Need advice

This knife came to me when my father passed. I'm not sure how to clean it up.
Should I sent it to Randall and ask them to polish and sharpen it?
Anyone recognize the handle? Is that something Randall offered in the '70s?
[img:center]https://freeimage.host/i/dqaCwG[/img]

That’s a Model 18 and the handle was wrapped probably by your dad. The shop could clean that up for you. The sheath is another issue. It looks to be shot. A good cleaning wouldn’t hurt it any however.

Was your father in the military and could have carried it overseas? Was there any survival kit inside the handle and or a compass under the buttcapp that screws off?

Yes, he was special forces at the end of Nam.
The knife is in such bad shape because he had it strapped to the hull of his kayak on a trip from Colorado to Key West. Much of that trip was in saltwater.

It is a hollow handle, but I can't get the cap off, and don't want to damage the knife by forcing it.

If it were mine, I would leave it as is. The condition is part of your father's story.

Wipe it down with some wd40 or such to get the surface grime of and prevent further corrosion.

Treat the sheath with some good leather conditioner.

Again, if it were mine.

I agree with Mitchell. Keep it as part of his "Legacy"! Then go buy yourself one or 2 more!!!!!

0000 steel wool and some oil

Before and after pics too, please. A lubricant may loosen the cap as well, to make the contents visible. A serviceman would have had something in there!

The product "Break Free" applied where the cap meets the tube and leave it alone, point down for a week. Re-apply and open the cap with a "strap wrench"...nothing else. That should work (if anything is gonna')
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Thinking it would be nice if it is full of gold coins...that would make it worthwhile to open it.

Or maybe something of a memento from his Dad.

Larry

I bought one, one time that had vial of Morphine tablets in it....from the Vietnam war....glass with a cork stopper...
I always wanted to take some...never did....passed it along, when I sold it....

:-)Rocky

I always use KANO kroil, or PB Blaster on things that refuse to loosen up.

Ditto on these two, both are excellent choices..

We used to use PB Blaster, but get better results from, Sea Foam Deep Creep.

I would give the sheath a gentle scrub with baby shampoo and warm water. Let is fully air dry then rub in some layers of Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP Leather Conditioner Natural Oil Beeswax Formula.

Cool knife, good luck with the restoration.

I am new to the forum. I collected World War II military knives, SOG knives and Vietnam Randalls in the early 1980s to the early 90s. As I am not an active collector any longer I am considering selling my knives. Can anyone direct me to a national auction that specializes in edged weapons or give other advice on how to find the value of these knives as well as how to sell them? Thanks

I am sure you will receive other suggestions, but Duke McCaa and I will pay top dollar for your collection. This includes firearms and non Randall items. We will travel to you to close the deal. If you would like to contact me, my cell is 205-937-7910. link to our website is below.

We have references from previous large transactions we will be glad to provide.

Thank you,

Mitchell Harrison - 205-937-7910

If you run across a Model 1 with a stag handle and Michael R. Allen etched on the blade, let me know.

Pap

You won't find a better pair of people than Mitchell & Duke.

You could try to sell them here or on eBay
Believe me, if they are WW II everybody will want them.
Watch on eBay how many they are selling for.

I buy collections and have my own online estate website as well.

Since they will not allow me to include my website info on here, my cell number is (352) 584-6695 Bill Severance