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.
Thanks Tom,....but I think I'm done for awhile!
Part of the reason I waited a few weeks after getting a price reduction offer to $425 WAS because I still felt it was a bit high. (I initially offered $365.00 including shipping). As you,....I didn't think collectors would be interested in it in that condition, as it was WELL used. And I thought the blade edge had been brought up quite a bit also so it really wasn't a model 20 anymore either. It arrived "butter knife" dull, by the way.
Anyway,.....I let a month go by and again contacted the owner with a little higher offer of $400.00, put he passed again. Two weeks later I decided that for $25 difference I wouldn't let it go after all.
This is still higher than a NEW one runs ($370.00 as I recall), but it wouldn't have the straight Randall Made stamp, even "if" I requested it.
I'm glad I bought it after all, as it now has some features that are important for my intended use. Someday I'll pass it on to my son, who I hope will appreciate it for the part that "dad" incorporated in it's present state. For sure he will get a funny look when some look it over!
The handle is still tight and solid, but I will give it a little protection with some Brooks "Proofide" that I use on my leather bicycle saddles. I ran out awhile back, but will order some more. It mainly adds some essential oils back to the leather, but dries to the touch. Whatever isn't absorbed is wiped away.
A few more pics,...since only 20 were allowed in the initial post before they converted to "linked" only format. The old sheath is weathered but still serviceable, and shows the knife was once, of course,... very sharp. (unlike how it arrived to me) Check out the slice in the sheath to the right of the dog tag chain. An "oops" quite common when not paying attention while putting a very sharp blade to bed!
These next 3 pictures show the blade's "texture" after "flex-shaft" drum sanding to contour and thin down the sides a little,....but before all the hours of hand sanding to truly flatten the sides. You have to keep light pressure on the hand piece,.....AND keep it constantly moving to avoid putting "dips" into the metal with the small diameter drums (1/2" and 1/4"). Lots of trips of the blade only into water to keep it cool too.
Someday I may even build up a belt sander once I find a good (sealed) grinding motor, (a "Wayne Goddard" model
)......which would have saved hours of time, but not had as much of "me" in the project.
I also later removed the small center "hump" and dropped the tip just a hair more than what is shown here. The tip would sometimes catch on the leather welt ("thread saver") section when sheathing the knife before the change.
It takes a LOT of hand sanding on a steel block to get from there to this....
Nicely done, Joe. I admire your skill and this one turned out very well.
- - -Buckspen
Lots of practice working with the flexible shaft hand piece is all, .....and everyone has that priceless ingredient,...."Elbow Grease"
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