MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
JAMES GIBSON
James Gibson is a proud native of East Tennessee, born and raised in the scenic Great Smoky Mountain area. Their deep-rooted love for the outdoors has shaped a lifelong passion for activities like hiking, hunting, fishing, and anything that connects them to nature. In 1980, they recognized the need for a reliable, functional knife and crafted their very first one. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to refining their craft over the years.
In October 1998, Gibson took the introductory course at the American Bladesmith Society (A.B.S.) School under Master Smith Jim Batson. This experience marked the beginning of formal training in bladesmithing. They went on to take a Handle & Guards class with Master Smith Joe Keeslar in October 1999 and a Damascus class with Master Smith Tim Foster in October 2002.
In 2003, Gibson achieved the prestigious Journeyman Smith Rating with the A.B.S. and has continued their education through various advanced classes, including a Quillion Dagger Class with Master Smith Kevin Cashen. They have also trained with numerous other skilled professionals in the field.
Beyond bladesmithing, Gibson has been a dedicated flintknapper for over 20 years and co-hosted the Clinch River Knap-in for a decade. They remain an active participant in knap-ins and gatherings to this day.
Their passion for wilderness survival was sparked in 1976 upon discovering Larry Dean Olsen’s book Outdoor Survival Skills, igniting a lifelong journey of learning and teaching. In 1993, Gibson attended the Standard Course at Tom Brown’s Survival School, further deepening their knowledge. They have since studied primitive skills, survival techniques, and bushcraft extensively and now teach survival classes throughout the year.
Gibson has also pursued the martial art of Ninjutsu since the late 1980s, achieving the rank of 6th-degree black belt. Their commitment to continuous learning and sharing their knowledge makes them a respected figure in their community and beyond.
UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
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Women’s Wilderness Survival 101
Original price $225.00 - Original price $225.00Original price$225.00$225.00 - $225.00Current price $225.00Women’s Wilderness Survival 101 is a course tailored specifically for women of all ages to foster empowerment and greater female participation in t...
View full detailsOriginal price $225.00 - Original price $225.00Original price$225.00$225.00 - $225.00Current price $225.00 -
Firecraft Weekend Workshop
Original price $200.00 - Original price $200.00Original price$200.00$200.00 - $200.00Current price $200.00Firecraft is the art of creating and sustaining a fire, a skill essential for survival and everyday use. In a time not so long ago, fire-making was...
View full detailsOriginal price $200.00 - Original price $200.00Original price$200.00$200.00 - $200.00Current price $200.00 -
Wilderness Survival
Original price $200.00 - Original price $200.00Original price$200.00$200.00 - $200.00Current price $200.00Class Description Gear List Additional Information This Survival Course is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skil...
View full detailsOriginal price $200.00 - Original price $200.00Original price$200.00$200.00 - $200.00Current price $200.00 -
Navigation 101
Original price $225.00 - Original price $225.00Original price$225.00$225.00 - $225.00Current price $225.00Navigation 101 is designed to help those develop essential navigation skills to find your way home, how to explore safely, and other techniques in...
View full detailsOriginal price $225.00 - Original price $225.00Original price$225.00$225.00 - $225.00Current price $225.00 -
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