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BrotherJim

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Feb 9, 2015
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Got my paws on the Ruana (non-catalog) "Vic's Blade" and was impressed. All the way from the thick and supple, nicely finished English bridle leather sheath ... to the gorgeous, well built, sturdy and balanced knife ... to the included interesting book. The palm swell with included Elk slabs and contours are symmetrical and "flawless". The blade bevel is even on both sides and comes shaving sharp but could be easily refined to perfection given time with a hand stone. This knife sings in my grasp and will gut out a mosquito when sharpened just right. I'm sure of it.

Would love to see other's Ruana Knives and read any and all shared Ruana stories. Thanks !!! :)

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For size comparison: Randall (non-catalog) "Denmark Special", Buck 110 Red Bone Damascus, Ruana (non-catalog) "Vic's Blade", GEC H73210 Fixed Blade Hunter

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HEAR THE HAMMER

The internal echo begins with the ears
a constant "...'ing, 'ing..."
Then fills the body, which glows
with every swing
Finally rendering the heart
A melody that harmonizes the beat.

Gnarled hands thick and hard
Hands black and old from years at the forge,
Swing with a proud grace.
Hear the hammer ...

The soothing, clean smell of leather,
A grinding, grating of steel on steel
Dry, metallic smell, bone dust
That fills the air and coats the skin.
The final, eternal echo that fills the soul.

~ Amy Nordstrom, Grand-daughter of Rudolph H. Ruana ~
 
^^^ AWESOME find !!! :O

EDIT: L lambertiana That "M" stamp (what collectors look for) next to the Ruana stamp would indicate that Rudy Ruana made that knife sometime between about 1960 and about 1983 when Rudy retired and Vic Hangas took over Ruana Knives. So even if she found it in the woods 35-40 years ago, it could have been there for a good while. On the other hand, that steel is hammer forged 1095 and appears to have weathered VERY well for being in the woods ... so maybe not lost for very long. We'll never know. If only knives could talk ;)

EDIT2: Would love to see the other side of that blade to see if Rudy signed it.
 
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BrotherJim said:
^^^ AWESOME find !!! :O

EDIT: L lambertiana That "M" stamp (what collectors look for) next to the Ruana stamp would indicate that Rudy Ruana made that knife sometime between about 1960 and about 1983 when Rudy retired and Vic Hangas took over Ruana Knives. So even if she found it in the woods 35-40 years ago, it could have been there for a good while. On the other hand, that steel is hammer forged 1095 and appears to have weathered VERY well for being in the woods ... so maybe not lost for very long. We'll never know. If only knives could talk ;)

EDIT2: Would love to see the other side of that blade to see if Rudy signed it.
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It was obviously not in the woods for long before she found it. I don't remember if she told me that it had to be cleaned up.
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Rudy used a hand held engraver to sign knives. I don't see it on this knife, but he likely didn't sign all knives either.
I know little about Ruana knives and hope someone more knowledgeable will happen along to fact check me ;)
 
does anyone know what the difference between a Ruana 17a and a 14B? I have a knife I bought a few years ago off Ebay and I thought it was a 17a but I'm not sure. It was M stamped and no longer a catalog item.

Thanks,
pat99709
 
There’s a young kid about to list a early Ruana Bowie on eBay In excellent shape. He had listed it yesterday but made a bunch of mistakes. When I figured out he was for real and was selling for school money, I clued him in. If you can give him a look. I’d like to see his knife get a fair price.
 
Tomycod said:
There’s a young kid about to list a early Ruana Bowie on eBay In excellent shape. He had listed it yesterday but made a bunch of mistakes. When I figured out he was for real and was selling for school money, I clued him in. If you can give him a look. I’d like to see his knife get a fair price.
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Tomycod said:
There’s a young kid about to list a early Ruana Bowie on eBay In excellent shape. He had listed it yesterday but made a bunch of mistakes. When I figured out he was for real and was selling for school money, I clued him in. If you can give him a look. I’d like to see his knife get a fair price.
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Needle in a haystack. Help me narrow it down
 
I've carried and used a number of Ruana knives over the years including in Viet Nam but their current prices put them in the just for collectors category these days. When I bought my first Jr. Bowie it was cheaper than buying a Buck. Times certainly changed.
 
pat99709 said:
does anyone know what the difference between a Ruana 17a and a 14B? I have a knife I bought a few years ago off Ebay and I thought it was a 17a but I'm not sure. It was M stamped and no longer a catalog item.

Thanks,
pat99709
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Hi Pat99709,
Your question is a few months old now but I thought I would answer anyway just in case you still need help. The main difference between those two models is the blade length. The 17A (changed to 17b in 1984) is a long bladed skinner with an upper and lower guard. Usually around a 6” blade. The 14b is smaller with usually about a 5” blade and your “m” stamped one will also have an upper and lower guard although the earliest ones lacked an upper guard. Hope this helps. Ruana knives are some of my very favorite blades and you did well to purchase one!
 
An old girlfriend recently called me about some knives she found in her deceased father's belongings. This old Ruana immediately caught my eye. Judging by the engraving on one side of the spline, it was a gift, but from whom she couldn't say. I have no idea how much the engravings might affect the knife's value. I suggested she pass it on to her son, who just had a boy of his own. Anyway, I'd love to know how old this knife is.20220131_123309.jpg20220131_123423.jpg20220131_123423.jpg20220131_123309.jpg20220131_123520.jpg20220131_123607.jpg20220131_124925.jpg
 
Looks like an "M" stamped on the bolster. I think that indicates Rudy was using Studebaker car springs for his knives. You should send those photos to Ruana Knives, they can probably give you an approximate date. John
 
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