Hunting Knives: reliability and durability in the wild

Randall Made Knives' Model 11 is the original drop-point blade. Designed in 1952 by Alaskan guide Tommy Thompson it is designed for skinning large prey, has the tip lowered below the top of the blade to avoid cutting too deeply into skins when using the tip first.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously purchased, presumably produced in the late 1990s.
* Condition: Very good condition
* Sharpening: Original
* Marks on blade: A few small marks given by being placed in the sheath.
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on the duralumin pommel.
* Packaging: -
* Scabbard: original, leather, "Type A," in very good condition.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

Intended use: hunting

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of manufacture: USA
Blade: carbon steel O-1
Blade finish: satin finish
Handle: leather rings with brass through-guard and duralumin tang
Blade length: 118mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 230mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 210g.
Sheath: brown leather with belt loop and sharpening stone
Notes: vintage knife, late 1990s, previously purchased, withdrawn from private collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously purchased, presumably from the late 1970s/early 1980s.
* Condition: In very good condition
* Commercially available: Rudy Ruana passed away in 1986, Ruana knives are still in production and orderable on their site with waiting lists, but in different configurations from this one.
* Sharpening: Factory original, improvable, with some cosmetic abrasion.
* Marks on blade: Small horizontal marks due to insertion and removal from scabbard.
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on the aluminum handle.
* Packaging: -
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original, with a few small marks given by age.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory



Intended use: hunting / light hiking

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: USA
Blade: made of undeclared high carbon steel (presumably 1095 or 5160), hammer-forged, ground, individually oil-hardened and heat-treated using a zone tempering method that makes the back and tang of the blade softer than the cutting edge
Blade finish: satin-finished
Handle: cast aluminum directly on tang with beveled and riveted elk horn inserts. The tang runs inside the full length of the handle, and the cast aluminum produces a strong handle that is impossible to break.
Blade length: 125mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 235mm.
Weight: 190g.
Sheath: handcrafted, leather, for vertical carrying on the belt
Packaging: -
Notes: Specimen presumably late 1970s/early 1980s in excellent condition - previously purchased knife from a private collection

Company History.
In 1938, Rudy Ruana began making knives in a small store in Montana. Members of his family continue to this day to handcraft Ruana knives in the same store. In 1964 Ruana's son-in-law, Vic Hangas, left a job with a telephone company and put his artistic talents to good use, joining Ruana in the business. Hangas' son Mark began working in the business 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 father and the company was incorporated. Rudy Ruana died in April 1986. He was honored with posthumous induction into the American Bladesmith Society's Hall of Fame in 1997 and Blade magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2002.

Ruana knives are still handmade in the small Montana store where Rudy Ruana began forging blades more than 80 years ago. In an era of outsourcing and diminishing Made in America products, Ruana knives are still handmade in the United States, with a focus on quality rather than quantity. Although some things have changed over the years, still using the same methods and much of the same equipment used by Rudy Ruana.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously purchased, presumably from the late 1970s/early 1980s.
* Condition: In very good condition
* Commercially available On order, with waiting list.
* Sharpening: Factory original, can be improved.
* Marks on blade: Small horizontal marks due to insertion and removal from scabbard.
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on aluminum tang.
* Packaging: -
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory



Intended use: hunting / fishing / light hiking

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: USA
Blade: O1 steel
Blade finish: satin finish
Handle: leather rings, brass guard, duralumin pommel
Blade length: 115mm.
Blade thickness: 3.8mm.
Total length: 230mm.
Weight: 130g.
Scabbard: handmade, leather, for vertical carrying on belt
Packaging: -
Notes: Specimen presumably late 1970s/early 1980s in excellent condition - previously purchased knife from a private collection

History of the Model
The Model 7 was designed as a scaled-down version of the Model 3 Hunter.

