Rich, aka 'widmn' is infinitely more knowledgeable on this subject than myself, but to the best of my limited knowledge, 'Randall Made Knives' has never made a folding knife for resale...
Yes, they have sold folding knives in the past, some production made, and some hand made. In fact, it was Rich that originally put us in touch with Walter Grigg of Orlando, FLA.
In speaking with Walter last month, we determined that the first two folders he made for sale through the Randall shop were made in 1973, and were the only two blade stamped with the RMK logo. The first was given to W.D. 'Bo' Randall as a Christmas present that year, as now seen in the RMK 'museum' at the shop in Orlando, the other being in Walter's possession.
A really neat guy to talk with, Walter went on to say that he made roughly 500 folders, as sold through the RMK shop, between 1973 and 1986. The majority of these, 300+, were of the lock back 'Grand Daddy' Barlow type.
The other knives made during that period were a mixed bag of what Walter wanted to make; some fixed blades, some folding 'toothpicks' and fishing knives, and towards the later years, roughly 100 of a smaller lock back folders.
Most of these knives were made with Ivory scales, giving a great canvas for schrimshanders over the years, and Walter's knives are often seen scrimmed, in many cases engraved as well. The RMK catalog insert for these folding knives referred to them as the 'World's Best Folding Knife' or such
as collectors of high end folders like those made by Jess Horn and similar, I'd say that the description given isn't far off the mark!
Walter is still kicking, and sharp as a tack, but now into his seventies; be aware that if you attempt contact, generous with his time as he is, he certainly didn't seem the type to humor foolish questions in any form
More on this topic later if need be, it's getting late
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Mel
