Hey yall, new member here.... long time lurker. I started making knives around 2005... at the time, as a youngster, I enjoyed making the equipment almost more than the knives (forge, press, etc). I don't think I had the patience. 

Second knife around 2005:

https://flic.kr/p/2mm25t1

I continued to build things throughout the years and became an engineer. Then around 2018 I dove back into the craft. With this I started a YouTube channel; "Red Beard Ops" ; Where I document my journey in knife making and try to share what I learn along the way. 

The videos I've enjoyed making the most are the equipment builds... Like These:

-- DIY Surface Grinding Attachement for a 2x72
-- Home Made Hydraulic Forging Press 30 Ton
-- DIY Heat Treating Oven/Furnace 

They force me to document my builds, and dive deeper into the details... which makes me learn more. They say "if you can't teach it... you don't know it"... so that's true. 

Some of my Knifes (May attach below once I figure out adding photos on this forum):

https://flic.kr/p/2mm4J4J

https://flic.kr/p/2mm28uG

https://flic.kr/p/2mkZPyr

https://flic.kr/p/2mm29da

So with that.... Hi, I'm James. 

Cheers,
J. Keeton
Red Beard Ops

PS: The major things I'm looking to achieve with the ABS membership is to drive me to become a better hidden tank knife maker. I think I'd like to advance towards Journeyman in the future as well. In the short term, I'm very open to any suggestions on classes either in a group or one on one that yall would recommend to accelerate my skills. 

Edit #1: Another major contributing factor to me getting an ABS membership was access to this forum... There are some legends on here!