American Bladesmith Society

Haywood Community College

Class Descriptions

Fee - $420

This class includes detailed information on creating frame handled knives. Instruction will discuss handle material choices, guard material choices, pin stock, adhesives and overall finish. Students will be instructed on how to construct the frame handle. Participants are expected to possess the skill and knowledge to forge, grind and heat treat blades prior to this class. A limited amount and type of materials will be provided, students are welcome to furnish and bring their own handle and guard material. It is required that students enrolling in this workshop provide their own, finished blades ready to be completed. This is a three day class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee - $65

The Great Smoky Mountain Hammer In at Haywood Community College is sponsored by the American Bladesmith Society (ABS). The Hammer In brings Master Bladesmiths, forging enthusiasts, and knife collectors from across the United States to demonstrate their skills and to learn the art and science of hand forged knife making. Master Bladesmiths will give demonstrations and hold classes on a number of topics ranging from coal and gas forging to fabrication of handles and guards and engraving. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the event, but they may also register at the door on the day of the event. The public is invited to participate and experience knife making in the time honored tradition of the American Bladesmith Society.

Fee – $850

This class is for beginning knifemakers, students will be introduced to the concepts and techniques needed to make a knife. Students are taught metal selection, blade function and different blade design will be discussed. Hand forging to shape, normalizing, heat treating, grinding and tempering will all be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Students should be able to make a blade which will pass the equivalent of a Journeyman Smith Performance Test. Successful completion of this course will reduce the required three (3) year waiting period as an ABS Journeyman Smith judging in two years. This is a two week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee – $700

Folding knifes are some of the most popular of all knives among both bladesmiths and collectors. This course provides detailed instruction on the art and craft of fabrication of the slip joint folder. This is a week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee – $850

This class is for beginning knifemakers, students will be introduced to the concepts and techniques needed to make a knife. Students are taught metal selection, blade function and different blade design will be discussed. Hand forging to shape, normalizing, heat treating, grinding and tempering will all be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Students should be able to make a blade which will pass the equivalent of a Journeyman Smith Performance Test. Successful completion of this course will reduce the required three (3) year waiting period as an ABS Journeyman Smith judging in two years. This is a two week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee – $700

This class is designed to continue the course of study set forth in the ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing course. This class includes detailed information on creating handles, both full tang and hidden tang, guards, butt caps, decorative file work, spiral dagger handles, handle material choices, guard material choices, pin stock, adhesives and overall finish. Students will be instructed on how to finish off a professional looking knife. Participants are expected to possess the skill and knowledge to forge, grind and heat treat blades prior to this class. A limited amount and type of materials will be provided, students are welcome to furnish and bring their own handle and guard material. It is required that students enrolling in this workshop provide their own, finished blades ready to be completed. This is a week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee – $850

This class is for beginning knifemakers, students will be introduced to the concepts and techniques needed to make a knife. Students are taught metal selection, blade function and different blade design will be discussed. Hand forging to shape, normalizing, heat treating, grinding and tempering will all be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Students should be able to make a blade which will pass the equivalent of a Journeyman Smith Performance Test. Successful completion of this course will reduce the required three (3) year waiting period as an ABS Journeyman Smith judging in two years. This is a two week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Fee - $65

The Great Smoky Mountain Hammer In at Haywood Community College is sponsored by the American Bladesmith Society (ABS). The Hammer In brings Master Bladesmiths, forging enthusiasts, and knife collectors from across the United States to demonstrate their skills and to learn the art and science of hand forged knife making. Master Bladesmiths will give demonstrations and hold classes on a number of topics ranging from coal and gas forging to fabrication of handles and guards and engraving. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the event, but they may also register at the door on the day of the event. The public is invited to participate and experience knife making in the time honored tradition of the American Bladesmith Society.

Fee - $700

This class will cover the very basics of making pattern welded or “Damascus” steel. Material selection will be discussed along with basic metallurgy to ensure that the final products will be structurally sound with the boldest contrast possible. The students will be experimenting with basic pattern manipulation such as random, raindrop, twist and ladder. Necessary fundamentals such as material preparation, forge welding, power hammer technique and proper forge practices will be the focus of this class. Heat treating, polishing and etching will also be covered. Students should expect to leave with a few billets of Damascus ready to forge into knives. While no forge welding experience is necessary, a level of comfort operating a power hammer and tolerance of heat and sparks will be. This is a week long class and will be taught by an ABS Certified Master Bladesmith.

Is there a recommended place to stay, when you take one of these classes?

Julious

Ken Hall is the ABS Coordinator and can be contacted at [email protected]

I would suggest that you do a search for vacation rentals in Maggie Valley NC. Maggie is only about 10 miles form the school.

ken

Julious

The Super 8 is the closest motel at a little over 1 mile away from the school and gets a four and one half star rating and breakfast. The complete list of local hotels near the school is:

 Accommodations near Haywood CC

-Lodge of Waynesville, 828/452-0353, 909 Russ Ave (US276), take exit 102 off US74/US23

-Days Inn, 828/452-9009, take exit 102 South off US74/US23

-Super 8 Motel, 828/454-9667, 79 Liner Cove Rd, take exit 104 off US23/US74

-Best Western, 828/456-4402, 130 Shiloh Trail, take exit 98 North off US23/US74