This  two  week  course  is  designed  for anyone interested in making high quality  hand  forged  blades  and  includes lecture and hands on work, all taught  by  ABS  Master Smiths.  Metal  selection, blade function and different blade design will be discussed. Hand forging to shape, normalizing, heat  treating,  grinding and tempering will all be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility.  Handles and guards are not apart of this course but be thoroughly discussed and students should be prepared to venture into a handles and guards course next.

      Within the two weeks of training, students should be able to make a blade which will pass the equivalent of a Journeyman Smith Performance Test. Successful completion of this course will reduce the required three (3) year waiting period as an ABS Apprentice member by one (1) year and will be eligible to submit their knives for ABS Journeyman Smith judging in two (2) years.

Take a look at images from last years course

For further information about the ABS testing and training procedures please

visit the American Bladesmith's website.

                                       More on Timothy Potier