I have a Richard Batson Army Ranger Knife and I was curious if anyone in the group might have more information about Richard Batson and his knives. I know he was a Green Beret and made knives for Army Rangers during Viet Nam. I recently read that one of his knives will be on display in the American History Museum. Any information that you could share would be appreciated.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
RIchard Batson Army Ranger Knives
- Thread starter TucsonMSH
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2020
- Messages
- 725
Wish I had more info for you, but there seems to be more questions about him than answers lol. The excerpt I attached was published sometime in the 90's, and it had him listed as semi-retired then.. A quick people search on google shows him as still alive, still living in Rixyville but he is around 90 now. May still be able to find some up to date contact info and contact him directly..
Thanks for the quick response. Can I ask which publication that info you are referencing comes from? There is also a little info in the book Battle Blades. The one I have is the only one I have seen in person. I know he gifted one to Levine. I have seen pictures of that one.
That's from the "Knives" yearly annuals. The best info right now, is probably that Levine article - https://www.oregonknifeclub.org/Newsletter 1309.pdf . Fighting Knives Magazine covered him in the early 90's, but it's probably close to the same info that was Battle Blades, Greg Walker was the editor for FK, and the writer of BB. The problem is that almost all his work was sold to active duty military in a small circle, so he never really got much advertising in the magazines or books other than a paragraph or two.
Most made were variations of the fighter shown in the Levine article, or the Gerberish dagger shown here -
Fighter - http://www.svalbardrepublic.org/ebay/batson-242D-254_thumb.jpg .
Dagger pics here - www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/richard-batson-ranger-double-edge-1927869786 .
I've probably only seen less than a dozen sold in 25 years.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2022
- Messages
- 1
Richard D. Batson is very much alive and doing well for being 91 years old. I met him today at the VA hospital in Martinsburg, WV today and had a lovely conversation with him. He is currently living in Williamsport, MD at a retirement home. We talked about both of our military careers and the current situation. He mentioned his knife making and career with special forces and I decided to look him up. I a,
m happy to see he is remembered.
Larry Caskey
m happy to see he is remembered.
Larry Caskey