"The Bladesmiths" (2014)
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2014
- In an era of outsourcing and declining "Made in America" products, Ruana Knives has been making and selling its wares in the same shop in Bonner, Montana for over 75 years. Rudy Ruana began making knives in the 1920's when he was a farrier in the United States Cavalry. He made his first knives for Blackfeet Indians in need of a better tool for skinning horses. He continued to perfect his process, and opened his first shop in Bonner in the 1950's. After he passed away in 1986, he was posthumously inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame. His son-in-law, Vic Hangas, and his grandsons Mark and Mike, carried on the business that Rudy started. They still use the same methods and much of the same equipment that Rudy invented half a century ago. Ruana knives are known in the industry as some of the most well crafted blades in America. Rudy's older knives are coveted by collectors around the world. Knives that sold for $15 in the 1950's now sell to collectors for as much as $3,500. This is truly original knife making, and this is a genuine story of a deep family tradition, rooted in old-fashioned Montana history.
This short documentary film is for anyone, because it's about a very cool small family business. It's also great for people interested in bladesmithing, knife making, blade craft, blacksmithing, metal working, and artisan craft.
Directed by Ken Furrow & Dru Carr. Camera & Sound by Ken Furrow & Dru Carr. Edited by Dru Carr. Original Score by Mike Grigoni.
We've had a number of requests to purchase DVDs of THE BLADESMITHS so we're making the remaining promotional copies that we had made available for sale. These are just the disc with nice color screenprinting and ship in a plastic CD size envelope. Click the paypal link below to buy the DVD.
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Official Film Page -
www.highplainsfilms.org
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I own one ruana (75th anniversary skinner with custom hand filing by Mike on the spine) my brother owns 3. When I told him these are "working heirlooms" he was very pleased. If you're in Montana stop in Bonner and visit them, they great people and TRUE craftsmen.
Coal over gas gives you back that carbon to the earth metal. You gentleman already new that. To others wondering what gives that blade its strength. Glad Montana tradition exists. That is why I left Texas and found my way here to real people still keeping back bone alive in Montana. You all have my blessings and yes I have seen past videos. I apologise for not speaking up before; but yes you all make America proud. Thank you for the inspiration and community love.....! Sincerely Christopher William Kirchhoff in Montana
I have two of Ruana's knives, a Smokejumper and a 5" skinner. These are by far the finest functional knives I've ever used. The 5" did 4 deer and a moose and still shaved hair from my arm. I ended up doing 6 elk, 40+ deer, 1 moose and a black bear, the skinner is still as new. Superb craftsmanship and tough! DB
So touching how the family keeps the Grandfathers legacy going! They should be very proud!
Dear Mr. Ruana
I watched your UA-cam “The Bladesmiths”(2014) and made me very happy to see a family heritage to take roots after a real craftsman.
Your life is very similar to mine, my Grandfather and Father worked as knife smith and gunsmith in Uruguay, and my grand father took the time with love and lots of patience to teach me the trade. Was and remains my opinion that my Grandfather was the most creative and knowledgeable Damascus maker, and now I enjoy as a hobby to create Damascus steel and make knives to give during Christmas, Birthdays and any occasion that will calls for an excuse to make a knife.
Have a wonderful day and never stop doing what your Grandfather taught you and left you with, a very rich heritage.
Serge
WOW! The aluminum cast handle, BRILLIANT! I'll know that if I ever find one at a garage sale that it's yours.
A very inspiring story! A family keeping a dream alive, and enjoying their time around each other. And a grandpa that gets to look down and smile everyday for eternity. WOW!!! speechless past that. just a simple "WOW!!!"
saintsfisherman
what a great legacy. about a year and a half ago i built a small home foundry for melting aluminium for casting scales for knife handles never thought about casting it right on the tang, inspirational indeed. great work
very humbling to watch a master at work, craftmanship that has nearly faded away with the light speed we all seem to be moving at these days.
What a great little gem of a film.
Watching this makes me want to have parents and grand parents in this art.
Oh well, being a self thought bladesmith isn't such a bad way to start, lets hope one day my children and grand children will be as discipline and respectful as these two fine man that have made their old man immortal.
I bought my first Ruana knife at a auction about a year ago. It is a small smoke jumper but has all the beauty and craftsmanship of the larger knives. Some day I will have a Ruana hunter also.
A great video, Thank you. Your simple narrative reminds me of why I treasure my many Montana friendships.
Will: You may know, maybe not, that this uncle of your's new Rudy in the late 1950's and I used to visit with him at Bonner and watch him work the blades. He was always nice to me and as you see in the beginning of this video our Magazine's first cover featured Rudy. I have some of his knives and gave numerous of them away to relatives and at some sport shows. One thing I shall always remember~one day Rudy was finishing a Bowe Knife which he gave to me, but as I watched how beautiful and unblemished it was he walked over to an anvil and struck the blade on it. He handed the knife to me and said: "remember, nothing in life is perfect!" Despite my personal attempts to make things perfect, I can always fall back on Rudy's wise statement.
