(June 7) We proudly introduce the Bill Ruple x Case Axe Handle™, 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 joins 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.
I had a chance to check it out at the show. It is niiice. So is Bill for that matter. Like anyone, I have long admired his work, but I never had the opportunity to meet the gentleman before Sunday.
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