I will be in the April Intro course at the Bill Moran School in Texarkana. I've received the welcome email of what to bring/prepare for, etc.
Is there anything not listed that would be beneficial? It seems pretty straight forward.
- Dear Student:
- We will be furnishing the shop, steel and tools. However we suggest you bring the following: 2 pair of leather palmed gloves, leather apron, safety glasses of your choice, long sleeved work shirts or t-shirts, cap, or hat, sweat band or bandana, work boots, air mask/respirator (disposable ones are fine), and a bag or bucket to hold your personal items. **Please wear only closed toe shoes!! Do NOT wear highly flammable clothing (Do not wear flip flops).
Anything else that you wish you'd had???
Thanks in advance,
Jason
Water...lots of water,,,enjoy..its a blast
👍 👍 Often overlooked.
Really looking forward to it.
I always like to bring earplugs to these sorts of events. Easy enough to bring, and I always end up wearing them more than I thought I would. Have fun!
A notebook of some kind. Even a smaller moleskine one to keep in your back pocket is good, but I prefer a larger one or even a sketchbook because some things are easier to doodle. Taking notes is definitely worthwhile if you're not in the habit.
One of the more impressive things I've seen while studying up and starting work on my journeyman knives was when I visited my local Mastersmith's shop. One entire wall was blackboard, and filled with notes on heat treatments and times and results for the different steels he liked to use. And he had a ton more notebooks and reference works stored in his 'clean room' for finishing.
I'm a note taker. It's a must when you have as many random thoughts running around your skull like I do. I imagind there will be some perspiring so I'm looking for the all-weather style to take.
Thanks!
I second (third?) bringing a notebook, pens, and pencils for sketching. I also recommend blister pads and some vet wrap for your hands. If you're not used to swinging a hammer for hours multiple days in a row, you will probably get blisters.
Blister pads and wrap was not on my radar. Good stuff!
You have a couple of great instructors in Jim and Tim. I will agree with the above replies. Notebook, blister wrap, your painkiller of choice, aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen, etc. If you have not done a lot of forging you will get sore. Bring a sense of humor and have fun.
Brion
Bring a sense of humor and have fun
If I can't have a good time I'm not interested!
I spent the better part of yesterday talking with my uncle who went through Intro (92), Handles and Guards (93) and Damascus (94) about all things knife making. He's 86 now and has been out of making for about 12 years but still has a pretty sharp mind. Wish class was starting today.
