I recently had a buyer ask the "what, when, whys & hows the NASA/RMK knife projects came to be. Below is the simplest and most concise reply I could muster and I though it might as well be posted here!
Hope this will help with any (or at least "some) of your questions.
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris

To whom it may concern,

I am the largest authorized Randall dealer in the south. You should check out the following:
Website: www.captstanaback.com
Forum: www.knifetalkforums.com
Perry Miller, former President of the NKCA, was my very best friend. He was also Randall Made Knives' official authenticator. He was also owner and president of Woodson & Associates, a union electrical shop in Titusville, Florida.
Woodson's was granted the contract, by NASA, to demolish and rebuild all the electrical and electronic components of Launch pads #39A & 39B, after the Challenger shuttle blew up. EVERYTHING was changed to include oxygen sensors, etc. which would have sensed the bad "O-rings" which led to the shuttle's explosion.
During all of this demolition, a great deal of insulators and electronic circuit boards were removed and headed for a landfill. I mentioned to Perry that we should secure some of this material as we might be able to salvage some pieces to be used for Randall knife handles.
That is exactly what we did and proceeded in making a couple of hundred NASA-handled RMKs. Perry passed away 10 years ago...and I miss him everyday. I purchased his knife business, "Spaceport Cutlery" and continued building these collectible knives.
I hope this clears up your questions.
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris

Thanks for "splainin'" Lucy!!

Gosh I miss Perry....

Yes Sir... We all do!

Capt', thanks for filling in da blanks!

my modest offering...
would love to see more.....

Thanks Cap.
Shoot870p

Thanks for the background.
Perry was a mentor to many.

He sold me my first Astro.
I met him only once (at another time), at a knife show, and we talked Randall Knives.
Nice guy--wish I'd known him more...

Here's a few NASA knives that were on display at Blade Show this year.

It's a great idea from the Cape. and Perry. Well executed by the shop.
I know every time the Cape. sells one of these knives he members the history.
Thanks Capt.

Dennis