TEXARKANA COLLEGE/BILL MORAN
SCHOOL OF BLADESMITHING

FACULTY

Dr. James Batson, of Madison Alabama, is the current president of the American Bladesmith Society, Inc..  He received his Master stamp in 1993, and he earned a Ph.D from the University of Texas.  A published author and a respected James Bowie scholar, Mr. Batson's knives have been published in Blade, Knife World, Knives Illustrated, and Knives '93-'97.

Kevin Cashen, of Hubbardson, Michigan, earned his Master's stamp in 1995.  He is a full-time smith who sold his first knife in 1985 and his work features Japanese temper lines.  His knives have been featured in Knives'97, Knives'98, and Knives'99. Kevin does business under the name of Matherton Forge.

Michael Connor, of Winters, Texas, received his Master Smith stamp in 1983. He began making knives in 1974, and he is a protégé of the late Don Hastings, one of the founders of the American Bladesmith Society, Inc.. Connor's outstanding work is distinguished by his meticulous attention to detail. His work has been featured in such publications as Knife World, Knives, and The Blade.

James Cook, of Nashville, Arkansas, received his master stamp in 1991, and early in his career he studied bladesmithing on a one-to-one basis from Jerry Fisk. Cookie's work has been featured in Knife World, The Blade, Knives '91, and Knives '92. He frequently checkers the bolsters and guards on many of his knives to enhance the overall appearance.

James Crowell, of Mountain View, Arkansas, earned his Master Stamp in 1986.  He was the winner of the first W. F. Moran Award, and his exceptional knives have been featured in Blade, Knife World, Knives '91 and Knives'94.  The Fall Hammer-In's knife cutting competition and James Crowell's blade cutting abilities were featured on the Nov 9, 1998 front page of the Wall Street Journal.

Harvey Dean, of Rockdale, Texas, earned his ABS Master Smith's stamp in 1992, the same year that he on The Blade magazine's special award for Best Large Knife at the Super Blade Show in Atlanta, GA. Harvey's work has been featured in Knives '89, Knives '90, Knives '91, The Blade, and Knife World.

Rick Dunkerley, of Lincoln, Montana is a vastly talented Master Bladesmith who won the Blade Show Award for "Best Damascus" in 1998.  Rick is a professional big game guide when he's not forging blades.  His work has appeared in Blade, Knife World and Knives '96 & '97.

Steve Dunn, of Smiths Grove, Kentucky, received his Master Smith's stamp from the American Bladesmith Society, Inc. in 1994. His work has been featured in such publications as National Knife Magazine and Knives '94. Steve won The Blade Magazine's award for Best Bowie at the 1994 show.

Jerry Fisk, of Lockesburg, Arkansas, received his Master Stamp in 1989.  He is the only individual to win the coveted William F. Moran Award on two occasions.  A member of the American Bladesmith Society, Inc. Board of Directors, Jerry's knives have appeared in Blade, Knife World, Knives Illustrated and Knives'93,'94 &'98.  Currently, Jerry serves as the school Liaison officer for the ABS Board of Directors.

Joe Flournoy, of El Dorado, Arkansas, attained the Master Smith distinction in 1992.  He has won any number of major awards for his knives, including Best Forged Blade at the 1992 Blade Show, and in 1993 he received the coveted W. F. Moran Award.  In 1995 he won the Blade Show award for the Best Damascus.  His work ahs featured in most of the leading knife journals.

Don Fogg, of Jasper, Alabama, is veteran  bladesmith who earned his Master's rating in 1997.  He has been forging Damascus blades for approximately 20 years.  In '97 he also received the Blade Magazine's award for Best Art Knife.   Don's work has been featured in Knives'92 through Knives'98

Bert Gaston of Little Rock, AR, is a current board member of the ABS. He received his Master Smith stamp in 1993. Bert is a veteran teacher at the ABS school. Bert's blades have been featured in Blade Magazine, Knives Illustrated, Knife World, Fighting Knives and other periodicals.

Jay Hendrickson, of Frederick, Maryland, is the past president of the American Bladesmith Society, Inc., having been appointed to that post by the ABS Board of Directors in May, 1991. Hendrickson has been a Master Smith since 1989, and his work has been featured in most of the leading knife journals, including Knife World, The Blade, and Knives. He has been a member of the ABS Board since 1986.

Joe Keeslar, Almo, Kentucky, received his ABS Masters rating in 1989.  He has been a member of the ABS Board of Directors since 1991.  His work has appeared in Blade, Knife World, Knives Illustrated, Tactical Knives and Knives '93 and '96.

Roger Massey, of Texarkana, Arkansas, earned his Masters rating in 1995.  He was a double winner at the 1996 Arkansas Knife Show for "Best Bowie" and "Best Hunter".  He also received the Blade show award for "Best Hunter" in 1997.  His work appears in Blade, Knife World, and Knives'97 & '98.

William F. Moran, Jr., of Braddock Heights, Maryland, is the most famous bladesmith in the world today. His long and illustrious career dates back to the 1940's, and Moran as the first American smith of the 20th century to successfully forge and display blades made of Damascus steel. He also served the Knifemakers Guild as president in 1973. He received the first Master's Stamp presented by the ABS.

Greg Neely, of Houston, Texas, earned his Masters' stamp in 1993 and in  1998 he was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the ABS.  Noted for his critical attention to detail, Greg's work has been seen in Blade, Knife World, Knives Illustrated, and Knives '94 and '96.

Charlie Ochs Largo, Florida was the 1989 recipient of the W. F. Moran Award for the best forged knife be an ABS member.  The same year he received his Master Smith stamp from the ABS.  He has received critical acclaim for his knives based on designs created by the late Bill Scagel, and his work has been featured in The Blade, Knife World, Knives Illustrated and Knives'92-'98.

Mel Pardue Repton Alabama, specializes  in finely crafted folders.  A member of the Board of Director for the Knifemakers Guild, Mel's work has been featured in Blade, Knife World, and Knives'97 & '98.  He made his first folder in 1974.

Kenneth Rowe, of Hope, Arkansas, is a leatherworker whose artistry has won a great deal of critical acclaim during the past few yeas. Kenneth is also a writer whose work has been featured in Fighting Knives and Knives Illustrated. In addition to beautiful knife sheaths, Rowe also makes outstanding leather products for handguns.

Shane Taylor Miles City, Montana, earned his Master's stamp in 2000. He specializes in mosaic Damascus folders and Bowies and is recognized as one of the innovators in the field.

Jim Walker, of Morrilton, Arkansas, was the winner of the Antique Bowie Collectors Award for "Best Contemporary Bowie" by a Journeyman Smith of the ABS for both 1995 and 1996.  In the latter year he was awarded his Master Smiths rating.  His work has been featured in Knives '96-'98, Blade, Knives Illustrated, Knife World, and Tactical Knives.

TEXARKANA COLLEGE
Community Services Division
Texarkana, Texas in cooperation with: The American Bladesmith Society, Inc.
and
The Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation

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