago that I took the Intro to Bladesmithing course in Old Washington, AR.  Who is that young skinny guy in the graduation group photo?  Out of our class of 10, two went on to become Master Smiths and one more a Journeyman.  Guess the rest of us are just hobby guys.

[Lin Rhea]

I am honored be teaching a "Handles and Guards" class next month in Maine. There will be a Hammer In the previous weekend there as well. At the Hammer In I will be attempting to forge, grind, heat treat, and test as if I were taking my JS test. There will be plenty of 1-2 hour sessions about other aspects of knife making too. I sure hope to get to Haywood some day.

[tippit]

Barry,
I'm looking to take that 2 week course within the next year...but not during deer season.  I looked at the schedule but couldn't find when additional 2 week courses were being held especially at either New England or Haywood?

[Steve Nuckels]

Berry, you will not regret going, a great experience and a very nice facility too!  It will be interesting to see who the instructors will be!  
When you pull up Haywood on the ABS site I'm in the first picture with my back to the camera in the dark tee shirt.

 http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=168

 my intro course was in June "09"  I really want to return for a handles & guards course some day.

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge

[madness522]

Clay the class is $850 and the accomodations up there are not that expensive.  I figure it is going to cost another $850 or so for the hotel and meals for 2 weeks.  

Lin I will probably take that Handles and guards class but that will be next year.  Reckon you'll be doing an encore?  If you ever get to teach a class in NC please let me know and if I can swing it I'll be there!

Jeff I'm not sure about the New England school but the 2 week class starts on the monday following the hammer-ins in March and October.  I thought about waiting until March since Oct is deer season but I have a customer commitment coming up the first half of next year that would make it hard to get away for 2 weeks.  But I figure I only get to hunt on saturdays so I'll only be missing 2 hunts and gaining 2 weeks of instruction! I don't think thats a bad trade.

Hey Steve when I was up there in March I met and talked to at least half a dozen traditional archers and most were members here.  If we can get Lin do to an encore on that class maybe we can attend it together.

[Lin Rhea]

If they'll have me back, I'd be glad to do that.

I'm hoping this will open a new chapter for me. I am really amazed at how traditional bows and knives attract the same people.