Bill Ruple News Article

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jeffbird

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Bill Ruple’s hometown newspaper ran an article, which might be of interest here.

One of the interesting items in the article is Bill said he cannot afford to carry one of his own knives, so he carries a Case.

www.pleasantonexpress.com

Bill Ruple- El Maestro of The Slipjoint Cartel - Pleasanton Express

Pleasanton, Texas – the Birthplace of the Cowboy, the home of live oaks and friendly folks… Pocketknifeville??? That’s how Steve Shackleford, BLADE Magazine managing editor and author of the book “Greatest Living Knifemakers” refers to the town that soon-tobe 72-year-old Bill Ruple calls home...
www.pleasantonexpress.com www.pleasantonexpress.com
 
I'd seen his name mentioned and some of his knives shared here so it's nice to learn more. Especially in lieu of the the recent Case announcement (relevant quote below):

[Bill] continued, “[...] Tony Bose, who was one of my mentors in this knife deal, was with them before he passed away a couple of years ago.”

Tony Bose was a custom knife collaborator with Case who had been working with the company since 1998 until his death in 2020. Bill said, “I would see him at shows, and he was kind of like I am now. I was scared of him, but we got to know each other over the years, and it got to where we’d talk on the phone almost every morning. He was a big influence on me. Pat [West] got me started and Tony was my inspiration. Every time I would see his stuff, I’d be blown away by it, and I would think, MAN – I want to be THIS guy. I want to be good.”

Now that he has signed the contract with Case, Bill is THAT guy. Bill credits a tribute paid to him at the Atlanta Blade Show in 2019 as the impetus for his deal with Case.
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Also cool to read about Bill Ruple's philanthropic nature:

For years, Bill has donated knives to raise money for causes like the local Little League and Lions Club, as well as several to help defray medical costs and other expenses for families who’ve been hit with hard times. He and other cartel members have also donated knives, in conjunction with the Joe Ruple Memorial Dove Hunt (honoring his brother who passed away in 2016), to be auctioned off to raise money for Trinity Oaks. In 2019, the proceeds from the sale of knives donated by cartel members at the Joe Ruple Memorial event totaled just over $23,000. Trinity Oaks is a 501(c)3 organization that, according to their website, “provides outdoor programs to support Purple Heart and combat veterans, families suffering through the terminal illness of one of their members, special needs children, and underprivileged youth who lack proper mentorship.”
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jeffbird said:
Bill Ruple’s hometown newspaper ran an article, which might be of interest here.

One of the interesting items in the article is Bill said he cannot afford to carry one of his own knives, so he carries a Case.

www.pleasantonexpress.com

Bill Ruple- El Maestro of The Slipjoint Cartel - Pleasanton Express

Pleasanton, Texas – the Birthplace of the Cowboy, the home of live oaks and friendly folks… Pocketknifeville??? That’s how Steve Shackleford, BLADE Magazine managing editor and author of the book “Greatest Living Knifemakers” refers to the town that soon-tobe 72-year-old Bill Ruple calls home...
www.pleasantonexpress.com www.pleasantonexpress.com
Click to expand...
I love Ruple's knives, but I can't afford them--got a Case in my pocket now.
 
jeffbird said:
Bill Ruple’s hometown newspaper ran an article, which might be of interest here.

One of the interesting items in the article is Bill said he cannot afford to carry one of his own knives, so he carries a Case.

www.pleasantonexpress.com

Bill Ruple- El Maestro of The Slipjoint Cartel - Pleasanton Express

Pleasanton, Texas – the Birthplace of the Cowboy, the home of live oaks and friendly folks… Pocketknifeville??? That’s how Steve Shackleford, BLADE Magazine managing editor and author of the book “Greatest Living Knifemakers” refers to the town that soon-tobe 72-year-old Bill Ruple calls home...
www.pleasantonexpress.com www.pleasantonexpress.com
Click to expand...
I enjoyed reading that article. Thank you friend for posting.
 
jeffbird said:
Bill Ruple’s hometown newspaper ran an article, which might be of interest here.

One of the interesting items in the article is Bill said he cannot afford to carry one of his own knives, so he carries a Case.

www.pleasantonexpress.com

Bill Ruple- El Maestro of The Slipjoint Cartel - Pleasanton Express

Pleasanton, Texas – the Birthplace of the Cowboy, the home of live oaks and friendly folks… Pocketknifeville??? That’s how Steve Shackleford, BLADE Magazine managing editor and author of the book “Greatest Living Knifemakers” refers to the town that soon-tobe 72-year-old Bill Ruple calls home...
www.pleasantonexpress.com www.pleasantonexpress.com
Click to expand...

I seem to remember posting exactly that, (not about Bill specifically), in the recent thread about the Texas slipjoint, (cartel), makers.
 
Interesting article. I can kinda see where Bill is coming from, not carrying one of his own knives. Sure, he could make one for himself any time he wants, but any knife he makes and doesn’t sell is a couple thousand dollars out of his pocket.

But the guy who has 100+ of Bill’s knives and doesn’t carry one… 🙄 Come on, you couldn’t have one user?? 🤣
 
It's a truism among custom makers...no matter if it's Ruple, Jerry Halfrich, Kit Carson...I've heard it from the horse's mouth several times.

(Though I did wrestle one out of Jerry's pocket about ten years ago. We still laugh about it.)
 
 
dennishy said:
wow he makes some amazing stockmans! I particularly like that leftmost one, the one with the arrowhead shield. Seems like there's a wide library to pull from with Case for the future collabs - looks like it's time to thin the hoard a bit in anticipation.
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That was my first, and still my favorite.

Every time I'd see Bill at the Blade Show I'd try to get him to commit to making me a large stockman to go along with the smaller versions...but alas...he was at a stage where he'd (earned the right to) make what he wanted and wouldn't promise. (No argument from me on that score. But it's an itch left unscratched.)
 
If I may be forgiven...a couple other Texans...Enrique Peña...and Rusty Preston also made some nice stock knives which I've been fortunate to collect. (I first met Rusty working at Bill's table at the Blade Show years ago, but I had already purchased the smaller of the two stock knives displayed from an online dealer, simply on looks alone.)

Enrique, (mentioned in the article above), is another maker I knew from here on the forums as well as the show, and if I remember correctly, this was his first stockman...made for me some years back.

preston stockman4.jpgScan_414.jpgPreston Stock3.jpgScan_640.jpg
 
Blues said:
If I may be forgiven...a couple other Texans...Enrique Peña...and Rusty Preston also made some nice stock knives which I've been fortunate to collect. (I first met Rusty working at Bill's table at the Blade Show years ago, but I had already purchased the smaller of the two stock knives displayed from an online dealer, simply on looks alone.)

Enrique, (mentioned in the article above), is another maker I knew from here on the forums as well as the show, and if I remember correctly, this was his first stockman...made for me some years back.

View attachment 2139577View attachment 2139578View attachment 2139579View attachment 2139580
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Icing on the Cartel!!! ;) Nice!!!:)
 
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