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