Knife of the week The Gambler !!!

Well........PERRY!
You tell me? You're the only guy checking me out that close! (Now "that's" disturbing!)
By the way: That's why I put an outrageous Randall knife on my belt. Now "that" folks can still see...at least for now.
Best, Capt. Chris

A couple more shots of my Gambler:

This 5" Gambler is another knife from this years Blade Show. It took a small detour so I haven't had the opportunity to post it until now. This stainless Gambler is really nice. It has a pure silver hilt and smooth collar and of course an ivory handle. It does have a hairline check but it appears to be stable. Pretty cool package and very different from anything else in my collection.

Best,
Warren

I just got this beautiful large Gambler from Perry. I saw his post and the wood got me right away. It is stabilized box elder burl. I have a small one also, and this new one seems much bigger than my other one. This is another highlight of my collection.

Peter

Peter,
That's a beauty, for sure!
Tony

I saw the larger Gambler at the Randall Shop only last week and mistook it for a combat companion,it really is a deceptively beefy blade with fantastic grind lines.

I really like the wood on that Gambler. Nice.

Here they are together, Neale.
-Steve

Great photo Steve,I can see why now I was confused ,they are kinda similar,before having the large Gambler in hand I had no idea it was such a substansial blade,its now on my "must have" list.

When I designed the Gambler back in the early 1980s my thought was a symmetrical blade profile along the lines of a model #2 or model #24 but with a top false edge. Each one is, of course, made by hand and each one is different.
Occasionally the false edge can have a more angular profile rather than the rounded, symmetrical point. You can see variations in the four large Gamblers below. The handle materials from left to right are Snakewood, Stag, Koa and Ivory.

Great looking knives Rick. That snakewood really just jumped off the page.

Here is my newest and it is great!

Purty!!

Real Purty !!!

Those red spacers will be banned in California.

Dubie Baxter

Very nice Gambler Jesse
I currently have one large and one small with another small coming in a year or so

Peter

Thank you everyone! This is one cool little knife.
I wish all musk ox looked this nice.
Thank you,
Jesse

This small Gambler arrived today, custom ironwood, with black and brass spacers and a black sheath. Pretty classy if I do say so myself. The box in one of the pictures is African Palm Leaf Sapele for you wood guys.

Peter

Peter-

That's about the nicest Gambler that I have seen. It's a real beauty. Spot on ya!!

Pap

OOOOOOooooooooo! That's nice!

Peter

The wood is exquisite. A knife that beautiful belongs in, in, in the Smithsonian OR my collection.
Congratulations.

That's a beautiful piece of ironwood Peter and a great looking knife.

Excellent photos, Peter! It is another fine example that demonstrates how well brass furniture (including spacers) goes with Ironwood.

Beautiful!! Got to add a Gambler to my collection, fo sho!!

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony

Here's a large Gambler with a matching Skinner in black micarta. The Sig is a 229 in .40 S&W.

I don`t believe I`ve ever seen one of your skinners with a reduced hilt.

They do match up real purty though, don't they?

I gotta get a knife soon!!! Its been almost a year and I am overdue..

.40 cal.

<snicker>

Bello!

Here is my new small Gambler with aluminum and black spacers, nickel silver hilt and domed butt cap with Leopard Lace wood.
I really like Gamblers and cool wood.

Peter

This one just arrived, I hadn't expected it until next year, but I was most pleasantly surprised.
Small Gambler, nickel silver hilt and collar, rounded nickel silver butt, elephant ivory with some color on the back (perfect ivory at the moment) and black sheath.
The shop did another incredible job on this one, thanks guys

Peter

Now that IS a pretty Gambler!

Very cool Gambler, Peter and nice pics.

Pap

Thanks Wally and Pap
I had wanted one configured like that for some time and wasn't expecting it for a while yet, as dealers have less slots for exotic handle material. I was keeping my fingers crossed that it wouldn't crack while it was being made as I think the collar and butt cap put more stress on the ivory.

Peter

I dunno Peter... that is an exceptional gambler but you don't want to take chances with your reputation as "Ironwood King"...

better let one of us other members keep it for you, just to be safe

Peter

The Leopard Lacewood is excellent. Very unique to see the way the lines of the grain show up.

That is a keeper!!


Rod

Peter,
Fantastic Gamblers!

Beautiful.
I LOVE Gamblers!

I just received this large Gambler with ironwood. It has a nickel silver hilt, aluminum and black spacers, concave handle and domed aluminum butt cap.

I really like Gamblers and ironwood ones even more

Peter

Very nice Gambler Peter. I presently do not own an ironwood handled Randall. Thats going to need changing.

Another great piece of ironwoo Peter. Do you supply it or is it from the shop?

