Capt, when you supply wood to the shop cut to size it of course is shaped into a handle after that process what type of finish if any is then applied?
Thanks for any info you can give me. Best

Griff,
To the best of knowledge (and that can be quite limited at times) the shop uses a buffer and a small amount of rogue applied to the knife. I can never seen any waxes used. There could be a case made for some type of compound being called into service but I have not seen it done.
The buffer is cranked up and the rogue (probably not the correct term) is applied to the moving buffing wheel prior to the knife being worked on. Often this process is repested, depending upon the severity of the initial surface and the amount of application needed.
I'll check with Jed Peckham (Randall's production foreman) when I see him next. If all of this in incorrect, I'll re-post and ammend it. Hope this helps.
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: I like the final finish. I think it is perfect. Enough of the "shine" without too much "flash". Below is one of my Stanaback Specials (4 5/8" version) finished at the shop in a piece of jade green NASA G-10 insulator, from Cape Canaveral, (launch pad complex #39). You can see the "before and after". (You can even detect where the insulators were bolted down on the circuit boards!...CCS

Thanks Capt, I assume that this holds for wood as well the reason I am asking is i obtained a great pair of highly figured Hawaiian Koa wood handles for a Model #1 and #2 and am wondering if I have to prep the wood in any way before I send it to the shop. all I know about it is that it is cut to size and air dried several years

Griff,

You could consider having the wood stabilized. I am not familiar with the stability of Koa, but it would protect you from future cracking.

Based on what I read on Wikipedia, it should make beautiful handles.

I would send them off and have them stabilized first, Griff.
Yes: The process is the same.
Best, Capt. Chris

Griff,

Here is a Model 23 in Koa.

Jim

Thanks All, does anyone know someone that does stabillation?

Jim
That Koa looks great. Cap like that Jade color as well.

Some of the best comes from Nicholas, and Richard Beam works with him:

Beam, Richard
Business Phone
(814) 535-5115
Mobile Phone
814-418-1303

Tell them I referred you to them--I owe tham a favor!

Larry

Beautiful Randall Jim. That Koa wood has some extreme variations in the figuring. Leaving the handle blank with no lanyard or compass disturbing the lines really let that part shine through.
Awesome !!!!