ABS Chairman Joe Keeslar announced today the opening of a new ABS School in Belgium. This is the announcement:
The American Bladesmith Society is proud to announce the opening of a new Bladesmithing School in partnership with The Forge at Ostiches, Belgium. The first class “Introduction to Bladesmithing" will be offered in October 2013. The class will be limited to seven (7) students. ABS Master Smith Jean-Paul Thevenot of Dijon, France, will be the primary instructor, very ably assisted by Dirk Bourguignon and Frederic Taquet of Belgium. These men are excellent bladesmiths and ABS members.
The school site is located in a beautiful Belgian village just south of Brussels. Accommodations for students are within 2 to 3 miles from the school. Here is a chance to combine a wonderful vacation in Belgium and a class in the art of the forged blade at the same time. Yes, English is spoken!! ABS Apprentices are reminded that taking the ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing Class shortens the pre-Journeyman Smith jury wait time requirements from 3 years to 2 years.
For Information on dates, tuition, and accommodations please contact:
Visit the OSTICHES Website at: www.forge-ostiches.be
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Wow! I bet there are going to be some excited smiths over in Europe.
WOOOHOOO!
Great news. The smiths in Europe have a great opportunity. Thank you Joe.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Wow that is cool.
Greg
This is exciting news! Expanding ABS Schools into other countries, is a great milestone for the organization.
That's pretty exciting!
Blade Magazine Editor and Honorary ABS Member Steve Shackleford posted an article today on the Blade Magazine Website about our new school in Belgium. To read the article on the Blade website, click: http://www.blademag....ool-outside-usa
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Exciting news! I'm planning on moving to Europe this fall and I will be eagerly seeking out other Bladesmiths to connect with. Having lived in Brussels for five years as a child I may just have to go back for a visit!
I had the opportunity to live near Ostiches for the last 3 ½ years and it’s a great place. The people that run it and the smiths that regularly attend are very friendly and knowledgeable. I am back in the States now but I will miss it. Dirk is a great guy and I learned a ton from him. If anyone has a chance to go I would whole heartily recommend it.
Hi Travis!
