George:

I sent the link to your thread to Master Smiths JR Cook, ABS Moran School Coordinator and Joe Keeslar who is your instructor to answer your questions about the Handles and Guards class and the Hope area.

This is a list of the contact information for the hotels in Hope, Arkansas:

Holiday Inn Express, 2600 North Hervey Street, Hope, AR 71801, (870) 722-6262

Best Western, 1800 Holiday Drive, Hope, Arkansas 71801-2510, (870) 777-9222

Super 8 Motel, I-30 and Hwy 278, Hope, AR (870) 777-8601

Relax Inn, 2504 N. Hazel, Hope, AR (870) 777-0777

Days Inn, 16600 N. Hervey, Hope, AR (870) 777-0777

When I took the Handle and Guards class at the Moran School at Texarkana College several years ago with Master Smith JR Cook we were required to bring two (2) completely finished blades that were ready for the installation of handles and guards. I took one full tang and one hidden tang knife.

I have taken the Handles and Guards class with Joe Keeslar and enjoyed it. First be sure have your two blades completely finished. When I went half the class spent the first day finishing their blades instead of working on handles. Also, since you are taking the class with Joe Keeslar it would probably be a smart move to bring some unstabilized curly maple for the handles. That way if you have time you can learn silver wire inlay as well has maple handle finishing. Have fun!

George,

This might be an oportunity to show a picture of your blades to show the style. You might get some input as to whether they need tweaking before the class. It's a good sign that you have this planned out so far in advance. That's very commendable.

I would give as much consideration for the wife's comfort and enjoyment as anything, which I'm sure you will. Books, local map for shopping, etc. She would probably enjoy sitting in some on the class at times just to see what you are learning. The city of Hope, is not far so any supplies and personal items for a comfortable stay is close by. Weather should be nice by then. It could be cool at night but probably shirt sleeve weather during the day. Bring a camera. Hand the camera to someone else and get yourself in some of the shots.

Even though the class provides some things, I would bring my favorite hand tools like, files, pliers, rulers, calipers, and any materials you want to use. I would recommend that you get Joe's book: "Handles and Guards" and study it and bring it with you for the class. Have him autograph your book while he's there too. It would be best for you and the teacher to pick a handle construction that is in the book or some varient of those. A drawing pad that shows the proposed complete knife would be handy. You can get some critiquing from the teacher and he can see the direction you want to go on the knives. The more you can write or draw with Joe's help, the more valuable your drawings will be to you in the future.

If I were you I would bring some tools I have to work with, then I wouldn’t have to wait for the other guys to use the one the school has. ( files, drill bits, guard clamp, file guide, ect) Also If I hade some nice handle material I would bring it too.

There will be material there but nothing exciting.

The school is great and in a great location, you will have fun. I don’t think you could have a better instructor than Joe.

Good luck with the class and I will try and swing by and visit.

JR.

First of all a big THANK YOU all for the great info. I have Joe's book. I got while at Haywood last October during my Intro Class with Foster & Knight. I have some stag in both crown and slab, tiger maple, rosewood burl, a couple of pieces of stabilized desert iron wood, a ton of black ash, lace wood , and a piece of snake wood. The main stay in my wood collection is walnut. I have camel and cow bone also. I will have added about 40 pounds of assorted unstabilized hardwood by the end of September from the cut off bin at my local wood shop.

I have read the handles and guard book about 20 times since I got it. Stephen Kayne from the Blacksmith Depot suggested I buy the book. I have made the brake vacuum stabilizer as shown in the book.

I will have a camera with me since we are driving there and planning on spending 3 to 4 days to travel each way so we can see some of the great places on the way and will be photographing the trip.

I have attach my first two narrow tang knives and a cable knife in process.

If there is any design that will work better for the class please let me know and I will start working in that direction. I was thinking about a full tang coffin handle shaped 10" cutting edge hunter and bowie style 9" narrow tang. I was also thinking about a 7" EDC that I would carry daily myself.

Again Thank You for you assistance.

George

George, I take it that these wont be the ones you'll be working on since they have handles already. Do you have any more that you are cosidering bringing? One bit of advise from someone who's been there. It would be better, in my opinion to bring few blades and have time to work on them under Joe's supervision than to bring a lot of blades and only get a thin dose of his help on each knife. The class recommends two blades. In the time you have between now and then, you might make some blades and refine that part of your craft, then pick two, three at the most, for the class. Time is the limited factor. Make the most of it. Bring all the stuff you want but plan on using and completing two.

