Thanks to all who have participated thus far.

From Randall Made Knives: The History of the Man and the Blades, by Robert L. Gaddis, p. 230

Quote:

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It was originated by one of the shop craftsmen who was an avid hunter, plus a do-it-yourself taxidermist with his own ideas about how skinning knives should be designed and constructed. He also happened to be working in just the right place at the time, so he proceeded to make a knife to his own specifications.

Working before and after normal shop hours to do so, he came up with a blade that combined a raised point, generous width, well-rounded belly, and long bevel from back to cutting edge. And he did this with a forging that started as a thin, 3/16-inch-thick piece of stainless steel. He contoured his Micarta handle with a slight swelling in the middle, but not as much as a commando handle. He chose nickel silver for the hilt and gave the aluminum butt cap a shape like that used on Tommy Thompson's March 1952 Alaskan Skinner. In fact the whole handle configuration of this new knife bore a striking resemblance to Tommy's sketch....

This new, unusual design worked out just fine, with both Bo and Gary liking the results, so they decided to have the shop make a few for both trial and sale over the counter there at the knifeshop. It soon became known as the Model 22 Outdoorsman and was added to the Randall line with the twenty-first printing of the catalog in April 1971....

Gary Randall used one of these knives for a number of years and liked it quite a bit. Both he and Pete Hamilton stressed that it is a knife for fine skinning and that the very thin bevel will chip at the cutting edge if the user is careless enough to cut into bone. When used with care by a professional guide or skilled hunter, it delivers excellent results, as Gary can attest to.

This is one of the most unusual knives in the Randall catalog. One can see traces of the Model 3 Hunter, Model 4 Big Game, and Model 20 Yukon Skinner in its blade, yet it is obviously not just a modification of any of these models. With a handle similar to Tommy Thompson's early knife, it introduced the crow's-beak butt cap into the Randall line, along with a thin blade of stainless steel. All in all, it is a unique knife, and Gary said in December 1991 that he had no plans to make any changes to it.

---

Lady and gentleman, may we please see some Model 22s?

Kevin

OK, I'll start it off... Here's a 22 that I bought form an individual, not ordered through the the shop.
~dale

Thanks for posting Dale.
You apparently have the only Model 22 in existence.
Kevin

This must be the only Marron Micarta 22 in the world.

Cool knife Charlie

Here's ours, a 1970/71 vintage pre-production pinned pommel variant...



Good stuff

Very Nice Sheldon and Dale
Sheldon, Is that Micarta?

Collector interest is just not there with these 22's. Is it the lack of the 1/4 inch blade stock for such a large Knife? Lack of available options? I saw a nice newer model in stag but it did not have the crows beek which to me is a must. Sheldon, Is it my eyes or does that have the later period spacer configuration. 3 thick 2 thin?? Maybe an interesting story??

Charlie, yes, it's black Micarta. Some models seem to be more popular than others, the Model #22 is apparently not one of the popular models.

Andy Thornal Company, a (former?) RMK authorized dealer, often used 'just' black & white spacers - Denmark Sporting Goods, a past authorized RMK dealer, often used 'just' red and white spacers. The spacer configurations outlined above were very common with Randall knives sold thru these two dealers during the 1970's.

Hope that helps

Are they all the same thickness appx?

Charlie, with several spacer configurations used during the 1970's, I'd say the spacer thickness was probably relative to the standard spacer configuration in use at any given time...

I haven't ever seen a Thornal or Denmark two-color spacer stack knife with more than five spacers, although there may be some seven spacer versions too; on this particular knife, the three black spacers are medium thickness, the two whites are thinner...

Thanks Sheldon, good information to have.

