Introduction to ABANA's National Curriculum for Blacksmithing

This video is a brief introduction to the Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America's National Curriculum for Blacksmithing. If you are an affiliate blacksmithing organization or a school interested in utilizing the curriculum for your members or students, please email the ABANA Education Committee or visit abana.org for more info.
If you are an individual interested in learning via the National Curriculum to develop or further your skills, visit abana.org for requirements, checklists, inspiration, videos, and more.
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Twitter: / abanaorg

[@wallacewithoutgromit]

In my 70 years as a craftsman nearly all my work came from someone who saw it in usually someone's house and inquired as to who made it. The answer, this funky old guy in Boonsboro usually brought another quest for work. Work out there sells work. It starts with your first finished piece.

[@picklesnoutpenobscott3165]

I do like having a known level. It is like a cabinetmaker’ toolchest. You know the work possible with one glance. I wish there were instructors in my area, but I will do the work regardless. It can hang on the wall as my own advertisement of skill level.

[@ABANAorg]

We’re adding new instructors and schools all the time. What area are you in?

[@colinotoole3978]

First comment!!!

[@MrOldclunker]

Who cares

[@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897]

​@@MrOldclunker I care.

[@MrOldclunker]

Anything to charge for a curriculum. It's blacksmithing, not surgery, big whoop.

[@ABANAorg]

Everyone is welcome to utilize the National Curriculum to enhance their skills or learn new ones - there is no charge - all the lessons, drawings, and videos are available for free.
However, if someone wants to have their work evaluated by a certified National Curriculum Instructor, the “cost” is to be a current member of ABANA. When a blacksmith can prove proficiency to a shop owner or client by being certified, that’s a great thing. When a school or blacksmith group is looking for competent instructors, a smith’s level of teaching can immediately be known via their certification level. We think that’s a great thing, too.
A blacksmith can go their entire life without being certified through the National Curriculum and that’s perfectly fine. But if they would like to, there is now a path - just like the farriers have with IAPF and just like the bladesmiths have with ABS.