Hi, I am a newer member and currently working on improving my skills so I may pass the J.S. test in three years. I have found the ABS forum full of very helpful advice and techniques from master and journeyman smiths. However I would like to see a forum where apprentice smiths like myself can share our work and get feedback from master smiths. I live in northern Idaho and am quite a distance from much of anything, and as far as I know the nearest master smith is in Frenchtown a four hour drive and something that doesn't happen to often. In a couple years when I have five knives I feel are ready for the test I will definately make the trips necessary to get first hand feedback, but it would be nice to have a place to get some criticisn along the way to monitor my progress. I know other forums have such a section to post your work but most the feedback is mostly superficial and it is rare to have someone answer with honest constructive criticism. I'm not sure if any of the current forums here are intended for this but it didn't seem like it.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, I think such a forum would be a great help to smiths on the road to the J.S. and M.S. tests. Thank you, -Justin
Justin
I like your idea for a new "Show and Tell" sub Forum to obtain critiques and advice. The travel distances to obtain advice from a Master Smith or Journeyman Smith for some of our members are even greater to overcome than what you are experiencing. In the last several days alone I have been in contact with ABS members in Canada, France, and Germany and we now have members on six continents. The ABS Website and Forum provide a means for us to span distances and communicate with each other.
I have been adding Categories and sub Forums as I see the demand or need for them. I have added several sub Forums in last few months and was just considering some new ones this past weekend. I will check with the Forum Moderators and get back to you.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Dan, Thank you for taking the time to give this honest consideration. I appreciate it, Justin
Hello Justin. That sounds like a fine idea to me. The one problem I see is that it is hard to tell some things from just a picture. We can give you general information though and some critiques. We will see what we can do.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Justin
As Brion said, it is difficult to tell many of the finer things about the knife from a photo, like is the blade centered in the handle and guard, are the grinds even, etc. However, I think your idea has a good point to it in that the photos will certainly get you heading in the right direction. Good participation will likely be very helpful for new smiths as well and as you progress and get closer submitting your knives, you can seek out more personal critiques.
As you get closer and are ready to have your knives critiqued, you can also mail them to a MS for them to critique if they are too far to travel to.
Brian
Justin:
I consulted with the Forum Moderators and have added a new sub-forum for knife critiques.
A place to show your work and receive constructive critiques and useful advice.
I hope that it a useful addition to the ABS Forum for our members. I want to thank you for your suggestion and encourage more members to share their ideas for constructive changes.
Please keep the image posting guideline in mind when posting knife photos. The link is: Image Posting Rules
Also Forum Moderator Steve Culver wrote and posted a tutorial for re-sizing photos at: Editing Photos for the Internet
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Thank you Dan, and the other forum moderators, for giving up and coming smiths another tool to help in their journey to the J.S and M.S.tests. - Justin Carnecchia
You are welcome Justin. We look forward to seeing your knives. I think it will be a very good resource for the members.
Thanks again
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
