Hey everybody! My name is Jesse and I live in Central IL...Decatur to be exact. I just turned 39 and I embrace being a Capricorn. I've been forging for a little over a year now, and in that time I've completed about a dozen stock removal blades as well...but...there's nothing more gratifying than forging a blade to shape with just a little propane and my hammer. I recently decided to join the ABS because I have been getting increasingly more serious about my craft and would like to take it to the next level. One of my personal goals is to earn a JS rating, and I'm really looking forward to the amount of growth and learning to come over the next 3 years. I am a combat veteran and a father of 3 young boys, so bladesmithing is not only something that I feel I can share with and pass on to my boys, but it also gives me an avenue for stress relief and something to strive for, which in turn helps me be a more patient and compassionate father. I'm very excited about being a part of this community, the wealth of knowledge, the camaraderie, and I look forward to making acquaintances, friends, and of course a lot of Knives!