When i first got interested in Randall knives ( maybe in 2007 or 2008 ) i was buying modern knives and later on some mini's. I found there would be more value in minis despite their size because of the limited production run and they were serial numbered . I had a couple of complete sets of the modern mini's and a few extra of the #14, #1 and #3 .
During that time i was offered by about 3 different sellers/dealers a mini 18 . I am pretty sure they were all different knives . I do not remember the exact prices but i found them way too high and decided to pass. At that time i had read the info on 300 production number which helped me decide against buying them . I also read that there are many fakes of the early Randall minis .
The regular mini 25 always brought a premium back then . They would sell easily for close to 1K . The last ones i got was the mini 25 with "special handle material " . When i first started looking for one of special handle material i knew where several were available with non-cracked handles but they wanted over 2k . I think one was 2.8k.
I bought one with cracked handle ( recently sold it on eBay ) at a steep discount and just waited for prices to drop ( economy and collectibles market were not great ) . The prices did drop and picked a non-cracked handle one for considerably under 2k .
As far as where the Author of Wickersham book came up with 300 figure for mini 18 production ? I have no clue.
I have read from different sources that there were 100 of the modern mini 25 with special handle material made.
Looks just like the one I sold last year. Attached pics for comparison. Marks on the sheath match could be my eyes. #606 was the one I sold. So I vouch for it.
Looks just like the one I sold last year. Attached pics for comparison. Marks on the sheath match could be my eyes. #606 was the one I sold. So I vouch for it.