Knife of the week Buxton fighter!!!!

A big thank you to every one who has joined into these threads and made them a huge success!

Buxton fighter was created in 1996 whenever Mr. Wayne Buxton visited the Randall shop to create his own Dealer Special. The whole ordeal only took ten minutes and the knife design was settled. Mr. Buxton knew what he wanted when he walked in the door. He wanted a fighter in a 6 ½ inch blade with a full tang and a stainless blade. Then Gary Randall said that back in the 60’s they would extend the tang out past the butt and call it a scull crusher well that went over well with Mr. Buxton. Gary Randall next asked what type of hilt do you want and Mr. Buxton said that he liked nickel silver in the #1 style and would like a Border patrol handle style and a bowie clip. So the deal was struck.

Ladies and gentlemen could we please see some Buxton Fighters!!

That's a really nice looking knife Jesse.

Thank you Oldvetnam1

Jesse,
No Buxton Fighters to show just yet but I have two (maybe three, I loose count) due in soon. They will be different than any I have seen.
When they do show up I will post them here.

Here are some more.....

HERES MY ONLY BUXTON
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=101972146

This's mine...



Best
Guido

Here is one of my Buxton Fighters, which has a nickel silver forward curved hilt and red/black micarta single finger grip handle:



I am expecting a standard-configuration one to arrive today, purchased direct from Wayne Buxton.

I visted with Mr. Buxton in his shop for about an hour yesterday.
He is a real mans' man and a quality person. He always has some great Randall lore!

Tom, RE: Wayne Buxton. No surprise about this Texan.
You have probably heard the old quote "Never ask a man if he is from Texas, if he isn't he will be embarrassed, and if he is, he will tell you soon enough!"

OK Brother Jesse! If I can remember/figure out how to post a photo that members don't have to search for, here are some BF's that are a little different. These (SN#'s BF 722 & 723) are in red micarta from Jim Behring, single fingergrip handle with black C sheaths. Oh yeah, they have N/S hilts in Model 14 style. If I only get one picture posted, one can only imagine the other one looks about the same. OK, here goes. Bill.

Jesse, here's other side of the twin Buxton Fighter. This one is SN #723, the first one is SN #722. They are the most identical Randalls I have ever seen. Only after looking at both BFs a while did I detect a little difference in the micarta, and of course, that is expected. Bill.

I received a standard-configuration Buxton Fighter today. It came direct from Wayne, and is #BF 735. I guess that is the number that they're up to now.

Ken, what is your handle material and hilt style? Thanks, Bill.

Standard configuration is a #1-style nickel silver double hilt and border patrol handle made of black micarta.

Ken, I think the #1 hilt is the standard BF and Mr Wayne Buxton told me about two years ago that he would only order black or green micarta. So, I don't know how/where/when a fellow can get the customer supplied micarta deals done but some folks seem to get him to do it. The last one I ordered directly from Wayne was the standard BF with black micarta. Of course, I like it a lot especially since it came from Wayne's place in TEXAS!!

Guido, I really like the deep cut finger grooves. Most I have seen are more shallow.

I just took some quick-and-dirty snapshots of #BF 735:

Black and Beautiful! Very good photos, didn't see any dirt! Thanks Ken, Bill J.

Hi Guido, my origional post was about your pictures of a Buxton Fighter with a red handle. There were two knives in the picture and the bottom one had been cut up kinda because it was not a Buxton. I was just being a smart guy! Sorry. I will send you a few pictures tomorrow of some knives I have in stock now. Thanks for your interest. Also I had gotten you mixed up with Edo Garofoli. He has a few of my knives, and had sent me a picture of him in Monument Valley! Again, sorry for any confusion! Your Goofy friend in America!

I thought I would take this opportunity to share with all of you a little information about this year’s Christmas knife recipient. At this time all I can reveal is that he is a Sgt. Major in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a highly qualified recipient.

This year’s knife will be a Buxton Fighter. The knife will be beautifully embedded by Silver Knife as was last year’s. If it works with everyone’s schedules, Wayne Buxton has graciously given us permission to award this knife in his shop in Garland, Texas. Our own Tom the Bomb will be doing this year’s presentation to our recipient.

