knifemaking classes

rocketmann

rocketmann

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Dec 24, 2005
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Guys, I am looking for feedback from anyone who has attended a knifemaking school.. I am thinking of taking the intro to bladesmithing class at either the Bill Moran school of knifemaking or the north carolina school of knifemaking..I know that Mace went to the Bill Moran school...Anyone else....was it worth it??? Thanks, Louis
 
I'm interested in at least hearing about it, too. Thanks for bringing it up, rocketman.
 
I have never heard of anyone who regretted attending the ABS school in Old Washington, Arkansas.(Bill Moran School)
 
I attended the school at Old Washington in 1991 for the basic class and returned several times. If I remember correctly there were only a few hundred members in the A.B.S. I was told that there were only 300 known knife makers at that time, so it has grown a lot since then. I never regreted it. I learned how to build a proper coal fire and what a "clinker" was, that big chunck of metalic impurities. We learned so much and I still use it all today. It was one of the experiences in my life that I will never forget. I now mostly use propane for my forging.
At that time we did not use or even have a propane forge and only one trip hammer that we weren't allowed to use, did it all with hammer and anvil. I don't know now since they have several power (air) hammers. They always have a basic agenda, but like anything else you learn something a little different from everyone. I returned several times for other classes that are offered. It is well worth every penny you spend.

Ramsey
 
I was there for the fall "05 hammer-in. NICE shop. Chris Marks was stomping out a huge damscus billet on that big air hammer and you could have probably heard that thing in Dallas!!!! There was at least one propane forge in the shop. I have been wanting to do the basic course, but I haven't been able to find two weeks. I am going to try to go to the one in December that Jerry Fisk is teaching. That will not only be very educational, but probably pretty funny too from what I have seen from Mr. Fisk the couple of times i have met him
 
Louis, I attended the Intro to Bladesmithing course at the Bill Moran school in 2001, with Kevin Cashen instructing. You would not regret it at all! The two weeks you spend there will be the most rewarding thing you will do for your knife making skills. There is so much to learn and not enough time. My suggestion is to go when the weather is cooler, as in the spring or fall. ( unless the heat does not bother you) I took 14 pages of notes, which I still have in my shop. Only 14 pages 'cuz I couldn't write fast enough! :D I can't say enough good things about my experience there.
Oh and if you like beer or liquor, bring your own, otherwise you will have to drive to the next county to get it! (that county is dry as a bone) ;) -Matt-
 
Louis, Don Fogg is teaching a class this summer up in maine at the New England School of Metal Work. That's a little closer to you and you may want to look into it.

EDIT: if i remember they're also having a class on san-mai laminated blades this summer as well.
 
I arrended in 95. It's some of the best money you will ever spend. The comment about the heat was right on, though. Summer is a really hot time there, especially with the humidity. If you go after May, take lots of powdered gatorade.

I took the intro to bladesmithing, handles and guards, mosaic damascus and bladesmithing lab. Plan on more than 8 hours a day, since no one else is going home, either.

When you get there, you will be syunned by all the equipment and steel. Make your test knives first, then play. That will give you a lot more time to come home with several forged knives.

Good luck.

Gene
 
I have taken 2 classes at the Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC. I thought the classes were excellent and look forward to taking more. I took Basic Knife Making with Tommy McNabb and the Jones Brothers, and Custom Folding Knives with Ed VanHoy and the Joneses. It was a great experience and a great value. I left with a finished knife both times.
 
Justin.Mercier said:
Louis, Don Fogg is teaching a class this summer up in maine at the New England School of Metal Work. That's a little closer to you and you may want to look into it.

EDIT: if i remember they're also having a class on san-mai laminated blades this summer as well.
Click to expand...


Does anybody have any more info on this??? [or link to more info?]
 
Thanks Justin! Not enough advertising/discussion about what's available to us guys way up here. Anybody have anything else in the northeast?

Thanks for bringing this up, Louis!!
 
You may check out Blade Magazine or go to there site. I see columns in the book talking about this issue from time to time. It's a good source of information for making knives. Hope this was of help to you. God bless and have a safe in the shop.

Barkes :)
http://my.hsonline.net/wizard
1.812.526.6390
 
Thanks for the imput!! With a little luck I will attend a bladesmithing school of some sort in the near future!!
 
I attended the Moran School in Arkansas back in 2002 with Jay hendrickson as teacher....Best Money I've Ever Spent
 
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