This article from a 1991 Randall Knife Society newsletter. Best regards, Rhett Stidham
NEVELDINE: STYERS SPECIAL
I ordered my Randall Styers Special fighting knife about nine or ten years ago. The design and execution of this weapon follows the guidelines suggested by John Styers, a USMC close-combat instructor of World War II era. In 1952, Styers wrote a book titled "Cold Steel" describing in graphic detail his knife-fighting techniques. Long out of print, it was reissued by Paladin Press in 1974 and should be available from them.
The bowie style blade on the Styers Special appears to be taken directly from the Model 14. It is seven and one half inches long of one-quarter inch tool steel. The guard is of thick quarter inch brass and is formed into a radical "S" shape. The handle is commando shaped black micarta with red, white and black spacers. The butt cap is brass and the narrow tang is not visible through its top. Note also that the upper edge of the sheath is curved to match the guard.
I spoke with Pete Hamilton at the Knoxville show and he remembered making a few of these knives. He said that no more than five were ever made, making them quite rare. The Styers Special was designed to be grasped with the thumb pressing the rear face of the upper guard, appropriate to the slashing attack taught by Styers. Any other hold gives the impression that the handle is too short and is uncomfortable, at least to my average hand.
I hope that this photo and my description are of interest to you and other Randall collectors. //// Tim Neveldine
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