Ya killing me with this gorgeous Iron Wood!
Excellent looking Gambler!
Tony

Outstanding IW and great shot of the blade, shaded properly to show those terrific lines!
Best, Capt. Chris

when did randall start making the gamblers. i have two of them

If I recall, it was the early 1980's. But Mr. Bowles, the designer, will surely give you a more accurate date.

The Randall catalog only seems to mention a 4" Gambler. This thread shows "mini" and "regular" Gamblers. What is the 4" one considered and is that the only one available these days?

Chris
The two Gamblers are available, the small is 4 inch and large 5 inch. Small is only stainless steel, large is standard in tool steel and optional stainless steel.
If you go here on the Randall web site you can see that they offer both.
http://www.randallknives.com/nonCat3.php
You may want to talk to a dealer to find out what options are available and standard.
Peter

Information I have recieved from a large dealer seems to indicate that the gambler comes standard with a stacked leather handle, did I get this right? I have never seen one and none seem to be posted here. Is there any out there? Pictures? Thanks

Carbon / leather are standard. All other handles are available.
Best, Capt. Chris

I just received this large Gambler yesterday, and I think it is pretty classy. It sports a stainless blade, nickel silver collar, Ivorite handle, solid nickel silver butt cap and a black left hand sheath. The nickel silver butt gives it quite a nice heft.

My other Gamblers decided to pose with their new brother also. You can see I am fond of this model

Peter

That's a very classy addition to your other Gamblers.

Peter, Great collection. I see you have enough to carry one for every day of the week.

Wooooo. That's a nice family right there Peter! Does anyone here carry one of these on a daily basis?

Great set of Gambler's there Peter. You are now ready to gamble......but not in Utah.

Pap

Peter!
Never figured you for a Gambler!!!!!!
Very nice collection! The new ivorite looks great!
Tony

Somewhat Gambler related, Rick Bowles had some extra custom large Gambler sheaths available, so I added to my sheath collection. They are quite classy and work for leftys as well as rightys

Peter

This 5 inch Gambler just arrived today from Capt. Chris.
It isn't ironwood, but I think it is particularly classy and uncommon with musk ox and nickel silver hardware.

I will try to dig out all of my other Gamblers and do a current group photo.

Peter

Here are the group photos of my Gambler collection

For the large Gamblers, top to bottom, Ironwood, Stabilized Box Elder Burl, Ivorite, and Musk Ox.
For the small Gamblers, top to bottom Ironwood, Ironwood, Leopard Lace, Fossil Walrus Ivory and Elephant Ivory.

It was hard to fit all in one photo.

Peter

Peter,

Nice bunch of Gamblers.

Alan Grombacher
RKS #5531

Peter, your gamblers are are realy awesome. Thank's for posting them

Great collection!

A couple of new Gamblers...






And an older one...




Rob

Rob
Very nice pair of Gamblers,from someone who really likes them
I don't recall seeing many if any with a wrist thong.

Peter

Thanks Peter, I've been admiring your collection, absolutely superb!

Rob

Wow Rob ... I really like the way a Gambler looks with a wood handle!!!
NICE!

Peter, you are killin' me with those Gamblers. I don't have one yet.......Cap are you there??

Pap

Thanks Tony, got the urge looking at Peter's...

Rob

Very nice Gamblers!

PETER & ROB....you'R...KILLERS...!

I'm crying...
Nice collections! WOW!

I am not able to view the photos??
Capt. Chris
PS: RickT...Help me!!

Posterity Post:

Big Gambler, Little Gambler and Matching Skinner

Back Side:

Close Up (Back):

All Nickel Silver.

Redwood Pin Burl.

Laser Engraved.

Real nice triple play Doug!!!!!!

Nice wood.

I'm quite new to the Gamblers... but already love them!

The black micarta gives that Gambler a real serious look.
NICE!

Just stuck this one on my website. Hope ya' like it.
Best, Capt. Chris

Wow what a colorful handle. I like that wood.

Posterity Post:

5 Inch Gambler

SS, Brass Hilt, Brass Scalloped Collar, Shop Ironwood, Finger Grips, Brass Scalloped Coolie Cap

Dr Doug, That is the nicest Gambler I have ever seen, great combination of options,

Soon I hope to get it. I apologize for the bad photos. What do you think, what kind of wood on the handle?

Just a guess, ebony?

Looks like you're right!

I was looking for pictures on the internet
according words "Randall" and "ebony" and found:
http://www.youwantit2.com/RANDALL15SSEBONY.html
Color handle and texture wood.


It all fits.
This ebony.
Thank you!

It "also" appears to be shop-supplied rosewood, considering the graininess of it. Ebony is usually smoother. Good luck with it, regardless.
Best, Capt. Chris

Thank you, Capt. Chris

I just received a New knife from Rick Bowless, its a Small Gambler with redwood handle and a compass, its really cool.

another picture.....