It's evident you've gotten your feet wet already, but please have an open mind and have the intent to absorb as much as possible in the short time you'll have.

There are some possible distractions in some classes that you may have to overcome. Not to cast a negative spirit, however there's always the student that wants to tell the teacher how he does it, which is ok to a point, but not when it's serves to interfer. That's just an example. There are others and you'll know them when and if you see them. Just dont let distractions take away your joy in the class. That will depend on you entirely.

Lin,

Thank you for the advise. I am planning on taking 1 full tang and 1 narrow tang for the class to work on. I also plan to take a small full tang to start which will be later carried by me as a momento of the class.

When I attended my intro class I was lucky and won one of the two knives Burt Foster made as he showed as how to make a knife.

Having been an instructor in the Technology field I know about those kind of folks. I have great respect for instructors and usually don't have much to offer in class. I can never figure out the person who pays for the Doctor's opinion and then does what he wants as if the Doctor knows nothing.

I have not made the blades I am taking with me yet. I know they will be made from 1084 which I got from Aldo. I purchased 16 bars from him and I have been practising forging and grinding. I feel I still have a good bit to learn in both areas. I have placed handles on about 12 of my creations. I am October I had never forged or made a knife before.

My career that I retired from was a desk job, I spent the last 12 years of my career as a Director of Technology (CIO). I learned that everything comes with time. I also learned when you keep your mouth closed and listen that two thing become evident:

1) You quickly find out who really knows thier stutt.

2) You will know what others know and you will know what you know, then pick what works from that point.

I am going to take Allen"s advise and try to get some instruction on wire inlay. I believe it to be beautiful and a skill that can be very enjoyable.

Lin, Thank You for your sound thinking and I will post some of my trial blades as I make them for the guidance of those with more experience.

George

Dan,

Got your email and I will be calling you in the next couple of weeks.

Regards,

George

I really look forward to seeing the results of your class. In fact, I imagine all of us here on the forum would like to see a pictorial as you, or perhaps your wife, have oportunity to shoot some photos during the class. Holler any time.

Lin,

I will take a tripod and use the timer to shoot if I can not get someone to take photos of me. I will be photographing all that I can. I had a side bar conversation with Allen today so I have a good feeling about what to take with me and I have started planning my tools and materials for the class. I also notice that Uncle Al's is about 1.5 hours from Hope in DeQueen, AR and I am going to try to get by there before I leave the area.

Thanks, and I will keep you all updated.

George

Hello George. Al will probably come by the class with some things, but it is definitely worth going to the shop. You have a great instructor and will learn a lot. Enjoy it.

If you could get some pictures as Lin suggested or a video, be sure to post them here. I know that the members would like to see them.

Brion

Brion,

I know my limitations and will gladly post some photos now, video is something that one of these days I may try to learn about. The only videos I have done are limited to some very quick ones I have shot with my cell phone, and were not much!

I'm interested in going to Al's shop to see his hammer and press. I have met a couple of knifemakers in south Florida, while not YET ABS members, who forge and make all kinds of junk steel knives (rasps, chain saw chains, structural cable, coil springs, etc) using one of his presses. I have used it to flatten out some of the thicker 1084 that I have. I have read about both tools and who like to see them side by side. I have purchased a couple of things from Al over the internet together with some of my friends. His products are reasonablly priced and for me get the job done. There are some knife fixtures I want to get from him and by meeting him he can tell me if I am duplicating anything so I can invest wisely on my tools.

I know Joe is one of the best around, I have his "Leather Sheaths" DVD and the "Handle & Guards" book; both have been a wealth of information. At first I was going to take the class at Haywood and due to some work related issues my wife had I looked to see where else I could take the class and when. After seeing who was teaching this class in Old Washington I knew that was the class I had to go to, God willing.

Boy for a guy who hates to type or even do much with a computer these days I am sure getting long fingered.

Again Thank You All for your assistance.

George

Plus the fact George, that Al is one of the nicest people you will meet and a great help to knifemakers. He also has some pretty nice knives in his collection.

Enjoy the class.

Brion

Nothing wrong with being long fingered. I usually have FFS, fat finger syndrome, personally. You would be amazed at how many keys you can hit at one time with one finger.

God willing I will be there also. Looking forward to the trip

George and Michael:

Looking forward to having you both in the class. Bring along the two finished blades and any handle material you might want to use. If you haven't any handle material we will have some available at the school. Also if you have a favorite file you like to work with you might bring that. See you in October!

Semper Fi,

Joe Keeslar