This is an incredibly pristine example of the craftmanship that made Rudy Ruana famous, not only in Montana but throughout the Northwest. His blades set the standard in the back country for decades and many an outfitter owed his life to the strength and durability of Rudy's knives.
This knife appears brand new despite being old. We think it was owned by a collector who never used the knife or put the knife in the sheath. It's in excellent condition. The back of the blade is hand signed by Rudy with RHRuana
As described by Ruana Knives:
"In 1938, Rudy Ruana began making knives in a small Montana shop. His
family members are still hand crafting Ruana Knives in the same shop today.
Having left the family farm in North Dakota and looking for greener
pastures, 1938 found Rudy Ruana in the small community of Bonner,
Montana working as a mechanic and welder at a small garage. In order to
help his family survive during the post depression era, Rudy began to make
a few knives on the side - a skill that originated in the 1920's when he was a
farrier in the cavalry, making his first knives for a couple of Native Americans in need of a better tool for skinning horses. As time passed and the reputation of Ruana knives grew, demand became so great that Rudy began making
knives full time in 1952, calling his business Ruana Knife Works.
In 1964 Ruana's son-in-law, Vic Hangas left a job with a phone company and
put his artistic talents to work, joining Ruana in the business. Hangas's son
Mark began working at the company in 1976. In 1983, Rudy Ruana retired at the
age of 80 and sold the business to the Hangas family. In 1984 Mike Hangas
joined his brother and Dad and the business was incorporated.
Rudy Ruana passed away in April of 1986. He was honored by being posthumously
inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame in 1997 and
BLADE Magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2002."
Product Details:
4" along the spine, Hand Forged Carbon Studebaker Steel
Handle: 3.75" Aluminum & Elk
Total length of knife: 7.75”
Sheath: Leather w/copper pins
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