Got back from the Handles & Guards class in North Carolina with Mastersmith Jim Rodebaugh. This was a great week of instruction. Jim first did an demo on precision forging and took part of the forging myth away. He explained that keeping the ricaso square was the secret to making a good knife. His explanation was based on a set of methods which created a foundation to work from. Rodebaugh taught us to build on that foundation to create our Handles & Guards. The course showed us how to apply our methods to whatever type of knife we were working on. Of interest to me was how to create a hidden tang's guard and handle which would comfortably fit the hand and help keep the knife from slipping out of the users grip.

Jim proved to be an exceptional instructor which loves the craft and enjoys sharing his knowledge and helping his students become better bladesmiths overall. I highly recommend the Handles & Guards class with Jim Rodebaugh, MS at the ABS program on Haywood Community College's campus.

I would like to give special thanks to Bill Wiggins for his assistance in the class and the hospitality he showed us at his shop. Also Bill had some great places for lunch. I included just a few of the photos I took for you to view.

Thank you,

George

two jigs to make your live easier and produce a nicer knife

Brad using one of the jigs we made in the class

Beverly checking center

I'm milling the slot in my guard

Mastersmith Rodebaugh explaining how to use the height gage

My rough handle and guard

My finished Handle & Guard project