This course Is designed to give our younger Bladesmithing enthusiast an opportunity to try some hands-on forging. Forging to shape, grinding and heat-treating techniques will all be covered in this three-day discovery course.
Ages 14-17
Class will be Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm-8pm for 6 weeks. All supplies included.
In this course, students will learn how to create a hunting knife specifically designed with a frame handle construction. The curriculum will cover various stages of the knife-making process, starting with forging the blade. Students will gain hands-on experience in shaping and refining the blade through the grinding process.
One of the key aspects covered in this course is the heat-treating of the blade. Students will learn the proper techniques and processes to achieve the desired hardness and durability in their knife blade.
Additionally, instruction will be provided on how to create and fit a guard, which is an important component in ensuring the safety and functionality of the hunting knife. Students will also learn the intricacies of frame construction, which involves building a handle that is sturdy and provides a secure grip.
The course will conclude with shaping and finishing the handle to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently create a hunting knife using frame handle construction.
This 2-week course includes lecture and hands-on work and is designed for anyone interested in making quality hand-forged blades. Metal selection, function, and different blade designs will be discussed. Hammer forging to shape, annealing, heat treating, grinding, and tempering will be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Most participants should be able to
make a blade that is capable of passing the American Bladesmith Society Journeyman test for cutting and bending by the end of this course.
Class will be held April 8-April 19, 2024 Monday-Friday 8a-5pm
Instructors: Jim Crowell & Tim Potier
Includes detailed information on handles, both full-tang and narrow tang, guards, butt caps, decorative file work, spiral dagger handles, silver inlay work, finished blades, etc.
Class taught by : TBA
Pre Register with the ABS below for the discounted price-Pre Registration closes April 4th, after that you will have to register at the door.
The Spring Piney Woods Hammer-in, at the W. F. Moran School of Bladesmithing at Texarkana College, Texarkana, Texas, is an event that every bladesmith, from the rankest beginner to the experienced Master Smith, should mark on his calendar. For one thing, the timing is just right for those smiths planning to test for either a JS or an MS at Atlanta in June to bring their test knives and have an experienced judge look them over and critique them. Everyone of the demonstrators for this hammer-in is an experienced judge who has served on a review panel at either San Antonio or Atlanta within the recent past.
To register for this course, please call our office at (903) 823-3270.
The Hybrid Introduction to Bladesmithing course at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing is a combination of both the online introduction course and the in-person introduction course. Built on curriculum designed by Bill Moran, the father of modern Damascus Steel and the founder of the first bladesmithing school, this course includes lecture and hands-on work and is designed for anyone interested in making quality hand-forged blades. Metal selection, function, and different blade designs will be discussed. Hammer forging to shape, annealing, heat treating, grinding, and tempering will be taught.
The Hybrid Introduction to Bladesmithing course is structured in two parts. Part one includes the online introduction to bladesmithing course which covers the terminology, procedures of forging, heat treatment, forging, and grinding of blades. Part two of the hybrid course includes in-person training at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing at Texarkana College where participants will develop the skills learned on the online platform in a hands-on setting. Upon registering for the hybrid introduction course, participants will receive login information and access to the online program at learnbladesmithing.com. Students must complete the online program prior to attending the in-person training. Please contact Don McIntosh at mcintoshknives@gmail.com for further information/questions.
Class taught by: Jimmy Crowell & Mike Williams and is a Saturday-Saturday course.
This 2-week course includes lecture and hands-on work and is designed for anyone interested in making quality hand-forged blades. Metal selection, function, and different blade designs will be discussed. Hammer forging to shape, annealing, heat treating, grinding, and tempering will be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Most participants should be able to
make a blade that is capable of passing the American Bladesmith Society Journeyman test for cutting and bending by the end of this course.
Class will be held October 16-October 27, 2023 Monday-Friday 8a-5pm
Instructors: Brion Tomberlin & Greg Neely
Includes detailed information on handles, both full-tang and narrow tang, guards, butt caps, decorative file work, spiral dagger handles, silver inlay work, finished blades, etc.
Class taught by : TBA
This course of folder construction deals with the Slip Joint technique. The relationship of design, fit, finish, and component parts will be covered in great detail. Students should complete one folder by the end of the 40 hour class.
Class will be held July 31-August 4(Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) Instructor: Steve Dunn
This 2-week course includes lecture and hands-on work and is designed for anyone interested in making quality hand-forged blades. Metal selection, function, and different blade designs will be discussed. Hammer forging to shape, annealing, heat treating, grinding, and tempering will be taught. These semi-finished blades will be tested for their cutting ability, edge holding, hardness and flexibility. Most participants should be able to
make a blade that is capable of passing the American Bladesmith Society Journeyman test for cutting and bending by the end of this course.
Class will be held April 10-April 21, 2023
Instructors: Jimmy Crowell & Tim Potier
