"Who's the Best" Question for ABS Member Smiths

J.D. Smith is another maker whose work I have not had the chance to see up close and personal. From the pictures I have seen, the styles are extremely eye pleasing.
 
J.D. Smith's knives, both folders and straight knives have very clean lines but are also artistic. His damascus and mokume are some of the nicest that I have seen.
 
Special thanks to Ron Newton and Bailey Bradshaw for joining in.

And to all for a richly enlightening discussion--

Thanks again,
Will
 
Where can a person get a look at some of Michael Connor's knives? This thread has gotten me interested in seeing his work and I can't seem to find any pictures.
 
Thats the catch.

Mike Connor may be the cleanest knifemaker guy in the world, however for me he is a non-issue as his knives are -unobtanium-. He has a full-time job and makes very few knives(I have seen 2 in 5 years at shows). There are several really exceptional bladesmiths including John M. Smith, Mr. Connor, and Greg Neely, that make very, very few knives because they are busy with other things, like work!

Unfortunately because they make so few knives there will never be a tremendous aftermarket because most of those makers have a small cadre of loyal customers. Obscurity does not help the long term appreciation of knives.

JD Smith makes very nice knives. I own a sword that he made. very cool.
 
Originally posted by Anthony Lombardo
Thats the catch.

Mike Connor may be the cleanest knifemaker guy in the world, however for me he is a non-issue as his knives are -unobtanium-. He has a full-time job and makes very few knives(I have seen 2 in 5 years at shows). There are several really exceptional bladesmiths including John M. Smith, Mr. Connor, and Greg Neely, that make very, very few knives because they are busy with other things, like work!
Click to expand...

This is something I have noticed and I find it a little disheartening. I have been looking for examples of John M. Smith's and Michael Connor's Bowies and I have not been having much luck.
 
Tim Hancock, Jerry Fisk, & Harvey Dean are tops in my book.:D

Keith - I started a thread way back when, requesting anyone to
post some pics of Mike Conner's work, but none materialized.:(
Someone must have one that owns a digital camera that would like to
share!

Good thread Will! ;)

Frank :cool:
 
Can't disagree with any of the names mentioned so far, they all approach what could be called perfection in design and execution - after getting my new knife this past weekend from Don Fogg I would have to say that IMHO his work is at a level that is equaled by a few but would be near impossible to exceed. The Blade Auction sword he did was beyond belief in person - the pictures did not do it justice. There is a point at which to say one is better than another is academic - the level is so good.

Bill
 
Dan-

Thanks--that's good to know. The one you found is Mike Conner from Bell, Texas, according to his website.

ABS lists Mastersmith Michael Connor (ending in "or" rather than "er") in Winters, Texas. ABS lists no "Conner" ("er") among its Mastersmiths.

But I can see how someone reading the name Michael Connor here, and later seeing a knife from a Mike Conner, also from Texas, might easily make that mistake. I notice Conner's knives on his website are ATS34--safe to assume there's no connection, I'd imagine.

Thanks for the search, though.

Will
 
I'm still searching...

You guys are right about not finding any pics. The owners of his knives must keep them locked in safes - sheesh!
 
Originally posted by penguinva
after getting my new knife this past weekend from Don Fogg I would have to say that IMHO his work is at a level that is equaled by a few but would be near impossible to exceed. The Blade Auction sword he did was beyond belief in person - the pictures did not do it justice. There is a point at which to say one is better than another is academic - the level is so good.
Click to expand...

Would love to see a pic. When did you place an order with him?
 
Anthony,
Connor knives were obtainable at the Blade show. A private collection was sold to Blue Ridge Knives and sold 2 Connor knives. J.W. Randall's wife bought one of the masterpieces of Connor's career for J.W. making mastersmith status. What a wonderful surprise. This was a Wostenholm antique bowie repro with silver tip and throat sheath. I heard years ago Mike tell the story of the tedious task to build that bowie. This was an incredible knife to hold. The other was a damascus dagger with silver tip and throat sheath. That knife is being mailed to MY adress tomorrow morning.

J.W. and I recognize Mike as our knifemaking hero and good friend and to pass up these fine knives would have been a disaster to say the least.

Darby Neaves also picked up a Connor bowie on a much more simple scale I believe at the Blade show also. But you pretty much have to be in the right place at the right time to get a Connor on the secondary market.
 
Anthony,
Connor knives were obtainable at the Blade show. A private collection was sold to Blue Ridge Knives and sold 2 Connor knives. J.W. Randall's wife bought one of the masterpieces of Connor's career for J.W. making mastersmith status. What a wonderful surprise. This was a Wostenholm antique bowie repro with silver tip and throat sheath. I heard years ago Mike tell the story of the tedious task to build that bowie. This was an incredible knife to hold. The other was a damascus dagger with silver tip and throat sheath. That knife is being mailed to MY adress tomorrow morning.


Ron,
I saw both knives and they were awesome!

Its too bad Tammy got there before I could!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Joss,
Here's pic of my new Fogg - pic ain't that good cause don't have proper lighting setup but works - more pics are in Custom Forum. E-mail me & will tell story behind knife. Thanks for asking.

Bill
 

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a buddy of mine has 4 from Connor, 2 bowies and 2 hunters (1 of which he purchased from me). I will try and get him to join in and post pics.
 
Jerry Fisk
Jay Hendrickson
Ed Fowler
Terry Primos
Jim Crowell
John Fitch
 
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