Randall`s - Dozier Knives

Randall's
First
Half Century
by Jim Williamson
A
ccording
hard evidence
hand-axes
edges
to anthropologists.
man-made
are knives
and "pebble
hand-made.
century.
cutlery
production.
of hand
disappearing
Factories
from
replaced
and even such quality-minded
firms as I*XL
weren't
taking
once had with each knife.
hand work.
sharp
of
By the early 20th
was rapidly
blacksmiths.
These
provided
and were.
the age old tradition
craftsmanship
we have
of sorts.
tools"
for many centuries
course.
the first
tools of which
the time they
It seemed
let alone custom
as if
orders.
was a
fading memory of a bygone era.
Enter W.D. Randall. Jr.. scion of a
prominent
came
Southern
family whose wealth
from such enterprises
orange
groves.
and cattle.
escaped
Floridas
vacation
home on Walloon
afternoon.
chanced
humid
young
summers
W.O.
upon a fellow
boat with a handmade
as a paper
mill.
The Randalls
at a
Lake.
MJ. One
(Walter
scraping
Randall's 50th Year Knife looks like a vintage version of the Model 3 Hunter. The
blade is marked 1938-1988. The crown stag handle is secured with the old style pin.
(Randall)
Doane)
the keel of a
knife of better quality
than Randall felt was suited to the use. Some
money changed hands. and Randall went off
to admire
his new knife.
Made by William
artisan
whose
Scagel.
knives
well beyond
Randall.
the knife projected
knives.
Randall
enough
Florida.
and launched
selling
knives
enterprise
a
the price paid by
premium
seen in factory
a reclusive
now command
a quality
The Scagel
not
intrigued
so he set up a forge back in
a secondary
career
that he made.
By 1938. the
was in full swing.
and has since
inspired an international
renaissance
in
handcrafted
cutlery. And Randall knives
themselves
been sold in more countries
iodays average
high school
They are the only custom
I~
senior
knives
have
than
can name.
known
to
Randall's latest is the Model 25, with a five-inch drop-point blade. This one harks
back to early days with a handle of leather and stag. (Weyer photo)
As with Mercedes-Benz motorcars, Randall knives appeal to those seeking status
through their possessions, but both products gained their enviable reputations through
superior performance. They attract many customers on the basis of this functional
excellence. (Jim Williamson photo)
Randall Model I with the full color patch sold in the catalog. This knife has several
options, including nickel silver hilt, stainless blade, wrist thong, white Micarta handle,
and duralumin butt cap. The butt cap is standard on leather handles.
(Jim Williamson)
Randall's catalog is now in its 27th printing. The cover features the ModelL The
knife shown is the standard Model 7 Fisherman-Hunter,
with leather handle and brass
hilt. The catalog is one of the best introductions available to handmade knives.
(Jim Williamson photo)
JL!:\E 1988
•
many sportsmen who are not what you would
call knife enthusiasts. Randall knives have
been copied almost as much as American
computers.
By 1942. the U. S. had been drawn into the
most widespread conflict the world has yet
seen. and "Bo Randall was a pilot in the
Civil Air Patrol. Feeling the need for a
survival knife on what amounted to
submarine-spotting expeditions. Randall made
up a version of his Model 4 hunting knife
with the blade sharpened on top as well as
the regular edge. "It was a wicked thing,"
he recalls. but was a quick adaptation of a
hunting pattern for his own use. It was never
meant as a real fighting knife. The stage was
set for a new actor to make a brief. but
momentus. appearance.
Enter Lt. Zacharias. an airborne infantry
officer. Having seen or heard of Randall's
hunting knives, he called at the shop to ask
for something better adapted to the demands
of war. He wanted a Bowie, but Randall
hadn't heard of the celebrated Texican colonel or his fearsome "Iron Mistress," as
novelist Pall I Wellman later dubbed the knife.
No matter: when they had finished designing their All Purpose Fighting Knife. it
was essentially a refined, compact Bowie.
Randall fears that Zacharias didn't survive
the war. or he would have been in touch.
The knife lives on. A standby of
discriminating soldiers, it has seen service
from the frigid bunkers of Korea to the
steamy Mekong Delta. The very collectable
SaG knife recently reproduced by several
companies is a pretty obvious descendant of
the Model r.
Close on the heels of the Model I came
(naturally enough) Model II. A stouter
version of the British commando knife. it
graphically illustrates how little knife design
has changed in 5.000 years. When Howard
Carter peered into the tomb of Egyptian
pharoah Tutunkhamen, the .'wonderful
things" he saw included a brace of daggers.
One of them looks remarkably like the
Randall Model 2 Fighting Stiletto. with the
same "oownstep" at the ricasso of its iron
blade.
The Models I and II have found their way
into the possession of some rather visible
people. Generals Westmoreland. LeMay,
Gavin and Dawkins. Admiral Halsey, Maj.
Richard Bong (the P-38 ace) and a host of
lesser known Allied troops have used them.
