Almost 20 years in the shop and over 10 in my supervisory position in which I in some way touch EVERY knife that leaves RMK...

Are you seriously questioning my abilities here, is this really warranted?

Lunch is over, back to the REAL grind...

---DW---

I have several specifically designed Bushcraft knives already,...fine "woodsman" cutters all,.... but without the Randall history. I'm old enough now where that means something. I've owned some Randall's for near 35 years or so,.....my dad before me another 25 years before he passed several years ago.

It comes down to this, the knife now suits MY needs better for my intended purpose. It didn't before. Paying "top dollar" for a Randall "Woodsman" knife matters little if you never plan on selling. Whatever it's worth when I'm gone is what it is,.....will I care than? Nope!

What happens after I'm gone doesn't affect me now. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Do what floats your boat while you still can,....because the long nap will be there when it comes.

Use your knives and enjoy them any way you choose,.....because eventually there will come a time when somebody else WILL!

How many "safe queens" are out there never to be enjoyed and used by their current owners, only to have them finally used and enjoyed by another owner after the original owner passes on?

That's kinda sad to me.......and I'd say the 2nd or later owner got the better deal in life. So be the 1st owner,... but use the dang things.

By the way,.....if "The knife serves its intended purpose as built",....why does Randall consider batoning "abuse" and voids the warranty? (from what I remember)

That IS a part of every serious bushcraft knife's expected range of duties. Given the name choice "Woodsman", it seems a bit odd I think......when a common chore of it's namesake voids the warranty if it breaks from doing that chore?

.....now off to grab a bite......

Quite a good philosophy Joe, can't say that I disagree at all.

I think when Bo started this business his intention was for the knives to be used. You are right, they are tools.
Somewhere along the line, there were those who started looking at them from another perspective. The older ones, historic value, then they held artistic value, thus the scrimshaw work, silver hardware with engraving. Some real works of art.

Joe, its no different than car collectors, watch collectors, whatever.
Beauty and purpose, and value is always in the eye of the beholder, and there is room for all of us who place different value, even purpose on these knives.

If altering that 28 made it fit your needs, then great. Looks like you did a great job, but what is gained questioning the skills of Randall's shop foreman?

These men are products of on the job training, tradition passed from the journeymen to the apprentices, the old fashioned American way. That's part of why we love Randall Knives. The tradition.

You will not get much traction with this approach Joe.

You do seem to be talented with these knives though. Good job.

Getting a bit touchy are we? I only asked because you admitted you weren't so good at polishing a ring. Not sure what "touching" EVERY knife that leaves the shop entails,...hell,...I touch several a day myself!

Seriously, I know little of what your 20 years in the shop entailed before you became supervisor, or whether that involved hands on manufacturing duties or something outside the actual production work......

.....BUT obviously since you're still there you must be doing your job well!

BTW,.... I figured you were on lunch, just wanted to see what you'd say. (and whether you could take it as well as dish it out. )




Scott, I forgot to comment on this point...even with a Border Patrol handle a Model 26 would NOT have been the same. It's just too thick a blade stock for my needs. Grind the pattern into 1/8" stock, AND add full tang construction and I'd agree with you.

But Randall doesn't offer it like that, nor will they offer "customizations" that are important to me such as I've outlined.

Frankly, I've always wondered about the ultimate "fairness" of rewarding such LOYAL customers willing to wait FIVE YEARS for delivery, yet cannot seem to acquiesce to some simple requests like leaving OFF thumb notches on certain models, or offering alternate grind choices like they do on just a few models,....or substituting 01 carbon steel on stainless only models, and choice of blade thickness down to 1/8" even if it meant stock removal only and not forged.

Not offering option choices like this make no sense to me. These choices would cost no more to produce (sometimes less even), but WOULD in all likelihood become a "chargeable" option. That's a "win-win" in my view.

IMO, option choices like this could be the Company's reward and "treasure" offered to the customer for showing such loyalty and patience.

I have looked and looked and looked at the before and after pictures of your model 28 and your modifications,I wish I could find something positive to say about your work,in my opinion it now looks awful.
I am also sure that you will be happy with your bespoke tool,but for me you have turned a cutlery masterpiece into a right old pigs ear,sorry.

LOL,....better get new glasses and switch to tea or coffee!

The fact is "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", as they say. Since I "be holderin" it, and have also "looked and looked",.... I can say I still can't make out no damn pigs ear in there!

Also,....most "best use" tools aren't designed to just look pretty. A good hammer has a great feel in hand, is properly heat treated, and of sufficient weight and balance to get the job dome with minimal effort. But it's also no beauty queen.

The changes i made were not to "pretty up" the knife, but were purely utilitarian in design and execution. No one can really argue that a thinner blade with less pronounced grind angles will not turn out to be a better food prep slicer and woodcraft "tool", as long as the steel and heat treat are done properly. I tend to look at this is I started with a good chassis, but made some changes to the frame for this specific use. Were I making a whittling knife,....I would have gone further with the thinning and shortened the blade. But that was not my intended use.

BTW,...there IS "beauty" with understated simplicity mixed with efficiency,....for that is the perfect tool. That's never to be achieved probably,....and I'm certainly not there yet,....but i'm closer for my intended use than before.

An added bonus is I'm not adverse to actually carry and use the knife. It's already got it's first scratch!

Hi Joe--

To each their own....it's your knife.....paid for out of your own sweat and tears. I say go for it....if it works for you, that's all that matters!

Doug

P.S. I've enjoyed your post/photos....thanks for contributing and please continue to do so!

Hey...Good for Joe if he want's to exercise ' 'his pursuit of happiness', he may have fought for that right...I know we have young trooper's dying every day for that right..and God Bless them all.

"We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness".

I'm with Doug. I don't see any problem with the alteration if it's what Joe wanted. People restore autos all the time changing things along the way.....different engine....chassis changes and interior changes. my Dad always altered his trigger on his handguns and I know Smith & Wesson always did it right......but my Dad wanted something a bit different.
I enjoy what Joe has written. Makes for interesting reading.

I agree, Ronnie. The Buck Knife guys modify their knives all the time. Sure, those knives are less expensive, but some are close to $200. No one cares. None of their business.