Pattern Intel: The Ruple Revolution & The Axe Handle® (BR'135)By: Kevin Bentley (The Knife Doctor)

If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know I’ve spent decades under the magnifying glass, restoring the great American folders of the past. I’ve seen what works, what fails, and what eventually becomes a legend.

Today, we are looking at a pattern that I believe is destined for that legendary status: the Case Axe Handle®.

The Scouting Report

Originally teased at the 2024 Blade Show and now in full production as of April 2026, the Axe Handle is more than just a new pattern—it’s a bridge. It’s the first brand-new slipjoint pattern Case has introduced in years, and they didn't do it alone. They partnered with the master himself, Bill Ruple, a legend of the Texas Slip Joint Cartel.

Cracking the Code: The BR'135 Tang Stamp

For the history buffs and tang-stamp hunters (my kind of people), this knife carries a brand-new mark that you need to know: BR'135.

• BR: Standing for Bill Ruple.

• 1: Signifying this as his first inline collaboration with Case.

• 35: A nod to Bill’s 35 years in the custom knife trade.

• 135: Coincidentally, the number of years Case had been in business when this project hit the drawing board.

When you see that stamp, you’re looking at nearly two centuries of combined expertise on one piece of steel.

The "Doctor's" Tactical Breakdown

I’ve handled Bill Ruple’s custom Axe Handles in the past—specifically that rare 154CM Marbled Carbon Fiber set I picked up earlier this year. Transitioning that to a production knife is a massive undertaking for any factory.

• The Feel: The production version sits at 4 inches closed, slightly shorter than Bill’s custom originals, making it a perfect "pocket-friendly" EDC.

• The Blade: They’ve gone with Tru-Sharp™ surgical steel for the core production run, taper-ground for that precision "surgical" cut I always look for.

• The Handle: The silhouette is unmistakable—wider and rounded at the base, flaring out where your palm rests, just like a traditional American axe.

The Recon Verdict

Case usually sticks to what works: new handle colors on old frames. But by building a brand-new frame from the ground up for the Axe Handle, they are signaling a new era.

Whether you’re eyeing the Caribbean Blue Bone or the high-end BoneStag®, this is a pattern that respects the past while giving the modern collector something new to hunt. I’ll be bringing one of these to the operating table soon to see how it compares to my custom set—stay tuned for that full "Surgical Review."

The Recon is clear: Get your hands on one before they disappear into the vaults.