#31273 - 11/25/07 08:28 AM
Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 10/15/05
Posts: 1649
Loc: Boogie Wonderland
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Thanks to all that have posted thus far. From Randall Made Knives: The History of the Man the the Blades, by Robert L. Gaddis, pp. 112-116 Quote:
The little Trout and Bird Knife, with its 3 3/4- to 4-inch blade length and sharp top cutting edge, was the inspiration of Litch Steinman. The germ for the idea can be traced back to his days in fishing camps in the woods of northern Michigan and Canada, during the mid-1930s, many of which he shared with his good friend Bo Randall. The Randall and Steinman families were longtime friends, and Bo and Litch spent many, many days together fishing small trout streams or hunting grouse with their dogs. It isn't at all surprising that a special knife just for trout and bird cleaning was developed by these two sportsmen.
...[After one such trip in 1946] When the Randall family returned to Orlando late that August, Bo got to work on a knife to answer Litch's design requirements. The 4-inch blade was given a nice curved cutting edge, like the front portion of a Hunter, and the top edge was sharpened more than 2 inches back from the tip. A small version of the Carving Knife hilt was fitted ahead of a stag handle, without butt cap, and the butt was rounded off similar to the Carver. Naturally there was a generous cutout ahead of the hilt for one's index finger or the bail of a tea kettle. This prototype was noted in the journal books on 1 September 1946 as '#8--Super Trout.'
...This little knife turned out so well that Bo decided to make it part of the Randall line. ...The Randall catalog was only a year old and didn't need revising for just this one new knife. Thus the Trout and Bird Knife [as it was now called] was introduced to the nine most important dealers by sending a complimentary knife to a key contact at each store.
From the current catalog:
Quote:
Model 8 "Trout and Bird Knife" -- 4" blade of 3/16" stock. Top cutting edge sharpened approximately 2 inches. 4 3/8" - 5/8" stag handle. Brass hilt. Especially suited for small fish and feathered game. Historical note: Francis G. Powers, U-2 pilot was carrying a Model 8 when he was shot down over Russia in May, 1960.
Regarding Francis G. Powers, I have sent numerous letters to the Russian embassy inquiring about the possibility of the knife being returned to Randall Made Knives. I have yet to hear back from them. But I will continue to persevere as the Cold War is long over. And if Mr. Gorbachev could be chided into the monumental task of tearing down that wall by President Ronald Reagan, a lover of Randall knives, maybe Mr. Putin could pop that old Model 8 into a UPS box and ship it to Orlando. (I know you're reading this, sir. Mr. Putin, please send that knife back.)
My friend Dale Dorris, Cabinet Man, has a nice collection of Model 8s that I know he will share with us. I am looking forward to seeing them. Lady and gentlemen, may we please see some Model 8s. Kevin Lough RKS# 5109
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#31274 - 11/25/07 09:06 AM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: vklough46]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 2070
Loc: Virginia, USA
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My favorite Model 8 that I bought in Colorado about twenty years ago. I was told it was made in 1947. Regards, Rhett
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#31275 - 11/25/07 09:15 AM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: vklough46]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 622
Loc: Red Bluff California
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Here we go with the model 8,another one of my favorite models.The bottom one is the crown jewel of my my 8 collection.I don't yet whether it is a lower S or not ? Hopefully I will find out shortly. Thank you PJ
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RKS #5247
NRA Life Member
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#31278 - 11/25/07 10:36 AM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: crutchtip]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 622
Loc: Red Bluff California
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Thank you,I should have known that.
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RKS #5247
NRA Life Member
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#31279 - 11/25/07 12:05 PM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: patrickjames]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 1234
Loc: Coldwater, AL, These United St...
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Joe, very nice stag as well as the lower S!
_________________________
Gary Howie RKS# 274 RKCC# 495
Death tugs at my ear and says: "Live, I am coming." --Oliver Wendell Holmes
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#31281 - 11/25/07 01:47 PM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: Raindog]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 1673
Loc: Kalifornia
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Ron Mathews RKS No. 4223
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#31282 - 11/25/07 03:59 PM
Re: Knife Of The Week Model 8!!!!!!!!
[Re: vklough46]
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Knife Enthusiast
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 1196
Loc: Kalifornia
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I too like the feel and weight of the model 8-4's. Here's a picture of mine. It was the second Randall that I purchased. I really like the patina and feel of the stag on this knie. Not sure when it was made, early 60's to early 70's? Thanks Dan Snyder RKS #5537
Attachments
29838-RandallModel8-4II-Resized.jpg (1251 downloads)
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It's best to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and be proven so!
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