In summary, I have provided both a cogent visual display and light commentary about Heiser/HKL brown button sheaths and Johnson brown button sheaths during the 1962 transition period between the two manufacturers. While there is overlap and sheaths from both manufacturers were available simultaneously for a period, the distinctions between Heiser based HKL brown button sheaths and Johnson brown button sheaths are readily evident.

Some popular models of HKL sheaths were used up quickly like model 1 and model 3 sheaths, the two most popular at that time, while less popular models languished. Thus you would expect to see more Johnson brown button sheaths of those model versus Johnson brown sheaths of other models. It is not coincidence that many of the sheaths used as photo examples in this thread happen to be those two models.

Johnson baby dot sheaths are included at the tail end of the transition period and are ancillary to the discussion, as the transition from HKL to Johnson had for the most part already taken place by the time Johnson introduced the baby dot snap. The list below is how I see the Hesier/HKL and Johnson transition went down in a somewhat chronological order.


1)H. H. Hesier ceased to exist under that name in 1958 after the second buyout in a decade.

2)Heiser-Keyston-Lichtenberger (HKL) was the new company

3)Bo Randall was looking for a local sheath maker

4)Jimmy Stockman made a small number of sheaths from around 1958-59 to 1961-62.

4)HKL sheaths are stamped with the RMK logo beginning probably in 1960 and maybe earlier

5)First RMK stamps on HKL sheaths are horizontal in orientation same as Heiser

6}No sheaths are logo stamped in the Randall shop - ever

7)HKL uses serif number stamps same as H.H. Heiser

8)Second RMK stamps on HKL sheaths are predominately ‘R’ up (west)

9)No Stockman sheaths to date exhibit an RMK stamp.

10)Gary Randall “finds” Maurice Johnson in the spring/summer of 1962 upon graduating from college.

11)Last shipment of HKL sheath arrives in the shop in 1962

12)Johnson uses examples of HKL sheaths as a guide to make his sheaths.

13)Johnson has dies made for his sheaths

14)Johnson is up to full production in approximately 6 months

15)Initial Johnson RMK stamp orientation is ‘R’ up (west) same as HKL

16)Johnson uses center snap location same as HKL

17)Johnson use serif model/length stamps same as HKL

18)Johnson changes keeper snap location to edge of sheath

19)Johnson switches to baby dot snap late 62 early 63

20)Johnson second RMK stamp orientation is ‘R’ down (east)

21)Johnson uses “modern” model/length stamps at first intermittently.

22)Johnson sometimes uses no model/length stamp, sometimes length only, sometimes model only, and sometimes both.