AUBURN – Learning professional skills needed to forge a knife blade will be the subject of the third annual American Bladesmith Society “Hammer In” New England Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show at the New England School of Metalwork from Friday morning through Sunday noon, July 15-17.

Demonstrations and workshops in blade forging and cutting will be conducted throughout the event by master bladesmiths certified by ABS from Maine and several other states. Sessions are open to all for a registration fee of $55.

“Our symposium shows anyone who may be interested in a viable professional career in bladesmithing how to pursue that path, further hone their skill sets and become ABS-certified,” notes Dereck Glaser, metalsmithing program director at the school.

While displaying their own knives and blades, registrants will also have the opportunity to try their hand at forging a blade guided by an ABS master bladesmith. Workshops will showcase skills including: forging, grinding and heat treating a knife to pass the journeyman test; Damascus steel; blade grinding and hand finishes; preparing for the journeyman test; handles and guards; quality assurance; green coal; hands-on forging and forging tomahawks.

A knife show and auction will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at no charge and open to the public. Registrants may offer their own blades at the auction.

In 2009 The New England School of Metalwork became only the third school in the country to be certified by the American Bladesmith Society to offer professional training in bladesmithing skills.

Preregistration can be entered online at www.americanbladesmith.com or at the New England School of Metalwork, 7 Albiston Way, on Thursday, July 14, from 2-6 p.m. or Friday, July 15, beginning at 8 a.m.

For more information, contact Dereck Glaser at the New England School of Metalwork at 777-3375 or [email protected], or ABS Chairman James Batson at (256) 971-6860 or [email protected].