ABS journeyman smith test

I am a proud member of the American Bladesmith Society. I have been a member for three years and am now eligible to test for my Journeyman smith stamp.

This year I will do my cutting test, the first of the two stage process. The next step is my five show knives to be judged at the “Blade Show” in Atlanta June 2011. After becoming a Journeyman smith I have to wait 3 years till I am eligible to test for my Master smith.

The Performance test:

The test knife is a 15 inch knife that has to be heat treated correctly to perform four functions.

1.) The first test is to cut a 1 inch rope hanging with one swing.
2.) The second test is to cut all the way through a 2×4 twice without bending the edge.
3.) The third test is to shave arm hair. All without retouching the blade.
4.) The final step is to put the blade in a vise and bend it 90 degrees with out it breaking or cracking.

A mastersmith witnesses the test and once it is completed one is eligible to go on to the next phase.

The Show Knives:

Next you are supposed to make five quality knives that are judged on correct geometry, fit and finish, and overall look. Each of the five knives have to be very high quality and are judged by a panel of ABS mastersmiths at the “Blade Show” in Atlanta. Once you pass the judging you are awarded you journeyman smith stamp and wait three years to do it all again with Damascus to test for Mastersmith.