Randy Williams stilletto - my latest

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
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Hi folks,

A couple of years ago Murray White enlightened me with his acquisition of a not-too-well-known maker named Randy Williams. (His post here.)

Even then I wanted to know more. Randy sent me a note of a current offering, I wasn't keen on that one, and so I passed and I have been waiting since.

Somehow I did a search online and came upon a dealer in the West Coast (David Mayer of Tactical Edge) who was carrying a couple of his stillettos. I called, David was especially professional (sent me fresh photos of one not listed), and we struck a deal.

Here we go:

orig.jpg


It's a BIG folder. 5" blade and 11" OAL. Apparently Randy is a top-level CNC machinist and can produce quality. This knife is precision all the way.

I like the synthetic maroon Micarta, and the grain it shows when sculpted nicely. As a lockback, it has that unmistakeable 'Clack' upon opening and that gratifying draw into the well at fully closed. Good stuff.

I don't buy a lot of knives. Don't need to. :D But this one spoke to me.

Thanks for looking.

Coop
 
Nice long clean lines there, Jim, precision look for sure. Micarta can, as you say, show a nice grain, and this maroon is really rich.

John
 
that's a cool knife.
 
Maroon micarta, in the right application, can be very elegant and classy. This is a perfect example.

In addition, the lines and workmanship on the rest of the knife is outstanding.

Nice pick up.
 
I especially like the "shoulders" up top o' the handles and the shape of the "butt". The maroon micarta looks cool and the upper half of that blade grabbed my eyes immediately.

Also like that ambi thumbstud. Always like ambi safeties on my 1911's and this thumbstud reminds me of that.

Overall, nice details on a really neat knife. Congrats, Jim :thumbup:
 
I'm a fan of grainy maroon micarta like that, I have it on my JWS. And thats a cool knife. I'm almost seeing a GTC type thing going on with the blade.. Do you see it too, and is that a factor that drew you in?
 
Kewl, that you got this nice Stilleto. Randy does a nice knife. I checked the link related to my knife and found the image to not exist so I updated the post and the knife now is there. It definitely does make a clack. Big knife as you say. When I saw him in 2007 it was at the Montana Knifemakers Association show which is usually around mid August or one week later.
 
Hi guys,

Well, all of us agree those grinds are KEWL. :) Do they have a GTC 'look' to them? You betcha. Different blade grinds are the provenance of better makers and their grinding skills. (Don't get mad at me if you are a better maker and DON'T do multiple grinds. ;))

More appealing to me was the curves in the handle, and that distinct bird's head bolster area. Notice how linear the blade and grinds are, and how rolling the handle is.

I always enjoy this juxtaposition. When done well it's transparent and not disingenous.

I sent the link to Randy, and he sent me back some photos of his current pieces with Italian guards. I more like this version, although his others are superb.

Thanks,

Coop
 
^ok, so where are they?:D
 
Yeah, I guess I walked into that one. :rolleyes:

Here's the photo:

orig.jpg


Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Even then I wanted to know more. Randy sent me a note of a current offering, I wasn't keen on that one, and so I passed and I have been waiting since.
Click to expand...

The key to collecting what we really want...patience! Nice work, Coop. Really a cool looking stilletto. :thumbup: Excellant image.

- Joe
 
Coop,
I too am a Randy Williams stiletto fan. Also, a new member to BF. If you ever want to sell any of your R.W. stilettos, please let me know. When you find a knife that you like more than the others you own, it's hard not to want more of the same. Do you own the single bolster Italian Classic shown above, or have you posted the photo to demonstrate your photography skills? Later, birdave.
 
Now that this thread has resurfaced, I have bad news:

Randy Williams has told me he is out of the knifemaking business for the next five years or so. He emailed me a month ago, about a custom order I'd placed shortly upon receipt of THIS knife, and said his life included a job/career change and upon retirement he'd reconsider. That would be in about five years.

I sent a note back with my disappointments, yet told him place me first on his five-year list. :)

So, if you find one somewhere it's a keeper. :)

Coop
 
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