Hey!!
My name is Joseph Becker...I am a 16 year old bladesmith, and hope to have my journeyman smith degree by 18 years old! I love big knives...I love a good bowie. My company name is BECKER FORGED...my website is beckerforged.com. Anyway, you can check out some of my bowies in the Gallery under products. I'm not into really fancy knives...I like a hard working knife that looks good and get's the job done with superiority. I make knives that hold an edge like nothing I've known, and the one knife I tested was able to bend 110 degrees, and still chop two by fours and shave hair...(basic ABS standards, right?) Anyway, with more orders coming in than ever, I'm starting to make them faster and better by the day. Drat though...school coming up in a week. 🙁
You know, it's guys like you who have gotten me this far. Family, and Friends helped with materials, support, and backup...and you guys help with inspiration, advice, and amazing products to show. You can see some of the knives I've forged in the pictures attached here...(not familiar on this forum, so sorry if it's not uploading..) I love forging, and making a piece of scraped high carbon steel into a beautiful, functional, and deadly razor edged weapon and tool.
Little backround on me: I love the outdoors!! Hunting, survival, and camping are things I've always been fascinated partaking in! Never played video games...I'm a 'country' boy, as they say. A conservative, firm believer in God as a Christian, and craftsman, I love living on the edge!! (literally) I am also a proud homeschooler.
I look forward to meeting all of you, and getting to know you and make new friends and counselors in the amazing art and ancient craft of forging!! I'm easy going and friendly, and love meeting new people. If you have any pics of work you've done, I'd love to see it!!
I have a ton of questions to ask...but that will wait. Meeting you bladesmiths and enthusiasts in Number one right now!!! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Joseph Becker (beckerforged.com)
Joseph
Welcome to the American Bladesmith Society and ABS Forum. Please feel free to ask questions and you will find our very knowlegeble and experienced members willing to answer.
You will find photos of our members work in the ABS Forum Gallery, click: Gallery. Master Smith and ABS Forum Moderator Steve Culver has an excellent tutorial on how to upload a photo at, click: Photo Tutorial.
I have the rules and time requirements for Journeyman Smith and Master Smith testing posted on the ABS website at, click: Journeyman Smith and Master Smith.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Great!! Thanks... I see that there is no physical 'testing' for Journeyman... <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//sad.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> Well, I do like the 'No Damascus' part...seems like I'll have journeyman skill level down soon!
Maybe you can get some photos of your work posted soon Joseph. We'd like to see it. Welcome to the ABS.
Joseph
I am not sure what you mean by no "physical testing" for the Journeyman Smith rating. You need to go back and read everything that I posted on the ABS Website about the steps to the Journeyman Smith rating. It is really a three step process which includes sufficient time as an ABS Apprentice Smith, a performance test administered by a Master Smith, and the judging of five (5) presentation knives by the Journeyman Smith Judging Panel.
This is a YouTube video of a successful Journeyman Smith Performance Test administered by Master Smith Lin Rhea.
[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqlce5_NvCM [/media]
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Welcome Joseph. I look forward to seeing some of your work here on the forum. I took a look at your website, looks like you are on your way. Let us know if you have any questions. As Dan states, you must pass a physical performance test with a carbon knife for journeyman status, then after passing you can submit your five knives to be judged.
Welcome again.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Joseph,
Welcome to the ABS! Great to have you here <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
Ed C.
Joseph,
Welcome to the ABS. Once you read the information regarding JS testing you will see that you are not eligible to present your knives for JS Judging until 2017. If you attend an Introduction to Bladesmithing class at one of the four (4) ABS schools you can reduce the wait time by one year, and test in 2016.
Once you earn a JS stamp you must wait 2-years before you are eligible to test and present your knives for MS to the Master Smith Judging Panel.
Hi Joseph,
Welcome to the ABS! Good luck on your journey!
Bob
Joseph
Welcome to the American Bladesmith Society and ABS Forum! Post up your questions and we'll do our best to answer them.
Physical testing- YES!! Don't know where I missed it, but glad to see there is some sort of testing...Great video Mr.Dan!
I plan on taking the classes to make the Journeyman possible by '016.
Thanks all for the welcome!! Get ready...I've got a lot of questions coming... <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
