question on a hollow handle Randall

M

Mtnclimber69

Joined
Oct 23, 2002
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Hi... just got a hollow handle Randall knife. It has a saw-tooth back spine, polished blade, brass guard and but-cap. Any information on this knife you could give me would help. It was inherited and in bad shape. I am now cleaning it up and would expect to get it back to about 80-90% condition...

Cheers!
 
From the current Randall catalog at:

http://www.randallknives.com/survival.asp


Model 17 "Astro" -- 5 1/2" blade of 1/4" stainless steel stock. 4 3/8" Black Micarta handle, fastened with removable stainless steel bolts. A slot in the heavy tang and matching hollow inside the handle may be used to carry matches, fishhooks, line and other survival items. Large stainless steel hilt, silver-soldered. Wrist thong. (Name etching only extra feature available.) This RANDALL MADEtm model was especially designed for the seven Mercury astronauts, who carried them on America's first manned space flights. Astronaut Gordon Cooper did the final design, and two of these historically valuable knives are on display in the Smithsonian Institution. (Wt. 8 oz.)
Price: $370

Best regards,

Rhett Stidham
 
Thanks Rhett! Right page but the knife I have is the bigger one below your description...

Model 18 "Attack and Survival" -- 5 1/2" and 7 1/2" blades of 1/4" stock. Sawtooth edge on top. Approx. 4 3/4" stainless steel tubular handle, 1" diameter, silver soldered to 1/4" oblong brass hilt, fitted with removable, threaded brass butt cap and waterproof "O" ring. (See detail above.) Flared holes in top and bottom of hilt accommodate wrist thong and facilitate placement of rod for conversion to spear. (Name etching, stainless steel, knurled handle and compass only extra features available.) (Wt. 5 1/2"=10-12 oz., 7 1/2"=12-14 oz.)

Cheers... now I just have to figure out if I want to kep it or not!
 
I would 'strongly' suggest (STOP!) that you 'stop' "Cleaning it up and would expect to get it back to about 80-90% condition..."

These knives, dependant on the age and 'original' condition can be worth as much as $2500 (un'cleaned') on the collector resell market...whereas a 'cleaned' knife may be worth as much as $500, tops.

So, your 'cleaning' may actually decrease the potential resale value of a 'certain' RMK by as much as 'two large' (not to say that your knife is, er 'was' worth that much....but the more you clean, the more the potential resale value goes downnnnn...)

YMMV ;)

Mel
 
If you just intend to "use" the knife, send 'er back to Randall and they'll refinish it for you....it'll look just like new. I kinda doubt the one you have has any significant collector's value...but as a great all-round knife with potential use as a "survival" piece...(whatever that really means):D I'd say either follow Melvin's advice or have it refinished...:)
 
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