D. Morrow or B. Ruple-You Decide

M

marlin39d

Joined
Sep 26, 2004
Messages
68
For a Conventional basic Trapper who gets your nod as a favorite maker!!!

No excuses, rationalizations, explanations or any other squirming out if you decide to respond to this question-The answer is either Ruple or Morrow, period!!!

Very difficult,:confused: Huh???

I'm aware the Don Morrow appears on these boards on occasion, I'm not sure about Bill Ruple. So Don and Bill, your vote doesn't count!
 
Without having the ability to justify, would be a slight to one or the other. Not for me to call out. I've handled them both intimately.

Coop
 
All right. Question retracted. I couldn't have answered it either without bias so here would be my very biased answer at this very moment.

I'd have to pick Don Morrow but only because I have a single blade trapper by him and another one on the way. His product is as good as people say it is plus he's a pure delight to do business with. I don't own nor have I ever owned a Ruple knife as of yet.

BUT, I hear all these good things about Bill Ruple as well and after all, Don is a "student" of Bill's. I plan on ordering a Ruple knife in the near future.

So my future answer would probably be-----Too close to call a favorite (notice I said your favorite, not who's the best).
 
OK, now that you have allowed discussion....

Great choice on either. As you allowed, Don is a disciple of Bill. As I have known, Bill helped Don along with many tips and advice as well as teaching him some of his crazy filework patterns. At this point Don is probably well beyond needing to be taught, as he has proven himself knife after knife. They are easily recognizable and top-notch in quality and pricing. I owned one of Don's and was 100% happy with the incredible quality and his overall friendliness and professionalism. (I had a dealer that had a knife I simply HAD to have. Don's knife was the first one he wished in trade. That tells you something.)

That said, Bill is still considered to be THE master of this style knife (along with others.) He continues to be the pacesetter in filework patterns that others haven't duplicated. His incredible fit and finish are also beyond reproach. You will pay more.

In terms of value, I would go with Don Morrow. In terms of valuable, I would go with Bill Ruple. The knifeworld has long honored the originators of any style moreso than followers. I don't mean to slight Don in any way. That's the way I see it.

Coop
 
Whats cool is both of these guys will be at the Central Texas knife show Sitting right next to each other. Talk about slip joint heaven!!
In answer to your question, it is to tough to call.
 
Ebbtide got it right. One of each, oh yeah Tony Bose too. You might wanna get a Reese Bose while you are at it. :D
 
Too close to call, really. I think Coop has the right of it in the breakdown though: Valuable: Ruple; Value: Morrow.

I had a great Morrow trapper that was perfect in every way. I keep toying with the idea of buying it back, but haven't yet. His work is top notch to be sure.
 
Ruple sold out by early am on Saturday at the Eugene show... but a name you didn't mention was Darrin Thomas (sp?), Devin Thomas' twin bro.. Picked up a great little slipjoint in a pattern much like a smaller Case Hunter (his actual rendition of the Case Hunter w/two blades sold so fast I only saw it once on Friday!) Slim, smooth, pocket friendly, and using Devin's SS Damascus, some Mokume, and stag slabs... Well, you guys simply need to increase the list beyond Bill, Don and the Bose family now!!! LOL!!!!
 
Thanks for the tip on the Thomas knives. I'm fairly new to the custom knife world and it's always great to hear about a new name (new to me anyway) to check into.

I'll tell you an old name on the custom scene that I'm very impressed with is P. J. Tomes.

I just aquired one of his knives and of the customs I've been able to weasel into this Tomes knife is a real jewel. It rates as one of the best I have if not the best. But I guess "best" is just an opinion when it comes to knives. I really do like the flat grind that Tomes uses and fit and finish is definately top notch.
 
I examined a few Don Morrow knives closely at Janesville recently (a dealer had them)...and if it hadn't been for the fact that the dealer is an absolute jerk and I believe is banned from this forum. I would have probably bought one of them. Honestly, the file work is awesome...and I do want at least one of his trappers with the file work for my collection, at the same time I'd like to see one without the file work too. I sometimes think it's a little much for my tastes. Does anyone know if he ever does them without the filework? I think all the ones I've seen have the fancy dancy filework:confused:
 
Could you please make the choice a little harder? Both of these makers are exceptional. I don't think I have seen a knife from either that I wouldn't be proud to own. However, I would likely pick Bill Ruple. There is just something about his knives that appeals to me as much as any slipjoint maker. As far as I am concerned, his knives are second to none.
 
Durwood,

I imagine you can get a Morrow knife without any filework at all....maybe even cheaper. According to the homepage of his web-site file work is optional. However I've never seen a Morrow or Ruple knife without some filework.
 
I don't have many knives on my Wish List, but this is one of them.

72459671.jpg
 
I love his copperhead frames with the clip point and Wharncliffe blades. That to me is the perfect slip joint.
 
I guess I'm diff.than most....I carry & use my Morrow daily! I have a small trapper & it must be an early one....has O1 on the blade....has to be early cause he doesn't use 01 steel anymore.Nice little knife!
Jim
 
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