absolutely agree. for example i use at work opinel carbon . i work with acid ,chemical products, salt,sulfate ecc. every time i use,i clean with pants or shirt and the blade has only is natural oxide film

If you want to gut and/or clean fish, get a knife(s) by Forschner or maybe Dexter-Russell designed to to so. The #16 is a dive knife made for cutting, prying,and a more utliltarian role. Could it gut a fish? Sure, it could to allot of things, but if I am going fishing I am gonna have the proper knives with me.

The 16SF has always been a bastard to me, a solution to a problem that didn't exist. If you want a double hilt, just get a #16 with a double hilt. The finger relief on top of the 16SF blade is all but useless except perhaps on the BP handle, but in any configuration it is not an attractive knife.

Crutchtip - Interesting point of view on the 16SF. I see there is no mention of it in the "Knife of the week" under the 16. To me it looks like someone wanted a knife more akin to a model 1 with a full tang. Maybe another member(s) can provide the Randall rational for creating that model 16 variant.

Regarding using a Dexter Russel for fishing...that is one of the brands I currently use. I suppose I just wanted to use one of the Randalls during some of my surf outings.

You can't take it away from the Dexter-Russells. I have seen them used from guys cleaning the catch off the charter boats in Daytona Beach to the meat processor in Colorado boning out an elk. They are great knives, considering that they are basically an economical user knife. Certainly no comparison to an RMK, but I don't see that going on here.

You are correct, hence the 'bastard' desgination. It is not a model 1, nor is it a model 16, a Frankenknife if you will. Just doesn't look right.

Crutch my good friend,

The 16sp #1 was "originally" designed by Doug Kenefick in 1978 as a possible choice for his dealer special.

It was introduced to the public around 1990 for the 1st sand war, because of the GREAT demand for a combat knife that was not as big as the 14, and was yet SS so they would not have to worry too much about the upkeep on the blade since they were not sure how long they would be away from water for clean up. And being the #1 was and still is the top seller, why not make it a full tang and make it the consummate fighting knife.

There ya' go, not a bad story for the "ugly duckling" of the RMK Military Models.

Incidentally, this has been the top seller of any of the knives used during either sand war by the world's soldiers.

---DW---

DW - Thank you for the follow-up background on the 16 SF1. Great information which should probably be added to the Knife of the Week description for the model 16 if you ask me.

DW, I acknowledge all the above. That being said, the #16 with a double hilt is what the #16SF should look like, will do anything the SF would do, and look better doing it. A slightly downsized #14 if you will.

The #1 grind deserves a nice drop in a leather, stag, or micarta handle in standard shape or commando handle if you wish. It fits. It flows.

Kenifick was searching for a solution to a problem that didn't exist. Call me a tradionalist. My .02.

This is what a #16 fighter should look like:

"The #1 grind deserves a nice drop in a leather, stag, or micarta handle. Even a commando handle if you wish. It fits. It flows."

How about a nice "Ward Gay" handle...

Keep the change.

---DW---

Ohhhhh, I see how it is. Only one guy lacks enough sense to do something that horrible, so blasphemous, and you can find him on ebay - user name sjjp. Thank goodness he can't have any more made.