- Joined
- Feb 19, 2001
- Messages
- 360
Recently I was talking about knives to a friend of mine who is a knife collector and the subject of R P (Robert Parrish) hollow handle survival knives came up. To the best of my knowledge these knives were made in the 1980s at Mr. Parrish's shop in Hendersonville, NC. I remarked that I was sorry that I had not purchased one when they were available especially since I knew Mr. Parrish and had visited his shop in the 80s. Over the years I have lost touch with him and I don't think that he has made knives and offered them for sale in quite a few years.
Several days later I stopped by to see the same friend and he said that he had something he wanted to give me. Opening a bag he took out a R P hollow handle knife and handed it to me! He said that he had two and saw no reason that I shouldnt have one of them. It was a very generous and unexpected gift from an old friend that took me completely unaware. It is something that I will remember.
At my age it is extremely unlikely that I will ever have any practical use for a hollow handled survival knife but this R P knife now holds a special place in my collection.
As far as I know these knives were made in 5, 6, and 8 blade lengths. This knife is the 8X1½X ¼ blade version and is made from 440C I believe. The metal handle is knurled under the neoprene sleeve and the knurled, threaded butt cap is fitted with an O-ring and lanyard hole. The knife has a bead-blasted finish and the serial number and maker's mark are on the front of the guard. The serial number indicates that the knife was made in August of 1986 and it was the 628th 8 inch knife made. In addition to the maker's mark on the front of the guard the ricasso is also marked RP. The nylon sheath has a liner of hard plastic that protects the sheath from being torn by the very sharp saw teeth on the spine of the knife. The knife is 13 3/16 overall in length and weighs 20.4 oz.
This is a very well-made knife by an excellent craftsman made during the 1980s "Rambo" hollow handle survival knife era.
Bill
R P hollow handle survival knife and sheath
Several days later I stopped by to see the same friend and he said that he had something he wanted to give me. Opening a bag he took out a R P hollow handle knife and handed it to me! He said that he had two and saw no reason that I shouldnt have one of them. It was a very generous and unexpected gift from an old friend that took me completely unaware. It is something that I will remember.
R P knife with 8" blade
At my age it is extremely unlikely that I will ever have any practical use for a hollow handled survival knife but this R P knife now holds a special place in my collection.
As far as I know these knives were made in 5, 6, and 8 blade lengths. This knife is the 8X1½X ¼ blade version and is made from 440C I believe. The metal handle is knurled under the neoprene sleeve and the knurled, threaded butt cap is fitted with an O-ring and lanyard hole. The knife has a bead-blasted finish and the serial number and maker's mark are on the front of the guard. The serial number indicates that the knife was made in August of 1986 and it was the 628th 8 inch knife made. In addition to the maker's mark on the front of the guard the ricasso is also marked RP. The nylon sheath has a liner of hard plastic that protects the sheath from being torn by the very sharp saw teeth on the spine of the knife. The knife is 13 3/16 overall in length and weighs 20.4 oz.
Saw teeth on back of R P survival knife
This is a very well-made knife by an excellent craftsman made during the 1980s "Rambo" hollow handle survival knife era.
Bill