Very Nice
I haven't seen one before with a compass. I have quite a few myself of both the big and little.

Peter

Great knife Rolf.

Question regarding the small Gambler domed butt cap.

For those of you that have brass or nickel silver ones, do you find it makes the knife too heavy at that end?

I've seen duralumin butt caps as well and was wondering about how the different weights affect the balance on such a small knife.

Thanks.

I have several Small Gamblers. The "2" I carry are shown below. One is ivory with a domed duralumin butt cap. The other has fossil walrus/ Indian artifact (fire starter) and fine silver.
I would never put nickel silver or brass butt caps on this model as they become way too butt-heavy for me.
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris
PS: Interestingly, the ivory knife is also slab-sided!...CCS

Those two Gamblers are sweet Cap. specally the one w/ the fire starter hole.

Cliff Lacey
RKS-23
RKCC- CM26

I prefer no butt caps on my Gambler/Guardians.
- - -Buckspen

Does anyone have a picture of a Gambler in the "standard" configuration -- "concave leather handle with duralumin butt cap-domed"? It's not that I would necessarily want one in that configuration (actually trying now to figure out what configuration I want to get), it's mainly that I'm having a hard time picturing in my head what it would look like (catalog shows walnut with no cap). I have looked through all of the pics in this thread (yes, it's been a slow day in the office today) and didn't see any Gambler in leather. Thanks.

Jim E.

I don't think I've ever seen a gambler with a leather handle. Might look kind of strange if they had to put a nut on the buttcap.

Only the "Large" Gambler is available in leather. Not many calls for the large one, let alone in leather.
Buckspen: I love your Small Gamblers. I own a few...and some have butt caps. Ordering a full tang Small Gambler was (almost) unheard of in the past. I like 'em both ways but you'll be hard-pressed to find older ones with the full tang.
Best, Capt. Chris

What a nice group! I really like those yellow handles - still haven't found one

Concerning the butt caps: Don't these small knives get too much weight on the handle with a butt cap with the balance turning it "handle heavy" ??

Pat,
Steve Zimmerman has on his site.....

Gambler

Peter,
My ivory knife, pictured above with the "thin & domed" duralumin butt cap, is perfectly weighted.
Best, Capt. Chris

Thanks Capt. Chris - it looks perfect as well!

Hi Buckspen-

I have the big brother.

Wow! I like that one. A lot! What is the overall length of that knife?

And thanks for the photos of the other knives (#16 and #8) in other threads. The pale micarta on the #8 is particularly nice.

- - - Buckspen

Thanks Buckspen.....it is exactly 9 1/2".

I'm a big fan of all the yellow stuff.

Me, too!

- - -Buckspen

New Gambler from the shop sale
5 inch ss, ns hilt shop walnut this is my 10th Gambler, I must like them
Peter

I don't have any, but one like that sure would start a collection. Nice get, Peter.

Arrived yesterday, my first Gambler with finger grips. It fits my hand better than I thought it would.

5" NS hilt, aluminum spacers, black micarta, finger grips, duralumin butt cap.

Something different, there Eric. Very cool.

I must admit, the Gambler has never appealed to me, but this rig caught my eye. Well done.

Eric
Very nice, I would not have thought of a configuration like that.

Peter

It definitely does NOT suck!

Thanks guys, I really enjoy the finger grip RMK's. Both the single and full examples. The Model 15 is my favorite RMK model, so that may explain the finger grip allure. Anyways......next.

Ditto. Very cool!

Same here, very different and really nice setup.

Pap

Eric

I, like others, have not thought about the Gambler, or have owned one.
Yours is a great looking knife.

Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I can't remember ever seeing a Gambler with finger grips. You get an ergonomic advantage and a killer look.

Thank you Ron, The FG handle is the reason I bought this one. Gary Clinton put it together, I just bought it.

Skeetdoc posted a pic of a FG Gambler, an absolute Beauty on page 10 of this thread.

You're welcome, Eric. I was right: I wasn't paying attention

....Neither was I Ron. Great looking combo!
Best, Capt. Chris

I've been carrying this one a little over a year.

A year....time to sell it to me, my turn to carry it Lol!
Nice knife! So give up the particulars on it, handle material & who engraved it?

Not adult enough for you Chief. Better send it my way where it will be happy with the little blades LOL.

Mr. Bowles put the order in for me. If I recall correctly, it is redwood pin burl. I didn't pick the wood; I just told him I wanted a nice piece of wood that was medium to darkish in color with some character.

Paul Markow from Alabama did the engraving. And he did it in like 3 days. I think I had the knife back from the time I dropped it in the mail in something like 10 days or maybe even less.

