ABS Master Bladesmith Rating

First a little about the test. Here is a link for those who might want to read about the requirements and specifications for the different stages of the test.

http://bladesmith.ciplex.ws/uploads/file/MASTER_SMITH_testing_guidelines.pdf

I tested on May 29, 2009 at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Ga. I was one of 5 who passed the American Bladesmith Mastersmith test. The group was very diverse. I'd like to make mention of them.

"Jimmy" Chin is originally from China, now residing in Taiwan. The first ABS Mastersmith from the Asian Continent. His life is an interesting story in itself. On the afternoon of the test, Jimmy put his arm over my shoulder and said " in the Chinese culture, anyone who goes through a battle or test together and survives are now brothers. We are brothers." Jimmy's work is as good as it gets.

Billy Bob Sowell is from Alabama. Where else? This guy is right out of the deep South and we speak the same language. I know somewhere down the line, our ancestors were good friends. He makes some really nice knives, especially early American Classics.

Rodrigo Sfreddo is from Brazil. Rodrigo's specialty is Damascus integrals. His work can only be described as awesome. Truly amazing. The fact that we are good friends, means that maybe he will teach me some of his techniques, if I can ever get to Brazil.

Brion Tomberlin is from Norman, Oklahoma. He and I compared notes and otherwise lamented the pitfalls of making test knives throughout the whole process. Needless to say, we became very close friends and I am so proud of him and want to congratulate him and the others for this achievement.

The test for Mastersmith is very daunting. When you read the specs on the test or, better yet, ask some of the applicants their thoughts, you'll get a better understanding of what it means to them and for them. Some may wonder just why a person would want to put themselves through it. I certainly wondered that about myself a few times while in the midst of the process. But, it's an achievement to another level and it seems that if you raise the bar, someone will keep trying to reach it. That's a good thing for all involved.

As part of the ABS Mastersmith test, each applicant is REQUIRED to make a Quillion Dagger. This knife is to be "weapons grade" as if it came right out of an earlier century. It is a very difficult knife to make, in comparison to most. The symmetry of a dagger requires the applicant to use all of his present skills and develop even more. I must say, I learned more while making this knife than on any other. Keep in mind that during this whole process, the applicant is on his own, with no one "walking him through it".

I found it helpful to draw, to scale, and in detail the dagger I wanted to make. That way I could refer to the drawing no matter what stage I was in and do this anytime I needed to to be absolutely sure the end result was what I was wanting. Here is a detailed picture of the dagger I submitted before the judges:

Quillion Dagger

As I mentioned, the Quillion Dagger was a required element. The other four knives were, for the most part, up to me. I chose to make some of my standard styles of knives. Along with the dagger I made a Boone's Lick Bowie, a Camp Bowie, a Classic style Bowie, and a Compact Hunter. Here is a group photograph of all of the knives together:

Group photograph