This article reviews research related to the activation of methane by Ni and Ru using model catalysts, highlighting the surface science work carried out using molecular beams methods and elevated pressure reaction studies. Emphasis is placed on connecting the model studies of surface science with the corresponding results obtained on the analogous 'real world' catalysts. These combined studies have added considerable new information to our understanding of the fundamental mechanism of C-H bond activation, the nature of the subsequently formed intermediates and the role these intermediates play in important methane reactions such as steam reforming, partial oxidation and homologation.