Thanks to all who have participated thus far. This week we'll be looking at some Model 16 Diver's. I know we have several members who are divers, and if they have a Randall Model 16 Diver's Knife, hopefully they will share pictures and stories with us.

From Randall Made Knives: The History of the Man and the Blades by Robert L. Gaddis, pp. 162-163

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The new year of 1958 ushered in another new style of Randall Made knife, the number 16 Diver's Knife. The first of these was made for a man who was as well known in writing circles as Bo was with knife aficionados, James Jones, the author of such best-seller action novels as From Here to Eternity, Some Came Running, and The Thin Red Line.

Most of the correspondence with James Jones has yet to be found, but we do have the original shop sketch for the first hand-forged Model 16s....

The notations on the drawing of "Heaviest Possible Bevel-like Solingen Made" and "(Should be able to get 1 1/4" here, out of 1" stock--using care)" were Bo's instructions to the man who had to hand-forge these first blades. He wanted this new knife style to be able to withstand severe use, knowing well that a diver will put his knife to tasks it was never intended for. The reference to "like Solingen Made" when describing the bevel angle referred to those on the German-made blades for his lower priced Model 14 and 15 styles....

The handle shown in the shop drawing is a molded, green Tenite one for the then current Model 15, but the hilt is most unusual. We can only assume that the first few knives had this strange, foreshortened style of hilt with almost no lower extension. All later knives, including the one first pictured in the twelfth printing of the catalog, have a conventionally shaped lower extension, similar to those found on the Models 3 and 4..,.

The Diver's Knife first appeared in the twelfth printing of the Randall catalog. It was illustrated by a heavily retouched photo and described as "DIVER'S KNIFE--7" blade of 1/4" stainless steel stock. Top cutting edge sharpened. 3 7/8" green Tenite handle, same as on Models 14 and 15. (Other handles and extra features not available.) Designed especially for heavy duty saltwater use. Nickel silver hilt. Wrist thong included. Comes with special oil-tanned sheath (similar to Model B sheath) equipped with keeper thong, arm and leg thongs. (Wt. 14 oz.)"

...Micarta handles were advertised as an option starting in March 1965, but we have already noted earlier ones being ordered with such handles. By early 1967, the Micarta handle was standard. By the spring of 1967, the wax-impregnated sheath had become standard as well, and sawteeth on top of the blade were an option.

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Lady and gentlemen, may we please see some Diver's Knives.
Kevin