I think I still have that copy of the Montana Magazine's story on Rudy Ruana. I paid $12 for my Ruana and wouldn't take $500 for it. If anybody wants it, I will not stop them from digging me up after I'm gone. It will still be with me.
I am building such a business now in Charlottesville VA. Screw working for other people. I am my own boss. These men are truly inspirational
Good on you...working for one's self has its ups and downs...for one thing, your boss will more than likely be a hard-ass, and any idea of a vacation will soon disappear...but all in all it is worth it to be the boss...best wishes and good luck
really, might have to check you out
Hangassan
zack worrell I'm in cville getting ready to do the same
You guys are awesome... Thanks for taking the time share your story...
What a blessing it is for you all to have the chance to carry on your family's business. I hope you keep going strong. The next generation best step too.
excellent program , beautiful tool !!!!
I have used one of the old knives and it was the most amazing piece of steel I have ever used.
Jack (the owner) had bought it on a trip west and had it for many years before I used it in the 80s.
Great post. Lucky people and great tradesmen.
Amazing story, it's great to see something made to last, specially when corporations continue to put expiration dates on everything they sell in order to continue to sell more.
That was awesome ! I really like knives, and i love history, so thanks for this. I also hope that you're family are able to continue with blade smith work for many generation's to come.
I dont know why but i keep watching this video
The Fins were the original settlers of Malcolm Island on the "Wet Coast" with the town called Sointula. Similar story as Rudy's. The native fishermen asked them if they could make a filleting knife that could; keep an edge, be light yet strong, and most amazing of all, that would float if dropped overboard! These knives are still used today. Damned fine knives.
+Rain Coast I have looked up (on the web) different knives from Finn craftspeople. I use for a Finnish type of filleting blade for certain aspects of processing my wild deer for storage. thanks for the Information.
Those Bowie knives at the end look really nice.
God Bless America and all of our great people. Keep up the good work.
Anytime someone came to Rudy's shop he always had to show you how he could "stick it" in a stump outside...
Wonderful, fascinating, and peaceful video. Makes me want to move to Montana.
What a great little 'movie'. Well done.
amazing workman ship, nice to see such pride in work being done. blessings
Fantastic video, can't express enough thank you.
I designed and built beautiful houses because my father and grandfather passed down the trades. Great well put together inspirational video.
great story and tradition!!!!!thank you!
a beautiful and inspiring movie !
a beautiful piece of art!! nuff said!
Awesome keep up the family tradition
Truly some beautiful tools. Wish I could come across one in a yard sale.
great story, great vid - excellent work - THANKS
beautiful craftsmanship!
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Brilliant film thank you & exceptional knives
+Gary Evans Thank you for viewing. I keep my eyes open for these knives as they are bought an sold worldwide.
I love the work you have done. Great job with the footage, and the voice over. I think this is a great film, and I will always admire it. Thank you for making my day.
Great part of American history.. thanks for the share..
I would love to own one of those.
So cool. I want one now.
I like the aluminium handle cast right onto the tang idea.
Awesome, I'm on my 3rd day of farriery training! Blacksmithing soon!
This story is real America. Brings tears to my eyes to think it's slipping away from us.
I like to think that skills and crafts like theses are hidden away but still around. So much has change with the manufacturing & demands for cheap goods. I seek to buy local.
When it involves mass production it must be cheap to keep up with the demands. I respect these guys for making things by hand.
Yes sir, I too get a little bumbed to see it going by the wayside...
BY the way, rudy DID BUILD THAT BUSINESS...Barry O and Elizabeth
"Fauxcahontas" Warren be damned straight to hell...he was making knives in his shop for decades before the road in front of it was even paved...so, yes, he did build it himself...
thanks for sharing, awesome hands
Awesome looking Knives definitely well made
My Granpa, Uncle and Cousins - LOVE!
Beautiful knives, mate. Your Grandpa may not know it, But he would be proud as blazes to know that you are keeping his craft alive and that you are doing well from it.
This was wonderful! What an excellent looking knife yall make.
I'd love to have one of these knives. thx for sharing.
I've had issues figuring out a good method for handle making for a long time now and I think I'll give that cast method a try, your guys' stuff it beautiful I've never seen anything quite like it, keep doing what you love and loving what you do 😊
Just a hint...get your mold making methodology sorted out first, including how to remove your casting in the event of a miscast...
I will work so happy in a shop like that !
That was thoroughly enjoyable! Thank you.
+InformationIsTheEdge Until he spoiled the knife at the end by stamping a mark on it.
Redblade Sharp Isn't it customary for artists to sign their work?
+Redblade Sharp it's a maker's stamp.....most knife makers do it somewhere on the blade....some are more visible than others... it's a VERY long tradition - even the japanese smiths of old, signed their blades......
InformationIsTheEdge Customary yes, but I still would not rather see it.
