ABS Names New Smiths At Blade Show 2025

Knifemaking

ABS Names New Smiths At Blade Show 2025

BLADE Staff

August 12, 2025

ABS Names New Smiths At Blade Show 2025 — A set of five test knives by Christopher Moss passed muster and earned the Asheboro, North Carolina, resident his ABS journeyman smith rating during BLADE Show ’25.(SharpByCoop image)

Celebrate the new class of master and journeyman smiths! See who received the top honors from the American Bladesmith Society at the recent BLADE Show.

The American Bladesmith Society awarded its coveted ratings of master smith and journeyman smith at the recent BLADE Show in Atlanta.

Three applicants achieved the rating pinnacle of master smith:

Andrew Blomfield (Australia)
Luiz Gustavo Gonçalves (Brazil)
Erik McCright (Weatherford, Texas)

Gonçalves also won the awards for Best Kitchen Knife and Best Fighter during the BLADE Show custom knife judging competition.

Argentina’s Matias Funes was awarded his ABS journeyman smith stamp during the 44th Annual BLADE Show after his five test knives met with the approval of the ABS JS judging panel. (SharpByCoop image)

Journeyman smith stamps were awarded to:

Felipe Cavallin (Brazil)
Jason W. Coy (Squires, Missouri)
Viktor De Bonte (Woodinville, Washington)
Adam Fromholtz (Australia)
Matias Funes (Argentina)
PJ Gouws (South Africa)
Nate “Tuna” Grant (Seguin, Texas)
Matthew Hartwig (Bozeman, Montana)
Nishan Mood (Fullerton, California)
Christopher Moss (Asheboro, North Carolina)
William Porto (Brazil)
Willie Van Der Merwe (South Africa)
Jan C. Vatelau, (Boise, Idaho)
Michael Hobbs (Shelbyville, Tennessee)

In addition, Gonçalves won the award for the best knife presented by a master smith applicant for judging, and Funes won the award for the best knife presented by a journeyman smith applicant for judging.

Journeyman smiths are the second highest level of ABS member bladesmiths, surpassed only by master smiths. Each must pass rigorous tests before achieving their respective rates, with the journeyman smiths having to wait a specified time once making JS before they can apply for the top rating of MS. For a complete rundown of the tests, requirements and other bona fides of both ratings, visit americanbladesmith.org and click on “Member Resources.”

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