I remember Dubie bought a knife made by a guy named Martin (not Martin Knives in Texas) and it was a dead ringer to the Randall / Bowles Dealer Special. Very very VERY similar grind, but made about 20 years before the RBS knife was introduced. So, hard to say who is / was first to come up with some designs. In all fairness, someone could ask if the RBS was a new-style Martin knock off. And even then, this Martin maker probably got the idea from someone 20 years before he decided to make it.

Another great example: the two "one arm" knives shown in another thread on this forum. My point being: I don't see anyone criticizing Bo in that thread, and rightly not. It's just his variation of a knife he liked: no more, no less.

I agree that this maker Calvin Reese calling his knives "Randall Model 23" or "Rick Bowles Special" is rather deceiving. I was going to buy his RBS myself, but that mirror finish is not my cup of tea.

Dubie: before I forget... can you shoot a pic of that Martin knife and post it in the thread?

Regarding using Randall cases with knives so the word Randall can be put in the title: if it comes up in your search and you don't like it -- don't look. Most agree that it's just good marketing and there aren't any rules against it. IMO, good marketing should not be on par with telemarketing. Those vermin are the worst, almost as bad as ambulance chasers.