Interesting question Chad. Personally I did not get the ratings for monetary value. My reason was I wanted to become a better maker and the ratings give you a measure of where you are at in your career, plus I wanted to teach at the schools and hammer ins. Okay yes there is some sales, orders, recognition increase with obtaining the ratings and that is a small part of it.

People know that when they obtain a JS or MS marked knife from the maker, there is a certain level of quality, which does increase your demand. However you also have to promote yourself and your knives. Say you get your JS but you do not go to shows, or have professional pictures taken of your knives, do not post pictures on forums, etc. How are the collectors/buyers going to know you or your work. So yes the ratings will help, but that is only part of the equation. A big part is up to you. I think the main thing is that you have to want the JS and MS for personal reasons, not mainly for sales, career, and pricing.

Brion

Oh and good luck when you go to Atlanta.

I forgot to add some advice someone told me a number of years ago. People do not become knifemakers to make money, they do it because they love it. True words.

Thanks Brion, yes I want the stamp for myself, my recognition that I achieved this. Also I am planning on making some huge changes to my knife world, full time and hitting shows, festivals and flea markets. thought the stamp would help my internet sales mostly.

Hello Chad

I think the most important aspect of obtaining the JS or MS stamps is the effort, and hard work it takes to get to that level of quality and workmanship.

It pushes you to a higher level. It would be very difficult and time consuming to do this on your own, without going through this process.

The input of others is very beneficial.

High quality knives and workmanship will sell!

That is my two cents worth!

I look forward to seeing some of your work!

Russell

I can put my experience in achieving my JS very easily -

Karl,

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

And what you said X 2 for the MS certification.

Bravo Karl! I agree. As Karl, Brion, and others here would agree, it has been a journey to be remembered. But worth it? You bet! I have seen some things in myself through this test that otherwise might have remained unseen. Some good, some bad. If I claim to be honest, it forces me to look my weaknesses square in the eye and deal with them, while any strong points can be cultivated. I notice that several comments speak of the inner person, as revealed through this test. That speaks well of the ones who have decided to start the journey in spite of having to face the unknown. To me, this trial by fire yields unexpected benefit that comes when you stick with it.

Everything about the test opens the maker up to the eyes of others for their scrutiny. For some, that is what breaks the deal and they are not willing to go through it. For those that do, it pushes them to do better work and good work does two things. It garners respect and it drives the market.

Excellent posts you all. Karl you nailed it, could not have said it better. The people I have met and the many friends all over the world are worth much more than monetary reward. Plus the experiences. This is why I joined the ABS , thank you all.

Brion

I agree with all the above. Also, the quest for the J.S. certificate, and hopefully the M.S. certificate eventually, has made me a better knife maker. I no longer settle for "Good Enough". I try to make every knife better than the one before it. I will look at a knife and see things, that need improving, that I wouldn't have noticed before I started, in Karl's words, this "journey". So in simple terms, yeah it's worth it.

Dale

Hey, I absolutely want it for myself, the recognition of ten years of hard work I put in. My opinion is the ABS is the only way to go for a metal masher, theres just too much history and love for the craft here. I plan on quitting my mundane job barely making ends meet and going full time on blades. I was just hoping the js stamp boosted sales a little, after being in some publications I'm getting a steady supply of orders, but I know traveling the show circuit will be necessary. I look forward to meeting all of you at a show soon. Thank you all so much for all the free wisdom I have gotten from this community.

Chad

Chad,

If you don't like "barely making ends meet" a career as a full time bladesmith might not be for you.

I am on the journey myself, and making knives and having them critiqued by masters has driven the quality of my work way up. It's worth it just for that!

|quoted:

Chad,

If you don't like "barely making ends meet" a career as a full time bladesmith might not be for you.

I am on the journey myself, and making knives and having them critiqued by masters has driven the quality of my work way up. It's worth it just for that!

If I only sold three knives a week I would top my current paycheck, if I had five full days to work and pump out 5 or more, plus welding and some blacksmith jobs, I definitely could make a better living than I am now. Trust me I've thought about it a lot and done my homework. I don't make knives because I have to, I make knives because I HAVE to. There are some smiths that make a great living and there are some that don't, I would be fine to be in the middle