Just received two older knives, a Model 4 blade measures 5 1/8 to the tip and a Model 15CDT. These are not vintage as you can tell by the sheaths. Everything I have read states they should be 1/4". Measured at the flat spot on the choil they both measure 3/16 exactly. I guess this could be a question or a statement. Just curious.

We start with steel measured at a little over 1/4" stock...but after 3-4 shapings and just as many sandings and polishings it may be a touch under...

1/16th seems excessive for these model examples promoted as 1/4". I would not want a 1/8" Model 4 1/2 as a comparison. Was just surprised to get two at the same time. Thought it may be a process change. Thanks for the response.

Hand forged, hand shaped, hands ground, hand final shaped, hand sanded, hand 1st polished, hand 2nd polished, hand 3rd polished and then bear-texed twice before shipped....doesn't seem that excessive to a steel that "may" arrive at 1/4" to begin with...

And they are "promoted" as 1/4" STOCK...

Not to be dis-respectful, but your end result should be what the catalog says your buying or say +/-. Using the Model 4 as an example the 4.5" is to be 3/16 and the 5" to be 1/4 with a price difference. So you would buy the size that fits the function you plan to perform. I am not trying to bash the product as I am amazed at the quality, fit and finish of the Randall knife. Just having a conversation. Please do not take it the wrong way!

If you want to see really misleading marketing...try buying a "quart" or a "half gallon" of ice cream! Or similar products. I think there is one brand of ice cream that is true to the traditional measure of volume.

As for steel, the shop "could" send along some of the floor sweepings to make sure that the customer got the full value of the 1/4-inch stock that they started with to make the knife.

The finished product is what counts, not what is left on the shop floor.

Just my two cents...

Larry

Try buying a real 2X4, not out there anymore.

Pap

Came across this article right after the above post here. It is happening "everywhere."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...ting-costs.html

no "Shrinkflation" at Randall....been making them the same way since....you can fill in the blank here....
It came to me....if you want a thicker blade, try the Smithsonian!!
as for advertising....no misleading info from the shop...1/4" stock is just that...1/4" stock....nowhere has anyone been lead to believe that the blade is 1/4"....SO...in an effort to add nothing to this, I'd just say "I have no idea where or how anyone could get a 1/4" hand made blade from 1/4" inch stock"...I'm just say'n....
since it's ALL hand made there is no way to advertise an exact blade width....they are all different
:-)Rocky

How this came up in the first place: I was trying to buy the 15CDT and the seller whom I had bought from before, said he also had an older Model 4-5 he was thinking about selling at this price. The sheath said 4-5 and the knife picture was blurred. I made the deal based on a 4-5 afterwards hoping it was not a 4-4.5 in a 5 inch sheath because of price difference. Since my focus was on the 15CDT I did not ask any questions. I had no need for the Model 4, but I like the 1/4" blade weight. After making the deal I kept looking at the picture thinking the knife looks awful small. Opening the package I immediately measured the blade length, which was 5 1/8". However, it was not a 1/4" blade, but exactly 3/16". No finger pointing at anyone or regret. I love the knife, just not what I had expected. Same for the 15CDT. Life is good!