Kevin,
I have a "not-so-bad" one. I have emailed a pic to Mitchell and Ron. If they get it (and I have the right emails) perhaps they will post the pic in here. If not...Any volunteers?
I have to dissagree with the statement that Model #22's are not popular or collectable..even "over-looked". They were an "oddball", for sure in the beginning, but not now.
I won't even go into what the guys in the shop used to call it..(and perhaps still do), but it's time has come! Think about it: Look what "options" on other models come "standard" on the "Outdoorsman".
A) Stainless steel
B) Thumb notches
C) Nickel silver hilt
D) Black micarta handle
E) Special handle shape
F) Crow's beak butt cap

I order a couple every month. I also order a couple of Model #1's every month. If my pic gets up here, ya'll can see some "other" ways to order this great Randall model. Best, Capt. Chris

The Captain's 22



I think he may be on to something

Thanks, Charlie,
"Additional" options are:
A) Aluminum and black spacers
B) Stag handle (Yes: It is shop-supplied. No: It's not dyed)
C) Wrist thong
D) Black "no hone" sheath
All and all this combination makes for an excellent all-around camp knife. It will skin and quarter whitetail deer surgically. Cuts a ribeye like nobody's business and is just at home "outside" as it is "in the kitchen". The 3/16" is a huge "plus" as far as I am concerned for what I use 90% of this style of knife for, i.e. slicing and standard duty "stuff".
Now: Maybe somebody else will post...and if not: "Ya'll" need to get one of these here "bad boys" on order. Ya' have no idea how far behind you are!!
Best, Capt. Chris

Capt. Chris,
What a great knife. I have some slots with you coming up. I know what one of them will be. Unless you want to sell me this one.
Thanks for posting it for the Capt. Charlie.
Kevin

Sorry Kevin,
But this one's just a "tease".I'll be happy to order one with one of your slots...Just not "this" one! I don't remember exactly "who" was at the "RKS mixer" at The Blade Show, but I covered the topic of these #22's, along with way too much other talk (right Perry?). My point was that the Model #22 (along with the Model #6-9") can be the best value in the catalog, "if" ya' play your cards right...and order it "smart"...to be continued... Best, Capt. Chris

Hey Captain,

I got to agree with you. I just received my Christmas presesnt today - it is a #22. Mine has a squared off hilt and maroon micarta also. I am looking forward to using it during our January deer season. I've been infatuated with my #23 and our #11s for general skinning knives, but my new #22 looks to be a nice addition to the skinning knife collection.

Cheers,

Alan Grombacher
RKS #5531

Alan,

Pictures please. Love to see your new addition. Good luck and go get-em.

Best,
Warren

Hey Warren,

Once my 11 year old year old daughter finds my camera, I'll post a picture of my #22. My camera evaporated into her room. Maybe next time I let her borrow it, I'll squirt some pheasant scent on it. That way my Nova Scotian Duck Toller can retrieve it for me!

Cheers,

Alan

Capt, I got one just like that due in 6 months.Cant wait.Bob

Our good friend, Kent Warnberg, wanted to share some of his knives and sheaths with us. Model 22, stabilized box elder handle, the sheath is Australian cane toad.

Thanks,
Kevin

Kent,

You couldn't ask for a better piece of wood for that 22. You did well. Beautiful overall package.

Best,
Warren

Warrren,

Thanks for the nice comments! When I received this block of stabalized Boxelder, I had No idea how it would look when finished! Pretty different, but I do like it!

I think that the sheath goes well with it!

Kent
RKS #109

now thats a sweet handle!!!

See ya, Chief

here is the "sunlit" version of my favorite #22 Outdoorsman that I would like to add to this fantastic thread:

back side:

and back of sheath:



Have a great day!

She's a real beauty Peter. That's my favorite spacer combination, especially with black Micarta.

Just for grins, you should order a black custom sheath from Greg Gutcher, in Alligator or Crocodeile.

Dubie Baxter

Peter,

I prefer the sun-lit photos of this knife. Very nice.

