OK Crew,
I'm loving the involvement on this building project! Whether you voted for a #12 or the #5, there are a good amount of you showing an interest and that's the most important thing. The winner (The #5) will make for a very nice Randall knife for one of you.
As for the poor old Model #12? Well: How about we table those plans until the completion of our primary building project and then bring it back up again for consideration? Sound fair?
In the meantime: Here's what we know for sure. WE are building a Randall Model #5. Here's what we don't know.
.....EVERYTHING ELSE!!..... Let's hear some ideas! Model #5's come in a 4" blade and continue all the way up to an 8" blade! That's 5 sizes with the 4" being the only one using 3/16" blade stock. The other four are built with 1/4" blade stock.
Famous wilderness expert and author Bradford Angier preferred
the Randall Model #5-6" as his best all-around model for everything needed in one knife. Silver Springs, Florida world- renowned herpetologist, Ross Allen, used a 6" as well.
I use a 5" Model #5 with an excellent piece of stag for many of my hunting needs. I find it a better compromise for my needs. My "needs" are not to build shelters and cut up kindling. I would use a longer model, should that be the case. I carry a #5-4" as one of my companion knives often as well. It'll do a whole lot more than most would think!
One of my most successful "builds" from my website was my: "Captain Chris' Camper" special, which was a #5-6", dressed in my bone linen. This is the material that Pappy has suggested. I have sold 25-30 of these bad boys! The Randall shop loves working with the handle material and it give the look and coloring similar to the Wesinghouse "Ol' Yeller" or AGM (Antique Gold Micarta).
Model #5's come standard with thumb notches and the top edge is not sharpened. This may fair well for some but not for the folks wanting to build a "fighter-style" as a double hilt and a sawteeth option (or sharpened top bevel) will eat up 2 options, all things to consider as we move on. The standard handle material on all 1/4" stock Model #5's is leather. Stag is standard on the little guy.
OK: We're gonna build this thing. Let's get to it. We're burning daylight! Thanks for the participation. Let's roll!
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris
PS: Below are 2 different configurations of my Camper. One in brass...the other in nickel silver...CCS