Since the passing of the legendary Tony Bose, may Case fans have been left wondering: What about those collab pieces? This month, Case has given us the answer! They've tapped another major name is the bladed world; Bill Ruple. Below is a press release from Case detailing Ruple; in it he credits the late Tony Bose with inspiring him to make the best knives he possibly can.
"Bradford, Penn. – March 18, 2023 – W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has announced an agreement with award-winning custom knife maker Bill Ruple (Ruple Knives) to collaboratively design and produce a series of special knife offerings. The shared objective is to offer brand new patterns and bring back others of historical significance that Case has rarely, if ever, made before.
Each will offer premium features and a first-rate quality that rivals those of an original knife from Ruple’s own custom shop. “Our knife collaboratives have always embodied the kind of creativity, excellence and pride in craftsmanship that can only be attained when the expertise of Case and custom legends like Bill come together,” says John Sicher, Executive VP of Marketing & Innovation at Case. “We’re looking forward to this relationship with Bill Ruple and continuing to bring exciting new slip joint offerings to market.”
Ruple credits another expert craftsman and peer, Tony Bose, with the inspiration he got from seeing Tony’s knives. “I first met Tony in the early 90’s at the Guild Show in Orlando, and when I saw the quality of knives he had laid out on his table, I was awestruck. I knew I wanted to be as good as him.”
Bose went on to work with Case on knife collaborations for over twenty years. Bose passed away suddenly late in 2020, but that legacy left behind remains throughout the halls of the Case plant.
“My very first knife I ever made was an old beat up, yellow-handled Case Trapper that I had taken apart and put back together. So, for me, following in Tony’s footsteps and getting the chance to work one-on-one with Case is the realization of a dream. I still can’t believe it.”
Ruple has been making custom knives for more than thirty years and operates from his own workshop in Pleasanton, Texas. Over his career, Ruple’s been recognized for his extraordinary work in the knife industry and his dedication to the continuance of the traditional knife making craft. Last June he was inducted into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia - an honor bestowed solely by the votes of past inductees. Several of the industry’s most decorated slip joint makers today were trained up by Ruple and his vast knowledge base.
“While Case has over a century of collective knife manufacturing experience, we’re always looking for new ways to build knives that can outlast lifetimes", says Brent Tyler, Associate VP of Marketing at Case. “Bill Ruple infuses that same ideal into his knives, and we are eager to put our combined strengths to work through this powerhouse venture.”
Be on the lookout for these amazing collab knives to hit the shelves at GBS & here at CaseWV.com!
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