The title says young newbie but I feel older than I am... Nevertheless, I am still a newbie. I've been investigating blacksmithing for about a year now, and unfortunately being a very busy college student I haven't had the time to devote to building a forge, etc etc.. However, I have done loads of reading in spare time trying to aquire as much knowledge about black smithing as I can, which I imagine is a great start.
A little information real quick before my next class. Im 23, originaly from the Knoxville, TN area (about 20 miles north of downtown actually) and Im currently trying to finish up my degree here in Nashville. I located through ABANA a local chapter near my home, actually extremely close to my home. I've sent out an e-mail to the guy that owns the shop that the chapter meets at every month but he doesn't seem to want to reply, so Ive kind of giving up on the hopes of that. Some interesting things have surfaced in my collegiate career and quite frankly I might be looking at seriously taking up black smithing and really getting into learning and perhaps persue it as a second career. I've been lucky enough to find this site, via the reference of a fellow black smith.
Anyways, thats enough about me. My question is, does anyone know of any chapters of any black smith assosciation, group, whatever.... besides ABANA around Knoxville? I've actually had an idea as to a specific person that I know of to contact, but I'd have to do some searching to find some information on them. But if anyone has any information to pass along that would be great. Because I would definately imagine locating someone that could be a potential mentor would be a hell of a lot better than just putting together my own equipment and hammering away and teaching myself what is good and what isn't good. After all there is only soo much reading can offer, when the real experience is gained from actually doing.
Thanks a lot guys!