Air Corps Captain Ronald Reagan ordered
several. sometimes specifying alligator
sheaths. Later, as President, Reagan wrote
that he still had a Randall knife or two and
continued to admire the workmanship that
first attracted him over 40 years ago. One
officer in the field wrote to Randall that his
knife had seen use on a considerable number
15
of the 364 enemy
credited
that he was personally
with killing.
notarized
Another
squirrels.
sent a
around
letter that might be a bit too
graphic
knife performed
quite
satisfactorily
in the South Pacific.
The Korean "police action" produced
new Randall
designs
collaboration
with the Marine
ment Board.
The Models
meant
two
that were developed
as prototypes
Corps
in
14 and IS were
for new Marine
knives
be stout and could be produced
at reasonable
cost. Both were heavier
versions
that
from the spine of the
choice
also sporting
and minnows.
made
many
will be better
by the Model
7 Fisher-Hunter.
little brother.
It comes
has the same quarter-inch
the combat
served
the Model
3's
(The Model
blade thickness
3
of
knives.)
author
II. perhaps
These
'50's
to avoid
that's
Model
include
point.
custom
It was initially
guide
valuable
The newest
25. resembles
a Model
II
been on a diet. Too new to be included
in the present
practical
brochure.
knife.
it looks like a very
Maybe
to celebrate
his 50th
of the Model I. with patented.
channeled
handles
with unusually
The Model
14 Attaek
blade:
the Model
IS Airman
inches shorter.
project
The officers
other duties.
further
at the official
level.
were placed
very popular
conflict
with troops
provide
their own knives.
during
A modified
Knife.
SCUBA
requested
wanted
14 became
strong
the
Ingraham
Detachment
soldiers
Randall's Model 14 was a favorite in the Vietnam war years. The writer's knife is
shown with moment os of Strategic Air Command from the period. (Williamson)
design.
of the
in Vietnam
a new form of Model
steel tubing.
I
best
but also attracts
George
the handle
son
that the Models
16. It sells well to
its practical.
94th Medical
to
Gary Randall.
Model
In 1963. Capt.
and
the Vietnamese
the company's
Model
enthusiasts.
who admire
the
who were allowed
and 14 are consistently
Diver's
to
went any
However.
says today
sellers.
never
in the catalog.
became
of the founder.
to the
transferred
and the project
new models
The best general
14. He
line just could
to be a piece of stainless
which
I
has a blade two
assigned
were unfortunately
•
heavy
has a 7'/2"
tangs.
Trail
could be used to store
pills. hooks and fishline.
Knife.
inch blade.
The saw teeth that
inches.
outdoors
choice
be the ModelS
It's especially
but comes
handy
Randall
combination
and
in the five-
with blades
Son of a civilianized
year.
in the
Camp
harken
is showing
leather
25s with
These
back to the early days.
to eight
Need an exquisite
I. it
with a fork to match"
Model
Model
and stag handles.
carving
knife.
maybe
What about a kitchen
went atop the blade easily cut the metal skin
lacks the top quill on on the hilt. and the false
utility design
of a downed helicopter.
Model 18. and probabh'
edge isn't normally
or stripers" See Models 6 and 10.
Over the years. most of the original
interest
in similar
His knife became
inspired the recent
survival
knives
A Model
from other
makers.
Although
the military
models
done the most to spread
and Gary Randall
sportsman.
hunting
After
have perhaps
neglected
sharpened.
5 is in the Harvard
favored
yachtsmen.
One was worn by reptile
Ross Allen
appearances.
by boaters
museum.
it is widely
authority
"Bo "
their fame.
haven't
and
in many of his
and the ModelS
is also the
and
patterns
also suited for filleting
have been slicked
finger cutout
bluefish
up a little. The
in front of the ricasso
tends to
be less pronounced
than it was. Pins that held
the fancier
in place were superceded
handles
the
all. the first sales were of
knives.
The Model
3 Hunter
a very early Randall
siderable
is the present
design
resemblance
that inspired
and knife authority
Model
3 with seven-inch
knives
the long Model
The noted outdoor
B. R. Hughes
blade.
for deer hunting.
3 makes
Outdoor Life readers
knives
with blade lengths
inches.
writer
form of
that bore con-
to the Scagel
it. It comes
from five to seven
smaller
are
the
for an Alaskan
damaging
hides with his knife point.
Randall.
Angier.
the first modern
knife with a "dropped"
in the early
Bradford
in the catalog
models.
who wanted
with 4'/2 or five-inch
stock.
of wilderness
Most other selections
Model
blade of 31l6th's-inch
which would
It's heavy enough
knife will whisk a good sized trout or
walleye away to heavenly visions of mayflies
Nevertheless,
Equip-
3 made a great all-
knife.
a rap on the noggin
It said essentially
for some readers.
that the Randall
but the Model
outdoors
has a
He prefers
but says that
a fine camp knife.
may recall the "Deer
in
a Dishpan"
article published many years ago.
