Jim Batson took center stage to demonstrate bladesmithing. Jim has been teaching for years and is one of the men instrumental in the current revival of bladesmithing. He is a past president of ABANA and founder of the Alabama Forge Council and the annual Batson Bladesmithing Symposium. He is one the board of directors of the American Bladesmith Society. He is an avid researcher">

Jim Batson took center stage to demonstrate bladesmithing. Jim has been teaching for years and is one of the men instrumental in the current revival of bladesmithing. He is a past president of ABANA and founder of the Alabama Forge Council and the annual Batson Bladesmithing Symposium. He is one the board of directors of the American Bladesmith Society. He is an avid researcher, author and one of the leading experts on Jim Bowie and the Bowie knife. His early American style Bowie knives have an authenticity that comes from careful craftsmanship and attention to historical detail.

Though I have known Jim for years and am proud to call him friend, it was the first time I had had the opportunity to watch him teach. He is  high energy and colorful, but behind his country ways is the mind of a rocket scientist. He explained the basics of metallurgy in a clear and understandable way, fielded questions, and then carefully forged a Bowie blade taking it all the way through heat treatment.

I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to take Jim's classes. He is one of the men who make this such an enriching field.