A real first run Randall miniature knife

Rick Bowles · Dec 15, 2015

I thought I'd share this, not only because it's an ultra rare Randall but it's also 100% authentic. First run Randall minis are among the most desirable of Randall collectable's. Because of this, first run miniatures are the most counterfeited Randall on the planet. It's been said the 11 out of 10 first run Randall minis are counterfeit!

For several years in the early to mid-1980's I would get a miniature Randall from my (ex) wife for Christmas. I would request what mini I wanted and ultimately I ended up paying for them. I bought the small tooth at a local show and sent it to the shop to be used on a mini model #1. I hoped that the shop would cut up the tooth and make a proportionately sized handle. Instead the tooth simply got mounted on the mini.
In the early 1990's I sold my miniatures to get my first boat (could I BE any dumber?!) I recently had the opportunity re-acquire this one-off, first issue Randall miniature.

Though this mini model #1 is legitimate the caveat is worth repeating, these are exceedingly rare and most...MOST are not genuine. The mini model #1 below is shown with the new Copper Mini #27 for comparison.

Inusuit · Dec 15, 2015

Can you post a picture with a ruler or something gives us the scale of these minis? Or tell us length of blade and handle. Thanks. Neat knives.

Rick Bowles · Dec 15, 2015

Inusuit said:
Can you post a picture with a ruler or something gives us the scale of these minis? Or tell us length of blade and handle. Thanks. Neat knives.

You're absolutely right. You can't tell size without scale!

THE PILGRIM · Dec 15, 2015

Now we need info on how to detect the phonies!

rburg · Dec 15, 2015

We'd all like to be able to tell the real from the fakes. With Randall knives, the fakes abound. But I disagree with the OP on this. Most of the mini's we're seeing today are easy to tell. They have serial numbers and then micro chips. And they're still worth a bunch, most in the $500 range.

The Randall shop can generally tell just by handling and looking. It has to do with the grit and driection of polish. About the only thing I'm aware of that hasn't been faked is the stamp on the blade. Its one reason the cheaper ones sell so well. They're used as raw materials for the fakers to make the next run of them.

Rick Bowles · Dec 16, 2015

Dick,

Perhaps I should explain. We're talking about two different and distinct generations of Randall miniature knives. A good analogy would be the difference between a model 29-3 and a 5-screw .44 Magnum. They look similar but for several reasons including scarcity, their relative value is vastly different.

Regarding 2nd. gen. RMK minis. In order of release these are the mini models #25, model #1 and model #3 which do have the transponders in their handles. Next in the lineage of 2nd. gen. minis are the model #14, RKS-5 miniature drop point, model #27 and Copper Mini which do not carry the transponder.

One October Gary Randall had come up to go Striper fishing with me. When we returned to the dock the Fish & Game guys were there checking fish with a "wand". They had spent all day scanning fish for a small chip embedded in the head of the Stripers without any success. It turned out that we had two fish with the chips. We let the F&G guys keep the fish to study and they sent us two "Striper Research" ball caps.

While doing the R&D on the first issue of the 2nd. gen. minis, the model #25, Gary called to ask if I had any ideas that would help stop the miniature counterfeiting. I suggested embedding a chip in the handle like the fish we caught a few months earlier. I especially liked the idea of a high-tech chip being used in something as low-tech as a knife. I even came up with the name R.A.T. for Randall Authenticating Transponder. Though the name didn't stick, Gary liked the idea of a transponder. All Randall miniature knives feature stainless steel blades but the mini #25 is the only mini with the "S"adjacent to the RMK trademark. The remaining mini models carry a "M". Production of the mini models #25, #1 and #3 was limited to 1,500 each and were serial numbered. The edition of the model #14 mini was increased to 3,000 and serial numbered. The RKS-5 miniature drop point was a club knife for the Randall Knife Society. They are numbered with both a member number and a serial number and limited to 1,500. The mini model #27 was introduced in 2013 as part of Randall Made Knives 75th. anniversary. It's the first mini to be offered in the catalog. The mini #27 and the all new Copper Mini are an open ended edition and are not numbered.

In 1965 Gary Randall personally made a miniature of each Randall model as part of his knife making apprenticeship. This began what would be known as "first run" Randall miniatures. Gary's original miniatures were mounted together and are on prominent display in the new Randall Museum.

First run miniatures, like the model #1 in my original post, were sporadically crafted between the 1965 and late 1970's. Though exceedingly rare, most RMK models have been made in first run minis. The most "common" and most popular of these early minis is the model #18. There are no production records but the consensus is between 100 and 150 mini #18's were made. There are probably less than a dozen of each of the remaining models in first run miniatures. While 2nd. gen. minis sell for $400.00 to $800.00 depending on the model, 1st. gen. miniatures can bring $1,500.00 to $3,000.00. As I said originally, the rarity, demand and market price for these little Randall's make the first generation miniatures the most counterfeited of all Randall Made Knives.

Houlton · Dec 16, 2015

Randall Scrimshaw

There is a man in VA. Beach that does the scrimshaw for Randall. He does beautiful work. Also does great commercial art work. Haven't seen him in years used to shoot IPSC with him half a life time ago. He just did a set of Colt 45 grips for a friend.

Rick Bowles · Dec 16, 2015

Houlton said:
There is a man in VA. Beach that does the scrimshaw for Randall. He does beautiful work. Also does great commercial art work. Haven't seen him in years used to shoot IPSC with him half a life time ago. He just did a set of Colt 45 grips for a friend.

You got me!

Houlton · Dec 16, 2015

Senilty

Rick Bowles said:
You got me!

Completely miss your name on the thread. Getting old, blind and senile. Talked to Grady a few weeks ago and he was bragging on the grips you did for him.

Highhawk1948 · Dec 16, 2015

Make a good carry knife

Cooter Brown · Dec 16, 2015

Well this is just fascinating, Rick.

The story of the striper trip being the genesis of the idea of the chip is very neat.

And for what it's worth, I like "Randall Authenticating Transponder."

I'm planning to go the museum when I visit my sister in Orlando this spring. It'll be good to know some of the history behind the display of minis.

I've hear that guy in Virginia Beach is pretty good.

Rick Bowles · Dec 17, 2015

Thanks for the kind words. I've been blessed and privileged to have been associated with the Randall family for thirty-five years. My how time flies when you're having fun! At the risk of high jacking my own thread, here's a piece that's in the works.
The knife is one of my Randall-Bowles Skinners. This is the only one of my dealer specials that does not have a serial number. In place of the usual serial number is D.B. Wesson. The custom sheath by Randall's sheath maker Greg Gutcher is hand tooled, covered in two-tone Crocodile and features the S&W logo embedded in the toe. This one-off Randall was commissioned by one of our forum members.

A real first run Randall miniature knife

Rick Bowles

Absent Comrade

Inusuit

Member

Rick Bowles

Absent Comrade

THE PILGRIM

Member

rburg

Member

Rick Bowles

Absent Comrade

Houlton

Member

Rick Bowles

Absent Comrade

Houlton

Member

Highhawk1948

Member

Cooter Brown

Member

Rick Bowles

Absent Comrade

Similar threads

Latest posts