CLF 2022 Auction: Classic Frontier Knife by Todd Butler

 

Artist Todd Butler’s hand-forged knives are in high demand, and for good reason. His knives are among the best blades currently available in the custom market, and are only increasing in popularity with collectors. Elegant lines, rugged dependability, and unparalleled craftsmanship characterize the work of this master bladesmith. 

A regular supporter of the CLF Fundraising Auction, his donation to this year’s event is a standout that’s sure to elicit competitive bidding. This early 19^th century-inspired frontier knife, hand forged from 5160 steel, features a deep false edge to the top of the blade and a decorative Spanish notch. This is an attractive but well-made knife; the knife features a sturdy through tang which is peened over the pommel cap. The knife’s “S” guard, ferrule, and pommel cap are made from mild steel. 

Butler’s knife also features a unique curly maple handle. The artist custom made his own aqua fortis stain using wrought iron shavings from a 125-year-old Michigan bridge. Butler mixed the wrought iron shavings with nitric acid and used the mixture to stain the curly maple handle, which was then heated and given multiple coats of French linseed oil to bring out the rich colors that can only be achieved with aqua fortis. 

Butler’s knife is accompanied with a custom leather sheath. Hand stitched and antiqued for added depth of color, the sheath also features a tasteful row of decorative stamps. 

For more information on the work of Todd Butler, contact: capallmaraforge@gmail.com

Text by Joshua Shepherd

Photography by David Wright

To see all the artists’ postings for the 2022 CLF Fundraising Auction go to:

http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2022-fundraising-auction/

2021 CLA Live Auction: Forged Knife by Todd Butler

 

Alabama artist Todd Butler is known for making truly exquisite custom knives that sport elegant lines and razor-sharp blades. Butler returns to this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction with a stellar offering that’s sure to elicit competitive bidding.

 

Butler’s knife, which measures in at over fifteen inches in length, carries an imposing ten-inch-long blade forged from 1075 steel. The top of the blade features a false edge, while the bottom of the blade sports Spanish notches, which, Butler explains, are inspired by the work of Alabama knife maker Hill Pearce.

 

The knife’s handle, made from black cow horn, offers a nice color contrast with the gleaming steel of the blade. The handle is turned, octagon to round, with a wedding band, and is secured with an iron bolster and iron S guard. The through tang is threaded with an iron nut and finished with a silver end cap. The knife comes with a handmade, vegetable tanned leather sheath with decorative stamping, but is also accompanied with a wooden display stand for home or office.

  

This auction offering affords bidders the chance to own an outstanding knife from one of the CLA’s most gifted bladesmiths. But buyer beware. Butler, in something of a modest understatement, simply points out that this knife is “very sharp.”   

For more information on the work of Todd Butler, contact the artist directly:

capallmaraforge@gmail.com

 

Photography by David Wright

Text by Joshua Shepherd

CLF Auction Artist of the Day: Todd Butler

 

2020 CLA Live Auction: RIFLEMAN’S KNIFE by Todd Butler

Collectors of fine knives just can’t seem to acquire too many blades, but it’s a rare thing indeed for a knife to perfectly blend artistic aesthetics with rugged functionality. At this year’s CLF fundraising auction, bidders will have the opportunity to purchase a collector’s grade knife that’s worthy of display in the home or office, but will also perform flawlessly in the field.   

Alabama artist Todd Butler’s offering at this year’s event is a large sized rifleman’s knife with a profile resembling the classic Bowie. This glistening blade was hand forged from 5160 steel and married to a stag handle with an iron s guard and iron end cap. The knife is accompanied with a custom made, heavy weight leather sheath.

Subsequent to a career of nearly thirty years with the United States Marine Corps, artist Todd Butler tackled the traditional art of blacksmithing, studying with fellow craftsmen including Ian Pratt, Joe Seabolt, the House brothers, and Rich McDonald. This auction offering affords bidders the chance to own an exquisitely-made knife from one of the CLA’s most gifted emerging bladesmiths.

For more information on the work of Todd Butler, contact the artist directly:

capallmaraforge@gmail.com

To see all the Artists' contributions to the 2020 CLF Live Fund Raising Auction, visit our website at http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2020-live-auction/

Canter's Cave Raffle

This entire set was made as a donation to Canter's Cave in Jackson Ohio to raise funds for their 4H shooting sports program. There will be a raffle which I currently have no info on - It is slated to be advertised in Muzzleloader Magazine and I will update as soon as there's more to tell.

This project was suggested by Ken Gahagan at last year's Gunmakers' Workshop. Initially he and I were just going to build a gun to donate, but other instructors who teach the classes out there and a few helpful students quickly got on board and offered to help out. We ended up with this full set of items. I'll add more info with the individual photos. For info on the classes offered at Canter's Cave , see the Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops website - www.southernohioartisanworkshops.com

This set is to be at the Lake Cumberland Show.

Powder horn by Gary Ludwig with woven strap by Maryellen Pratt

Knife by John House and Ian Pratt

Smoothrifle by Ian Pratt and Ken Gahagan.

Hammer Poll Tomahawk by Rich McDonald with carrier by Jeanne McDonald

(not shown - ball pouch donated by Eric Fleisher)

Ken Gahagan and I started building the gun during the 2 weeks of gun classes in January - was nice to be able to use it as a demonstration piece for the students.

The gun is a 12 gauge smoothrifle. The stock blank, barrel and lock were paid for by Ken and several students in the gun class. I forged the iron buttplate and trigger guard (both of which Ken fitted with some cool brass embellishments) and got the stock shaping started while Ken made sideplate, pipes, muzzle cap and trigger. We both kind of jumped back and forth on inletting parts. Ken took it home after our class and worked on it for a while longer getting the shaping and details worked out, then shipped it up to me to make a patchbox plus relief carving and finish work.

Cool mix of brass and iron fittings - the pipes and muzzle cap were also done in brass

Hog hide pouch by Maryellen Pratt, instructor of Leatherwork and More class

Antler handled knife by John House - Knifemakers' Workshop instructor, and Ian Pratt - Gunmakers' workshop instructor

Knife by John House and Ian Pratt. Blade stamped with the Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops touchmark.

Nice very thinly scraped powder horn with cherry base plug by Gary Ludwig, with woven strap by Maryellen Pratt

Great hammer poll hawk with carrier by Rich and Jeanne McDonald. Rich teaches the Tomahawk / Belt Axe Workshop and Jeanne teaches Leatherwork and More

Hammer poll hawk by Rich McDonald. Todd Butler and Joe Mcgee assisted in shaping and filing the head after Rich forged it.

Ball pouch made by Eric Fleisher

Copy and photos supplied by Ian Pratt.