Hello everyone my name is Josh Harris and I live in Billings, MT. I’ve made a few blades before but wasn’t able to get serious about it but now I am. Besides any general pearls of wisdom if anyone has any experience with working with VR&E through the VA it would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know more of you and eventually meeting some in the future.
-J
welcome aboard from a northern neighbor in Alberta. Much wisdom can be found amongst the log grey beards here.
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
Welcome man, I hope your transition is going as positively as it can be. Here is the ABS Link to the ABS Rated Smiths in Montana. I can say that most of the smiths, if not all, are very veteran heavy supportive. You might just want to look through the list and send them each a contact email introducing yourself. https://www.americanbladesmith.org/2022/11/21/rated-abs-smiths-by-location/ . Also Most of the resources from the VA are either electronically searchable and or records request-able. I would reach out to your VA counselor and request information on Smithing related options through that program or through the local colleges with the GI bill to the local or trade school colleges. Additionally there may be some metalworking companies in your area that have some options. Billings is pretty industry heavy. I would also possibly recommend looking at reaching out to the MKC email and seeing if they are aware of anything. Their contacts in the state are sure growing. Best of luck!
Montana
Ed Caffrey – Master Bladesmith
Jon Christensen – Master Bladesmith
Wade Colter – Master Bladesmith
Rick Dunkerley – Master Bladesmith
Josh Smith – Master Bladesmith
Shane Taylor – Master Bladesmith
Don Bell – Journeyman Bladesmith
Doug Campbell – Journeyman Bladesmith
Greg Evans – Journeyman Bladesmith
Erik Fritz – Journeyman Bladesmith
Gary Rodewald – Journeyman Bladesmith
Will Stelter – Journeyman Bladesmith
Respectfully
Michael
