Hello, Tony Zanussi here, a new member from Kansas City, MO.

I spent a long time in the Marine Corps always buying and using knives. I was never satisfied with most of them and broke quite a few. I always wanted a nice custom knife but funds were always spent on other things. October 2012 I decided to build a kit knife. But then I met a local maker named Lyle Schow doing a forging demo at a farm supply store in Harrisonville, MO. I asked if he would be willing to show me how to forge my own knife and he said yes, as long as I did the work! So, every Sunday for nearly 3 months I drove south to work with Lyle.

In January I joined the ABS. After researching the ABS I loved what I learned and likened the ABS to the Marine Corps version of knife makers. The highest of standards, not only looking sharp but also must perform to the highest level. That is something I can associate with! I now have my own forge, anvil and grinder and starting to work at my house. I attended the Arkansas Show in February and was honored to meet so many great smiths. Lyle and his friend Jason Burton introduced me to so many great people. The camaraderie was amazing and everybody is so helpful. I am very honored to be a member of the ABS.

I was not able to meet all the smiths in Arkansas and plan on doing so in the future. I plan on being at the Branson Hammer-In and also the Heartland Symposium this year.

Sincerely, Tony Zanussi