Single crystalline alpha-alumina nanoribbons were synthesized by reacting aluminum with silicon monoxide at high temperature. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The intense peaks of XRD pattern indicate that the prepared nanoribbons have a high degree of crystallinity. In the present work, silicon monoxide was used as an oxidant and precursor, which served to control the reaction rate. An interesting morphological evolution that nanoribbons resulted from nanosaws was described, and these novel nanosaws were also carefully characterized.