Bill Ruple is a master at making slip joint folders. He has taught and inspired so many knifemakers on how to make folding knives, that it's almost impossible to list them. You have to hold one of Bill's knives to truly appreciate the fit and finish, and his attention to detail. He has been making knives since 1988. The quality of his knives has been consistent throughout his career. He has made knives with from one to five blades. No matter what he makes or what show he attends, he always sells out - and quickly! This two-blade Barlow pattern folding knife comes directly from Bill at the 2018 Blade Show. It features a Sheepsfoot as the main blade, and a Pen blade, both made from CPM 154 stainless steel with a hand rubbed satin finishes. Both blades have half stops. The Sheepsfoot has a long pull nail nick, and the Pen blade has an ample nail nick. Both have firm, yet smooth pulls. The scales are two pieces of well-matched stag - rich in color, texture and appearance. The bolster is 416 stainless steel, and Bill has fluted the bolster and added shadow lines on either side. The liners and pins are also 416 stainless. Bill has done some outstanding file-work on the liners, all the way around the handle. His transitions from backsprings to blade spines are virtually seamless - you can barely see where one stops and the other starts. Bill's tolerances, and fit and finish, are second to none. Bill has stamped RUPLE on the ricasso of the Sheepsfoot blade. Both blades lock up tight with no play, and the blade seating of each is dead center inside their respective liners. Bill does the walk-and-talk like very few can. Comes in a padded, zippered RUPLE case. This one is just so nice.
