Probably my favorite among Randalls. The Model 1 was Bo Randall's first design. Made for soldiers in WWII, and how he got his start. This one is early to mid 80s, if I recall correctly:

Beautiful! Simple design and sturdy. I’ve had several over the years, and this is still my favorite! Everyone should own at least one Randall in their lifetime.

Regards, Rick Gibbs

Randall #1 made in Springfield Mass. during WWII.

Mine was made about 1970.
Ordered it with Finger Grooves, forgot to tell them I am Left-handed!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I love the stag!

I’ve got a typical #1 7”. I think it date from the mid 1960’s - ‘70’s, but I haven’t been able to narrow it down any further.

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"I also cook."

I agree, they can become heirlooms.
My one Randall’s is quite a bit smaller than the ones posted. They all have a certain panache don’t they?
My #5 was a gift from my Father in early 1960’s.

For those Randall owners who wish to date their knives more precisely, there are several articles that have been written about this.

One way is by the "spacers" between the blade and the hilt: 2003 - Knife Forums - Dating Spacers — Randall Made Knives

Another way is by sheathes: 2002 - Knife Forums - Dating Sheaths — Randall Made Knives

And then there are the snaps and stones: 2002 - Knife Forums - Dating Snaps & Stones — Randall Made Knives

Here is my model #1-8” pictured with my model #12-9”. I’ve owned several Randall’s over the years, but currently only own three, but have two more on the way from a dealer expected in May and August.

I have a No 5 Saltwater Fisherman and a No 14 Border Patrol model but I really want a No 1.

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Some Might Say.

Valmet, while I am not a fisherman, I've been lusting for a No. 10 Salt Fisherman for a while now. Probably just use it in the kitchen, if at all, but I like that knife...

For a while I had five Randalls, but am currently down to three, the 7" #1 shown above, a 5" #3 Hunter and 9" #6 carving knife.

Besides the two Randalls I have pictured above, my only other one is a 10-5 and I use it exclusively in the kitchen. I have two more Randalls on order and one of them is a 10-3. Great kitchen knives for fruit, veggies, and meat.

Here's a not very good pic of an older Model 1-8. I think I posted pics of this knife here a long time ago.

During WWII Bo Randall hired Bill Platts to help keep up with production.
Before his hiring the lanyard was secured with a Monel loop under the pommel nut. Mr. Platts suggested simply drilling a hole through the pommel for the lanyard. This simplified production and addressed the occasional complaint that the loop could injure the hand if you bumped into it while carrying the knife. So this knife either predates Mr. Platts's hiring or his manufacturing suggestion.

My childhood neighbor served with the Army Air Corps in China/Burma, and before his deployment he was given this knife by his brother. As a youngster I saw movies he'd taken in theater, along with still photos of him with the Randall. After his passing his wife gave me the knife.

The sheath is a Heiser.

The stone is apparently correct for the period. Given the condition it seems clear that it was rarely carried in the sheath or was replaced soon after the war. For what it's worth he was a fastidious man and a well regarded jewelry maker.



This is the man who owned the knife, I think in theater--he has a sidearm. It's tantalizing to think that the knife was on his left side.

Here's a closeup of the Monel loop:

Thanks for the informative post and pictures, Cooter. That's a wonderful #1 with so much company and personal history behind it. Very impressive!

Here is my No.1

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N frameitis :-)

I feel privileged to be the caretaker of it for a while.

Here’s a #1 and a #2 that were ordered from Randall and belonged to an Army Major. He served with the 7th Special Forces Group in Long Binh and Danang, Vietnam (1971-1972)

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

I was in the 5th SF, but after I DROS'ed from Vietnam in late '72. Returned stateside to Bragg in NC, where I wandered over to Smoke Bomb Hill and found myself a job with A Company. For about 18 months. Back then both the 5th and 7th Group were at Bragg, with the 10th at Bad Tolz in Germany. The SF troops had been rotating to and from Vietnam since the early '60's, but as far as I can recall, when they went overseas, they went as 5th Group, even if their "home unit" was the 7th. I rarely met any SF chaps when I was in MACV, in fact, rarely met another American unless I was up to Saigon for a PX run or the like. SF by then tended to be posted to the more remote "villages", along the Cambodian and Laos border. Years before I was "in-country", Nick Rowe, Rocky Versace and several other 5th Group troops were captured and held very near my own advisory compound, just south of the U Minh Forest. I could be wrong, but if a 7th Group trooper went over, I am pretty sure he went over assigned (detailed) to the 5th Group. ALL the SF troops had one or often multiple tours (and families) in Vietnam. And I met many who were on the Son Tay Raid. Another semi-autonomous US force was SOG, who were often pretty rogue when out on operations, having the habit of just killing everyone they came into contact with. Then there was the Phoenix program, assassination specialists answering to nobody.

But I digress. I have one Randall #1, bought about 30 years ago, never used or worn, and since given to my son.

Made up another 100+ rounds of 44 mag this morning, before it got too hot to be in my garage. Will head out Friday to the state range, where a friend and I will spot for one another in some zeroing of a couple of other rifles. Half way thru a book about Daniel Boon. He was no snowflake.

time for dinner. SF VET

SF Vet… thanks for your post. The Army Major was the Chief of Medicine, US Army Hospital in both Long Binh (1971-72) and Danang (1972). He was Group Surgeon, 7th SFG at Ft. Bragg, NC (1972-73).

I might have made an error in assuming he was with the 7th in VN instead of the 5th SFG. The research I did on him really didn’t specify which SFG he was assigned while in VN. He was active duty 1971-1973 WRAIR, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

On another note, I do have a S&W model 10-5 that was carried by a 5th SFG veteran.

Thanks again and thank you for your service.

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Awfully nice to see you posting pics!