'The Bladesmiths' (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.

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[christopherkirchoff]

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 Sincerely Christopher William Kirchhoff in Montana

[dougbartley]

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

[charruauno]

Dear Mr. Ruana
I watched your YouTube “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

[nicoliecannoli]

So touching how the family keeps the Grandfathers legacy going! They should be very proud!

[Boon]

God Bless America and all of our great people. Keep up the good work.

[travissmith]

You guys are awesome... Thanks for taking the time share your story...

[rfross]

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.

[ratroddiesels]

excellent program, beautiful tool !!!!

[chriserskine]

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.

[saintsfisherman]

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!!!"

[bigjenkins]

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.

[jdesgrange]

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

[jheinle]

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.

[zackworrell]

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

[eb]

Wonderful, fascinating, and peaceful video. Makes me want to move to Montana.

[MrAllan]

I designed and built beautiful houses because my father and grandfather passed down the trades. Great well put together inspirational video.

[Roadzery]

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.

[shexdensmore]

WOW! The aluminum cast handle, BRILLIANT! I'll know that if I ever find one at a garage sale that it's yours.

[stevenjoyce]

Great post. Lucky people and great tradesmen.

[richardedgerton]

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.