Randall questions

A

allankidd

Joined
Jan 7, 2007
Messages
63
Recently I have been getting very interested in Randalls. I have a 25-6 on order from Randall and a 27 on order from a dealer. Today I took delivery on a 26 (with a 25 type handle). It’s really nice, better than I expected. So anyway I have a few questions.

I can’t see how the butt cap is attached to the tang. There is some kind of rivet thing, but it’s flush. If there was a nut, that I would understand. So how do they attach the butt cap?

Does anyone know what the stainless blade material is? I have read both 440A and 440C.

How tough are these stag handled Randalls? Does anyone know of any testing that has been done or have personal thoughts or experiences?

Thanks and regards,
Allan[/FONT]
 
There is a Randall forum under Manufacturers here at Bladeforums, they would be the best assistance for your questions.
 
Allan, congrats on you latest score :cool:

With regards to your questions; the handle tang is threaded at the end, the end cap is countersunk and slipped over the tang, the nut is put on upside down, tightened down then ground off...

O1 high carbon tool-steel is used for the non-stainless steel bladed versions and models; 440C for the larger stainless steel knives, ATS-34 for most of the smaller, a mix of both steel types for the medium sized knives...

With regards to toughness - well, there is no obvious cure in sight for stupidity as of yet, but if the knife is used as it was designed, as a cutting tool for normal materials separation (as opposed to say, an axe or crowbar), then your new Randall knife should last several lifetime's - Randall has built a 70 year reputation on it :)

Hope that helps,

Shel
 
I have a Randall 8-4 that my wife gave me for my 40th birthday and it has been my camping/hunting/fishing knife ever since. Randall knives are alot tougher than most people think and as said earlier, if used as a knife was intended-as a knife- it will outlast your kids. Congrats on the score and use it in good health...Jim
 
Shel, Thank you for your answers. One more question please? How do they attach the plates such as on the standard 27? I can see no indication of a fastener in photos.
 
If you guys want this moved to the Randall forums, let me know. It is good to see a Randall thread in General too now and then.
 
Bastid, agreed, here is fine ;)

Allan, with regards to the attachment of the brass and nickel-silver butt plates - this from the Randall Shop Foreman, the ever gracious Mr. Scott Maynard - (paraphrased) 'A stainless (steel) screw is silver-soldered onto one side of the plate, then epoxied into the end of the drilled handle that has been fitted (with a sanded) flat surface. After drying, the plate is carefully trimmed a bandsaw and sanded to the contour of the handle, be it oval or jagged to the stag...'

This, btw, in my opinion, is by far one of the coolest 'options' that can be ordered with most standard Randall knife models - and one that is highly recommended :cool:
 
My Randalls are safe queens. The just look too nice to use.

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Shel, thanks again for your insightful answer. By the way (assuming here that you are Sheldon Wickersham), I bought your book at Nordic Knives during the Solvang show. It is a great reference work as well as an excellent read. Best regards, Allan
 
Nice 'safe-queens' Rich, I especially like your Model #2-8...good stuff :cool:

Ouch, I've been outted, (is that even a word?) again...lol Thanks for your kind words about our book Allan, we tried our best. Hope you had a good time at the Solvang show too; Dave Harvey at Nordic knives puts on a great show, and is one heck of a nice guy to boot :thumbup:
 
Shel,

So I was reading your book last night and what did I see? The answers to my questions about SS blade material. I am embarrased. My only excuse is that I am new to Randall knives. Anyway, it must be a little frustrating for you to answer questions again and again that you have already addressed in your book.

By the way, your previous answer does force one more question, the last one, I promise! Now that we know how the butt cap and butt plate hold the scale on; how do they hold the scale on with neither? Is it only glue or some adhesive?

Thanks again and best regards,
Allan
 
Hey, I can play :D

Korean War era 2-7. Belgian Congo shop ivory that hasn't cracked (yet). Nickel silver hilt AND butt! Heiser logo snap at the keeper. "Fish hook" stone. Hope you guys enjoy.

Best,


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Allan, you wrote "it must be a little frustrating for you to answer questions again and again.." Actually friend, nothing could be farther from the truth...I'm a firm believer in the old adage "We teach best what we most need to learn"...and I'm still learning on a daily basis ;)

I dunno if this has been mentioned here previously, but like you, when we started collecting Randall knives, we too had questions - only, there really wasn't much 'technical' information available in print, and some of the collectors familiar with the nuances of the knives were being very close-mouthed about sharing what little information they had...

Deep, dark secrets that only they knew, and all that. Well, that's just screwy. IMNSHO, if people, our fellow collectors, have the information at hand to make an informed decision, then they're less likely to get burned buying a misrepresented knife - and more likely to stick around to enjoy the hobby. That was really the genesis behind our book, the sharing of information...the pretty pictures didn't hurt either, although I will admit, like Chapter 16, the 'Quick Reference' section, photos were an afterthought...

As to your question though, epoxy is used to hold the handles on, whether or not a end cap or butt plate is used...

Shel

p.s. Nice pics guys! :cool:
 
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