-- Ken

Peter,
No matter WHAT the lighting ... that's an outstanding #22!
Tony

Yes - I really love it.
I am a little uncertain about the age. Early 70ies? Late 70ies? Later?
Maybe somebody can help a newbie with a guess.

Thank you all for your warm welcome and positive comments!

Litch,

Very nice Model 22. Thanks for taking the time to post and welcome to the forum.

Kevin

Peter,
I will venture a guess of early to mid 80s ... but there are many here with more expertise who will
weigh in!
Tony

Peter, if that is the original stone, then your knife could very well be from 1970 to '75.

Dubie Baxter

You know Dubie, I totally forgot about the stone. I was just looking at the spacers and the sheath!
Anyway, I was right that someone with more expertise would weigh in!
Tony

I have an almost identical #22....only difference being that my sheath carries an unmarked salmon colored stone (1975ish to 1988ish).

I'm curious about the blade stamp....as with your knife, my stamp is parallel to the top of the blade. Many #22s I see have an angled stamp (following the blade grind).

Does anyone know when Randall started using the angled stamp?

Is it correct that the use of the angled stamp started in the early 80ies?
I was told that the stone was original to the knife...

Thanks

I have a dark photo of this #22, but just clicked a new one. Hope ya'll enjoy. Kevin: How long do I have to keep this "Model of the Week" thing going on?
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's a handle shot...Best, Capt. Chris

Captain,

WOW you're killing me today with all these amber stag handles. As I said on the other threads, you get all the good amber stag knives.

More amber stag Capt. Chris.
Have you no shame????????

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Kevin

This RMK 22 just in from Rick Ward. It has very nice ironwood supplied by Rick.
As always the RMK craftsmen have done a fantastic job. I think she is a real beauty.

Kevin

WOW! That is one beautiful knife. Nice wood. I like the NS hilt with the aluminum & black spacers.

Regards,
Doug

very nice 22 Kevin.

That is a gorgeous piece of ironwood Kevin.

Kevin
Nice knife. I really like ironwood too. I have a Tom Clinton special in ironwood coming in January, and I can't wait to see it.
Peter

Kevin,

Wow. Your #22 demonstrates why Ironwood is one of my favorite handle materials.

I don't have one wood handled Randall in my collection, but I sure would like to have that one!! Awesome knife!!

Really nice #22. Great pics.

Pap

O.K.: Wake up Tom!! I am also going to post a brief statement on this one under Randall ordering questions. Here's a couple of photos of a Model #22 with Randall "shop-supplied" red/blue laminated micarta! Enjoy!
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's a shot of the back of the black, "no hone sheath" along with the red & aluminum spacers.
Best, Capt. Chris

This red & blue laminated micarta shows very well, is relatively easy to work with and, when ordered in a handle configuration with "shape" to it, brings out the color!
Best, Capt. Chris

Here ya' go. Moroccan Ironwood.
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's the "bottom side".
Best, Capt. Chris

THAT'S a Beauty!!!!!

That Moroccan ironwood is gorgeous. As for the red & blue micarta, I've never seen that before, but I like the look of it.

Scott

i don't like this micarta but maroccan ironwood is realy nice

Cap, I am awake. We need to talk about that micarta!

Tom,

Cap went away to his hunting cabin for a couple of days.

Scott

Here is my new model 22, basic black micarta.
Peter

Sharp lookin' #22!
Enjoy!

Here is my new, one option, RMK #22
The option is customer supplied stabilised cocobolo.
I should have ordered aluminum and black spacers as well, however I'm quite pleased with the knife as it is.

Very nice! That cocobolo looks great!

Nice Knife Graham. We had fun ordering that one.
Thanks for taking the time to post on my Knife Of The Week thread.

Kevin

WOW!
Graham,
That cocobolo looks fantastic! Congrats,
Tony

I just acquired this incredible heirloom quality Model 22. Never carried, never sharpened. I figured I better upload some photos before this changes!

A very classy Randall!
Congrats David.
Tony

Catch of the Day !
BELLISSIMO !

