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Gentlemen,
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of one of the true legends of knifemaking. Early this morning, Bill Moran died after a bravely fought battle with cancer.
Bill was virtually single-handedly responsible for the survival of the art of blade forging. To that end, Bill founded the American Bladesmith Society. The society started with Bill's vision which was shared with three other men in an airport, at which time they decided to start the American Bladesmith Society (ABS). It grew over the years to over 1,200 members and even started a bladesmithing school in Old Washington, Arkansas. The school proudly teaches classes in forging (bladesmithing), handles, guards, engraving, grinding, and all the necessary skills which Bill perfected in about 60 years of bladesmithing. Bill reinvented the art of forging damascus steel in the early 1970s, which signaled the rebirth of the forged blade.
Despite all the fame, Bill remained a wonderfully humble, accessable man who shunned personal fame, except when it would benefit the proliferation of bladesmithing as an art. Bill had no children, but the art of bladesmithing was his sole heir and love, after his beloved wife Margaret who preceeded him in death by only a few years. I am proud to say that I was inducted into the Bladesmithing Hall of Fame the same year that Margaret was inducted into the Bladesmithing Hall of Fame, and am proud to stand with such great folks as Bill and Margaret Moran in that honor.
Bill was a dear friend of mine for over 30 years and will be missed by so very many. Rest in peace, Bill.
Jeffro (Jeff Harris)
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