Value, keep as set?

Posted by: digi-shots

Value, keep as set? - 10/07/17 12:26 PM

I have two Vietnam era knives, both personalized to the same Army veteran and stamped by the RMK shop - one is a model 1 (8" carbon) the other a model 2 (7" stainless). Both have leather stacked commando handles and tan JRB sheaths with correct stones. I have only one shipping box named to the individual (I don't know if the other box was lost or if both knives shipped together.. which I doubt since it would be a tight fit for both knives). They are both in very good condition - doesn't appear they were carried much. The shipping destination was Fayetteville, NC, postmarked Dec. 1972. I'm in the process of doing more research on this Army veteran.

At the moment I don't plan on selling them, however, is there more value in keeping these as a matched set or separate? I like them both and if I had to sell one, I'd hate to break them up. I bought them both because I couldn't leave one behind! And no, I'm not a Randall addict (yet!)

I'm not looking for a dollar value... but more of a "what would you do" question.
Thanks for your input!
Posted by: W Polidori

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/07/17 01:12 PM

Just a suggestion, contact Buck Buchanan here on this forum. You could send him a PM, he's from Fayetteville also a Randall dealer.
Posted by: digi-shots

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/07/17 02:45 PM

Here they are... a nice duo!
Posted by: Holzinger258

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/07/17 03:29 PM

A beautiful matched pair. In my opinion, better to keep the set together. A shame to have to split it up.
Posted by: W Polidori

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/07/17 10:16 PM

Superb photo, great job. As Tom said keep them together but I would suggest as I said in my earlier reply to contact Buck Buchanan who lives in Fayetteville. Maybe he knows this soldier.
Posted by: digi-shots

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/08/17 10:16 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!
Posted by: Buck Buchanan

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/08/17 11:40 PM

A very nice set which I would keep together especially, when its time to sell.

You need to share your photography set-up in the Picture Gallery post started by me.
Very impressive to say the least.

You can send me all you have on the soldier to my e-mail address below.

I can't say for sure if I recognize the name, but I ETSed from the USAJFKCMA HQ at Fort Bragg in June 1972, and I came in contact with many Special Forces soldiers during my three years at Fort Bragg. I was in the G1 Office at JFK Center & HQ, Special Forces Command. Back then we had the 5th, 6th, and 7th SFG(A) in the AO.

Let me know.
Posted by: digi-shots

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/09/17 09:18 AM

Thanks, Buck!

I didn't realize how good the two knives looked together until after I took the above photo.... they just "go together". I'll post some comments in your photo thread. I do have some very nice camera equipment, however this pic was taken with my iphone6 !

Everyone has probably heard "buy the knife, not the story"... but at the same time don't discount the story. These two came with a story... the veteran served as a doctor in Vietnam. Not a lot of info, but enough to start researching him. I have learned that he graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School in 1967 and that he was a Major in the US Medical Corps in 1970-71, served in DaNang and Long Binh, and a Colonel in 1984. He died in 1995.

I'll email you with some details that I have. In the meantime, I've sent off to the National Archives for info (FOIA request).

Thanks, again... I appreciate your help!
Posted by: JE6245

Re: Value, keep as set? - 10/09/17 09:24 AM

Well done all the way around sir from the knives, the research, the pics, everything.