Hunting Knives: reliability and durability in the wild

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased
* Condition: Overall in good condition, shows some signs of wear and tear and some imperceptible traces of oxidation on the GunKote finish
* Available on the market: Out of production since 2009
* Sharpness: Factory sharp, excellent
* Marks on blade: Some minor cosmetic signs of oxidation on the GunKote finish
* Marks on handle: Some signs of wear due to age
* Box: Not included
* Sheath: Black leather, pancake style, in excellent condition
* Manuals, Certificates, and Warranties: Not included
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

Designed to tackle the most extreme challenges, the Chris Reeve Aviator is much more than just a knife: it is a survival legend. Forged from a single block of steel and designed with surgical precision, this compact and extremely robust tool has accompanied pilots, operators, and enthusiasts to every corner of the world.

The watertight hollow handle, A2 steel blade with tactical finish, and functional rear serrations make the Aviator a reliable companion in any scenario, from the jungle to the desert. A perfect balance between military engineering and refined craftsmanship.

Produced until 2009, today the Aviator is a coveted collector's item and an icon for those who refuse to compromise on form, function, and history.

Intended use: Survival / Light Utility

Type of production: Midtech
Country of production: USA
Blade: A2 carbon steel with a hardness of 55/57HRC
Blade finish: GunKote 
Handle: integral, hollow, with screw-on rear cap made of aluminum
Blade length: 105mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5 mm.
Total length: 205 mm.
Weight: 180 g.
Sheath: black leather, pancake type, made in the USA
Packaging: -
Notes: Product discontinued since 2009; rare collector's item complete with original certificate

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously Purchased
* Condition: Used for hunting and resharpened, with some small marks given by previous sharpening.
* Commercially available unique specimen from 2010.
* Sharpening: Re-sharpened, can be improved.
* Marks on blade: Small marks from previous regrinding.
* Marks on handle: Small marks from previous regrinding.
* Packaging: /
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, in good condition, with some minor signs of wear and tear.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: Certificate of Authenticity.
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

FRANCO VERNAZZA is a hobbyist knifemaker and by passion a member of A.C.H.I. (Associazione Coltellinai Hobbisti Italiani), this does not take away from his excellent knifemaking skills. He himself says he makes blades for passion, knives that do the job of cutting, everything else is a detail. The workmanship, all unique because he doesn't use jigs, is really good, completely Hand Made in Italy. 

Intended use: hunting / collection

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: Italy
Blade: integral, 440C stainless steel, entirely hand and file machined
Blade finish: mirror polish
Handle: 440C stainless steel
Blade length: 95mm.
Blade thickness: 5mm.
Total length: 202mm.
Weight: 107g.
Sheath: leather, handcrafted, hand-stitched
Packaging: /
Notes: previously purchased and used knife from a 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 - Absolutely like new, untouched, never used, never put in the sheath - Supplied with box and warranty - Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory.

Intended Use: Sporting / Hunting

Type of production: Industrial
Country of manufacture: Maniago - Italy
Blade: full tang stainless steel M390 59/61 HRC
Blade treatment: PVD Stonewashed
Handle: stainless steel M390
Blade length: 60mm.
Total length: 135mm.
Blade thickness: 5mm.
Weight: 70g.
Sheath: leather sheath
Packaging: Cardboard box with GiantMouse ACE logos
Notes: Design by Jens Anso & Jesper Voxnaes - Knife withdrawn from private collection, absolutely like new

Knife withdrawn from a private collection. Condition like new, production dating back to between 1996 and 2005, supplied with Randall artisan leather sheath. Checked and certified by our internal laboratory.

Intended use: hunting / collection

Type of production: artisanal
Production Lama: america
Blade: 440A stainless steel
Blade treatment: -
Handle: -
Blade length: 70mm.
Blade thickness: 4mm.
Closed Length: -
Total length: 165mm.
Balance: set back, at 2cm.
Weight: 89g.
Closure: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Leather
Note:

Each Randall model has been thoroughly tested in the field and has been shown to be properly modeled and designed for its particular use. Randall knives are 100% handmade and no two are exactly alike. The demand is so great for all models that it typically takes a few years to get the model ordered directly from Randall.

"Bo" Randall passed away on December 25, 1989 at his home. Bo and his son Gary have run the business side by side for over twenty five years. Gary continues the tradition of handcrafted knives that carry the Randall Made brand along with his children, Jason and Michael.

Rare hunting knife produced around the 1980s by the Indian company from Maniago. This extremely innovative knife for the years of production, is characterized by a handle entirely made of aluminum with natural horn insert. Excellent blade geometry for hunting and outdoor use

Intended use: Collection

Type of production: semi-artisanal
Blade: 440 stainless steel
Production Lama: Italy
Handle: aluminum and horn
Blade length: 90mm.
Blade thickness: 3mm.
Closed length: 125mm.
Total length: 220mm.
Balancing: -
Weight: 125g.
Closure: back lock
Clip:
Sheath: -
Note: -

Rare hunting knife produced around the 1980s by the Indian company from Maniago. This extremely innovative knife for the years of production, is characterized by a handle entirely made of aluminum with natural horn insert. Excellent blade geometry for hunting and outdoor use

Intended use: Collection

Type of production: semi-artisanal
Blade: 440 stainless steel
Production Lama: Italy
Handle: aluminum and horn
Blade length: 90mm.
Blade thickness: 3mm.
Closed length: 125mm.
Total length: 220mm.
Balancing: -
Weight: 125g.
Closure: back lock
Clip:
Sheath: -
Note: -

White River Knife & Tool - Knucklehead - knife

Intended Use: Hunting / Sporting

Type of production: Artisan
Production Lama USA
Blade: CPM-S30V Stainless Steel 58 / 60HRC
Blade treatment: -
Handle: -
Blade length: 73mm.
Blade thickness: 3.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Overall length: 153mm.
Thick when closed: -
Balancing: -
Weight: 60g.
Closed: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Kydex
Packaging: Cardboard box with logos WRKT
Notes: -