Guess who’s joining forces with W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery? The one and only Bill Ruple with his Axe Handle Folder! With over thirty years under his belt, Bill has earned a well-deserved spot in the Blade Show Cutlery Hall of Fame, and a trophy case packed with awards. Bill is a legend in the custom knife scene.
Two Titans
Bill and Case, two heavyweights in the slipjoint knife scene, got together for a brainstorming session and devised an awesome new lockback pattern for their first collaboration.
They’re also whipping up some limited-edition designs that pay tribute to the classics, all loaded with high-quality features. And the best part? The Ruple X Case Axe Handle is the first standout piece from this exciting partnership!
Bill Ruple Axe Handle
This sleek lockback knife has a comfy 4.4-inch frame and weighs a solid 4.2 ounces. The 3.46-inch Clip point blade is precision-cut from 154 CM stainless steel.
With shiny satin-finished accents and a one-piece liner for smooth deployment, it’s designed to impress. I went with the Marbled Black Carbon Fiber scales, and the arrowhead-shaped shield on the handle symbolizes strength and precision. This knife is not just practical; it’s a stylish statement!
Axe Handle in the Field
After snagging my Axe Handle from Case Knives at Blade Show 2024, I couldn’t wait to try it out. I tested its sharpness by running it across my arm hair, and it passed with flying colors—just the beginning of the fun!
Every knife I get eventually makes its way to my cutting board, and since I was planning to whip up some carnitas, I got to work prepping limes, oranges, onions, and garlic. The Axe Handle sliced through everything effortlessly. I left it overnight without wiping it down, but when I checked it the next day, there was no corrosion or even a hint of a patina. That’s the beauty of American 154CM stainless steel!
Then, I faced a pile of packages from overseas, all wrapped in thick, heavy-duty nylon webbing that needed cutting. After tackling that, I broke down some heavy-duty cardboard, and once again, the Axe Handle performed flawlessly.
Getting Back to the Essentials
I took the Bill Ruple Axe Handle into the woods and pushed its limits beyond typical pocket knife tasks—no batoning or wood splitting, though!
The handle was great for my larger hands, especially with my leather work gloves on in the winter. I bent a young sapling using a snap cutting technique and easily carved some tarp and tent stakes.
I sliced rubber tubing for emergency fire starters and cut manila rope to test out fire-making materials. After much use, I was impressed with how sharp the blade stayed while feathering wood for a fire. Thanks to the effective Case grind, those thin shavings catch a spark from a Ferro rod.
Bill Ruple Axe Handle Folder Summary
In short, Bill Ruple’s collaboration with Case Cutlery has produced the impressive Axe Handle lockback knife, showcasing excellent craftsmanship. Bill shares his favorite Case patterns and practical knife uses from his farming days, adding a personal touch. With the Ruple X Case Axe Handle launch, they’re setting a high bar for future projects that knife enthusiasts will love!
For more information, please check out Case Knives!