Wayne is a great guy and he has helped us on numerous occasions in obtaining knives for servicemen. We are honored by his participation. Thank you so much, Wayne. And thank you to Tom for nominating this year’s recipient and for taking time out this Christmas for the presentation.

I will be posting again, and I’ve heard from several people who would like to join Santa’s Dirty Dozen. If that is still the case, please PM me and let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read this. And thanks again, Wayne, for being such a supporter of our troops.

Kevin

This is great, Kevin. Buxton Fighters are great knives, and you can count on my support again this year. Thanks to Wayne Buxton for helping us out. And thanks to Tom the Bomb.

Rick

Kevin,
Great News!
The Buxton Fighter is a Great Knife for a Warrior as it traces it's roots back to the original exposed tang fighters of the 50's & 60's.
Thanks to Wayne for his support of out Troops.
Thanks to all who participate.Should be Great!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

This is great!!!! Thanks Wayne for being there when it counts!!!
Tom as always thanks for giving the 1 thing ya can't buy.......Time!
Thanks again Kevin for working this out so that we can give back to our Men in Uniform!

Gentlemen & Kevin I thank You!!! I'm in as well!

See Ya, Chief

I'm in. Please let me know what is needed. Thanks for the opportunity. Tom #3081

Here and willing!

Here is a old Buxton Special

Here are two more with black micarta handle.

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Jesse & Peter,

They are all great looking knives. Look perfect to take into places like the sandbox.

Never noticed it before but after looking at Sgt Maj Booker's Buxton sheath it appear that it was designed to be worn right or left handed.

This RKS newsletter article is from the June 1995 RKS newsletter #27. If you are lucky enough to buy one of these from Wayne Buxton the base price is $472.00 for the year 2009.

BUXTON FIGHTER RANDALL DEALER SPECIAL BY KENT HARRISON

These are the knives which are currently offered as DEALER SPECIALS, except one. You will be quick to notice that not all Randall dealers have a special. This leaves us something to look forward to in the future. As projects are completed at the shop, new designs crop up from time to time. Occasionally one of these new projects will evolve into a new dealer special. A perfect example of this is the Buxton Fighter, the most recently released model from the Randall Shop.

The model #14 Attack has become a mainstay in the Randall lineup. The 7-1/2" full tang knife was designed with military usage in mind from the start. After the design was submitted to the military boards, the Air Force requested the same knife, only with a 5-1/2" blade. Although neither knife was adopted as a military issue knife, they both have become enormously popular styles. In years past, when time allowed, a few of these #14 and #15 blades were made in the 6.5" length. When the time came to provide Wayne Buxton, Texas Randall dealer for 20 years, a special, this is the blade that was suggested.

In 1954 when the Model 14 Attack knife was designed and produced, it contained a novel design feature. The full tang extended through the handle and protruded about 1" past the end of the knife. The end was radiused and drilled with a hole for the wrist thong. This feature was intended to allow a pilot to smash his way through a plexiglass canopy. Or it could be used as a "skull crusher" in hand to hand combat. After several years, this feature was dropped, leaving the tang flush with the end of the handle and the thong hole drilled in the micarta handle. This idea has reappeared on the "Buxton Fighter". Another idea used from the Randall bag of options is a "bowie grind" on the clip point of the blade. The top grind on the end of the blade is deeper, giving it the appearance of a Bowie style blade. The actual measured difference between the standard point and the bowie clip point would be very small, but the eye picks up on these small variances and they directly contribute to the appearance of the knife.

So what we have is a special blade forging of a full tang, 6-1/2" #14 blade with bowie clip point and exposed tang extension. The blades will be stainless steel, the hilts will be nickel silver #1 shaped, and the handles will be black micarta Border Patrol. All blades are serial numbered following the initials BF on the opposite side of the blade from the trademark. Sheaths are the standard c-style initialed under the Randall logo with the letters "BS".



This knife isn't going to be remembered as a graceful or beautiful knife. When you hold it in your hands, it doesn't make you yearn for the mountains or head for your fishing pole. This is a warriors' knife. This knife wants to be tied to combat suspenders! It's looking for its place in a high tech Attack Helicopter. At a time when many in this world shim the fact that wars are fought and won with hand held weapons, here's a knife that says "Take me along, you'll need me"!

