Looking for a Mentor in my Area

[Allen0311]

Hello Everyone, 

I have been making knives for about 8 months and I have started to get some of the basics. I recently joined the ABS as an apprentice smith. I am looking for some advice on how to go about finding a bladesmith in my area to learn and develop my skills from. It doesnt have to be an ABS smith but would be a plus if they could help me work toward my journeyman rating. I live in the central Georgia area. I am open to any advice anyone may have. Thanks.

[Frosty]

Have you asked on one of the many bladesmithing fora, maybe check the affiliate listings with ABS? There is a pretty complete listing of ABS members and their ranking from present to way back when available.

You might luck out and find who you're looking for here but the odds aren't nearly as good as on a bladesmith site.

I know a few personally but Alaska would be a heck of a commute and I'd have to ask if any are taking students let along apprentices. 

Frosty The Lucky.

[Lutz]

The ABS does have a forum on their website. As Frosty suggests, such forums may help you reach your target audience more easily. Another good way to connect is to attend a Hammer-In. Lots of good instruction and a chance to meet area smiths. Probably the closest to you is the Great Smokey Mountain Hammer-In in Clyde, NC. You can find more on the ABS events page. Another consideration is to check out ABS affiliated schools, specifically the Intro to Bladesmithing class. Having attend one myself, I can tell you it is well worth the investment and will give you a great foundation to build on.

All that is not to say that you can’t find an exceptional bladesmith who is not part of the ABS by simply attending your local ABANA group. I do think highly of the ABS as a group though. As a bonus, if you connect with a journeyman or master smith, you can be sure they’ve been vetted by their peers and you have less chance of being picking up bad habits from someone whose main credential is YouTube.

 

Jake

[Allen0311]

Thank y’all for your input. Everything I’ve learned this far has been self taught through reading a YouTube. Just looking for someone who has been in the business for a little while to help hone some skills. I’m looking at the class maybe end of the year or next. I am taking some classes at the Blade show this year as well. I’ll look into more of the abs stuff.