gonefishin Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Having no knowledge of Blacksmithing other than reading about it and not having easy access to a class, im in a bit of a bind. If anyone knows of any places around St. Louis, Illinois where someone can teach me, by all means let me know. I would love to take a class, I've just been unable to find any. I live 15 minutes out of St. Louis. Im wanting to learn how to Smith blades if that matters, im sure any blacksmith could head me in the right direction though. It's just going to be hard to teach myself something such as this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 There are two ABANA affiliates that serve the state of Illinois. Here are some links to those: Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association: http://www.umbaonline.org/ Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association http://www.illinoisblacksmith.org/ Knowing nothing about that part of the US, someone with either of these guilds can be of help to steer you in the right direction. Also Mark and Mindy Gardner are wonderful people. They have demonstrated for us, and also teach a class here for us every year. Here is a link to their site: http://www.floodplainforge.com/ Hope this helps...I am sure others will have some better resources for you. Good luck Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvillain Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Having no knowledge of Blacksmithing other than reading about it and not having easy access to a class, im in a bit of a bind. If anyone knows of any places around St. Louis, Illinois where someone can teach me, by all means let me know. I would love to take a class, I've just been unable to find any. I live 15 minutes out of St. Louis. Im wanting to learn how to Smith blades if that matters, im sure any blacksmith could head me in the right direction though. It's just going to be hard to teach myself something such as this. Ox I have sent you a Private Message telling how to contact a local mentor and instructor of beginning classes right in your area. Happy Learning to You Anvillain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Howdy and welcome to IFI. I also sent you a PM; we are almost neighbors!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
781 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 www.bamsite.org is right across the river in MO also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Mulholland - Tetnum Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 www.bamsite.org is right across the river in MO also i am a blacksmith in saintcharles county and a member of bam if you pm me i will try and get you some forge time when it gets a little warmer or a little less snowy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Too bad; timing is everything. In November, I presented a workshop for the MO smiths (BAM)in the suburb of Sunset Hills. I stayed with my cousins in Belleville, IL. http://www.turleyforge.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Ox, as you can see, there are a lot of us from the Illinois and St Louis area on this site. I'm sure that you will find someone that can give you some help. I'm across the state from you, in East Central ILL, but you will find a lot of open forges in the area. Join IVBA. It's a good organization. In April, Mark Aspery will be doing demos at Lincoln's New Salem State historic site just a short distance from Springfield. If you are interested, let me know and I'll get you the Info. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjbeck Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Sorry for reviving this thread, but I am a DuPage County resident also looking for an open-forge or community I can get into sometime next year. I am all the way up here and it doesn't seem there are many publicly advertised! D: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulture Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 On September 26, 2015 at 3:59 PM, jjbeck said: Sorry for reviving this thread, but I am a DuPage County resident also looking for an open-forge or community I can get into sometime next year. I am all the way up here and it doesn't seem there are many publicly advertised! D: Hey JJbeck- I am too in the DuPage area and find it hard to believe that there is no one around without going 2.5 hours down to the Sugar Grove group. Did you hear anything? Was going to try and set up a forge here on the property as a group thing if I can find enough people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crytin Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Sorry to revive this thread. I Live in St. Louis, right by the airport and I'm looking for someone to work with and who will show me the ropes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard223 Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Reviving this thread in hopes of finding some help. I've recently committed myself to pursuing a career in black smithing and hopefully sometime after bladesmithing. I'm in the Coal City area looking for information on local classes and or an instructor to get my start. I'm welcome to any and all information. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Look into the American Bladesmith Society schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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