Butch Beaver knife/display

M

Murray White

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Feb 17, 1999
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I added this to another thread hoping to get some results re Butch's whereabouts but the thread seems to have lost interest so I'll add some of the info and photo here.

This is a recent acquisition or a knife made by Devon (Butch) Beaver and wife Judy. Phyllis has another piece by them also that fits with an Oriental display we have.

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Now what I need some assistance with is to find out how I can contact Butch. At one time he stopped knife making and also moved to, I believe, TN but then I heard he began to make again. If anyone has info, I'd like to be able to contact Butch to learn more about the carving he did on the stand and the knife handle.
 
Murray - Perhaps at Nordic knives you may be able to get some information, as i've seen some "Beaver" knives for sale on their website from time to time?

Peter
 
Hi Peter, yes, that was my first place of inquiry and then I went to Arizona Custom Knives but neither Dave nor (I forget her name at the moment) has any info on Butch's whereabouts. Maybe a reader here will have some into. Ty anyway.
 
I looked as far back as the Knives 2005 Annual and no listing there either?

Found an old thread from 2007 and it was mentioned then "Butch" was not making knives regularly, and no contact information was provided.

Peter
 
Yes, Peter, I went back 10 years an no info. I knew he stopped making at one time and the heard he started back up but I have lost track of him now and I no longer have his email which I had at one time. Maybe someone will read this and have some info. The knife fits the collection both as a knife and as a piece of Native art and I like to learn more about the carvings.
 
Murray,

Here's the information on the Northwest Coast Indian Theme dagger you pictured.

The blade is Jerry Rados Damascus. The handle is soapstone, the carved heads are walrus ivory with abalone eyes and the fittings are titanium.

As you tired to show in your pictures, there are 4 heads carved heads, all different, but what many don't notice is there are only 4 eyes.;) The carving on the name side of the soapstone handle is a Beaver, opposing side is a rendation of various totem designs, put into one.

The knife was made by Butch and Judy did all the carving on the knife and the display stand. The roman numerals show the year made.

It seems we are a mystery to many, we moved to Tennessee in 2000, Butch is retired from knifemaking since early 2000, Judy is still activly engraving Titanium.

Hope this helps? :)

B&J
 
Others may like to see examples Judy's titanium engraving. This one is a knife done by Butch

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and now one by Stan Fujisaka

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Both the latter knives are part of Phyllis' collection.

this image was included in the original thread that I have been unable to locate but will show how the piece of art is displayed along with other knives and a couple of other items on Native art of which these are only a few on display which Roger has seen.

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Butch, I am really thrilled to get this message. This fills in a few spots of info but I have more questions and will also email you for some more personal info.

The totem on the stand -- material? Do the carvings on the Totem have a story as generally carved totems told a story. The support for the knife appears to be ivory but could be micarta. Please advise if you recall.

Is there a difference between Pipestone and Soapstone? The handle looks so much like Pipestone which I have on a Native carved pipe from Pipestone, MN.

Butch -- you and I retired essentially the same time (Jan1, 2000 for me) and isn't it great?

Oh, also, what was used to create the eyes on the handle? I know the use of the abalone but did not recognize the blue items.

Again thanks so much for being in BF and finding this thread and providing the info.
 
The totem on the stand -- material? Do the carvings on the Totem have a story as generally carved totems told a story. The support for the knife appears to be ivory but could be micarta. Please advise if you recall. Actually, the support is just plain old wood that JB (Judy) carved and painted and no story per Northwest Indian Totems. When we made a theme knife, we always tried to make a display stand to go with it. Guess we were the "Orange County Choppers" in that era. Can't remember any knifemakers doing Theme knives in the 80's-90's, for that matter even today. Guess we were to far ahead for the time or as the old saying goes "Loves Labor Lost"

Is there a difference between Pipestone and Soapstone? The handle looks so much like Pipestone which I have on a Native carved pipe from Pipestone, MN. MY MISTAKE AND TYPO!!! (sorry..JB) Yes it is Pipestone, we had to wait until January to find it in Phoenix. Went to a Rock and Gem Park and Swap to find it, that was held yearly in Litchfield, AZ. At the time we were working on a piece pipe, which we should finish after 22 years..LOL Living in Phoenix it was hard to find Pipestone at the local Rock Stores.

The eyes on the handle were Paua Triplets. The two heads in in the background were made from Plaster of Paris. First we made a form and poured the plaster, then it was carved. Not carved and poured. Thus it is one of a kind for sure. The eyes are Abolone, nostrils..PAUA triplets.

One thing we NEVER did was dupicate a Art Knife. So for your assurance, you have a real "Custom Knife" a One of a kind. Be assured there are no others just like it!! That often bothered us over the years, how could it be a "Custom" knife, if the pantograph made 100 like it?? In the "days" Custom meant "One of a Kind" and it still should be today.
 
Given the fact that I was the one that made Murray and Phyllis happy, by selling this lovely piece to them I'm thrilled to read this explanation. I bought this piece years back from Nordic and wasn't able to get any info on it. Now I know it all:thumbup:

Marcel
 
Great to hear the details on your display Murray! Sounds like the Beavers are doing well in Tennessee. If I recall, some of Judy's engraving has been in the knives annual book.

Peter
 
yes Peter, Butch and Judy did a great job in filling in the details and I also have heard from them regarding their whole knifemaking situation. I'd love to be able to pay a visit there after Blade 2011 as I hope to also visit with Lloyd Hale but not sure how far each may be apart and then we have to visit friends in NC. Looking forward to visiting with lots of the knifemaking community as it is for these kinds of things that it makes collecting custom knives so much fun. Thanks again to Butch and Judy.
 
Boy! I wrote back to Hollie before I had realized that this thread had rejuvinated itself and had totally forgotten all the info that had been posted. I had put the pertinent into my book that I keep records of the knives purchased but tonight decided I would save all the good info from Butch and Judy into a .rtf and saved that with the photos. Things happen and I tend to forget lots -- happens as I get older. Have changed around some of the displays but the Beaver knives are still front and center in our collection for sure.
 
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