Case & Bill Ruple Collaboration

Interesting timing seeing this today as I just listened to the Catch Bit podcast today where Charlie wondered if we would ever see one of the Ruple collaboration knives.

I’m sure it’s a nice knife if it’s made like the Bose collaborations, though I don’t love the angular handle. It reminds me a bit of a lady leg knife which is not my favorite. It says locking blade. I wonder if the lock fills in that void on the spine when it is fully open or closed. It might look better to me like that.
 
Modoc ED said:
Blade Magazine has a picture and spec list on them - no price yet. Oh, Case is calling it the Axe Handle.
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A backwards axe handle maybe.

The handle material looks good though , as does the blade profile.
It's not for me but I wish them and Mr Ruple success in this venture.
 
Response to this one has been mixed at best everywhere I frequent. There will be more and I anxiously await them.
 
I have a couple of reactions. The shape of this first offering is distinctive -- something a little different, which is not a bad choice for starting a new venture. What surprises me the most is that, with just a couple of exceptions, the covers being offered are identical to those on the Bose models. I would have thought that the entire new line-up would have its own unique look to set it apart from the Bose collabs. So, for me, this is pretty disappointing. The birdseye maple covers on the Axe Handle look great, and that particular version has a fresh new look. Hope to see more of that approach in the future.
 
I had the opportunity to handle one at Blade over the weekend (no need to thank me). My impression is quite good. Excellent fit and finish especially for a tail/back lock which can be hard for production companies to get right. Not a lick of play in the one I handled and the Case rep seemed amused by my checking. The lock sits kind of proud from the frame, which I like. The pattern isn’t for everyone, but technically speaking the knife is a success in my opinion.



 
MarbReds said:
I had the opportunity to handle one at Blade over the weekend (no need to thank me). My impression is quite good. Excellent fit and finish especially for a tail/back lock which can be hard for production companies to get right. Not a lick of play in the one I handled and the Case rep seemed amused by my checking. The lock sits kind of proud from the frame, which I like. The pattern isn’t for everyone, but technically speaking the knife is a success in my opinion.



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Thanks for sharing this. I’m curious — is there any kind of hot spot or discomfort related to the upturned part of the handle?
 
That looks nice. Much better than the initial drawings posted a while back. I also wonder about the comfort of that shape. Is there a historical basis for this pattern or did Ruple invent it?
 
JW225 said:
Thanks for sharing this. I’m curious — is there any kind of hot spot or discomfort related to the upturned part of the handle?
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Not for me, I have larger than average hands but the natural grip for me is “choked up” a little bit with my thumb on the spine, so it didn’t protrude the way I held it.
Leslie Tomville said:
That looks nice. Much better than the initial drawings posted a while back. I also wonder about the comfort of that shape. Is there a historical basis for this pattern or did Ruple invent it?
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I’m not sure if Ruple invented it but he certainly popularized it and his cartel boys make a good bit of them.
 
This came in today. I’m glad to see that Case has partnered with Bill Ruple after we lost Tony Bose. I like wood covers and the birdseye maple is great. Like many of the prior knives in the series, it’s pretty big.

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quattro98 said:
This came in today. I’m glad to see that Case has partnered with Bill Ruple after we lost Tony Bose. I like wood covers and the birdseye maple is great. Like many of the prior knives in the series, it’s pretty big.

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Based on your photos there is nothing to complain about. The tradition lives on.
Edit: it’s not as big as I thought and that maple is a winner.
 
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Knife magazine had an article about this collaboration, but it was a useless piece of fluff. No discussion about the design origins, internal structure of the knife, or cutlery philosophy. All of which Tony would provide. I was disappointed especially since it’s a lockback that doesn’t look like one. Anyone else read it?
 
brownshoe said:
Knife magazine had an article about this collaboration, but it was a useless piece of fluff. No discussion about the design origins, internal structure of the knife, or cutlery philosophy. All of which Tony would provide. I was disappointed especially since it’s a lockback that doesn’t look like one. Anyone else read it?
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Haven't read it. But, I do think that the integration of the lockback mechanism as part of the overall design is organic and cool. Very unique. 👍
 
JW225 said:
Haven't read it. But, I do think that the integration of the lockback mechanism as part of the overall design is organic and cool. Very unique. 👍
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When I first saw it, I didn’t recognize it as a lockback.
 
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