Jim Batson

[Alan Longmire]

? 1936 - June 5, 2026

 

It is with great sorrow I post this.  Just found out.  Dr. Batson was instrumental in shaping the modern knifemaking world.  He introduced the hydraulic forging press to the small shop, he founded Alabama Damascus, the first commercially available pattern-welded steel.  He was a giant in the antique Bowie knife world.  He reverse-engineered many of the old-time bowie techniques and taught them freely.  The "Doctor" title was not honorary, he was a literal rocket scientist for NASA.  He was also the only smith to hand-forge titanium parts for the space program, but he rarely talked about that.

 

He was always a great friend to me personally.  Heck, he was a great friend to everyone he met!  

 

Here's Jim at the 2009 original Bowie's hammer-in, pointing out something Len Landrum was demonstrating.  Something about 52100, iirc...

 

And in 2008, making nickel silver sheaths, again at Bowie's.

 

We'll miss you, Jim.

[HSJackson]

I talked to him a few times at Tannehill hammer-ins back in the day. Always super nice and of course, extremely knowledgeable.   

[JPH]

Oh damn...DAMN!! another one passes over the bridge..He and I spent many hours discussing all sorts of things...sigh...this is a great loss...  JPH

[Walter Stockwell]

Great teacher and his enthusiasm was infectious.  I spent two weeks with him at the ABS school way back in 2001.