Randall Gilbreath double edged fighter

[Jeff Mock]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum and have a question. I purchased a Randall Gilbreath double edged fighter from Les Robertson way, way back in 1991 while we were both still in the Army stationed in Korea in the same unit. I purchased the knife in preparation for having to possibly go to Desert Storm, and wanted a very well made knife to take with me. Well, I never wound up going, and it has pretty much been locked in my gunsafe until last November when my son, who is a United States Marine, was sent to Iraq and was involved in the assault on Fallujah and so forth. I gave him the knife for the same reasons I had originally purchase it. Well, needless to say, it definitely got some use! He has since returned home, safe and sound about 3 weeks ago. Upon returning, he gave the knife back to me and informed me that it definitley performed like a champ! The knife is now back home, and in need of some repair. I have attempted contact with Randall Gilbreath, and was even given a phone number and left a message, and have received NO contact back from him. I want the knife repaired by Mr. Gilbreath for obvious reasons. I was also informed, just three days ago, that my son's Marine unit out of 29-Palms, in being re-deployed back to Iraq, and he's going to need a good blade to take with him. Any assistance on contacting Randall Gilbreath would be much appreciated. I have also, very recently, left a message for Les Robertson, and am waiting to here back from him. Many thanks in advance....Jeff Mock.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Randall Gilbreath is a really nice guy and a good knifemaker who happens to be a really crappy businessman. I waited forever and a day a few years back to get a toggle folder repaired and was never pleased with the way things went. It took well over a year.

I heard numerous excuses and hemming and hawing.

At any rate, good luck.

 

[Jeff Mock]

Thanks for the reply Anthony. It is becoming pretty obvious that his business practices are questionable at best. I cannot find a phone number or even a web site to contact him. I really do want him to repair the knife. Thanks....Jeff.

 

[the possum]

Jeff-
My condolences. I think if the knife is simply in need of some minor refinishing & sharpening, you'd be better off finding someone else to work on it. If it needs major work (which wouldn't surprise me), well, I'd still find someone else to work on it.

I have also had nothing but bad experiences trying to get Randall to fix my folder. After over 2 years, he finally sent it back in worse shape. And my problem wasn't even caused by hard use- it left his shop completely defective, twice. The thing is literally dangerous to carry in my pocket (without the pocket pouch I made for it) since it WILL come open by itself. There were a host of other design flaws that I didn't know about until I'd carried it for a while. I once spoke with a dealer who got 6 or 7 different folders from Mr. Gilbreath, that were shipped without having the blades heat treated!

Bah. I'm getting too negative. Welcome to the forums!
Would you mind telling us exactly what's wrong with it?

 

[Jeff Mock]

Thanks for the reply possum. The knife has a black linen micarta handle that has been chipped, and the very, very tip of the blade has been broken off. When I say the tip, I mean just the very tip. It also needs a good sharpening. The knife is not in horrible shape, it's just not perfect anymore. I want it gone over and razor sharp so when my son returns, he can depend on it for "any" situation again. I live in Tucson Arizona, so if you can refer me to a REPUTABLE shop, I'd sure appreciate it. Sad to say, but I'm afraid I won't be looking towards Dora Alabama for any more knives. Thanks, Jeff Mock.

 

[Buddy S.]

For the blade you might want to contact a forumite Kurt Maloney aka Roadrunner.He reprofiled the blade on a Bauchop fighter for me,and did it just as good if not better than the maker could have done.