Passing the JS and a Thank You

[BrianT]

Hello all.

This year at Blade, I received My JS stamp from the American Blade Smith Society. This is a wonderful honor and I have yet to get over the initial excitement of when they told me I passed.

While this was a great achievement, I had a lot of help, guidance, and support along the way.

I would like to thank Ed Caffrey for all his help that he has given me through these forums, his Friday night chat, and taking his personal time to point me in the right direction. My deepest appreciations go out to you Ed, you are not only inspirational as a bladesmith but also as a person. THANK YOU

Brad Singley, I would also like to thank you for giving me the push when I needed it and the help when I asked.

Howard Clark, Thanks for putting up with me for my performance test, looking over my knives, and all the tips that you have given me through conversation that you probably didn't know that you gave me.

Thanks also to Wayne Goddard, Mike Williams, Raymond Rybar, Shane Taylor, Hank Knickmeyer, and J Nielson who have all in one way or another guided me and/or helped me reach this point and continue on.

Sincerly
Brian Thie

And the results:

[cdent]

Thanks for the pics Brian. It would be a treat to have seen the 'after' versions. Hats off to you for dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

Take care, Craig

[Bob Hartman]

Looking at those knives I'd say you probably passed with flying colors. Well done.
Bob

[Ed Caffrey]

Hi Brian!

You should be very proud of what you've accomplished! You worked long and hard, and all I did was give you a few pointers. If I remember correctly, there are only about 168 JS, so your now part of an elite group. When I achieved my MS, I remember thinking "Now I can take it easy." After thinking about it more, I realized that the real work had only just began. I had set a standard for myself, and everything that followed must be up to, or exceed that standard.

Always keep in mind that YOU did the work, and pushed yourself where others didn't..... Congratulations! Look forward to seeing you at the MS judging in the future. I can't speak for all the Mastersmiths, but I will always be here to offer any assistance I can.

[Karl B. Andersen]

I'm the good lookin' one, third from the left, (with more hair I might add) and then there's Brian:
Just messin' with you Buddy. I'm proud to have been in your company!

[Carey Quinn]

Brian and Karl,

Congratulations on a job well done. I'm sure you are both proud and I'm proud for you.

Carey

[Mike Krall]

Anyone have the names of the rest of the people in this years JS photo? Who all passed the MS test?

Mike

[Ed Caffrey]

I posted all the names on this thread.....

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=47235

[Mike Krall]

Thank you, Ed... I went right by it in a search and didn't see it...

Mike

[Brad Singley]

Hi Brian,
Congrats on a job well done! You set a goal for yourself and achieved it. Thank you for your kind words but remember like Ed said " you did the work". The hard part comes now, you will always try to do better than the knife before. I am proud of you!

Brad Singley