I have been shown a Randall Smithsonian Bowie. There are two things that bother me about the knife. It feels like the blade has never been sharpened. I can run my finger along the blade, and nothing. If I tried that with my other Randalls, there would be blood.

Also, there is a small "A/I or A/1 stamped next to the Randall Made on the left side of the blade. See the pictures. The knife seems to be similar to one I have, but my knife is still packed in a box in storage, and I can't get my hands on it to compare. I don't remember the A/I on any of my other Randalls.

There are people here who know more about Randall knives than I do. What is your opinion?

Attached Images

	Randall Smithsonian-1.jpg (27.4 KB, 198 views)
	Randall Smithsonian-2.jpg (52.0 KB, 147 views)

None of mine have that extra stamp. Give them a call and or email them a picture.

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Riding, Shooting, and Truth

The "A/I" stamp was done at Randall and means that the handle is made from "Alternative Ivory".

Alternative Ivory col.849/TM

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"I also cook."

The A/I etched adjacent to the RMK trademark denotes a handle made of "Alternate Ivory". A/I, a synthetic material, is not offered by the RMK shop and must be supplied by the customer or dealer. The shop requires the "A/I" etching because this material looks too much like genuine ivory. Without the opportunity to view a cross cut (natural butt end) to look for Schreger lines, A/I is virtually indistinguishable from genuine ivory even for some experts.
A/I is an option that actually adds value to the knife.

Thanks. I really appreciate the information. To me, the handle didn't look or feel like real ivory. I knew it was some type of synthetic. Part of my misspent youth was being forced to learn to play a piano. The piano keys were real ivory, not the white plastic of today's pianos. I guess I did learn something. I can tell if something is ivory just by the feel to my finger tips. I am still a little puzzled about the blade. I guess the original owner wanted the knife for display only and did not require a sharpened edge. I think I will buy this knife.

I would give them a call..

Address: 4857 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32839

Phone,(407) 855-8075

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I'm not sure why you would suggest calling the shop.
The folks at the shop are willing to help but they are five years behind and frankly
have better things to do than answer a question that's already been answered.
The shop relies on it's dealers to handle a lot of the easy questions.

What is this Alternate Ivory? Some sort of plastic? Surely not ivory Micarta, which is pretty easy to distinguish from the real stuff.

Its back to the idea that few Randall's ever get used. The vast majority of them live in a closet or gun safe. A sharp knife is dangerous. Way too many people get cut because they're stupid and don't know how to handle any thing with sharp edges or pointy ends. As the price goes up and the exotic handle materials come into play, they get used even less. All of us don't live in fear.

A while back I had a 7" Randall in the seat pocket in my jeep. We were in Utah and heading up past Green river. One of our group wanted to stop at a roadside fruit stand. He bought a nice watermelon and about 30# of ice. The melon went in a cooler and all the ice on top. We rode all day and late we came into a canyon with I-70 over head on a very high bridge. We had shade and out came the melon. Then the owner realized he didn't have a tool to cut it with. So out came the Randall. Without a thought, it had dried itself in the desert heat so I put it back in its sheath and back in its hiding place. All was well until a couple of months later. The acid in the melon juice had been a good blueing agent. The blade had a nice even brown patina. Not thinking, I used Flitz and removed it all.

So now we have a nice bowie, complete with a brass back. I'm just about to enter watermelon season here. The boys over in Indiana grow some really good yellow ones. I'm undecided if I should use the 12-11 or my now new 1-8 to cut them. My concern is the brass strip and if the melon juice can get under the brass. It sure looks like a heramatic seal, but who knows.

Does the OP here have any idea what the age of his knife is? That alone might be reason to call the factory to see if they have a clue. Take a picture of the spacers if you email information to them. Its what they use to determine it. Mine was dated as a 1959 production item. I have no idea how the experts tell that. They also need to know the sheath configuration.

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Dick Burg

I should see it in about a year. My sportsman's bowie should be here in January.

David's link above will take you to Masecraft and a detailed description of A/I.
I truly don't mean to be argumentative, I'm trying to both answer a question and help the folks at the shop. First, don't waste time taking and sending images. The shop will not open them nor evaluate any knife without having it in hand.

The 12 Heavy pictured is relatively contemporary. I'd guess it was made in the last ten years. Spacers can be used to get a general time frame or period but that can only narrow the estimated date of production to ten years or more. The current spacer combination R-W-B-W-R, as seen on the Smith above, has been the standard for over thirty years. However, this does not mean that other spacer combinations won't be observed in the same time frame. Judging only by the spacer stack the model #1 shown below would date to the early 1960's. This knife and many more like it were made in the mid-1980's with 1950's and 60's style hilt, spacers and even narrow choils. These options are no longer available but it illustrates that more than spacers are needed judge the age of the knife.

I have no idea. I'll ask the guy who is selling the knife. I don't think it is old, as in 25+ years. After I finish my housework, I'll go to the bank for some cash. We are still negotiating a price.

One more thing slightly off topic; does anyone have any experience with handgun grips made with this Alternate Ivory? How well does it stand up to use?

Well you could I suppose.

If you were looking for a detailed explanation about what Alternate Ivory is and how it came to be used in Randall Made Knives, they would probably refer you to Mr. Rick Bowles, who for the last 35 years is the only authorized Scrimshander for Randall Made Knives. He was selected for that position by Mr. Bo Randall himself. Mr. Bowles is the gentleman who introduced the material to Randall Made Knives and was the first to use it on a Randall Knife.

We are blessed here on smith-wessonforum.com to have Mr. Bowles to comment, help answer questions and provide a level of expertise not often found on guns forums.

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Dave

You can request when ordering if you want the blade sharpened or not sharpened for display purposes . This request was not that uncommon with knives like the Smithsonian Bowie . If not specifically requested, I believe they were shipped sharpened.
I am pretty sure they will sharpen an unsharpened knife if you return it to them, but this info is several years old.
I purchased my first Randall from Mr. Bo Randall himself at the shop sales counter in Orlando .
jag312, that Smithsonian Bowie is truly a fine example of the Randall knife shop .
Gary