TEXARKANA COLLEGE/BILL MORAN
SCHOOL OF BLADESMITHING

COURSES FOR 2004
Class Listing

INTRODUCTION TO BLADESMITHING

This 2-week course is designed for anyone interested in making quality hand forged blades and includes lecture and hands-on work. 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, Inc. Journeyman test for cutting and bending by the end of this course.

Maximum Enrollment: 12 Students
Tuition: $600
Length: 2 wks. (80 hours)

HANDLES AND GUARDS

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. Students will be instructed on how to make a professional looking knife. Participants are expected to posses the skill and knowledge necessary to forge and grind blades before taking this course. Students should bring finished blades to class.

Maximum Enrollment: 8 students
Tuition: $550
Length: 1 week (40 hours)

DAMASCUS STEEL

Basic patterns will be included in this detailed study of Damascus. Attention will also be given to pattern variation, pattern manipulation, etc. By the completion of this course a student is expected to be able to consistently produce Damascus blades of excellent quality in a variety of patterns. As a prerequisite, participants should have completed INTRODUCTION TO BLADESMITHING at Texarkana College, or have reached the level of Journeyman Smith.

Maximum Enrollment: 6 students
Length: 1 week (40 hours)

ADVANCED FOLDERS

This advance folding blade course is designed for a maker with intermediate skills in construction of folding blade knives.  The emphasis of this class will the integration of lock back and button lock folders.  Each student enrolled in this course should complete one folder by the end of the forty hour week.  Design and the relationship of component parts to custom folding knives will be covered.  Prerequisite:   consent of instructor or Journeyman Smith level in the American Bladesmith Society, Inc., Inc.

Maximum Enrollment: 8 students
Tuition:  $550.00
Length: 1 week (40 hours)

MULTI-BLADE  FOLDERS

Maximum Enrollment: 8 students
Tuition: $550.00
Length: 1 week (40 hours)

LEATHER SHEATHS

Maximum Enrollment: 8 Students
Tuition:  $550.00
Length: 1 week (40 hours)

New for 2002 Three day "hands-on" courses in Silver wire Inlay and Forge Welding
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm

CERTIFICATE:
A certificate with the number of Continuing Education Units (CEU's) received will be awarded to each student who successfully completes a Bladesmithing course.

Contact Scotty Hayes   (903) 838-4541 ext. 3236  

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