And no class is complete without a couple of testing photos...

Can you say "life changing event" without sounding 'over the top'?

I can say Rex, Scott, Cameron, Tommy, George, Sid, Hockey, and David- I really enjoyed the all too brief a time we spent together, and hope you all had as good a time as I did!

Beverly, Shelby, Bob, and the staff at the school were really, really nice and very helpful.

Most important- Bill Wiggins and of course Jim Crowell were - in a word- AWESOME and I couldn't have asked for a more intense and info- packed learning experience- and fun filled two weeks. Trips to Kayne and Son and Cormark were really fun...as was the visit to Bill's shop and stop-in's from Daniel Warren and Mike Christensen. I'm probably leaving someone out and please forgive me for that!

Let the journey begin!

Ray is on the money about the quality and value we got from this class. Jim is one of the finest instructors I have ever had no matter the subject matter. With nine students the one on one time made it seem like a private class. If you problem area was making points, Jim was right there to help YOU do it. And do it till you got it right.

Jim is a no jig kind of person and teaches that way. We also got demos of guard filing and clip grinding to mention a couple of side items he covered when asked. He is very free with his knowledge and eager to help you. A very patient person, as long as you try to get it (show you care and are trying) he will continue to show you. In my case points have always been a problem, not no more.

Everyone in this class became friends and l'm sure will remain such.

I highly recommend Jim Crowell, MS as a truly professional instructor and a great new friend.

It was great to see all my old ABS friends while I there. Not that Bill is that old!

Looks like you had a great time and learned a lot. How could you not, with such a fine instructor as Jim? <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Thanks for the pictures and comments about the class!!!

Excellent class and very informative. While it is the only abs class I have taken, I feel as though there is no better instructor than Jim Crowell and find it hard to imagine taking the class with any other instructor, and also with the students for that matter. Everyone in the class was very supportive and the overall experience was fun while learning a lot. After taking the class I feel as though my forging, grinding, heat treating, and sharpening skills all greatly improved and I feel much more confident now in the knives I'm making.

A big thank you to Jim, Bill, Beverly, Shelby, Bob, and all the students for an unforgettable experience.

I still question the use of camel urine for hardening our knives, but if it works, it works!

A picture of George Forging in class.

And the group photo.

and don't forget, David...that camel urine has to be acquired under a full moon while the camel is facing east, to gain the full quenching effect on the blade.

Hey ya'll I must say I thought the class was great! It was fun. And we learned a lot in a short time,plus we got a ton of work done.

I'm looking foward to a handles and guards class after the first of the year,thanks jim,and abs.

Scott

The camel urine! I knew I left something behind. Guess I got to see if I can find some in South Florida. Maybe that's a good reason to head back to NC. I got to get it soon. LOL

Not only was this a fun group but, also a fun loving group. We have made new life long friends for sure.