Classic Ruple!

[waynorth]

The beauty of a copperhead style bolster is, it hides the sharp back corner of the tang(s) from snagging or wearing out your pocket. The knife also feels smooth in your hand, as you surreptisiously fondle that baby in your pocket!!
This stag handled copperhead is a good middle size, at 3 11/16", and has half-stops on both blades. Subtle thread lines on the bolsters and filework on the liners dress it up just right!
The stag is thin, in the old tradition, and nicely matched, and the ATS-34 is hand-rubbed to a nice useful finish.
It's tough to find Bill, as I don't think he's taking orders, and if you don't see him before the show opens, his knives will be gone!!
I was lucky enough to get this from him before the Pasadena show in Feb. 2007.

 

[Blues]

Classic Ruple, indeed! One of my favorite patterns by him. :thumbup:

 

[VCM3]

Gorgeous Copperhead Charlie !
-Vince

 

[knowtracks]

Beautiful Charlie!
I really like the clip-wharncliffe combo.

 

[JatMat]

I love the file work, he must have been a mentor to Rusty Preston as I have seen some of the same patterns on knives by Rusty. Great Knife, thanks for sharing.
Jim

 

[SHEBOP]

Beautiful Charlie!!! Thanks for sharing!! You are right, Jim.

 

[mitch13]

That is suberb:thumbup:

I love the file work, he must have been a mentor to Rusty Preston as I have seen some of the same patterns on knives by Rusty. Great Knife, thanks for sharing.
Jim

He seems to be for a few makers, Ian Van Reenan & Gary Crowder look they have been influenced by him.
Mitch

 

[waynorth]

Of course Don Morrow is directly influenced by Bill, and was a student for quite a while.

 

[JatMat]

Here is a shot of the file work by Rusty on one of mine.

Then one by Bill Ruple.

 

[Blues]

Charlie, ya know, I'd sure like to see some more classic Ruple's. (And I'll bet I'm not alone in that.) :thumbup:

 

[fewpop]

Charlie, ya know, I'd sure like to see some more classic Ruple's. (And I'll bet I'm not alone in that.) :thumbup:

I'll 2nd and 3rd that motion. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[sunburst]

Hmmm I wish I could get a closer look at that Ruple of yours Charlie, how about mailing it to my house for a couple weeks...

Sunburst

 

[Peregrin]

That Copperhead is just beautiful. I really admire Bill Ruple's work and that is one my favorites. Enjoy that beauty!

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

I have met and talked with Bill at a couple of knife shows, he's a great guy to chat with.
Never seems to have any of his knives around, they are all sold.
And know I heard he sold his farm, and will spend time with his grand kids.
I'm sure he will still make a knife or two, but you better hurry if you want one.

Great knives by a great maker, congrats to you all.....:thumbup:


Todd

 

[waynorth]

I may have posted this knife before, but I've taken a couple more detailed scans.
Bill has been a great supporter of the Oregon knife club, and this year, he made 25 of these Trappers (in case you are wondering where he's been hiding this past winter/spring) for our annual club knife. They sold out in a flash, and from what I've seen, every one has his beautiful fit and finish. They did not suffer in any way from the tough grind (pun intended) Bill went through to produce so many of one pattern. He told me he'd have to think long and hard before he does it again though!
Real nice, at 3 3/4" long, with semi-sunk joints, and great jigged bone handles in the traditional style. Interesting blade configuration, quite different from my WT. Thanks for your usual good work, Bill!:thumbup:

 

[Blues]

Great knife, Charlie!!! I like the lines on that one.

I love Bill's work and just today I was handling and admiring the copperhead (above) that you were so kind as to allow me to adopt.

Saw Bill in Atlanta and he is just on the mend from a bug that had given some grief. Good to see him doing well. I have a stockman that will show up one of these days, weeks or months and like all of his work, I'm greatly looking forward to it.

 

[waynorth]

Here's a nice Ruple Stockman, to keep you tantalized, Elliott!
Nice square-bolstered model with subtley-green, traditionally jigged bone handles, and ATS-34 blades in a typical stockman format. Impeccable F&F as usual.

 

[waynorth]

Anyone fond of the Case 6347 will like this round-bolstered model Bill made for a fellow Texan, which is modeled on said Case knife. Captured it nicely IMO!

 

[Blues]

I'll see your stockman...

...and raise you a sowbelly...:

 

[Blues]

Anyone fond of the Case 6347 will like this round-bolstered model Bill made for a fellow Texan, which is modeled on said Case knife. Captured it nicely IMO!

Ouch!!! I posted too soon! That's a beauty, Charlie! (Dibs!!!)