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- Jan 14, 2001
- Messages
- 18,959
After spending some time with our friends Greg and Fran Gutcher over the Christmas holidays a few years back, Edna and I jotted down some notes for future reference. It's our pleasure to impart some of the information contained within those notes with you, the readers here
Sullivans Holster Shop, (5515 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, Fla. 33604 (813) 236-8791 voice or fax), owned and operated by Greg Gutcher Sr. and his lovely wife Fran, is a boutique leather fabrication shop of roughly six employees. The high quality leather products made there not only include knife sheaths; but also holsters, belts, wallets, badge holders, etc. Their main market seems to be geared towards LEO's and repeat customers.
Building on a business relationship with Randall Made Knives (RMK) that started in late 1986, Sullivans is currently the only authorized sheath maker for Randall. Known for the quality leather products they produce, Sullivan's is not currently taking orders for new 'custom order' RMK sheaths, due to their existing backlog for such sheaths.
In speaking with Greg, the following RMK sheath related information was mentioned. Originally, a white linen (cotton) stitching thread was used, this from late 1986 through 1995. Use of this linen material was both very labor intensive and time consuming, so an alternative was sought out. Sometime in mid to late 1995, the white synthetic stitch was introduced, and this new stitching thread was seen in constant use for roughly three years.
A brown colored synthetic stitch followed the white, but was used for a just short time, from mid 1998 until early 1999. The current tan colored synthetic thread was introduced in 1999, and is the main stitch material used today. On a side note, Sullivan's does keep all the original thread types in stock, including black synthetic thread, on hand for special orders or commemorative runs.
Hopefully, the information provided here will help you keep track of the approximate manufacturing dates of your new RMK's. For additional information, check out A.G. Russell's website http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/l_through_r/randall_made_knives/randall_time_line.html
Happy collecting!
Shel
Sullivans Holster Shop, (5515 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, Fla. 33604 (813) 236-8791 voice or fax), owned and operated by Greg Gutcher Sr. and his lovely wife Fran, is a boutique leather fabrication shop of roughly six employees. The high quality leather products made there not only include knife sheaths; but also holsters, belts, wallets, badge holders, etc. Their main market seems to be geared towards LEO's and repeat customers.
Building on a business relationship with Randall Made Knives (RMK) that started in late 1986, Sullivans is currently the only authorized sheath maker for Randall. Known for the quality leather products they produce, Sullivan's is not currently taking orders for new 'custom order' RMK sheaths, due to their existing backlog for such sheaths.
In speaking with Greg, the following RMK sheath related information was mentioned. Originally, a white linen (cotton) stitching thread was used, this from late 1986 through 1995. Use of this linen material was both very labor intensive and time consuming, so an alternative was sought out. Sometime in mid to late 1995, the white synthetic stitch was introduced, and this new stitching thread was seen in constant use for roughly three years.
A brown colored synthetic stitch followed the white, but was used for a just short time, from mid 1998 until early 1999. The current tan colored synthetic thread was introduced in 1999, and is the main stitch material used today. On a side note, Sullivan's does keep all the original thread types in stock, including black synthetic thread, on hand for special orders or commemorative runs.
Hopefully, the information provided here will help you keep track of the approximate manufacturing dates of your new RMK's. For additional information, check out A.G. Russell's website http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/l_through_r/randall_made_knives/randall_time_line.html
Happy collecting!
Shel