Hello
Thought I should introduce myself. Hope this is the right place if not please relocate this post.
Like most i've been fascinated by knives since childhood, but became interested in making when I found a copy of Blade Magazine in the late '70s.
Began to collect forging equipment tools, and books,went to knife shows, built a grinder, etc.
Made a knife or two, and life took over, never lost interest, and recently retired from the electrical industry, Started my electrical apprenticeship in '69 turned out in '73 became a master in '95 (and contractor) now I'm happy to start a new apprenticeship here and am looking forward to learning from, and meeting the good people here. Some of you are familiar from other forums and I go by markb on some sites, although I'm changing to my given name where possable.
Welcome Mark!
We are glad to have you as a new Apprentice Smith member of the American Bladesmith Society and a member of the ABS Forum. I know that you will receive the advice and guidance from our Master and Journeyman Smiths that you are seeking.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
This is my first official post here on the ABS forum. My thanks to Dan and Sally for their hard work.
Mark, welcome to the world of the forged blade. I look forward to seeing your work and getting to know you as we both get used to our new forum. Lin Rhea
Hi Mark, I'm new to the forum also. I've been forging for a few years. I've learned alot from alot of mastersmiths and also alot from other makers. I'm hoping to retire in a couple of years myself. I've spent hte past 36 years as a journeyman pipefitter and some of the lessons I've learned in my work has also helped me. Welcome and good forging. Tom Morris Apprentice Bladesmith
Sounds like you're well on your way Tom, looking forward to seeing your work and working together through the forum, it's a great way for us all to get together and share experiences and learn.
Lin
Thank you for the welcome. I apologize for the delayed response, not sure how it was over looked.
I haven't been forging due to the hot weather but have done a little stock removal, I need a lot of work on my grinding F&F etc.
Welcome aboard Mark! You won't find a more experienced group of folks willing to help anywhere on the net!
Rick
Thanks Rick, Oh and....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Hello all, My name is Zeke Johnston. I'm Alaskan born and bred and here's my introduction. I started making knives (or what I thought were knives) about seven years ago. When I was eighteen I ran into an older gentleman who is an accomplished blade smith and who actually knew what he was doing. He started teaching me the ropes of "real" knife making. I remember asking him how he cut his steel and he said "with a big hammer and a lot of fire." I was hooked. I'm at the point where I'm comfortable with nearly every aspect of the basic smithing (forging, heat treating, finishing etc.), but I know I have a lot more to learn and much to refine.
Thanks for carrying on the tradition. I don't know why I didn't join the ABS a long time ago...
