Triathlete Question

[Thomason]

Hey Randall guys, here is a little triathlete I have had for at least 6 or 7 years or more I'm guessing. I searched this forum and found a little info about the steel used. Search results said early on they were 440 and later on ATS-34 was used. I was wondering if there is any way to tell from the pictures below which steel mine is? The sheath is the black leather with a boot clip. I am kind of partial to it, doesn't see a lot of use but it is carried often.

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

The Randall Triathlete was prototyped in 1988 but not placed into regular production until a few years later (first cataloged in late 1994)...ATS-34 began to see regular use at the RMK shop in the early 1990's (first used on Model #10's around 1989), and quickly became the steel type of choice for smaller knives with forged stainless steel blades and 'all' of the stock removal variant's...

While I'm not sure that an accurate analysis could be made short of spectral imaging or more destructive testing types, I would say that based on the blade grind, sheath type, and approximated age that you've given..it's likely that your Triathlete is made from ATS-34 stainless steel...

That's my opinion, YMMV

 

[Thomason]

Thanks for the info, M-P. You are a good man.