Randall Leather Washer Handles

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Mar 20, 1999
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Hello all, I'm considering taking my first venture into the world of Randall knives. At current, there are two that I'm considering...one of which has a leather washer handle (hence the title, lol)

The SOG S1 is the only other knife I've owned with a leather washer handle. For maintenance the only thing suggested to me was to coat it with ren wax periodically if I intended it to be a long term collection piece.

My general questions are...

1) Are there different types/grades of leather washer handles and if so what type are on Randall knives

2) Are there any recommended practices for maintaining Randall leather washer handles (i.e. ren wax like I used on the S1, etc...)

3) How would you describe the overall feel of Randall's leather handles...very firm to the grip or with a little "give"?

I don't know too much about leather washer handles, obviously from my lack of ownership of them :) Any info and/or advice would be great, thanks
 
DN,since none of the more knowledgable members have responded I'll give it a go.In the last couple of months I have held a couple of leather handled Randalls,a brand spankin' new Mod-1,and a Mod-7 from the late 50's.Both were very firm feeling,no give or mushiness at all.The older knife was well used but taken care of and the handle on it was as good looking and feeling as the new one,although it had character that only age and use can impart.Randall's catalog recomends Shoe polish or saddle soap to prevent the leather from drying out.After feeling those leather handles it is what I want on my next Randall.Hope this helps.
 
Thanks I appreciate you sharing your experience. Picked up a leather handled Randall, but had a chance to get almost the same knife with micarta. Been running it around in my head ever since last night :) You put my mind at ease, now the wait is killing me :)

From the 50's eh? Wow, now thats some age.

Thanks again...would never thought of shoe polish. I guess it moisturizes while it protects?
 
I am familiar with the leather washer handles on two other brands of knives other than Randall (SOG & Ontario). Both had holes in the leather washers considerably larger than the tang they were surrounding so when the handle loosened up, the washers would slide out of battery with the other washers. You could actually push on three or four washers and they would move laterally. I've never seen this happen on a Randall. First, I think the holes are very close to the size of the tang so there is no room to move. ...and second, they are glued to the adjacent washers so they won't slide out of battery. I've had a bunch of leather handled Randalls and they are very solid.

Bruce Woodbury
 
RMK leather washers look a lot like this...

And yes, they are cemented in place prior to compression and burnishing...damn near water tight, a proven design... :)

Mel
 

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I've owned several Randalls with the leather handles. Been pretty tough, look classy and don't get slick. I just use clear shoe polish or even Johnsons paste wax on them occassionally. If I were to carry the knife against my body on a continuous basis, I think I would use one of my Micarta handled ones. It can't be good for leather to stay in a constant moist enviroment. My opinion, good luck
 
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