Jared

You are eligible to take your JS Performance Test now. Remember to download and print the JS Performance Test Certification Form from the ABS website for presentation to the Master Smith that administers your performance test.

A check of the ABS membership records indicates that you joined the ABS on 12/12/2011 so without the completion of the Introduction to Bladesmithing class at an ABS school you will be eligible to present your five (5) knives after 12/12/2014 at either the next ABS Expo in San Antonio in 2015 or the 2015 Atlanta Blade Show.

In addition, please go to the ABS Website and the JS Testing category where I have all of the rules, standards, deadlines, required notifications, examples and forms posted and read everything I took the time to assemble and post.

Also, below is a video from the ABS YouTube Channel where Master Smith Lin Rhea administers a JS Performance Test and gives some very useful advice.

[media] http://youtube.com/watch?v=nqlce5_NvCM [/media]

Thanks for the answers yes sir I have read them. Thanks for reposting this video also. I am curious as to where I can buy some 1" rope from for testing. I checked at the tractor supply but they did not have any that big.

Hi Jared;

I purchase one inch rope at a local Oil field supply.

I live in southern Illinois. I don't know if you this type of business in your area or not.

Russell

It can be difficult to find the 1 inch rope. I bought a box many years ago at the hardware store in Hope, Arkansas.

|quoted:

Hi Jared;

I purchase one inch rope at a local Oil field supply.

I live in southern Illinois. I don't know if you this type of business in your area or not.

Russell

Yes Sir, I'm in west Texas I'll check out a couple and see if they have some. They may sell it for tag line or cat line on the rigs.

I buy manila rope from MSC Industrial Supply.

MSC Ind. Rope

Hey Jared,

I order some online from Knot and Rope Supply. They have a selection from 1/4" to 2". I got the plain manilla, not the ultra manilla. Looks like they're a bit cheaper than MSC.

What are you planning for your performance knife in the way of steel, blade shape and heat treat?

Have fun and be safe!

Aloha, Phil

Hey Phil... I plan on using 5160 from stock I ordered a couple of years ago. On blade shape I've been thinking I would just make a plain old knife. No fancy clips etc. I have to make a couple for personal testing before I try my hand at it officially. Its not going to be one of those deer in the headlights kind of tests. When I test I will be 100% confident in my blade. That being said I don't have the same confidence in my 5 presentation knives yet. I still struggle with my fit and finish. I'm hoping to drastically improve in between the time of my performance test and the time I present. What I'm making now looks pretty good I think but its not JS quality yet.

Jared

For the last several years I have been asking the new Journeyman Smiths to post their viewpoints about the JS testing process and offer some useful advice to future JS Candidates. The new Journeyman Smiths from the 2013 Atlanta Blade Show did a good job on the ABS Forum and you can read their comments at, click: 2013 Atlanta Journeyman Smiths

I would also encourage any who are going to test whether it be JS or MS to PLEASE get a group photo of your presentation knives so the photo can be archived right here for future testers to see. The new guys can get an idea of what has passed the test previously and could help them make some important decisions. As a valued mentor of mine often says, "Pass it on".

I totally agree with Lin. When you pass your judging at Atlanta or San Antonio, get your set photographed professionally. Not only for you but also for aspiring applicants, plus you might even have it published.

Post your experiences about your JS or MS journey here on the forum and definitely pass it on.

Brion

Can you take performance test and wait to submit evaluation knives? If so how long can you wait between the 2?

Looks like three years max.

From the ABS website on JS testing that Dan linked to (see link in post #10 above)...

As you probably are aware, a bladesmith who joins the ABS must be a Regular (Apprentice) member for three (3) years before he or she is eligible to present knives to the judging panel at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta or ABS Expo in San Antonio, with the anniversary based on the date of that semi-annual ABS business meeting or event. For example, if, as it was in my case, a member joins in November, the months from November to the end of May will be more or less excess time if one chooses to be judged at the Blade Show in Atlanta. "Time in grade", or the time the membership has existed will be calculated from the following May or June, depending on the date of the Blade Show in Atlanta. The Blade Show in Atlanta will always fall in late May or early June. Alternately, if one chooses to have his or her knives juried at the Expo at the end of January, he or she should be aware that their "time in grade" will be calculated from the time of the last January Expo, even though the membership may have been in place a few months longer. The member would, however, benefit from the months January through May in this case, should the knives be juried at the Expo, the following January, rather than the Blade Show. Although your ABS membership must be renewed each January 1st, the time requirement for having your knives juried runs from event to event in one (1) year increments.

Those who attend the Basic Bladesmithing Course are afforded a year's discount, and are therefore eligible to submit knives for Journeyman in only two (2) years. For this reason, it's a good idea to hold on to that graduation certificate. In either case, bladesmiths may schedule and take the physical cutting and bending test one (1) year prior to their eligibility date. Keep in mind, however, that this test is only good for a period of three (3) years. Should the smith not receive his or her rating by this time, he or she must retest before having knives juried at either event.

By the way, the original signed application form and the successfully bent blade must be presented with the bladesmith's knives at the time of the judging review in Atlanta, so keep both in a safe place...and for heaven's sake, don't do anything to that bent blade after the test. Don't straighten, grind, or otherwise alter that blade. Bring it just as it was after you completed the test.

Should the test be unsuccessful, the smith must wait six months before testing again, so it's important to time the test early enough to allow a second test prior to the Blade Show, should things not go as planned the first time.

Can you take performance test and wait to submit evaluation knives? If so how long can you wait between the 2?

Donald

The performance test is valid for a period of three (3) years.