Ralph Bone, a name revered in the world of custom knife making and later known for his expertise in gun engraving, operated primarily from Lubbock, Texas, during the mid-20th century. 1 His relatively short period of knife production, spanning roughly from 1964 to 1970, suggests that any collaborative or co-branded knife bearing his name would inherently possess a degree of rarity, potentially elevating its value within the collector’s market. Conversely, Orvis, an established outdoor outfitter with a heritage stretching back to 1856, has long been associated with high-quality fly-fishing and wingshooting equipment, including a selection of knives tailored to these pursuits. 2 Given Orvis’s extensive history, it is plausible that the company engaged in partnerships with various skilled artisans over the years to enhance its product offerings. This report aims to delve into the specifications and recent sale prices of the “Ralph Bone Orvis Bird Knife,” and to elucidate the nature of the relationship between these two entities in the context of this particular knife. The potential scarcity arising from Bone’s limited production and the esteemed reputation of both names suggest that such a co-branded item would be of significant interest to knife collectors and enthusiasts.
