Michael Conner, MS Bowie

I think as a point of interest any Connor knife would be a welcome addition to "forged/ABS" centric collection. I would liked to have snagged it, let us hear your thoughts on FnF.

Cheers,

Stephen
 
ptgdvc said:
It is clearly classic ABS MS 101 circa 1990. Which is just fine.

The interesting question is whether, or not, the fit and finish match the hype.
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Peter,
The FnF is probably crap,so send me the friggin knife.Take your pick of my collection.
Randy
 
nifrand said:
Peter,
The FnF is probably crap,so send me the friggin knife.Take your pick of my collection.
Randy
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Randy,

ROTFLMAO! I will keep your request in mind. ;)

P
 
That is one rare beast you landed there Peter - congrats! Bring that one with you to Blade so I can paw it up.

Roger
 
ptgdvc said:
It is clearly classic ABS MS 101 circa 1990. Which is just fine.

The interesting question is whether, or not, the fit and finish match the hype.
Click to expand...

Peter:

Nice looking knife!

Terry
 
Peter,
I have a very similar John Fitch from that same era,Sambar stag handled 10" blade,a little less filework around the guard is the only real difference I can see.
Congrats on a stunning new Bowie and sheath/scabbard.:thumbup: :cool:

Doug :)
 
leatherbird said:
Peter,
I have a very similar John Fitch from that same era,Sambar stag handled 10" blade,a little less filework around the guard is the only real difference I can see.
Congrats on a stunning new Bowie and sheath/scabbard.:thumbup: :cool:

Doug :)
Click to expand...

Fitch was not making knives in 1990. Maybe you mean 2000?
 
Stephen F said:
I think as a point of interest any Connor knife would be a welcome addition to "forged/ABS" centric collection. I would liked to have snagged it, let us hear your thoughts on FnF.

Cheers,

Stephen
Click to expand...

Bigfoot/Nessie (the Conner) arrived this afternoon.

The knife is deceptively simple. It is definitely ABS MS 101 circa 1990 in form. At first glance, you would not be surprised to see the name Fisk or the Shooting Star of Jim Crowell on the ricasso. However the 9.75" blade is lighter and quicker than you might expect. The balance and feel are simply superb. The 5" Sambar Stag carver is symetrical and one of the best that I have ever seen anywhere. The overall style is more delicate, and dare I say, more refined than a Crowell or Fisk. Sleek is the adjective that best describes the knife. It is alive in your hand, almost more of a fighter than a Bowie.

The fit & finish are clearly superb. The blade's finish is truly spectacular in a 1200 grit, Russ Andrews, more hours of sanding than you want to know about, kind of way. There is no visible temper line, and none is needed or wanted. Everything lines up just the way it should, the grinds are even, and there is no hint of a gap anywhere. Mr. Conner's attention to detail obviously takes a back seat to no one.

The tip and throat sheath almost shouts Harvey Dean or Ron Newton. It fits the knife perfectly and the combination reminds me of the smooth and solid bolt action of a pre-WW2 Mauser K98. The attention to detail is of the same level as the knife.

There might be five Master Smiths, who imho, are be capable of building the equal of this simple classic knife. I don't think that any of them would want to build it, because it simply would not pay. I believe Russ Andrews could also pull it off, if Harvey Dean took care of the sheath.

All in all, it is a most satisfying addition, that is much more exciting in hand than in the photos. :thumbup:
 
It seems you really like the knife.

It is impossible to decern from a photo what you can tell from handling a knife.
 
I knew it!!

Connor is known in the ABS as "The Maker's Maker".

Most of his knives that I am aware of are owned by other makers.

I want one :)

There might be five Master Smiths, who imho, are be capable of building the equal of this simple classic knife. I don't think that any of them would want to build it, because it simply would not pay. I believe Russ Andrews could also pull it off, if Harvey Dean took care of the sheath.
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Oh yeah, I am not gonna let this slide. Who are the 5?
(I have some ideas...)
 
That was one of the smartest buys I've seen. This evidences it and why. Good going Peter!

Coop
 
This bowie is how I like them: clean and elegant :thumbup: :thumbup:
Congratulations and thanks for sharing :)
 
Thanks for the report Peter - can't say Im surprised. As Anthony mentioned, Connor is definitely "The Maker's Maker" - most of the raving I have heard about the quality of his work has been from top tier Master Smiths who own a treasured example of his work. When guys like Jerry Fisk get real excited about owning the work of another maker, you can bet I pay attention. Congrats on landing Nessie!

Roger
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
I knew it!! Oh yeah, I am not gonna let this slide. Who are the 5?
(I have some ideas...)
Click to expand...
Why don't you put me on the spot? ;)

(imvho) Given the treasure, time and desire, Harvey Dean, MS, Tim Hancock, MS, and Ron Newton, MS could build the whole package. I am also certain that none of these guys are crazy enough to actually want to do it.

Leaving the sheath question aside, Russ Andrews, JS, could build the knife alone and might actually want to do it. Harvey or Ron might just be willing to build the sheath.

This of course begs the question, "Who is capable and also crazy enough?" Nick Wheeler, AS comes to mind, but then you will have ask yourself, "how long do you plan on living?" He would need a few years to master the sheath building after all. It might be a moot point.

Randy mentioned a couple of makers that might be worthy of inclusion, but I just don't have enough knowledge and first hand experience of their work, to include them in this absurdly select company.

Looking into my crystal ball, there are a few makers who may have the potential ability to build the whole package in the future: Tom Ferry, JS, Don Hanson lll, JS, and Jason Knight, JS, Dan Farr, JS,. But the truth of the matter is that it is almost impossible for them to justify the almost endless hours needed on minute details and blade finishing. Unless, there are collectors willing to step up with the cash and have the ability to fully appreciate the extra work.

PS, I almost forgot to add Michael Conner, MS !!!!
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Hey, you forgot Larry Fuegen, or do you not think he could do it?
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I left Larry out, not because he could not do it, but because he would refuse do it.
I have asked him to use Sambar Stag on a couple of occasions, and he simply says that he prefers to work exclusively with Mule Deer Stag and closes the subject. I do not pretend to know the reason.
 
That is probably the nicest compliment I have ever recieved. I had Mr. Connor for one week of my intro class at the ABS school. Great guy. As to his attention to fit and finish, I would bet that if you took the knife apart, the tang and in fact all the internal surfaces would be finished to the same level as the blade. I believe he studied with Don Hastings, and as for making a typical ABS bowie, I think he may have actually been setting the standards at that point, not building to them. Someday I'll get a Connor, and I'll never sell it.
Dan Farr
 
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