I had a friend that called me this afternoon and asked if I knew a J. E. Porter MS. I told him I did not. He sent me pictures of a knife that he took in trade and asked if I could find anything out about the maker. He sent me pictures that I am going to add. I could not find a J. E. Porter MS listed on the ABS website. I presume that he must be deceased. Any information you might have would be appreciated.
That is a nice bowie Cal. I believe it is the work of James E. Porter MS. Yes, he is deceased. He attained his MS in 1991 I believe. I hope Kevin Cashen sees this thread as he could probably tell you a lot more. Nice piece.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Not too many people got to enjoy Jim’s fantastic work since this extraordinary smith was with us for all too short a time. For many years before his passing Jim would send a knife to Atlanta for the benefit of the ABS, he was very generous in that way, he also donated his 25lb Little Giant to the ABS AR School. His eyes for detail was second to none, I know because I was the only one to have tested under him. Once he pointed out a small issue on one of my knives from the other side of the room that I needed magnification to see. Jim lived just NW of Bloomington Indiana, and had a great family, a wife and a daughter that I met at the time.
Jim worked with a lot of W-2 and sometimes 1095 and really liked using Damascus, I think got my penchant for damascus fittings from him. He liked classic designs with natural handle materials and did them very well. Cal, your friend has a very fine bowie by one of the best Mastersmiths I have known. Unfortunately we lost Jim to cancer many years ago now, but he is still sorely missed.
"One test is worth 1000 'expert' opinions" Riehle Testing Machines Co.
Thanks for the information Brion and Kevin. I will pass this info on to my friend. I am sure this will make him very happy.