Almost immediately, the idea of a scaled-down version of the new Hunter dawned on Bo Randall as an ideal knife for his fellow anglers. An avid fisherman since his youth, Bo regarded this new knife as a labor of love and immediately set to work on the project. At first he tried 4- and 4.5-inch blades, but then opted for the 4 1/2-inch one. Bo wanted the right handle for cleaning brook trout and similar sized fish, so he reduced the size of the handle of the new Hunter and changed its shape. Naturally, he called this model the "Fisherman," and some early prototypes with 4-inch blades were delivered to some dealers during the latter part of September 1945.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously Purchased
* Condition: Like new
* Commercially available No, craftsman passed away in 1991.
* Sharpening: Factory original
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Packaging: Gift box marked "Coltelleria Lorenzi, via Montenapoleone, Milano"
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: Certificate of guarantee and authenticity present.
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory


Intended use: hunting / collection

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: USA
Blade: D2 steel
Blade finish: satin finish
Handle: deer Sambar, brass guard and pommel engraved by "J.S."
Blade length: 155mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 273mm.
Weight: 340g.
Sheath: handcrafted, leather, for vertical carrying on belt
Packaging:Gift box marked "Coltelleria Lorenzi, via Montenapoleone, Milano," certificate of guarantee 
Notes:1989 specimen designed and made entirely by hand by cutlery legend Jimmy Lile, famous to most for "inventing" and designing Rambo's knives, who died in 1991 - Previously purchased knife, from a private collection, like new.

KNIFE FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously Purchased
* Condition: Overall in very good condition
* Commercially available: No longer in production
* Sharpening: Factory
* Marks on blade: No
* Marks on handle: No
* Box: Not present
* Scabbard: In Kydex
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: NO
* Checked and certified by our internal laboratory

Intended Use: Tactical/Collection

Production Type: Semi-Industrial
Country of manufacture: USA
Blade: Carbon steel O1
Blade treatment: Grey Cerakote
Handle: G-10 Green
Blade length: 110mm. (100m. cutting edge)
Blade thickness: 4.6mm.
Total length: 230mm.
Balance: set back approx. 3 cm from the edge of the cheek piece
Weight: 260g. (353g. including scabbard)
Sheath: Kydex, with Kydex belt attachment
Packaging: Without box and certificates
Notes: -

COUTEAU DE RETRAITE PROVENANT D'UNE COLLECTION PRIVÉE - Modèle Buck 120 datant des années 90
* Type : déjà acheté
* Etat : en excellent état, comme neuf
* Disponible dans le commerce : disponible dans le commerce dans les versions les plus récentes
* Affûtage : Original
* Marques sur la lame : non
* Marques sur le manche : non
* Boîte : sans boîte
* Gaine : gaine en cuir noir d'origine
* Manuels, certificats et garanties : -
* Contrôlé et certifié par notre laboratoire interne

Utilisation prévue : Tactique

Type de production : Industrielle
Production Lama : États-Unis
Lame : acier inoxydable 420HC
Traitement de la lame : -
Manche : en Polymères
Longueur de la lame : 185 mm.
Épaisseur de la lame : 4,5 mm.
Longueur fermée : -
Longueur totale : 300 mm.
Epaisse fermée : -
Équilibrage : -
Poids : 228 grammes.
Fermeture: -
Agrafe: -
Fourreau : en cuir noir
Emballage: -
Noter: -

The Buck 124 was originally designed in 1966 as a dive combat knife called the Nemo. The model then went into production in 1967 and was offered with either a dive sheath (NEMO) or a leather sheath (FRONTIERSMAN). The knife was the same and has remained so to this day.

In the 1960s about 300 examples were produced and they had black phenolic handles with white Teflon spacers. Then in the 1970s it had a fluctuating production, with very poor sales numbers, until in '73 it was offered with a "Buckarta" (Micarta) handle and began to find favor with the public, with over 10000 examples sold until the early 1980s. Until 1983 model production remained high, and in 1984 a version of the FRONTIERSMAN with a Pakkawood handle was introduced; the 1984 version did not have the patent logos engraved, the 1985 version had the patent engravings, and from 1986 the knife began to have the production date engraved on the blade.

Therefore, our proposed model is from 1984.

Knife withdrawn from private collection - Classic Buck model dating from 1984, first series with wooden handle - Overall in very good condition, with no particular noticeable marks, with a few small scratches on aluminum guard and pommel - Scabbard in excellent condition - Original factory sharpening, but underperforming - Lacking box and certificates - Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory.

