Case Knives Unveils New Collaboration with Legendary Texas-born Knife Craftsman Bill Ruple at Blade Show,

Collection Launches with Case Axe Handle™ Model Available Next Month

W .R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company (Case Knives), a leading American manufacturer of premium knives, will proudly introduce the brand’s first collaboration with renowned Texas-based custom knife craftsman Bill Ruple at the 2024 Blade Show in Atlanta, June 7-9.

Ruple will join the Case team at the Cobb Galleria to meet with fans and knife enthusiasts in person and introduce the highly anticipated collection launching this summer. Known for custom-made pocket knives handcrafted in his Pleasanton, Texas workshop, Ruple is recognized for his extraordinary talent and dedication to traditional knife making. Several of the industry’s most decorated slip joint makers were trained by Ruple.

The first release from the Collection is the Bill Ruple x Case Axe Handle™. Inspired by one of Ruple’s own signature designs, the Bill Ruple x Case Axe Handle is a lockback pattern measuring 4.4 inches overall and weighing 4.2 ounces. Its 3.46-inch, 154 CM stainless steel Clip point blade is wire-cut and flat taper ground. Other premium features include satin-finished stainless steel components, including the knife’s one-piece liner/bolsters that are specially milled on the inside for smooth blade operation and an arrowhead shaped shield that is pinned to the handle. 

“The first knife I ever owned was a Case slip joint pocket knife my dad gave me when I was a kid,” said Ruple. “For Case to ask me to make a knife for them is the honor of a lifetime, so I’m extremely excited to introduce the collection and talk to everyone this June at Blade Show in Atlanta.”

The Bill Ruple x Case Axe Handle will be available in genuine Rogers jig Chestnut Bone, Standard jig Antique bone, natural Birdseye Maple wood, black marbled Carbon Fiber and smooth Abalone. Case has scheduled an additional limited run with English Walnut handles and raindrop-patterned carbon Damascus steel blades. Each package includes a padded, genuine suede leather storage pouch. Production of the Abalone and carbon Damascus blade/English Walnut-handled versions will be limited to 100 pieces; production of each of the other handle styles will be limited to 200 pieces. 

Bone handled models will begin to launch in June, with other handle options following throughout the summer and fall. All will be available at participating Case dealers nationwide and on caseknives.com.

“Case has been looking forward to this collaboration with Bill for a long time – he is truly one of the most respected custom knifemakers in our industry,” said Brent Tyler, Associate Vice President of Marketing at Case. “He likes to tell the story of copying a Case trapper the first time he made a knife himself, and we are proud to be the brand inspired him as a craftsman. He has developed his own signature style over the years, and you see the influence of his own precision artistry in this new collection. We’re going to learn from each other and have a lot of fun along the way.”

Case will be introducing other new knives at BLADE Show Atlanta, including the latest Case Marilla and Kinzua everyday carry (EDC) designs, each with white ceramic Cerakote handles and black diamond-like coated (DLC) blades. Case’s new Highbanks and Longhouse patterns will make their Atlanta premiere, both part of the company’s new Bridgeline concept that combines heritage design with modern materials and precision engineering. Other new knives planned for fall will also be onsite for preview.

To speak with a media representative from Case at Blade Show in Atlanta, please contact Savannah Farrington at [email protected]. Visit Case at Blade Show 2024 in booth #109 at the Cobb Galleria, June 7-9.

About W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of premium knives that are built on a reputation of quality and perseverance. Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Case’s offerings cover a wide range of product categories, from traditional folding pocket knives and fixed blade sporting knives to modern everyday carry knives and other gear. Celebrating the company’s 135th anniversary in 2024, Case inspires us all to become more everyday capable by using its dependable and innovative products. Case is owned by Zippo Manufacturing Company, makers of the world famous Zippo® windproof lighter. Call (800) 523-6350 or visit caseknives.com for more information. You can also follow Case (@WRCase) on popular social media channels.