Please help me ID this Randall

T

tmix

Joined
Jun 28, 2006
Messages
90
I purchased this recently for a pretty good price.
It's my first Randall, so I don't know much about the brand. The sheath is marked 2-7, but I'm not sure that is the correct model number.

Any information somebody might be able to give would be great.
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Thanks for any help!
tmix
 
Looks like a Model 5 Camp and Trail knife.

Hard to see the spacers in your picture. If there are 7, the knife is probably 1972 or earlier. 7 spacers = burgundy-white-burgundy-blue-burgundy-white-burgundy, with the 2 outer burgundy spacers thicker than the others. The blue is often faded.
 
Thanks for the reply,

Are the numbers on the sheath meant to correspond with the model number?

Any ideas on approximate value?
 
numbers on the sheath:
Yes. That sheath is for a Model 2 "Fighting Stiletto" with 7-inch blade.

value
The Model 5 costs $325 new, plus $50 for stag handle, $15 for wrist thong, and $15 for thumb notches on top of blade, so $405 total. (http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=41) Not sure what you would get if you sold it, with mis-matched sheath, and what appear to be scratches and discoloration on the carbon steel blade.
 
Any ideas on approximate value?
Click to expand...

It's worth alot more then it new one, search ebay for prices on that model, it will give you a good idea. I'm slowly learning how it works.... :)
 
Big Game, you wrote: "It's worth alot more then it new one..." Which may, or may not be true...as cut_and_run posted above, the knife and sheath are mismatched, and there may be some minor condition issues...

Where this is important is that most serious collectors (CnR has been collecting RMK's for what, 30 years now, while I've only been at it for roughly nine) know that finding the right sheath, with the right stone, from the right era to complete the package (to make it whole if you will) can be a real bitch with many years passing before the right sheath is found...

Condition issues can also work again the value. Condition is king, and a reconditioned knife not only costs time and money to get it into that state, but also loses major value in the process - a double negative in this case.

Also, not mentioned are selling fees, i.e. listing fees, final value fees, paypal fees, shipping fees, etc. Those 'fees' eat away at your profit, typically 5 to 10%, if not more; most buyers eyeing resell will factor those fees into what they are wlling to pay. Further, the Model #5 isn't nearly as popular as the Model #1....so yes, while some Randall knives go high on eBay, this one probably wouldn't be one of them.

Mind you, I'm not running the knife down, it is a nice older Randall knife - but, you have to bear in mind just what it is here, and that is a lot of potential (and costly) problems for a potential buyer. All of those work against the value in this case. Still, it's a nice knife :)
 
Sheldon, just curious, what date range is this 5-7? I think the stage is real nice, too bad it has the wrong sheath. Of course he could always sell the 2-7sheath and then look for a correct sheath.

Dan Bladerunner67
 
"Big Game, you wrote: "It's worth alot more then a new one..." Which may, or may not be true..."

Well, seems most folks want a Randall knife RFN and don't want to wait 4+ years if they don't have to. While I respect the knowledge and experience of the long time collectors and resellers alike, the "auction sites" as we all know are a whole different dynamic that opens up the market to all.

I will be willing to bet that if placed on the auction sites this blade would sell for well above the above quoted new price of $405, mismatched sheath or not.
 
I concur with Biggame...............Your Randall will get $500 + no problem. Never sell a Randall short, [ cheap that is].
 
Good question Dan, but if I’m not mistaken, that knife actually has a six inch blade. As CnR stated, the knife is probably 1972 or earlier, based on the seven-spacer stack that was discontinued by the end of 1972; but, there are other clues here too – specifically the shallow blade choil, first seen as a standardized characteristic around mid 1962; the thumb notches on the blade spine, first seen on this model with the introduction of the ‘Bradford Angier’ variant in 1964; and most importantly in this case, the blade grind...

Sometime around, or soon after, 1970 the overall appearance of the blade grind on most Randall knife models changed quite dramatically. Gone were the gently radiused rolled edges on the primary bevels, replaced by the very sharp angles seen on this knife. If the blade finish on this knife was ‘mint’ I would be concerned that the knife had been shop refinished at some point in the recent past – but, the light use and sheath scratches apparent here lead me to believe that it is probably the original blade grind.

If that is indeed the case, then IMO, the knife is probably an early 1970’s production model. With regards to the sheath issue: we had a mid 1970’s Model #1-6, sans sheath, that was mint; I looked for a sheath for over two years before settling on a new (current production) Sullivan’s sheath. We paid $500 for the knife and close to $50 for the new sheath. We later sold the knife on eBay for roughly $550 after expenses...YMMV

Agreed, as Mr. Sams said, the knife alone is probably worth close to $500 – but, the older tight-stitched Johnson Roughback sheaths for knife model (the same sheath fits the more popular Model #1-6 fighting knife) have recently sold in the $200 range; the same for the correct white Norton ‘Bear Brand’ SP-13 sharpening stone. So, if you can even find the right sheath and stone (hopefully together), you’ll probably end up paying though the nose for it...

Again, it's nice older Randall knife, but not highly optioned or particularly rare by any stretch though. FWIW, my post above is intended to advise a potential buyer of what they’re getting into, before they get into it...not to run down the knife.

Hope that helps.
 
BG223x,

Yes, you are right - CnR posted RMK's current list price; even new RMK's sell way above 'list' on eBay, for the very reason you stated, buyers want the knife RFN...we call that the 'expediency tax' ;)

What we have found recently tho', is that the once stratospheric prices realized for older RMK's have become a thing of the past - buyers now seem to want new knives with lots of options, not older models with issues...

With regards to ePay; the fees keep going up...please don't discount the fees that a seller will end up paying, as they can often add up to 10% of the final price realized.

Shel
 
Hey TMIX,

That's a great knife! The stag is exceptional. I agree with Sheldon that the blade is 6". I have a period sheath for it (Model 5's shipped in Model 1 sheaths). It's never had a knife in it, but it has some mildew. If you're going to keep the knife and not sell it I'll swap it for your 2-7 sheath. I also have a period 1-7 sheath in the event your knife is 7". Just let me know.

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Best,

Ron
 
Let me measure the blade again. I measured it once awhile back, I'm pretty sure it's a 7" blade, but I could be wrong. If it's a 6incher, we could possibly work something out.

I'll try to take some photos next to a ruler.
 
Like I said, I have a 1-7 period sheath as well. There's still the pregnant question to be answered: Do you plan on keeping the knife?

Thanks
 
I'm thinking about selling it. I just haven't come to a final decision. It all depends on how much I can get for it.
 
I'm sure if you decide to sell it there are a number of people that have made comments to your post that would be interested in purchasing the knife. Me included.:)
 
Dan,

If Ron and tmix can pull off the sheath swap, and if you can get into the knife w/the period correct sheath at a price you can live with, I may be able to put you in touch with someone that has the correct stone...

It's one heck of a way to put humpty-dumpty back togeteher again, but it just may work out well for you in the end...:cool:

Ron,

If you guys can't manage the sheath swap, I'd be interested in your sheaths...cash, trading cards, bubble-gum, kewpie dolls, etc...whatever strikes your fancy ;)

Shel
 
Shel that would be a great round about way. I have a nice custom 7 inch alligator sheath that would fit it just nicely. Been looking for a nice stag handled knife needing a sheath to put in it.:)
Dan
 
Did different type stones come with different model knives?
The stone that is in the sheath is dark grey. Is it supposed to be white?
 
Shel or Ron would probably know more, but I believe that's a correct colored stone for the age of the sheath and perhaps the same for the age of your knife.
 
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