The knife marked PROTO #1 was retained by Gary for the shop museum. Wayne reserved PROTO #2 and #1 thin 410 for his children and personal use. The first knives to be sold to the public were delivered during the second week of February 1994.

Hey Rhett,

It is definitely a warrior knife. But a Buxton Fighter is at home on my oldest son's hip, when we are in the Northern bush stalking bears. He pairs his up with a #7 4 1/2 stag. The two make a great combo for the Northern bush.

Cheers,

Alan Grombacher
RKS#5531

Thank you for this topic. Here are pictures of my Buxton 181.

Back Side

Hi
I just received this Buxton Fighter on Friday. I am slowly adding to my collection of dealer specials. I didn't have anything in green micarta previously, so here it is.

Peter

A little over a year ago when I ordered the green tenite colored G-10 and jade G-10 gripped knives Mr. Buxton indicated that he no longer accepted customer grip material (CW). Due to the relationship with a mutual friend he relented (one last time).

A beautiful set of Triplets!
Congrats!
Tony

Those are 4 serious looking blades.

Dubie Baxter

Here are a couple more views of my Buxton Fighter (#735) with Black Micarta handle:

I recently call Mr. Buxton to try to get an ironwood Buxton fighter, but no dice. He mentioned that someone had ordered a NS forward curved hilt, model #14 fingergrip in green micarta wood,(872) but wouldn't return his messages when it came in. His loss, my gain. It has very nice deep finger grooves.
I have also include a photo with my other Buxton Fighter (793)

Peter

Nice lookig kniofe Peter. Thanks for sharing.

Nice Buxton Fighter Peter.
Wayne Buxton is a great guy and one of two RMK dealers to step up and help me procure a knife for the Christmas Knife program.
You have a fine knife from a fine man.

Kevin

Kevin
I had a very nice talk to Mr. Buxton on the phone when I inquired about purchasing another one of his dealer specials. We both agreed that if you order a knife and change your mind the courteous thing to do is to inform the dealer rather than ignore his efforts to contact you.
I was lucky to be calling soon after this fine knife became available.
Mr. Buxton, was able to answer my questions and held the knife until my check arrived.

Peter

Peter,
"We both agreed that if you order a knife and change your mind the courteous thing to do is to inform the dealer rather than ignore his efforts to contact you."

AMEN!!
Best, Capt. Chris

...just added this "Buxton Fighter" to my collection...an early one..number BF319.

wow , i aspect this knife. now is in italian customs

congratulation for adding

is arrived!!

Fabio,
... BELLISSIMO!
Nice photo, too.
Tony

realy confortable handle .
thanks Tony
for photo i'm only lucky

Cool fighter & nice pic FABIO...
Remember to post such good pic to the EDO photo contest!
Guido

Bravo Guido!

thanks Guido
i do it!

Everybody,
Here is my very first Buxton Fighter. It has a brown canvas handle which I like alot. I will be on the lookout for more RMK's with brown canvas micarta.

Very nice looking Buxton fighter you got there. And yes, the brown canvas micarta handle does look good!

Dan Snyder
RKS #5537
SHAG #010

Jimmy
Nice Buxton, I like to brown canvas too. I am having a pair of model 10's, a 3" and 5" with brown micarta made, and they should arrive yet this year

Peter

That looks mighty familiar Jimmy. Congratulations on a nice knife.
Best, Capt. Chris

Nice looking knife Jimmy. It would be a good carry piece if you have to go back into Harm's Way.

Jimmy,
A beauty. That brown micarta is cool.
Tony

Great looking knife, Jimmy. The brown micarta looks as sharp as the knife.

Great knife Jimmy!
I love that maroon micarta!!!
Best,

There's my BF. I Think I ' ve never post it before. ..
Best,

Another shot...
Best,

Very nice BF Daniele; thanks for sharing

Never posted this one before (I think). Found it sleeping in a secure place.
This is exactly how it came from the Randall shop a few years ago when I took delivery from Wayne Buxton. Ever see one like this?

