Questions on a R.H. Ruana knife

T

tipoc

Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
211
This is a knife made by R. H. Ruana of Bonner, Montana. From what I've found out (based on the small "M" stamped alongside the stamped name) the knife was made between 1965 and '83. Other than that, and I'm not quite sure of that, I don't know much about this blade.

The blade is 4" long. The handle a short 3 3/4".

Excuse the quality of the pics. Any information on this knife would be helpful.

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tipoc
 
It's a 13B (A= narrower sticking design B= Skinning design). M stamp= 64-83. The handle is elk, and the blade steel is 1095. You'll hear tales of steel experiments with forged leaf springs, my understanding is that he settled on 1095 after a certain point for most common knives. The models made from other known steels will usually have a different letter stamp also.

Anything else?
 
Thanks for that info. I was looking over to the Ruana site and did not see this model. Possibly it is no longer in production. There is a good deal of information there about these knives as well as at another site I found.

What is the general reputation of these knives? I've heard of them before but can't recall much.

tipoc
 
Yes, I believe the 13B and a few others were axed a few years back. Generally, they are well thought of as working knives, and had gotten pretty hot as collectibles more recently. I've only heard a couple of complaints about the older ones before, related to soft steel. The older ones had a rep for being a bit rough fit/finish wise also. The new ones are much cleaner, I'd put them on the order of Randall and the like. Nice knives:).
 
Excellent advice, titt - you're spot on. Mike Hangas of Ruana is a member here, and is very good about answering questions about Ruana knives also. If you want to contact him, click on my name; he's on my friends list.

In the meantime, here's a pic of my 20B for you to drool over:

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hi my first post.I have 50 odd m marks in my safe they were from 1962-82 they lost the m next year they dropped RH after Mr Ruana retired the stamp has stayed the same since your knife is pretty tired nice ones bring good bucks new it cost 20 bucks
 
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