Historical info req'd

george tichbourne

george tichbourne

Joined
Apr 19, 1999
Messages
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I have been asked to make up a presentation knife for an upcoming retirement from the military. It has been suggested that a Vietnam era piece would be in order, dressed up of course. There is a problem however, the person does not like Kabars so all that I can think of that fits the era is a Randall style with a full guard and straight clip, model 18 I believe.

Could anyone help me out with the style selection.
 
Gerber MkII, SOG knife,Western had a popular blade but can't recall the number.W47 mebbe?
 
If you go with the Randall, I would suggest their model 1 fighting knife. IMO, That's probably the most popular of all military Randalls. Another option would be the SOG knife, similar to the one that SOG Knives reproduces.
Scott
 
Ditto, I think the Randall #1 is a beautiful 'Nam era combat knife. The SOG SEAL type pattern is another classic. After these, I'd consider the other Randall patterns, #14, etc. Some Bill Moran ??? ST23 / ST24 knives also saw combat, is my understanding, but those were more rare, less specifically associated with that particular conflict.

Not liking KaBar's really does cull the selection a bit, I think... :D Jason.
 
Western out of Boulder, CO made some really great looking knives, very classic looking, during WWII.

example link 1

example pic 2

This 8" blade is my favorite, though they also made the Shark, Seabee, and some other models.

That's my reccomendation. Classic looks and tough to beat.

_z
 
Thanks Guys, the information was valuable. I will have to design around a relatively long fairly straight clip and a narrower blade than I currently use but I can come up with a knife with the feel of the period.

The project is going to have to be something special given the man's long service and a friend to boot.
 
Hey George,

I'll vote for a Model 1 type knife if you're going the Randall route. I'm not much up on other knives from the Vietnam era, so I can't help.

Try dropping Russ Andrews an e-mail. As a knifemaker who was there, he'd probably know. ;)

Roger
 
My .02.....
Excluding the Kabar, and the Camillus "pilot's knife",
the most recognizable knives of the Viet-Nam war
were the Randall # 1 and 14, which is what I carried.
And the Gerber Mk-1 and S.O.G.

The Randalls have been around a long time, seen action
everywhere, which sortof disqualifies them, since they
were not unique to that time or place.

The gerber was well known there, but was not very common
since it was very good at one specific thing, and lousy at
everything else...(impractical)

So...I'd go for the SOG type. They were good weapons, good utility
knives, and as far as I know, were unique to the Viet Nam War.
That, then, pretty much makes them THE most identifiable
Viet Nam knife.

BTW. All examples of the SOG knife I have seen were Sterile.
Most, if not all, were of Japanese manufacture.
 
what about the military issued M1 I believe it was the M1 anyway..not the rifle guys ..

dang I can't find a picture of the one I made a sheath for..
 
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