Sam Butler Maple Bowie

[RogerP]

This just has to be some kind of golden age of knifemaking that we are living in. Not only is there a plethora of talented makers, but with the ever-expanding interplay between the internet and the custom knife world there is a virtually limitless source of information available for all. Case in point: as little as 10 years ago, if you hoped to find an extremely promising new maker early in his career, you either had to be lucky, prescient, or else a frequent flyer on the show circuit. In the present day, however, with knife-related information traveling at warp speed, getting the inside scoop is simply a matter of knowing what to ask, whom to ask and when to listen.

Perusing the many varied custom knife sources on the internet can teach you a lot, but as we all know, pictures of a knife can only tell you so much. When it comes to spotting new talent – and taking a closer look at a maker I may never have heard of, I keep my ears open for what I call the “triple play”. When a new maker is being touted by 1) other makers, 2) other collectors / knife enthusiasts and 3) professional knife dealers – and the representatives of those groups are people I know and whose opinions I value – then I start paying very close attention indeed. It was this kind of triple-play that not long ago led me to a maker by the name of Brett Gatlin – before he started collecting Best Bowie awards by the armful and getting so inundated with orders that he had to temporarily close the door.

Which brings me, at long last, to a fellow by the name of Sam Butler – an apprentice Smith with the ABS. Not that long ago the triple-play came together with a maker by the name of Fisk, a collector by the name of Danbo and a dealer by the name of Robertson all pointing to this maker as one to watch – lots of talent, clean work, extremely reasonable prices, a fast learner and a very promising future. So listen I did, and when I saw a Butler bowie pop up on said dealer’s site, I took a very close look indeed. I’m glad that I did.

The knife you see above sports a 10 ½” blade of forged 1084 and an overall length of 15 ¼”. The blade displays a really well-done hand-rubbed satin finish. It does not appear to be a super-fine grit (600), but it is VERY evenly done – which is what really matters. The oval guard and ferrule are satin-finished stainless steel. The handle is maple. A quality Kenny Rowe sheath completes the package – and all for a VERY reasonable price for a full-sized hand-forged custom bowie. In fact, it’s not very far off the price of some of the better production bowies out there. When you consider that Sam has only been at it for some 15 months, presenting a table at his first show in Little Rock this past February – you can understand why he is described as a fast learner.

There is nothing too very fancy about this knife – its appeal lies in its clean design, pleasing lines and quality execution. If I were to pass this knife around to some of my fellow forged-blade aficionados with the name concealed and asked them to guess the maker, some much better-known names would likely be suggested. I am told that Sam is learning from the aforementioned Fisk and Gatlin, and also participates at the bi-monthly gathering of bladesmithing genius at Uncle Al’s (Lawrence). Smart move, that. Sam credits the gang at Uncle Al’s – which includes the likes of Roger Massey, Mike Williams, James Cook and B.R Hughes , to name but a few – with providing invaluable help, guidance and inspiration.

I have to say that I found this to be an interesting and attractive piece of maple that Sam selected for the handle. The wood is very dark and the stripes very bright and unusually widely-spaced, giving it a tiger-like look. It is also well sculpted for a comfortable and secure grip – with a pleasing palm-swell right where you want it to be. Very well done. It is also a very well-balanced knife for a big blade, offering what feels to be a good combination of power and quickness. And at this price point, I would have no qualms about putting those impressions to the test by chopping the heck out of some stuff.

So Jerry, Danbo and Les – thanks for the heads-up. And to Sam – keep on doing what you’re doing.

Cheers,

Roger Pinnock

 

[ptgdvc]

Very handsome with a nice flow. Tres cool

 

[Stephen F]

Good catch Roger - I really like the look of this one. As you say, definitely "one to watch".

Stephen

 

[Will York]

Compelling--especially from the business end.

Sometimes it seems makers early in their careers yield the truest lines. After years of making knives, I don't know if some makers get tired of doing the same thing over and over, or maybe aspects of performance or other ideas begin re-shaping the way their eye assesses the merits of a blade shape. Anyway, to me, the lines of that Butler are classic--I love it.

Nice one, Roger. Congratulations.

 

[the possum]

I can certainly see the potential for recognition there.

After years of making knives, I don't know if some makers get tired of doing the same thing over and over, or maybe aspects of performance or other ideas begin re-shaping the way their eye assesses the merits of a blade shape. Anyway, to me, the lines of that Butler are classic--I love it.

emphasis added by the possum

I'm curious to know what you were referring to there, Will. Do you mean the the designs get sloppy from boredom, or just evolve to slightly different shape entirely? In your opinion, do the designs get lighter or heavier? More pronounced curves, or more subtle? I'm interested in hearing your insights in regards to the comment above.

 

[Mr.BadExample]

Very clean lines and a spectacular piece of wood. Definitely someone to look for...

 

[Will York]

I'm curious to know what you were referring to there, Will. Do you mean the the designs get sloppy from boredom, or just evolve to slightly different shape entirely? In your opinion, do the designs get lighter or heavier? More pronounced curves, or more subtle? I'm interested in hearing your insights in regards to the comment above.

Howdy Possum,

Glad to clear that up, because I certainly wasn't criticizing makers for getting sloppy from boredom. In fact, to me it seems they are typically continuing to evolve their designs, in a quest to make better knives. But as that process takes over, the visual effect can become less "mainstream"--at least to my admittedly unrefined eye. And the result isn’t always visually attractive, at least to me.

I don’t want to “pick” on anybody, so let me use some of today’s top makers to try and explain what I mean.

Take Jerry Fisk, for example. He may be the premier maker of today, certainly many would vote that way. He has made--and still makes--designs that make my mouth water. His "Tuxedo Fighter" on his website under “Presentation and Investment Pieces #1” is an example. Just an incredible piece built on traditional lines. His Sheffield and Comanchero styles under his “Field Grade Pieces” work for me, also. I’ve seen many of his older pieces, even back into his JS days, that to me are absolutely beautiful.

But many of his newer-design pieces such as his “Woojack” and some of his “dog-leg” style bowies just don’t work for my eye. I can see advantages of the Woojack-style blade, including a sharp point, stout spine and skinning belly all on one knife, but visually that just doesn’t work for me--looks like the knife was designed by a committee. The dog-leg style blades are the same way--to my eye they just look “off” somehow--the points look “indecisive” to me.

Some of the latest Fitch and Crowell chopper bowies come to mind. Their designs have evolved based on function, especially through the ABS cutting competitions, and make a lot of sense from a performance standpoint—as a result, both makers have claimed ABS cutting championships in recent years. But these typically long, wide blades with short clips, to me are not nearly as elegant as some of Crowell’s old long-clip bowies or Fitch’s early “Trooper” style, for instance.

I’m sure the reason I don’t like some of these newer styles is simply that my taste is not as refined as that of these makers, who have been making blades for so many years—nor is my taste as refined as that of the collectors who buy these styles.

My eye likes the “old school” stuff—that’s all I’m saying. And often it seems a new maker can find just the right line to make one of the old traditional styles come to life in a way that really captures my attention and imagination. And when that happens, it’s a real joy.

Will

 

[Brett Gatlin]

Sam is one of those makers who listen carefully and can apply what he hears. We have been friends forever and I can say that he is as honest as they come. Truly great work especially considering the short time he has been at it. Great snag, Roger.

Brett