Intended Use: Hunting / Utility / Multirole / Collection

Type of production: Industrial
Country of manufacture: USA
Blade: full tang, 425M stainless steel
Blade finish: satin-finished
Handle: Pakkawood
Blade length: 159mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 300mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 377g.
Sheath: black leather
Packaging: absent
Notes: knife withdrawn from private collection, 1984 specimen, overall in very good condition

Intended use: Hunting / Sports

Type of production: Industrial
Country of production: Germany
Blade: 440C stainless steel
Blade treatment: Satin finish
Handle: Stag with steel guard and aluminum knob
Blade length: 177mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 305mm.
Balancing: advanced
Weight: 274g.
Sheath: in leather
Packaging: Cardboard box with Linder logos
Note: -

Intended use: sports / collection / hunting

Type of production: Semi-Industrial
Lama production: India
Blade: 1065 carbon steel
Handle: brown wood
Blade length: 300mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 465mm.
Balancing: 5 cm advanced
Weight: 542g.
Sheath: in brown leather
Packaging: cardboard box

Intended use: Collection / Sports

Type of production: Industrial
Country of production: Taiwan
Blade: 440C steel
Blade treatment: mirror polishing
Handle: in micarta, with stainless steel guard
Blade length: 220mm.
Blade thickness: 4.6mm.
Total length: 350mm.
Weight: 408g.
Sheath: in black leather
Packaging: gift box with warranty certificate and microfibre cloth for cleaning
Notes: Limited edition of 1999 numbered copies

Intended use: collection / sport

Type of production: Industrial
Country of production: Taiwan
Blade: 440C steel
Blade treatment: satin finish
Handle: in micarta, with stainless steel guard
Blade length: 178mm.
Blade thickness: 4.6mm.
Total length: 305mm.
Weight: 295g.
Sheath: in black leather
Packaging: gift box with warranty certificate and microfiber cleaning cloth
Notes: Numbered and limited edition of 1999 copies - Design by John H. Davis

Destinazione d'uso: Caccia/Sportivo

Tipo di produzione: Semi-Artigianale
Produzione Lama: USA
Lama: In acciaio inox CPM-S35VN 58/59HRC
Trattamento Lama: Stone Washed
Manicatura: Brown canvas Micarta
Lunghezza lama: 95mm.
Spessore lama: 4.5mm.
Lunghezza chiuso: -
Lunghezza totale: 216mm.
Spessore da chiuso: -
Bilanciatura: -
Peso: 175g.
Chiusura: -
Clip: -
Fodero: Cuoio marrone by Gfeller Casemakers
Confezione: Scatola di cartone bianca con loghi Chris Reeve; certificati di garanzia
Note: -

The collaboration between the writer Nicolai Lilin and Knives Maserin was born on 987 Siberian Knife. Knife shapes typically Siberian, has blade and scabbard with designs that reflect themes and symbols tradition of this land, cold and still largely mysterious; elements also present in figurative works and tattoos created by the author of the best selling book Siberian Education, then became blockbuster thanks to the wise directed by Gabriele Salvatores.

Intended use: Hunting / Sports / Collection

Type of production: Industrial production

blade: Italian blade: 440A stainless steel blade

Treatment: -

Handle: Wood Pau Santo

Blade length: 170mm.

Blade thickness: 4.5mm.

Closed Length: -

Overall length: 293mm.

Thick when closed: -

Balance: -

Weight: 288g.

Lock: -

Clip: -

Sheath: Leather

Package: Cardboard Box

Notes: Kolima Design by Nicolai Lilin

These handmade knives are distinguished by their original line, but functional, well that is coupled alletradizionali manufacturing techniques and materials used.
The blades are in fact hardened coal until Adavere a hardness of about 40 HRC after which, after having been hand-hammered, back and sides are covered with clay and the wire refreshed to 60 HRC to have excellent cutting capacity, flexibility and penetration. The knife is then polished and sharpened by hand on stone and finished in every detail.

Blade: Stainless DNH7
manicatura: wood
Blade length: 130 mm.
Handle Length: 70 mm.
Blade Thickness: 4.5 mm.
Total length: 270 mm.
Sheath: Leather brown handmade
Weight: 106 g.

Note: Being craft knives, and finishes for slightly differing from each other, the knife itself may not be identical to that represented in the images.