+Redblade Sharp part of owning it is the markings and workings that make it "imperfect"...if you want perfect, then buy something made on a machine in an assembly line...A handmade tool has a soul, and deserves to declare it's unique nature......
glad I had a gdad like they did. my papa taught me everything I know today and I wouldn't change my upbringing to save my life. it was hard but damn if I didn't help me in the long run. he was born in the 30s so you know he was the walk up hill both ways type of man (my favorite saying btw). "boy I walked up hill both ways to school everyday". And he put fertilizer in my shoes too. told me it would help me grow. those days man....miss em.
This was such a delight to watch. Thank you for sharing this. God bless
sulun
JuGGtimus1
This was an awesome video and wonderful story!
I agree with you. Fantastic video.
awesome...absolutely awesome thanks.
How beautiful! Very nice
Keep doing it. Beautiful.
What a great video, thanks!
Great video. I will own one of these beauties to go along with my Randall’s.
Fabuloso. Saludos señor. Allways when i forge, i think and talk whit all the people that i love and are in my mind. My father, vrothers, old friends., forgin knives become a complement in my life
Nice video, very instructive and interesting. Thanks
Great work .
good lord they are beautiful. hell of a nice tool.
I'd watch two hours of this.
Awesome such perfectionism
Beautiful!
that was very entertaining.... Thanks
Thanks for sharing... Interesting stuff....
Felicitarii ,si Succes pe viitor .Mi-a placut .Suntetii profesionistii.
awesome job guys loved the video
oh no we need more that was video was too short !
MMAh00lligan هلؤؤؤؤؤ
MMAh00lligan - I have this stange feeling your always complaining "it's too short" ..... LMAO
Wow just a lovely lovely knife, one that anybody would be proud to own.
great video guys .... and gals
Truly Magnificent.
True story nice. Thank you :3
Awesome. Im getting one!!
nice video nice knives good story
Great film .............................Thanks
Appreciating the heritage, family lineage, tradition & history of this company, I AM SURPRISED THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS COMPANY! Being someone who likes to be self sufficient, as I am, Having the correct tool for a job is always wise! I love the history & would love to own one of their knives to hand down! I hope they have a website?
Wonderful.
Lucky man to have a grandpa teach you such a skill. I know from personal experience as in all honesty i don't know what i would have become without the wisdom and guidance of my grandfather. My grandfather was an electronics engineer who taught me most of what i know about electronics to which i eventually applied this knowledge to computers and their design and programming with my own company. But electronics is not all he cultivated within me he saw in a young kid the ability to build and fix just about anything and helped me pursue my passion in understanding how things work.
I have to say without grandpas i think the world would be a much less educated place. Its sad to see the so called old time ways dying, Seams as though today most kids are all about instant gratification and not learning to work for what you have. My brother has a couple of kids and all they do is play games and watch TV. I have tried to cultivate their interest in something positive that they could and would use when they get older but all of my efforts are a waste of time in the end as all they seam to care about is that damn game console. (When it breaks Im not going to fix it) Some of you out there may think this is mean or cruel to not repair the game console for the kids when i could easily do so but if it don't maybe they will find other things to entertain their minds with other than that infernal machine that is causing their IQ's to drop every day.
Don't get me wrong i don't have anything against a little game playing, Myself i have a PS3 and play online from time to time but my entire life does not revolve around the thing.
"Most knifemakers now use a gas forge, we still use coal"... most knifemakers now wouldn't know the difference between a forge and a firepit. Hot working steel is coming back, but it's still a rare skill. Also, totally drooling over that powerhammer.
I know this is an old post. I guess I'm not "most knife makers" I use a 1906 coal fired forge.
i have one of these my grandfather gave me
What a legacy pure masters.🇮🇪
Probably close to 20 years ago my father happened to have a Ruana hunting knife. He isn't sure where it came from and we had no idea about it. We hadn't heard of Ruana knives or anything. My dad needed money so I did a bit of research and found they were going for a decent chunk of change plus mine had a marking that showed it was one made by Rudy. It was well used but in good shape. I really appreciated how stiff and strong the handle felt. Now I know why it was like that. Anyhow I put it on ebay expecting to get maybe $200 for it if I was lucky. Well it sold for over $400 which was great for a knife you didn't even remember where you got it. Along with the sale we got a story. The person purchasing the knife said he recognized the knife as one that belonged to his late father because of a unique hole it had in the handle. Years ago his father had been traveling in California (which is where I live) and as the story goes he had lost the knife in a poker game. The guy said he only paid so much for it because it used to be his fathers and he wanted something to pass down to his son once he got older. I'd like to say I wish we had never sold it because it was such a quality knife but the price we got really helped out and the story that went along with it made it even better.
realmente lindo seu trabalho.
Very interesting video!
very talented guys
Awesome!
Amazing
I sure hope knives are half as good as this one day.
I own 3 Ruana a knives that I bought in Missoula Montana in 1964.
yahan me in
It does indeed make the steel harder when hammering it. It compacts the grain
Nice portrait