John Cross ABS Mastersmith & Knifmakers Guild Member When I was just getting started forging knives , my good friend John Cross helped me a lot . He told me he would teach me anything I wanted to learn , but there was a string attached ! I would have to teach others . Every year for the past six years I have taught a Beginning Knife Making course at Montgomery Community College , in Troy N.C. I also do demonstrations and seminars during the year . Some might say that pay backs are hell , but I really enjoy doing it . When I finish all my students leave with the same string attached to them ! In May, of 2000 my good friend John slipped off to a far better place , but his string will always be attached to me . Farewell My Friend May you have entered the gates of heven before the devil knew you were dead ! The North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild in conjunction with Montgomery Community College sponsors the following classes in 2007 Knifemaking Classes for 2008 Course: Custom Folding Knives Dates: May 1 - 4, 2008 Cost: $315 Instructor: Ed Van Hoy Description: Design and craft a custom liner-lock folding knife. The class will show the basic principles and methods of construction required to make a folding knife. It will cover design, machine work, drilling, tapping grinding the blade and finishing. Each student will complete one knife using both machine shop and common hand tools. A hands on course. Course: Knife Grinding Dates: July 25 -27, 2008 Cost: $240 Instructor: Ed Halligan Description: Description: Students will learn fixed blade design using the basic principles and methods of knife construction. This includes learning hollow grinding, flat grinding, heat treating a knife blade, how to make guards and finishing a handle. A hands on course. This will be my 10th year teacking this class . The American Bowie Knife August 1 - 3, 2008 Cost $240 Instructor: James Batson Learn the basics of forging a knife blade by hammer and hand. Each student will prepare blades they have forged for heat treating by hand with files or by grinding. They will learn how to heat treat, finish, and sharpen these blades. All levels of skill accepted; adequate eye-hand coordination is necessary. Course: Basic Knife Making Dates: October 2 - 5, 2008 Cost: $315 Instructor: Tommy McNabb Description: Students will learn knife making by designing and making a knife themselves under the guidance of the instructor. Each student will grind, heat treat and finish a knife using the stock removal method. This class is for beginners to intermediates who want to perfect their knife making skills. Automatic Folding Knives September 11 -14, 2008 Cost $315 Instructor: Ed VanHoy Design and craft a spring loaded folding knife. The course will include the basic principles and methods of construction required to make a spring loaded automatic folder. Techniques will include drilling, tapping, grinding and finishing. Course: Forged Tomahawks Dates: September 26 - 28, 2008 Cost: $240 Instructor: Wayne Whitley Description: Forge and finish an Early American tomahawk. Students will learn forging, grinding, heat treating and finishing the blade and handle. A hands on course. Montgomery Community College and Course Registration Forms