Destinazione d'uso: Sportivo / Caccia

Tipo di produzione: Industriale
Produzione Lama: Japan
Lama: In acciaio inox laminato VG-1 San Mai III
Trattamento Lama: -
Manicatura: Kraton
Lunghezza lama: 117mm.
Spessore lama: 4.5mm.
Lunghezza totale: 235mm.
Bilanciatura: Arretrata ad 1cm dal ramo di guardia
Peso: 176g.
Chiusura: -
Clip: -
Fodero: ABS
Confezione: scatola in cartone con loghi Cold Steel
Note: -

Intended use: Hunting

Type of production: Industrial
Lama production: Germany
Blade: 440C 58HRC steel
Blade treatment: -
Handle: Deer
Blade length: 150mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Length closed: -
Total length: 260mm.
Thickness when closed: -
Balancing: set back, at 2cm.
Weight: 216g.
Closure: -
Clip: -
Sheath: in leather
Packaging: cardboard box
Note: -

Takeshi Saji - Cha Hebi Hanta Crocodile Skin - Damascus blade

Intended Use: Collection / Sports

Type of production: Artisan
Production Lama: Japan
Blade: Hand Forged, laminated damask with sharp steel Hitachi Shirogami to 64HRC
Blade treatment: -
Handle: Tou-maki (rolled Rattan) and crocodile skin
Blade length: 139mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Overall length: 252mm.
Thick when closed: -
Balancing: -
Weight: 180g.
Closed: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Crocodile Skin
Packaging: Cardboard Box
Notes: entirely handmade by Takeshi Saji

Purpose: Collection / Sportsman

Type of production: Artisan
Blade Production: Japan
Blade: Hand forged, rolled damper with Hitachi Shirogami cutting edge at 64HRC
Blade Treatment: -
Manicure: Tou-Maki (Rolled Rattan) and leather
Blade Length: 134mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed length: -
Total length: 250mm.
Closure thickness: -
Balance: -
Weight: 162g.
Closure: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Leather and Rattan
Packing: Carton box
Notes: Hand made entirely by Takeshi Saji

Takeshi Saji è nato nel 1948 a Takefu (prefettura di Fukui), una città situata all'incirca nel centro del Giappone e nel cuore di una zona da secoli votata alla produzione di lame. Il suo laboratorio è ancora lì, costruito intorno al forno grazie al quale, ormai da parecchi anni, Takeshi Saji forgia l'acciaio (soprattutto damasco) con cui realizza vari modelli di coltelli tradizionali giapponesi. La scelta dei materiali per le finiture (prevalentemente naturali), le linee essenziali - evocatrici dell'utilizzo - e gli accostamenti cromatici di raro impatto rendono le sue realizzazioni uniche e inconfondibili nel panorama della coltelleria mondiale e, in patria, gli sono valse il prestigioso titolo di Maestro.

Destinazione d'uso: Collezione/Sportivo

Tipo di produzione: Artigianale
Produzione Lama: Giappone
Lama: Forgiata a mano, in damasco laminato con tagliente in Hitachi Shirogami a 64HRC
Trattamento Lama: -
Manicatura: Tou-Maki (Rattan arrotolato) e Pitone (pelle di serpente)
Lunghezza lama: 147mm.
Spessore lama: 4.5mm.
Lunghezza chiuso: -
Lunghezza totale: 268mm.
Spessore da chiuso: -
Bilanciatura: -
Peso: 190g.
Chiusura: -
Clip: -
Fodero: Pelle di Pitone
Confezione: Scatola di cartone
Note: interamente realizzati a mano da Takeshi Saji

Takeshi Saji was born in 1948 in Takefu (Fukui prefecture), a city located roughly in the center of Japan and in the heart of an area for centuries devoted to the production of blades. His workshop is still there, built around the oven thanks to which, for several years now, Takeshi Saji has been forging steel (especially damascus) with which he makes various models of traditional Japanese knives. The choice of materials for the finishes (mainly natural), the essential lines - evocative of use - and the chromatic combinations of rare impact make his creations unique and unmistakable in the panorama of world cutlery and, at home, they have earned him the prestigious title of Master.

Intended use: Collection / Sports

Type of production: Artisan
Production Lama: Japan
Blade: Hand forged, laminated damask with 64HRC Hitachi Shirogami cutting edge
Blade treatment: -
Handle: Tou-Maki (Rolled Rattan) and snakeskin
Blade length: 150mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Total length: 272mm.
Thick when closed: -
Balancing: -
Weight: 192g.
Closing: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Snake Skin
Packaging: Cardboard box
Notes: entirely handmade by Takeshi Saji