Review: Specialized Butcher Control 2.3"

Man its been a loong time since I last did a tire review! So its about damn time I do so. 5 months of testing of the Specialized Butcher Control 2.3" is finally complete. I ran it in a tubeless setup the entire time. Specialized has been in the mtb tire business longer than pretty much everyone, so they know a thing or two about tires - and the lineup has been evolving in a more aggressive direction regarding design. I stumbled upon the Butcher by accident, it reminded me a bit of the Maxxis Minion and the Maxxis Highroller, so I though; why not.

So after 5 months, this is what I learned;

This tire is big, and has lots of volume. I wouldn't mind slapping it on my DH bike for the summer if the rubber was a bit more tacky. (actually, Troy Brosnan just won a DH race in Austraila using this tire)

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778grams is not bad for a tire this size, but Specialized needs to recalibrate its weight-scale..again. ..They claim its 730grams.

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Regarding durability; After continuously slamming the rear tire into sharp rocks in the Alps, I did in the end manage to cut the rear tire enough to see the sealant jizz out of it, all I needed was a few chicks nearby and it would have resembled a true bukake shower.

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The open channel system. Maxxis, Specialized, Michelin has done it for years. Continental learned it the hard way. And finally Schwalbe is getting it as well(The new Nobby Nic, anyone?). An open channel system has huge advantages - and for front tire options, I wouldn't touch anything else. 

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Note how the side lugs doesn't touch the ground when in a neutral position.

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What you roll on is the inner thread(green), only using the side lugs when cornering, this saves you lots of energy, and makes the bike roll easier. Simple yet brilliant.

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This is a modern tire that checks all the right boxes, as a front tire for aggressive riding it is among the absolute best. It also functions as a rear tire, but I would consider other options for that - you simply don't get the most out of the side lugs in the rear.

Where the Butcher Control excels is in the front, in a tubeless setup, this is where the Butcher shines. I cant see myself switching it out anytime soon.

The good:
-Great grip!
-Big overall profile
-Huge side lugs
-Tubeless friendly installation
-Works great in versatile environments
-Great Tubeless performance

The Bad:
-I did manage to cut open the tire beyond repair (rear tire) - but it took a lot to do so.
-The center thread should have been a little bit more sloped, to improve rolling resistance.
-The weight-scale at Specialized is still broken..

Size: 2.3"
Tested on: Front and Rear
Claimed weight: 730 gram
Actual weight: 778 gram

Score:5/6