David, that's a great looking Outdoorsman - congrats!

That 22 is a very good looking knife. The shape and the stag is fantastic.

I do not have a #22....that needs to change!!
Beautiful knife!!
:-)Rocky

Excellent #22!

Posterity Post:

Model 22, Brass Square Hilt, Brass/Red Spacers, Shop Ironwood, Brass Crow's Beak, Wrist Thong

Posterity Post:

Model 22, Brass Square Hilt, Brass/Red Spacers, Black Micarta Handle, Brass Crowsbeak, Wrist Thong

A couple-a beauties there!

Both are nice the Ironwood does it more for me.

This just in from Capt. Chris, an Outdoorsman.
Another great looking knife from the shop and ironwood also
It looks ready to do some slicing.

Peter

Very nice!

Thank you for the picture.

Peter,

That might be the best looking #22 I've ever seen.

Awesome Peter!!! You did good!

Slicing AND dicing!

Great lookin' knife.

Yep Peter, that #22 is awsome the way you set it up. Probably the nicest #22 yet. Is it warming up in Moab yet?

Pap

Very nice looking model 22. Nice Ironwood, I get the feeling you like that stuff.

Peter,

As usual, classy & beautiful knife you have received there.

Please don't put the green paracord on it. That knife screams out for rawhide lacing

Peter,
That's a beauty!!
:-)Rocky

Thanks a lot guys
I appreciate the nice comments, my tastes run primarily to ironwood with character and I am glad that you guys like it also

Peter

Peter
Greatest looking Model 22 I have seen. Congratulations!

Really….. is this a new direction for your collection Peter?

I'm with Rod….. best looking 22 I have seen.

Back from Bama and glad you received it and like it Peter.
Thanks, Capt. Chris

There hasn't been a #22 posted in quite some time. I wonder if folks don't realize what a complete package this cool knife is. You get:
* Stainless steel blade
* #6 blade grind
* Thumb notches
* Nickel silver single hilt
* Black micarta handle
* Crow's beak duralumin butt cap
* #22 shaped handle
* Model A sheath, in tan
* Lifetime warranty
...."ALL STANDARD"...!!!
One of the best buys in the Randall lineup. Below is an example:
Hope you like it, Capt. Chris

Not fair Capt! Everytime I think I have decided which every day knife I want to get, someone posts a pix of another cool RMK and I become undecided again!

Cap is correct; the 22 comes loaded with standard options. This one's got additional shop ironwood.

Beautiful, Warren - I like ironwood, too

Thanks Peter. Not much to dislike about ironwood. Thanks for the reply.

Great looking blade!

So what are you sayin' you trading out vintage 1's for 22's LOL

My 22, handle looks black in the pictures, but it's actually a dark maroon micarta.

One of my favorite non military knives. Good looking little Randall.

2016 last posting? Really? OK: I just posted this to my website. One of the most over-looked models that will do a ton of stuff for ya'!
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris
* #22-4 5/8"
* Hand forged stainless steel (440B)-Standard!
* #6 blade grind- Standard!
* Thumb notches- Standard!
* Nickel silver single hilt- Standard!
* Micarta handle- Standard! This one's red & blue/ Black is standard
* Red,white & blue spacers
* Duralumin "Crows Beak" butt cap- Standard!
* Model A sheath (tan)- Standard!

You're right Cap, a very overlooked model.

Pap

That red/blue micarta doesn't suck.

My big mistake re: a Model 22.

I had one with the pinned butt cap, "D" on the sheath.

Sent it in for verification and the shop replied that it was a "Nice old Model 22" and sent it back to me.

This was after Pete Hamilton had retired.

Later, Pete went on to write it up in his Blade column, and between that and Gaddis' book I learned about the history including the pinned butt cap and the "D" on the sheath.

However, by then I had sold it, not knowing enough about it until it was too late.

Larry