John

All of the information about our organization is already posted on the ABS Website, ABS Forum, and associated ABS internet sites and I update it as soon as I receive new information.

Sorry for my delay in particpating in the discussion but the Badger Knife Club show is next week, and well.... You know.

In a way Newton’s 3rd law applies to every aspect of life, in that for every one of our actions there is an equal and opposite reaction. When we do things we may see or even expect the results, or reactions, and other time they are not as obvious. If we are looking to make money we carefully study and research investments that yield the greatest return for the least amount of capital from us. The easiest possible route, a lottery ticket, requires nothing more than a five second purchase and while it offers the slimmest possibility of a return the odds are for the next to nothing effort you will get nothing in return. Careful planning and hard work, coupled with much more of our hard earned capitol will give us the surest way to a windfall. But ask any successful business owner what he thinks of what he does and he will tell you how much he loves it; that is why he put so much into it for his return. But we shouldn’t make the mistake of measuring that return in dollars, the larger portion of his return is the joy in his life from participating in that venture.

Then there are people who volunteer with any number of non-profit endeavors from the local Rotary Club to the Boy Scouts. Some devote major portions of their lives to activities that appear to consume their finances and time with no monetary return whatsoever. Why would this be? Basic psychology would tell us that there must always be a motivator. The payoff in being a part of something where you build life long bonds with a community in the shared pursuit of a common passion is greater than even the financial or P.R. benefits.

Keeping this point in mind we can look at advancing a knife making career. To be a member of the American Bladesmith Society will set you back $60. Running a small ad in a knife magazine just for one month could run you from five to ten times that; if measured simply on the bang for the buck advantage in P.R. we must ask why the discrepancy? It is because all you have to do is send in the cash and wait for results with the magazine ad, but the ABS membership will require that you be a member of a society, that you take an active role in harvesting a return on your investment. This may sound like a rip off if filtered through pure financial expectations. But just as the entrepreneur who loves his job eventually could care less about the money compared to the enrichment of his life, a very active member of the ABS will soon forget about the initial cost vs. benefit analysis compared to the friends made, experiences shared and satisfaction gained in helping preserve and promote a craft they love. The Society’s job is to see to it that there are as many opportunities as possible for members to participate in that effort.

In the long run the $60 ABS membership is infinitely more powerful than even a $1,000 ad in a magazine. Anybody with the money can buy an ad, but only a person with heart and the passion for his craft will throw himself into being a member of a society enough to earn a stamp or the recognition of his peers as somebody to pay attention to. Folks in the knife business realize this and watch for it, particularly the collectors.

For years I agreed with many of my friends who had many criticisms about the ABS. But while they decided the way to deal with their dissatisfaction was to take their marbles and go home in order to merely criticize from a distance, I resolved to get active in improving the things I took issue with. To my astonishment, rather than shouting me down or marginalizing me, the ABS actually gave me opportunities to improve things. Perhaps the most effective way to deal with a rebel is to put him to work, it will teach him to be careful what he wishes for. I once saw the ABS as a secret good old boys club that common members could not hope to break into, but I found out that there is a secret password that will get you in and allow you to reap the benefits. Here is the password- “how can I help?”

As a nonprofit the group is not about the benefits to individual smiths, it is about providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to benefiting the entire craft. If all one wants is information, a library card is probably the most powerful investment. If you want name recognition, a series of ads in a magazine will require the least amount of hassle. If you want to be involved in the culture of bladesmithing in a way that will allow you to show passion for the entire craft and sharing it with the world, the ABS is where you want to put your investment. But there are scores of members who sent in their dues and sat back and waited for things to happen, I couldn’t tell you their names. Then there are the guys who rolled up their sleeves and used the secret password, I can’t forget their names, and neither can the magazines, collectors, or fellow makers.

But with all of that being said, there will always be room for improvement. Iron John, in this thread you have the attention of no less than three members of the ABS board of directors, let me assure you that it is with all sincerity that I ask for any suggestions on what we could do to make the group one that people want to be part of. Let this be the first opportunity we can offer to you to help us out. If more contributions on my part to the Journal would be one I will put it on my priority list. Let me also say that if you have some great blacksmithing tips, write them up and I can assure you that Caroline would be overjoyed to have such a contribution. You will be on your way to being a familiar face and the society will be one step better.

Kevin

You said it very well. I am proud to serve on the ABS Board of Directors with you.

In addition, after reading the replies by our fellow ABS members in this thread I see a very bright and rich future for the American Bladesmith Society.

Well said Kevin!

The ABS has a tremendous amount of talent available to its members, not only in knife making skills, but friendships and sharing passions we have for the craft.

Become involved and you will see how Great this organizatiion has become!

Russell

The Purpose of the American Bladesmith Society

The American Bladesmith Society, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit corporation to operate for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. The American Bladesmith Society was formed primarily to encourage and promote activities involving the art and science of forging metal, particularly tools, weapons, and art forms. The objectives of the educational programs of the American Bladesmith Society are to inform and educate knife makers and the public about the art, science, technology, history, and culture relating to forged edged tools, weapons, and artifacts, and the proper care and use of these objects.

ABS Founder - William F. Moran, Jr

[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIFwYAjDQk [/media]

I'm late on this, but would like to add my 2 cents. I had been struggling with my bladesmthing for a couple of years before joining the ABS. I had been aware of the ABS since the mid 1990's but it took a while before I could get to a place in my life to begin. I joined a little over a year ago and have never regretted it.

As a martial arts instructor, I've seen many masters with hold knowledge simply due to greed or not wanting their "secrets" to get out. Thus I have been frustrated at times over the years in seeking to improve my knowledge and understanding. When I joined the ABS, I had expected to have to "jump through hoops" in order to get the mastersmiths to share their knowledge. Instead I found every mastersmith I talked to quite willing to share and teach their knowledge and experiences. One of them has been very kind in giving me his cell phone number and answers my questions no matter how hare brained they may be.

On John being attacked; I had visited other forums before joining the ABS and seen folks bash the ABS. It seemed like a case of sour grapes to me. They seemed to take offense at the high standards of the ABS judging on ratings. Claiming the standards were overblown, too picky, or you had to "kiss butt". I had seen this in martial arts when people want the rank but don't want to put in the work. If the standards are very high, then the rank means something. Other wise they are "paper tigers".

Anyway, that is my 2 cents. If I can help you in any way John, just let me know.

Kevin put it beautifully.

With more thought, I have realized that I didn't know exactly what I was asking, the questions hadn't formalized in my mind and I was lumping them together into one dissatisfaction. I apologize

How can I help? How can I get involved? How can I learn and grow along with this organization? The one thing I hope starting this thread shows is my willingness and drive to be involved and not to sit back and ride the perks of other's hard work...

thank you all

John