Love the handle!

Oh man tooth bomb I love that one. That's a very good looking knife. The brown micarta really stands out in that sunshine.

Back when I ordered it Wayne told me he didn't know if he had ordered any other single guard BF's.
Maybe Dirty Water can tell us if there have been other single guard Buxton Fighters.

I actually think this knife looks better with the single guard. But then again that's why they give us choices.

There have been many made this way, I believe Wayne just received one on his last order...it is not hard to do if you have one and wish for a single hilt, but you would have to have a new opposite keeper sheath...

Scott I guess that's true of any Randall that has a double hilt......right? I mean that you could have it coverted to a single hilt.

Not a 4-6 fighter... at this time...well I guess you could, but you'd have to go to Sullivan's for a replacement sheath, RMK does not offer this right now...

This one was not converted BUT (yes, I know) it was ordered with a single hilt and delivered with a double.
Wayne said he didn't submit the order with a single hilt. He sent it back to the shop at his own expense to get it right.
That shows what kind of man he is. Not that that had to happen for me to know that.
It's been too long, I need to go by for a visit and catch up on some good Randall lore and reminise on some mutal friends, some still here, some gone on.

Regardless of who or why or when or what it still is a very good looking knife.
Ronnie

Tom, a new question for your older post. I was wondering if a BF was available with a single hilt and I came here to this thread to check. In your opinion, with the 14 fingergrips, do you find that you need the thumb notches?

Gary, my BF is a safe queen. I just wanted something unusual to look at when TV gets boring, like now when the Chiefs are kicking the Texans' butts.
So I can't give you a useful answer. Sorry.
BTW, the thumb notches were not on the BF when it originally came with a double guard (of course). They were added when Wayne sent it back to the shop to remove the upper guard , and at no additional cost to me.

I had one with a brown micarta handle just like that, Tom, but it didn't have a single hilt and TNs like that one. Cool looking BF.

Mine doesn't have the a opposite keeper sheath since it originally was delivered with a double guard.

tomthbomb, I didn't mean to copy you, exactly, but you can't tell it from the knife that I just received. The micarta that I chose to put on was brown when I sent it in and was supposed to come back yellow with maroon tips on the fingers. It didn't exactly work that way. I love the way that it looks but it sure looks like I tried to copy you. Sorry.







You can barely see the maroon tips in the last photo if you hold it just right. I don't blame the person that sold it to me or anybody for that matter. It was just different than expected. I like it.

Naw, you got something you weren't expecting, just send it along to me! I like it!

That's good with me. Maybe we can start a trend!

A Buxton Fighter I picked up in a collection I bought recently.
Serial number in early 500's.

Nice no doubts !

Just in from Texas, #1027, CW orange G10 and NS model 18 style hilt.
I have two other Buxton fighters and their exposed tang is more rounded, but I have seen both the more rounded and this more square tang

Peter

A very bad blade IMHO

Posted your pic Antonio.

Mine is just the standard Nickel silver forward curved black micarta border patrol.

#1031. Only 4 digits away from Peters.

Nice version of this model.

Note that by ordering a left-hand sheath for this knife, you can choose to wear it left or right side, the knife will work either way--and on the right-hand side the keeper strap will angle from front to back.

Larry

Some very nice Buxtons posted here.
In this topic some pictures show the serial numbers.
Notice some serial numbers have # and some do not have #
Example BF # 000 and others have BF 000 and BF 0000.
At what number was the number symbol # stopped ?
Thanks for any help with this question
John

Excellent point, Larry.
Nice knives for sure.
Walker

Some very nice Buxtons posted here.
In this topic some pictures show the serial numbers.
Notice some serial numbers have # and some do not have #
Example BF # 000 and others have BF 000 and BF 0000.
At what number was the number symbol # stopped ?
Thanks for any help with this question
John

The recent post got me interested in looking at my knives. I thought I had three Buxton fighters, and found out I only had two. #1107 was a special order, though, spec’d as I wanted.

I am still learning how to add things to this board. Both of the Buxton fighters in my collection have black micarta handles. The special order has a single finger-grip, and a forward curved hilt.

Very nice.
Walker