A Tale of Two Skinners

The "after" photo has already been shown in the photo section but here's the "rest of the story". A "Tale Of 2 Skinners"...if you will.
Tanasie hit the nail on the head when he told James Behring that he could..."make a KaBar look good"! No joke. Not that this knife looked bad, it just had (shall we say) "issues".
For one thing, it was too "tip heavy"...too "tip blunt-n-rounded" to make a working skinner for my applications. I love the old "Woodcraft" and "Green River" blade designs. I wanted a heavy knife that would serve both purposes the above-mentioned knives would perform.
Enter James Behring and his talents to, not only forge a great knife...but also to "listen". I gave James 100% complete artistic license on this project. I am over-whelmed with the outcome! See for yourself. Here's the Randall skinner in what I title "Pre Kit Form".
I got this knife from fellow forum member and RKCC charter member, Mike Mason. He was not happy with it either. He just didn't think to commision the services of one James Behring and Behring Made Knives of Missoula, Montana. Enjoy the photos Mike...and ya' ain't gettin' it back!
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's a couple of shots of the "after". I'll post a couple more and point out some of the subtle custom features.
Best, Capt. Chris

Blade shape is absolutely perfect! Look at Green River and Woodcraft blades. Enough belly to do any type of skinning and enough point to cut around the anas and open the critter up with no problems! The "soft" finger choil and subtle thumb notches? Just check 'em out!...Nuff said about that!. The horsehide spacers, along with outstanding amber stag are the perfect compliment for a purposeful handle. In keeping with my "Quad C's", James gave me copper hardware-n-pins!
Best, Capt. Chris

...and finally: Yes Mike (Pappy)...it has a killer "POUCH" sheath by Mosher! Catail leather-n-rivets. Everything is right where you'd want them! Thanks for the great knife, Behring gang. (I'll post the "2nd" in the Tale of Two Skinners later on)
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

That's a definate WOW in every respect, including the pouch sheath. But the main WOW is what James did with the Bowles Special; I love it.

Pap

Taking into account that this is a discussion forum and wanting to say up front I am not trying to stir up trouble,I struggle to see the point of this particular collaboration.Take a perfectly good RMK,reforge it,re grind it and re handle it,why not just have James complete a commission to your design from start to finish ?. Or am I missing something altogether ?.

Neale,
The purpose of this project was to aid me in a possible dealer design, more to my liking, that was not one of the fine designs already available from Behring Made Knives. James also had the opportunity to work with Randall's stainless, which I am hopeful aided him in deciding which type of stainless to pursue for his future projects. That's it...nothing more...nothing less. If you aren't happy with a particuler knife...why not?
Good to hear from you Neale. Jason and I were just saying how we missed seeing you 2 this year.
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's the "Part 2" of the "Tale of Two Skinners". I bought this knife, right off of this forum, from fellow forum member and RKCC charter member Dan Snyder. I bought this knife because of the old "Fla" small stamp. This was the blade stamp used "prior" to the re-order, which came in with the "Fl" abbreviation.
Best, Capt. Chris

The blade was skuffed and "experienced" and the perfect candidate for a "Kit" type of project. Here's the finished product...and it feels and fits perfect!
Thanks James-n-Crew.
Best, Capt. Chris

...and yes, Pappy, the pouch sheath wears and works quite well.
Best, Capt. Chris

Neale,
You have brought up some valid points in your post. Some were my thoughts exactly (why redo a perfectly good RMK), and my other thought was "I wished I had thought of that first", when I made the trade with him.

If you hang around the Capt. long enough you know that his mind is running 90 to nothing with knife ideas. It is a constant for him. This was a way for him to take an RMK and see what could be done with it.

I think James has done a remarkable job in the transformation of the knife. I believe it's current shape would be much more user friendly. I like the looks of the Green River design Bowles knife, but it's shape in actual use seems so limited. And no, I have never put a Bowles knife to work. These are strictly my thoughts only.

I don't believe you missed anything about the Capt's. post.

I really like Jim and James knives,I have a couple in my collection,I really like that second re handled model 4 with the original RMK blade shape and grind retained,together they make a super looking package.
Chris,Jo and I will be back in the states in early October,we'll be sure to drop by and say hi again .

Let's go fishin'!!
See ya' soon, Capt. Chris

Outstanding!
Both knives look really awesome!

Hey Team,

Behring Made + the Captain = outside the box blade creativity paired with superb handle material! I'm a fan and really enjoy both of the kit knives. Job well done guys!

Jay

BTTT

Mike,
Great idea! I just took some pics of a project I have been toying around with. Maybe we can all work on this. Pictured below (just shot today) are a pair of "quite" old RMK's. The #5-6" is a decade older than the #4-6" (Early-mid 1940's) for the #5. Korean War vintage for the #4.
As cool as those dates are, these guys still need some love. They have been used and abused...and (really) are not extremely collectible or valuable. How about a makeover? What do ya'll think?
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

Sounds like a good idea.

Cool project!

Now we're talkin'!!

Cap,

It's your fault now, I may be adding a Model 11 to the mix. I know you know what I'm talking about.