[Scott Roush]

Hi.... I've been making knives for a year and a half now. I started with real basic stock removal stuff and went to forging. I joined the ABS just before I went to the Smokey Mountain Hammer-in. That event caused an avalanche for me and I've really gone in deep. I now have a KMG and am looking for as many learning opportunities as I can find. I will be attending the Midwest hammer-in, and I just returned from visiting Karl Andersen's shop. Karl was extremely gracious in giving me help.

I'm still looking for a consistent style, but, right now, I like hammered finishes, big camp knives, hunters, japanese style utility knives - kiridashi inspired. And other things. I have a website and am always looking for feedback and criticisms from both my peers and the MS and JS smiths. www.bigrockforge.com

My current goals are to improve the fit and finish of guards and handles, improve my hand-sanded finishes and to become more consistent with heat treating. I'm increasingly becoming a student of those among the ABS who are into the metallurgical end of things. I'm fascinated with it as a science and want to utilize it to make the best performing blades that I can make with simple tools.

My longer term goals are to perfect forge welding and to do stainless/high carbon and wrought iron/high carbon san mai blades.

Hope to meet you all soon!

[Phil Dwyer]

Good to meet ya Scott!

You're the second guy in two days I've read about that visited Karl Andersen. I'm jealous! Where do you hail from? You might want to fill out your profile/About Me info with a few tidbits about yourself so we can meet you a wee bit more. Sounds like you've been making good progress with your bladesmithing and have clear minded goals. Have fun at the hammer-in. Maybe snap a few photos if you can and let us know how it went.

All the best, Phil

[Lin Rhea]

Welcome Scott. I'm glad to see your getting both feet wet in this forging thing. The ABS site is relatively new and we are generating input and participation as we go, but it's gettin there. I've seen some of your work already on Tradgang and it's lookin good. When you start posting photos, be sure and read about the size limits for this site and if you need help holler. Once you use the webresizer site, it's a cinch. Lin

[ABS Webmaster]

Scott:
Welcome to the ABS Forum. I remember talking to you on the telephone when you joined the ABS and how much you wanted to learn more about bladesmithing. It is great to see that you are attending our ABS Hammer-Ins and the members are giving you advice. Karl Andersen is an excellent bladesmith and teacher.

Sally and I will see you at the Mid America Hammer-In in a few weeks. Enjoy the Forum!

[Rick Baum]

Hi Scott,

Welcome aboard!

I spent some time on your website today and am very impressed with your work, knives and photography. Funny thing... As I was perusing your photography section I actually said to myself that you should be doing work for National Geographic or Discovery Channel. Then I read that you were commissioned to do some photography for Planet Earth series. Sometimes I'm just downright psychic.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, keep up the good work. It looks to me like you're well on your way to your own style. With your artistic and technical eye you're going to do well in your knife making venture.

Rick

[BrionTomberlin]

Welcome Scott. Glad to have you aboard. I am glad to hear that you are going to Hammer Ins and Karl's shop, enjoy yourself and ask a lot of questions. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail or call.
Best regards
Brion

[Scott Roush]

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas....

Phil... I'm the same guy! I'm 'mossanimal' on Blade. I'm from Northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior... near Bayfield. I've felt pretty lonely up here with my knife making!

Thanks Lin... Looking forward to using this site. Thanks again for all the help you've given me.

Rick... yeah... underwater, nature and travel photography were my big passions until a family and land rooted me. Smithing is something I can do and still be around the family. I love photography, but bladesmithing is WAY more gratifying. I tell ya one thing... I went into knife making kind of smug thinking I would instantly be good at photographing knives. Not the case. I still don't feel like I can make a knife pop the way Chuck and others do... Of course, you would have to be a real hacker to make a poor showing of the knives he photographs anyway.

So thanks again for the welcome... I will look into my profile...

[Karl B. Andersen]

It's pretty easy to be a "good" teacher when you have such a hungry and attentive student.
Scott may be new to the ABS, but don't let that newness fool you!
He is a very creative artisan and I expect to see great contributions from him
It's really breaking my heart to miss the Mid America event in a few weeks, not only because of the consistently fabulous line-up, but I'll not get to see Scott bothering everyone to learn as much as he can.
The ABS just got better with him signing on.