Hello everyone, my name is Jim Moenck and I'm a new member of the ABS. I currently live in Dresser, WI which is located in NW WI and just 4 miles from the MN border. I just got home from the 2 week intro to bladesmithing class at the Bill Moran school in Washingtion Arkansas. All I can say is WOW!! What a great learning experience it was. Our first instructor was Jim Crowell. Jim can forge a blade like no one I have ever seen, and is a great guy to boot. For the second week we had J.R. Cook, who taught us so much about grinding and heat treating. Don McIntire assisted both weeks, and shared his skills and knowledge too. I came home totally exhausted and my head spinning from everything that they tried to inject into us. I wish I could have taken this course 15 years ago, as it taught me so much that I had been struggling with. I can't thank Jim, J.R. and Don enough. All of you are great guys. I stayed for the hammer-in after class and met some more fine people. So much knowledge is shared at these events, and I'm sure I'll be back for more.
Anyway, a big thanks to the ABS and all the folks who help make this happen. I was truly a rewarding learning experience.
Jim
Welcome to the ABS and Forum. It was good to meet you at the Hammer-In, and a good way to end the school. I know your head is swimming from all you learned at the school,
and the Hammer-In, as well as all the people you met at the Hammer-In and trying to remember names an faces. Good luck in all your work.
Anthony
Jim,welcome to the ABS and the ABS forums. I am happy that you were able to attend the class and hammer-in. I look forward to seeing your participation here.
Chris
Jim it was great to meet you at the hammer in. I am glad you enjoyed the class. It does really take years off the learning curve. I wish you the best in your bladesmithing journey. Welcome.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
I'm sorry I did not get to meet you Jim. I was away for most of the weekend. I know the feeling you must have after taking the class and attending the hammer in. Best wishes. Lin
Welcome!
I can't wait to attend the Intro course! Trying to work it into my schedule and I keep hearing all these great things about it, so I may have to "sacrifice" some time away from work! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />
Post some pictures of your work!
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Jim
Welcome to the ABS and Forum. It was good to meet you at the Hammer-In, and a good way to end the school. I know your head is swimming from all you learned at the school,
and the Hammer-In, as well as all the people you met at the Hammer-In and trying to remember names an faces. Good luck in all your work.
Anthony
Thank you Anthony. It was a real pleasure to meet you too. It sounded like you are close to testing for your JS stamp, and good luck with that. I hope to see you again.
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Jim it was great to meet you at the hammer in. I am glad you enjoyed the class. It does really take years off the learning curve. I wish you the best in your bladesmithing journey. Welcome.
Brion
Thanks Brion. We had two excellent teachers for our class, but I have to say I really enjoyed your demo. It shows there are so many ways to get to the same end result. One just has to discover which one is best for themselves.
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I'm sorry I did not get to meet you Jim. I was away for most of the weekend. I know the feeling you must have after taking the class and attending the hammer in. Best wishes. Lin
Thank you Lin. I really was hoping I'd get to meet you last weekend. I think I've come down from my high, and I can't wait to use the skills I learned in class.
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Welcome!
I can't wait to attend the Intro course! Trying to work it into my schedule and I keep hearing all these great things about it, so I may have to "sacrifice" some time away from work! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />
Post some pictures of your work!
Shane, do what ever you have to do to take this course. It is worth every minute and every dollar. It will shorten your learning curve by years, plus save you a lot of frustrations.
