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Vintage Handmade R.H. RUANA Hunting Knife with "Little Knife" stamp and original sheath 4 1/4" handle; 5" blade.
This knife bears the "Little Knife" stamp below the full R.H. Ruana name stamp dictating that this stunning blade was made by Rudy Ruana sometime between 1944 and 1962. This is a pristine, very rare example of the craftmanship that made Rudy famous not only in Montana but throughout the Mountain West. His blades set the standard for the back country for decades and many an outfitter owed his life to the strength and durability of Rudy's knives. This exceptionally fine knife appears never to have seen service and looks brand new despite being at least 61 years old.
As described by Ruana Knives itself:
"In 1938, Rudy Ruana began making knives in a small Montana shop. His family members are still hand crafting Ruana Knives in the same shop today. Having left the decimated family farm in North Dakota and looking for greener pastures, 1938 found Rudy Ruana in the small community of Bonner, Montana working as a mechanic and welder at a small garage. In order to help his family survive during the post depression era, Ruana began to make a few knives on the side - a skill that originated in the 1920's when he was a farrier in the cavalry, making his first knives for a couple of Native Americans in need of a better tool for skinning horses. As time passed and the reputation of Ruana's knives grew, demand became so great that Rudy began making knives full time in 1952, calling his business Ruana Knife Works.
In 1964 Ruana's son-in-law, Vic Hangas left a job with a phone company and put his artistic talents to work, joining Ruana in the business. Hangas' son Mark began working at the company in 1976. In 1983, Ruana retired at the age of 80 and sold the business to the Hangas family. In 1984 Mike Hangas joined his brother and Dad and the business was incorporated. Rudy Ruana passed away in April of 1986. He was honored by being posthumously inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame in 1997 and BLADE Magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2002."
NB: Ruana Knives was chosen to forge "Beth's Blade" for the Yellowstone TV series for Beth Dutton (character) that was featured in the episode that aired on December 5, 2021.
Check out our other Ruana knives on that were handmade by Rudy himself!
Vintage R.H. RUANA Hunting Knife w/ "little knife" stamp and original sheath |
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