Bladesmiths join the ABS as Regular members and are rated as Apprentice Smiths. Those with an interest in the forged blade but are not knife makers can join as Associate/Collector members. Regular and Associate/Collector members can join for one (1) or five (5) year terms. Youth memberships are available for youth under eighteen (18) years of age. Within the Regular membership are the ratings of Journeyman and Master Bladesmiths which are given to Apprentice Bladesmiths who have met the time and testing requirements for those ratings.