I have been looking at the master smiths on the homepage and their locations in relation to where I live, and I found one within 75 miles of my house!!! (Winters, TX) Does anyone know Michael Connor? and if so I would like to get in touch with him to see if I could get some lessons advice etc. I could not find a website for him either. I once tracked down Steve Culver so I could visit his shop while I was visiting family in KS. To date it is the most in depth conversation I have had with an MS about how I can improve my work. Other than meeting Harvey Dean, and Rick Dunkerley at a hammer in once. I am coming close to beginning my third year with the ABS and am seriously thinking about a JS stamp in the future and could really use the help from someone that wasn't more than 4 or 5 hours away. I have a busy work schedule and oil prices are up so I have to get it while the getting is good. If I was able to visit and get some hands on with a skilled person on short notice it would help immensely.
Jared
Master Smith Michael Connor is one of the most talented Bladesmiths that we have ever had but he is not easy to contact and may not be very active any more.
I know that it may be a distance from you but I would highly recommend that you attend the Heartland Hammer-In in Topeka, Kansas. You will learn a great deal and be able to meet, obtain advice, and spend time with some incredibly talented Master Smiths and Journeyman Smiths including Steve Culver, Lin Rhea, Ray Kirk, Dan Petersen, Brion Tomberlin, Brian Thie, and Karl Andersen.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Come on up to the Symposium Jared. It would be great to see you again!
Yes Jared, come to Kansas. I would be pleased to help you.
If you cant make it, you could mail some of your knives to me for critique. While I am not a Mastersmith, I am friends with many of the Judges and keep abreast on judging criteria and what the judges are seeing problems with on knives that are submitted.
Take care
Brian
I may just come if I can convince my parents to watch the kids for the weekend. Could one of yall point me to the post about it and the cost of it. And I will try to get a knife close to or finished to bring with me by that time.
On another note: I did call Mr. Connor this evening and sadly he informed me that he had too many irons in the fire at this time for any hands on teaching.
I did have a great conversation with him though and he did offer phone help to me if I come across problems in the future.
This is truly a great organization and I have received nothing but the best from anyone that I have contacted. Thank you all.
If you can attend the Heartland Hammer-In, I would highly recommend it. Lin Rhea has been very kind in answering my questions and putting up with me since I joined the ABS. I highly recommend talking to him if you get the chance. I've met and spoken with Brion Tomberlin and Steve Culver as well. They're pretty good fellows as well. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />
Cheyenne Walker
Apprentice Smith
Jared
This is the link to the information on the Heartland Hammer-In in Topeka, Kansas, click: http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/index.php?/topic/1199-4th-heartland-bladesmithing-symposium/
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Thanks,
I will see what I can do to clear my schedule.