In it. famed nature photographer
L.L. Rue
proved
that the long Model
well for butchering
for different
folks
3 worked
venison.
Different
Experience
Model
3 convinced
this writer
blades
are handier
for skinning
in
quite
strokes
with a six-inch
that shorter
bunnies
and
Two versions in the lineup of Bowles. All the large Bowies are designated as subtypes
of Model 12. These are a bit ponderous for field use, but excite collectors.
(Randall photo)
~ATI()"AL
KJ\IFE \1AGAZIJ\E
by modern
secured
epoxy
pommels
the pommel
handles
glues.
The dome
is now usually
polished.
no longer
Model
get bobbed
M icarta.
leather
off short.
butt cap (pommel)
now nylon.
which
more resistant
There
The newer
handles
handle
but the standard
for the most part.
of 0 I Uddeholm
is also usual.
tool steel.
Sweden . .+40B stainless
are
extra cost option.
T enite used
Works
are
and has a bit more carbon
is lighter
than leather
and
common
rot.
Model
to
imported
from
better
in the forge
than the more
'+'+Oc. they say.
Collectors
in the catalog
Blades are
steel is a popular
wrist thongs
options
Randall
with a
and brass hilt. A duralumin
Leather
to jungle
are enough
with
for a hole to
too. in Iieu of the green
on early examples.
a computer.
knife is supplied.
14 (and similar)
the end of the tang protruding
attach a wrist thong.
confuse
nut that
cut off and
Another
17 Astra.
the knife that equipped
Mercury
astronauts
knife in space.
something
series of
favorite
is the
not telling.
Randall
know
Major
Cooper
assisted
Model
15 Airman
catalog
has a photo of Bo and Gary
into the Astro.
Cooper
known.
but Randall
astronauts.
donated
the
and the
with the
carried
22 orbit mission.
original
Gordon
in modifying
same knife that Major
the
and was the first
unless the Soviets
they're
monumental
will like the heavy
12 Bowies.
Model
Project
on his
It's not widely
the knives to the
and they thought
so
highly of the Florida
shop's
work that it got
considerable
mention
in their book.
weren't
the only prominent
We
Seven.
Astronauts
users of Randall's
Faisal
II of Iraq ordered
novelist
James Jones
everything"
status.
of course.
ordered
Venom-researcher
Serpentarium
an African
trip.
"blue"
William
Ross Allen's
to know
inspiration
for the American
as an excellent
called a
whether
it was the
knife described
in From Russia. Wirh
weapon
LOI'e. Real life sky-spy
8 Trout
of James
It would be
interesting
Francis
Gary
along
Union
,0 •. (; ••
were in many
major
Numerous
magazine
comic
~I'
own Randall
Where
.:- t:~[~nk5 8n~ sincere
best
-e;:.:hes 1
known
all of whose
was the only custom
public.
struggling
to fill
Quite a few are well known.
the publicity
the years
for the increasing
expensive
handmade
have shown
spawned
given
that has accompanied
the anniversary.
catalog.
send a dollar
Knives.
P,O,
',A.-
,f
"
:-f
/
of new knives
It appears
only during
Randall gets quite a few letters from customers. Here's one from a fellow whose name
readers may recognize. (Jim Williamson photo of Randall photocopy)
this summer.
Blossom
purposes.
where
that's
knife movement
history
began.
Trail.
Made
FL 32802.
Guild
drop by the
For practical
the modern
There's
that
1988. For a
to Randall
shop on Orange
the
their first 50
Box 1988. Orlando.
in Orlando
that
richly deserve
And if you get to the Knifernakers
i '''-
of
80 and Gary
the way and set the standard
one will be available
Show
over
awareness
and they have a couple
to celebrate
too. All
Randall
knives.
a new art. They
acclaim
E'l/be
"Rick
-
to the sporting
can thank
years.
and in such
products.
there are now hundreds
orders.
and its knives
movies
Trail."
once Randall
knifernaker
have been
shop.
Sawyer."
and "Mark
kit
of the time.
articles
in several
of it.
escape
magazines
strips as "Buzz
O'Shay."
artists
over the
1960. Pictures
on the Florida
have appeared
~n7. 11. ')_:. .
~!"'13"'1~o, Ylo:"~
in May.
with the rest of Powers'
published
Powers
and Bird Knife with
him when his U-2 was downed
Soviet
before
hip. Haast.
creator
a Randall.
had a Model
Haast of
Butigerus cnerutcusv.
The late Ian Fleming.
owned
of
bites from both a
and what one writer
krait (probably
Bond.
"one
hit bestseller
got a Randall
has survived
king cobra
set. and
He had seen one on fellow
authority
incidentally.
King
a gorgeous
when his books
the Miami
reptile
The Model 16 Diver's Knife. This is an older example with a leather thong. The new
ones are water-resistant nylon. The sheath for this model is wax-impregnated.
(Randall photo)
knives.
custom
a lot of
in that little building'
17