The knife you purchased was in rough shape and probably would not have sold to any "collector". A kid would not have the money to buy the knife so it would have set on the sellers shelf or in the seller's fishing box/tool box for a few more years.

This way a Randall knife was put into service again (with personal modifications) as a "user" which Bo intended all of his knives to be at one time, I believe.

Great Job, Joe. Every knife you customize, your efforts will get better and better.

Tom V.