As many issue knives as i saw die in the field, as many older knives as you can see in any listing of old issue knives, and those knives and sheaths were treated to resist rot, and them having tattered rotted sheaths, and chunks of handle missing, you cannot simply put it off on poor maintenance...and Randalls are no different...and i imagine quite a few Randalls died in the field too and are non-extant, having personal experience in what amphibious operations and jungle heat and humidity does to gear...if it were simply a matter of maintenance, everyone would still be using a kabar and the SEALS would be using a leather sheath....since Korea and beyond, knives such as the 14/15/16 are used more for a reason, and stainless so popular as soon as available, and today, Kydex for sheaths....as Vickers accurately stated on this very forum, sheaths are like tires on a car...
http://www.knifetalkforums.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=7431&Number=78764#Post78764