#2280847 - 06/28/08 12:14 PM
Ruana Knives
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Just a Hunter
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Registered: 04/05/06
Posts: 539
Loc: MT
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What are your thoughts on Ruana Knives?
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#2281061 - 06/28/08 02:39 PM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: Just a Hunter]
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LouisB
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Registered: 12/16/07
Posts: 90
Loc: TN
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If this is the knife that the maker used a particular auto leaf spring to make it is the best piece of steel in any knife I have ever used.
The owner worked for a wildlife agency and told me how many deer he opened up at a check station with it during some study and never touched a stone, I have no doubt he was NOT exagerating.
How hard is it to sharpen . . . I have NO idea.
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#2281111 - 06/28/08 03:21 PM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: LouisB]
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1234567
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Registered: 11/26/07
Posts: 704
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He claimed the leaf springs from Studebakers were the best.
I don't think a spring would be in the high Rockwell range. It would break instead of flex if it were in the 60s range. I guess it would. I have never tried it or tested one for hardness.
He might have annealed the springs, then re-hardened them. He was one of the first of the orginal hand made knife makers.
The metal parts on his blades were cast from pistons from car engines.
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#2282996 - 06/29/08 02:55 PM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: 1234567]
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Leanwolf
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 05/01/03
Posts: 1936
Loc: Boise, Idaho
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I've been using a Ruana Workman since about 1980, when I bought it new from Ruana in Bonnner, Mont. It is an outstanding knife, takes a very keen edge, keeps it, and is easy to sharpen. The forged blades are carbon steel but I like that better than stainless.
Deer, elk, Black bear... no problem whatsoever.
My nephew has a Ruana he's been using hunting since about 1984, and you couldn't pry that Ruana away from him. Same with one of my hunting partners.
I hunted with an elk outfitter in Colorado in 1981 who'd been using a small Ruana for many years. He said it is the only knife he used and he'd dressed hundreds of elk and deer.
A Ruana will get you there and back.
L.W.
_________________________
"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." (William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830s.)
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#2283695 - 06/29/08 08:54 PM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: Leanwolf]
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Domhnall
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Registered: 11/01/07
Posts: 51
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I have a thing for Ruana knives, but only have the more recent ones. I think the Studebaker springs went out with Rudy Ruana back in the '50's. The newer ones are tool steel, not stainless, and they really take a good edge. Very easy to sharpen too. One downside IMO is that the cast aluminum handles with the elk bone inserts can get slippery and the guards are rounded and it's not too hard for your hand to slip up onto the blade. That said, I like 'em. I think the 4 inch skinner is the best skinning knife ever. I wish they would make a true drop point in the same size. I can tell you they are popular in AK, despite not being stainless.
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#2287624 - 07/02/08 06:32 AM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: Domhnall]
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saddlering
Campfire Guide
Registered: 09/30/05
Posts: 2548
Loc: Michigan, Down River
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Jim Bering. of Treeman Knives make some of his knives out of Sudebaker springs I have 3 but have not got to use then too much yet! a Very nice knife tho hes also a big Ruana Fan! John
Edited by saddlering (07/02/08 06:32 AM)
_________________________
Savage 1899, One fine thunderstick!
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#2288180 - 07/02/08 11:57 AM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: saddlering]
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Just a Hunter
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/05/06
Posts: 539
Loc: MT
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Thanks for your comments guys.
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#2289009 - 07/02/08 06:46 PM
Re: Ruana Knives
[Re: Just a Hunter]
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LouisB
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Registered: 12/16/07
Posts: 90
Loc: TN
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As I remember the story that Jack told me about his Ruana's (he and his son owned several)were that they were all made by the elder Ruana and that he scoured junkyards high and low looking for 50 or 51 Studebaker leaf springs. Jack said that Ruana claimed it was the best steel for him to use. Likely that run of steel responded well to his heat treat and thus he did like it for forging his blades.
Leaf spring steel would have to temper well and yet survive repeated flexing during its life on the road!
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