I Have This Old Knife.

[Shadeaux49]

The first three photos are for reference. Unfortunately not mine.

I bought this early Randall 19 in the mid-'70s. I have used it over the years in my profession as a surveyor. It was always a using knife and I have always taken care of the knife.
Recently I did some research and discovered that the blade is an early Model 19 design from the early to mid-'60s.
I have been told it is a "KIT" knife. As shown, the word "KIT" is not etched or stamped anywhere on the blade and there is no sign of it being ground or polished off. At least that I can see.
The countersunk bolt is a feature I have seen on other Randall Made knives that weren't marked "KIT", and the thin guard is a feature I have also seen.
That I have never seen is a lacquered leather handle.
The sheath is of my own designs as the original was, in my opinion, not up to the level of protection I expected from a sheath. Not for the knife, but for me. I do not have the original that came with the knife.

I am not trying to pawn this off as a '60s Model 19 (although the blade was forged then) but rather what makes this knife a "KIT" knife.

 

[tltt]

It's a kit blade. The buttcap shape is wrong, too large and angled for Randall. Also the nut is too deeply recessed. Also just because it's not marked "kit" doesn't mean it isn't a kit knife. The kit blades can be unmarked, "k" stamped, "kit" stamped. Sometimes the kit stamp can even be on the opposite side of the Randall stamp.

1967 article by Tommy Bish on making high end knives using kit blades - https://www.randallmadeknife.com/1967-gun-world .

 

[Shadeaux49]

Thanks for the reply. I love this knife.