Sep 8, 2013
Several months ago I had the privilege of acquiring a very interesting Randall made in the 1950’s. This particular item was something I had never seen before out of the Randall shop. Being from the later 1950’s doesn’t set it off the Richter scale because there were more than a few one offs and custom pieces being made during this period, but this one was a bit different in that it wasn’t a complete departure from a catalog model.
When asking a couple of other collectors as exactly what it was or what its intended purpose might be a couple of theories presented themselves. First was the possibility that it was some form of a kitchen or utility knife. Second was that it was a “bait knife”. Now both sound plausible and we may never know the answer, but the consensus was that it was likely made by Bo for a friend, as he had a history of making smaller “utility” knives for friends.
The 5 3/8” blade is of 1/8” stainless stock with the small Randall logo stamp. It is a #6 grind. The drop point or spear point type blade is unique to this piece. Brass single hilt, three thick two thin spacers and a really nice piece of pinned finger grip stag for the handle. Also unique to this piece is that the pin is covered on both sides of the handle with tiny stag inserts or plugs.
This knife did not come with a sheath. I don’t know if it was ever supplied with one or not. It might stand to reason that if it was a kitchen utility knife that it may not have had one intentionally. Even if it was a bait knife, it may not have had a sheath either and was intended to be in a tackle box. It is hard to say for sure, but it is a great piece nonetheless.
Ultimately I don’t know exactly why this knife was made, who it was made for, or what the purpose was, but it is a pretty neat piece and the only one I have seen like it.
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