Frequently asked questions
How do I access my course?
See Logging In and Accessing Your Bladesmithing for Beginners Course
How long do I have access to my course?
Once you’ve purchased this course, you have immediate access to all course content. Your access to the course will not expire.
How does this course work?
This course is self-guided. Once you purchase the course, you have immediate access to all course content. The course consists of the information section (where you found this FAQ) and three phases, with each phase broken down into individual lessons and activities. There is no instructor, and you are not following a curriculum alongside a group of other students—you may move through the course material at your own pace. The goal of this course is for you to have the knowledge needed to forge, grind, heat treat, and finish your own 4-inch hunter knife with a hidden tang that is ready for handle and guard application.
Will there be graded assignments?
This course is self-guided, which means you may access any course content at any time. There is no instructor, and you are not required to follow a syllabus. Within the course, however, you have the opportunity to complete activities and take quizzes to test your mastery of the subject matter. These activities and quizzes are completely optional.
What if I have questions about the knifemaking process?
We encourage you to become a member of the ABS Forums (see “Registering for the American Bladesmith Society forum“), where some of the best bladesmiths in the world are active members. You’ll find tons of information that is helpful to beginning bladesmiths. If you are unable to find an answer on the forums, contact us.
I’m ready to build a handle and guard for my knife. How do I do that?
The goal of the beginner course is for you to have the knowledge needed to forge, grind, heat treat, and finish your own 4-inch hunter knife with a hidden tang that is ready for handle and guard application. This course does not include instruction on building a handle and guard. Handles and Guards is an advanced-level course that we currently offer in-person in Texarkana, Texas, and that may be a future online course offering.
How do I contact technical support during my course?
If you need technical support, submit this form with a detailed description of your issue.
How do I access my American Bladesmith Society membership and register for the ABS Forums?
To access your ABS membership, see “Claiming your American Bladesmith Society membership.” To access the ABS forums, see “Registering for the American Bladesmith Society forum.”
What is the refund policy for this course?
Refunds must be requested within 48 hours of purchasing the course. To request a refund, please email your request to sales@learnbladesmithing.com and include the email address you used to register for the course. Refunds will be processed within 5-7 business days, with longer delays possible during the holidays.