Learning from Paul Inmen

[Ira Blaine]

Hey everybody, I recently was accepted as a apprentice under Paul Inmen (JS), who trained under Bill Moran. I don't doubt his ability as a smith as i see his work all day, but does anyone know anything about his history? He is not listed in the ABS, although he is in a picture with Bill Moran at the Damascus studio in Texarkana. He makes amazingly subtle Damascus work but is not listed as a Master Smith, he claims he doesn't care about the official title of Master. I guess my question is, how will I get rated as a smith down the road if I am being trained by a "Ronin" smith (for a lesser term)? Do I just approach the ABS when I'm ready to be tested? I sure could use some guidance here, I'm pushing alot of brooms and doing alot of cleaning in the shop and I just hope this is on the Up and Up.