First, I must admit to being interested in the esoterica of Randall Made Knives. There is not a great deal written as to why Randall chose duralumin for knife butts.

I have done some research on the history of duralumin. From what I can tell it is an aluminum alloy, with about 3% to 4% copper, invented in Germany in the early 1900's. It was also widely used by Goodyear (Ohio) to create the first airships....most notably the "Akron." (Think Hindenburg, for reference.)

I find duralumin's original use on Randall Made Knives to date to about the same time as when the great air ships were being built.

At any rate, it seems the best way to protect your duralumin fitted Randall is wax...

see here- https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc277481/

I truly enjoy the historical side of this fine alloy, and am glad Randall Made is still making knives using it. Perhaps others know more about the history of duralumin, and Randall Made knives?

Best regards,
Mindelsee

interesting thread!!


:-)Rocky

Rule #1 of knife handling: It you drop a knife, don't try to catch it before it hits the ground.

A friend of mine dropped his first new Randall knife. It landed on the duraluminum butt cap. He still stares at the dent with a frown on his face. I told him it gave the knife character.

Send it to the shop for a buff up, it's only a little bit money to fix, and shipping

Thanks Michael. There's no way he's going to put that knife in a box and ship it off.

While this is not a Randall Made knife, it does help tell the story,...

A duralumin letter opener,..