OUR PURPOSE and MISSION
The American Bladesmith Society, Inc. (ABS) was incorporated as a non-profit corporation to operate for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. The American Bladesmith Society was formed primarily to encourage and promote activities involving the art and science of forging metal, particularly tools, weapons and art forms. The objectives of the educational programs of the ABS are to inform and educate knife makers and the public about the art, science, technology, history and culture relating to forged edged tools, weapons and artifacts and the proper care and use of these objects.
The original Board of Directors for the American Bladesmith Society was: William F. Moran, Jr., Bill Bagwell, Don Hastings and B.R. Hughes.
ABS- Setting The Standard For Bladesmithing
ABS News and Events
Congratulations to our award winners at Blade 2022
BLADE SHOW CUSTOM KNIFE AWARD WINNERS HUGH BARTRUG BEST OF SHOW- Donatam Franco BEST HANDLE DESIGN- Fabio Barros BEST UTILITY HUNTER- Ben Pittman BEST SWORD- Vince Evans BEST BOWIE- Tommy Gann BEST FIXED BLADE- Vince [...]
The ABS loses one of our finest.
The ABS is sad to announce the passing of Bert Gaston a Master Smith, former ABS Vice President, Board Director and Instructor. Samuel "Bert" Albert Gaston. of Little Rock, AR November 2, 1933 - July [...]
Our Sympathies to The Family, and Friends of Dale Huckabee JS
Dale Huckabee received his Journeyman Smith rank in 2003. He attended the Atlanta Blade Show regularly. Dale was of great support to the bladesmith world, especially his involvement with the Batson Blade Symposium, always a [...]
Our Condolences to ABS Treasurer Bill Wiggins and his family on the loss of his father.
William Burton "Burt" Wiggins December 28, 1934 – June 15, 2022 WAYNESVILLE — William Burton “Burt” Wiggins of Haywood County went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the age of 87. [...]
In Memory of ABS Chairman Joe Cordova
The ABS expresses our sincerest sympathies to the family of Mastersmith Joe Cordova, who passed away on April 25. Joe was an extraordinary knifemaker, ABS Chairman, and friend to the ABS. He will be missed. [...]
Schools
2023 Class Schedule
January 9 – 20, 2023: ABS Intro to Bladesmithing Instructor: Scott McGhee January 9 - January 20, 2022 (M-Th, 8am-5pm with 1 hour for lunch)* Friday 8am-12pm. The Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing is proud to [...]
Texarkana College 2022 Class Schedule
Enrollment Form PDF or Enroll Online Refund Requests must be received 3 weeks prior to first day of class. We are starting up a student library at the school. It will be knife relevant material [...]
Heavin Forge 2022 March Intro Course
After lockdown, it was a wonderful surprise for us at Heavin Forge, Bladesmithing Studio and School in Belfast, South Africa, to have a full class of six keen students. We began on Saturday before the [...]
2022 Great Smoky Mountain Hammer-In
March 17-20, 2022 Offered by the American Bladesmith Society Hosted by Haywood Community College On the campus of Haywood Community College – 185 Freelander Drive, Clyde, NC Facemask are Required per the School’s Policy [...]
New England School of Metalwork 2022 Schedule
Accredited by the American Bladesmith Society Introduction to Bladesmithing (2-week course) March 14 through March 25 Instructor: ABS Mastersmith, Timothy Potier Monday through Friday, 8am—5pm each day, no class on weekend in-between Skill level: Beginner [...]
2022 New England School of Metalwork Bladesmithing Youth Day
Bladesmithing Youth Day (1day course) March 19 Skill level: Beginner and up Click here to ENROLL NOW Classes conducted at: New England School of Metalwork 7 Albiston Way, Auburn, Maine 04210 for additional Class Schedule and [...]
Employment Opportunity With NESM
The New England School of Metalwork is seeking a dedicated individual to join our team. A full time position and highly unique opportunity to grow, learn and expand while accessing many of the country’s top [...]
Heavin Forge Announces 2022 Classes
January 2022 January 6-9, Special Project, Advanced Chef knife (fully booked) January 26-30, Full House March 2022 March 7-18, ABS Intro to Bladesmithing (fully booked) March 21-25, Handles, Fittings and Sheaths (fully booked)March 28-30, [...]
SOFA Intro to Bladesmithing 2022
The SOFA school will be holding and ABS Intro to Bladesmithing class from August 22 through September 2, 2022. The instructors for this course will be Mastersmith, and ABS Past Chairman Mastersmith, Greg Neely and [...]