I told him I just wanted some American styled scrollwork and let him go with it. The only request I made was to incorporate the pin in the butt into the engraving so it sort of disappears. Which I'm extremely happy with what he did. To me, that pin really takes away from the look of the knife so I'm thrilled that he made it sort of part of the engraving rather than work around it and leave it standing out.

I've never had anything engraved so I didn't really know the terminology or what exactly I wanted. He did a fantastic job of walking me through it. I like engraved shotguns so I wanted something that looked classic like that. He was really good at teaching me what I was actually looking for. The engraving is really deep too, which I like a lot.

It's the only Randall I have my name on

Well you mapped out a winner, Great job!!!

That's a nice setup, you did well.

Well, today I got my first Gambler
Many thanks to Gary Clinton, everything was very fast.
This was the first time I encountered an iron tree Verawood



It has an interesting smell, similar to spruce and sandalwood at the same time.
The guys from the store are just great, great work!

https://youtu.be/RpjBVt1eAWY

While it's not one off my favorite Blades.....My first Gambler.
Thanks Agin to Tune.

The gambler always reminds me of the movie Tombstone, especially in this configuration. I like it!

LOL Let's have a spelling contest.
Trying to think of a good scrim for this one....I love the ivory no checks!

A western theme with crossing Colt SAA and an American eagle and/or flag in the background? I have a tattoo that is made like that. I went to a good shop in Orlando when I visited America for the first time.

Or you could do something with the gambler theme? Russian roulette scrimshawed, LOL

Something like this would be nice, as a matter of fact it is perfect!

i'm your huckleberry Chief

Mudbone and the Huckleberry.

Haha, oh yeah that looks Great!!

I like it Aces & eights Wild Bill's last hand!
Great set up Warren.

Would make a great scrimshaw...

Another piece to the Huckleberry story.

Real nice description of your knife and sheath.

A while ago I was looking for the meaning of the word "daisy" in relation to the movie.
I found this explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gc1ecVy9aI
I also found this explanation for "i'm your huckleberry". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHdeCqEhdvQ

Warren,

Great 'Huckleberry' sheath by Mudbone and story, thanks!

Tom Flynn

Here is a new, rather spontaneous acquisition. It should be here next week.
What do you think?

Love it Litch

Here are some better pics

Definitely off the charts nice.

Oh man!
What a nice Gambler, Peter! I like it more and more .....

Nice wood
Did you Gamble?
Sharpi

Nope. More like marked cards

By the way, what is that wood? I may have to copy cat you on that knife. I don't have a gambler ... yet.

Desert Ironwood

I just received this large Gambler today, and I had Gary Clinton and the shop configure it in a less common way. I am really happy with how it turned out, the shop guys did great. The ironwood has some great figure too

Large Gambler, Stainless Steel, Brass single hilt (not reduced) brass and black spacers, shop ironwood, border patrol handle shape and wrist thong.

Peter

Peter,

Love it! Great Ironwood Gambler, well done.

Tom Flynn

Peter,
Great Gambler..."but"...you forgot to mention it also has "thumb notches"! Nice choice...and Yes: I know TN are std...
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris

Peter
Nicest Gambler I have ever seen. I don't have one, but it has me thinking.

Pap

Outstanding!!!!!

Dennis

Great piece of ironwood.....yours or shop?
Great set up.

Thanks guys

It is shop ironwood, they picked a nice piece for me

I now have at least 11 Gamblers of both sizes

Peter

Really Beautiful Gambler! Fantastic wood!

Peter that is a great piece of Ironwood really nice knife, Litch's is also a really nice piece.

Peter,

One of the nicest Gamblers I've seen!

Tony

Really nice gambler !!!

Nice Kimber 1911 too !!!

Need a group photo Boss!

New to me GAMBLER
Before and after polish job
** Any guess on age would be appreciated **
There is no sheath.....thx

Looks like one I made for a customer (not necessarily a collector) last year! Shop-supplied maple brass & red spacers and a rounded (domed) thin butt cap...NICE!
Capt. Chris

Thanks Captain.....I hope it was someone famous !!

my newest.....alot heavier than the 4 in.

the second one just arrived

Rutrow,
Great knives. Which balances better? The one with the butt cap or without?
I like the look of the butt cap better.

Neat knife I always liked the Gambler but I don't like the bulbous butt on the standard grip. Those look great!

A pair of Gamblers, 5" & 4" I received back in April in a collection. Stainless steel, brass & red spacers, & redwood burl handles on each.

they feel about the same, the real difference is between these and the 4 in I have (the weight)......might make you limp if in your boot !!....my 4 in is a couple of posts up

Buck Buchanan - thats a NICE SET

Small Gambler NS with Ironwood

Peter,
"Small Gambler"? In "CARBON"??
Capt. Chris

That's what the stamp says. I never tested it.
Instead I traded it away...