Model B14 by Bailey Bradshaw.....

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Bailey and I have been tossing around the idea of a fighting knife built by a martial artist for a martial artist for about 3 years now....my built-to-request Randall Model 14 showed up while I was at Blade this year, and while I love the style, I hate the execution...so I asked Bailey to build me one....he didn't really want to, but we discussed and compromised, and although I don't have it in my hands yet, I do think I will love it.

African blackwood handle, stainless furniture, takedown construction, ladder pattern damascus, black fiber and bronze spacers...comments welcome, pro or con.







Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Pro: - it's freakin' gorgeous.

Con: it's not mine.

Seriously, I like this one a lot. Not Bailey's normal style, but I think he nailed the design brief. Love the subtle contours of the handle. Ladder pattern remains one of my all time favourites. I predict you will be very happy indeed. Going to get a sheath done up for it?

Roger
 
RogerP said:
Pro: - it's freakin' gorgeous.

Con: it's not mine.

Seriously, I like this one a lot. Not Bailey's normal style, but I think he nailed the design brief. Love the subtle contours of the handle. Ladder pattern remains one of my all time favourites. I predict you will be very happy indeed. Going to get a sheath done up for it?

Roger
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Thanks, Roger....DEFINITELY not Bailey's normal style, and I think that might have been a bit of the tension, because the Model 14 is a style that Bailey doesn't really care for.

The pants on this knife will be made by Mr. Long if he agrees to do the Randall style sheath, including sharpening stone pouch.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
that is a weird looking knife. Very unique. On the one hand, it looks like a knife I know, on the other is unlike any knife I've seen.

I'm actually having a rough time wrapping my head around it:confused:.
All these straight lines with that CRAZY handle. It has a strong presence and it is menacing.

One thing's for sure, it's designed to be wielded.
 
A VERY nice rendition of a classic knife style.:thumbup: While i would tend to go with a full height flat grind, I also like the proprotions of the good old Model 14, as long as it comes with one of the "optional" handle styles as opposed to the standard finger groove handle. The Border Patrol handle is my personal fave.
 
jdm61 said:
A VERY nice rendition of a classic knife style.:thumbup: While i would tend to go with a full height flat grind, I also like the proprotions of the good old Model 14, as long as it comes with one of the "optional" handle styles as opposed to the standard finger groove handle. The Border Patrol handle is my personal fave.
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It is a question that Bailey asked me before he ground it....IMO, the saber grind is THE defining feature of the Model 14, if Randall was not washing the heck out of the grind lines it would be a good one. This handle style is referred to as the Single Finger Grip handle with Double Hilt....the Border Patrol as currently executed is too "blobby" for my taste...back in the day, it was the shizzz!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You BETTER like it you oppresive task master!!!

I appreciate the historical aspect of the Randal 14's, but from my perspective on useing a knife, for cutting, choping or any of the movements I am accustomed to for a fighting knife, the 14 is functionaly...disfunctional. That is only MY opinion, and I understand many of you will disagree with me.
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
You BETTER like it you oppresive task master!!!

I appreciate the historical aspect of the Randal 14's, but from my perspective on useing a knife, for cutting, choping or any of the movements I am accustomed to for a fighting knife, the 14 is functionaly...disfunctional. That is only MY opinion, and I understand many of you will disagree with me.
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Should cut pretty good.:D

While you are busy upbraiding me for holding you to the high standards of your chosen profession, why don't you explain to the kids how we wound up with this handle shape, a la Bradshaw?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I actually talked to Bailey yesterday and this knife came up in the conversation (only conceptually, he didn't describe it in any detail). I have to say my mental image fell far short of the reality.

I'm so used to seeing the...um...durable look of the Randall-made knives that I had a hard time envisioning the end product.

This thing is incredible!

I now realize that there is a significant void in my collection--one that should be filled by a large chunk of Bradshaw damascus. I shall have to rectify this in 2009. :D
 
Kohai999 said:
It is a question that Bailey asked me before he ground it....IMO, the saber grind is THE defining feature of the Model 14, if Randall was not washing the heck out of the grind lines it would be a good one. This handle style is referred to as the Single Finger Grip handle with Double Hilt....the Border Patrol as currently executed is too "blobby" for my taste...back in the day, it was the shizzz!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I had an old Model 15 with the BP handle. I haven't seen any of the recent ones.
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
You BETTER like it you oppresive task master!!!

I appreciate the historical aspect of the Randal 14's, but from my perspective on useing a knife, for cutting, choping or any of the movements I am accustomed to for a fighting knife, the 14 is functionaly...disfunctional. That is only MY opinion, and I understand many of you will disagree with me.
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I promise not to show up at your shop with a saber ground test knife:D
 
i love it....great looking damascus..... super clean ....take down....r u gonna use it at all?.....i'd love to carry such a fine lookin piece.....thanks for sharing!.....ryan
 
Kohai999 said:
This is a recent piece from Nordic Knives:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Ah.....I see what you mean. My old one had more "curve" so it was slimmer up by the guard and near the butt and was also kind of slanted on the butt instead of a straight drop like that one. it was also totally rounded off and blended, where that one looks like it might be kind of slab sided.
 
Thats a pretty classic looking knife! I hate to be a dumbass but I am not very familiar with the Randall models. While not totally for me, it looks so nice. Something about the way the guard meets the handle is just smooth. Damascus is sweet also. The handle contours are really appealing to me.

Wait.. I just realized you posted two pictures in two days. Do I smell a new years resolution of some sort? I'm really liking your new style.
 
ryan9977 said:
i love it....great looking damascus..... super clean ....take down....r u gonna use it at all?.....i'd love to carry such a fine lookin piece.....thanks for sharing!.....ryan
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Going to cut some bamboo and wara with it to honor Bailey's hard work, but don't think I will carry it in the wilds of Borneo, should I wind up there, I tend to carry cheap and tough, like a RAT-7 or some such.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Going to cut some bamboo and wara with it to honor Bailey's hard work, but don't think I will carry it in the wilds of Borneo, should I wind up there, I tend to carry cheap and tough, like a RAT-7 or some such.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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What are you planning to carry in the wilds of Inglewood, Mr, G?:D
 
Upbraiding......for holding me to high standards.....hmmmm

The handle was going to be an octagonal shape, but that was before Steven releived me of an appropriate amount of artistic freedom to make the knife visualy "Bradshaw". I still tried to put a little flare on the rear of the handle, but the man with the whip made me grind it off. :D

In all seriousness, this was a dificult exercise for me in that almost all of my tendancies to change the design had to be held in check. I am certainly not used to that as it is one of the major tools I have used in my career.

If any of you makers have ever made a Bowie No 1, you know what I am talking about.

I am pleased with the knife, and it feels MUCH better than the Randall. I guess I could use this whole ordeal to remind me what it would be like to work for someone else;)
 
jdm61 said:
What are you planning to carry in the wilds of Inglewood, Mr, G?:D
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If I have the misfortune to wind up there on foot, my stainless steel Colt Mustang, loaded with Corbon's in a Kramer horsehide belt clip concealment scabbard, and a J.W. Smith Large Evolution.

If I have my truck, add the Benelli M3 Super 90.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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