I need to patent that test. I came up with it years ago when cats would come to a show and claim they had a "rarer than hen's teeth" unmarked stainless steel knife, when in reality, all it was was moderately polished over time.

Nice knife you have.

I second Shoot870p's post!

I like the looks and build of the 17 Just don't know if the handle would be a match for my long fingers.

The beauty of the 17 is that you can change the handle if you want, assuming that you can find someone to make a new one for you. Many years ago, a knifemaker (who went out of this business a long time ago) made me a handle for my Astro. Here it is, along with the original handle which is easy to replace.

Holzinger258,
Thanks for pointing that out.I feel like a dim bulb for not seeing that option with the screws looking right at me.
I'm old i need a nap.

Where or who can make a new handle, plus the screwdriver tied off on the wrist thong?

Hello Everyone!

I've been reading the knife talk forum for a few months and finally decided to join. I've enjoyed a lot of the discussion, history, and tips / tricks. I received my first Randall (a Model 18-7.5) as a teenager in the mid 1970's from my father and I was hooked. At the time I was involved in canoe trips in the Canadian sub-arctic bush that typically lasted 40 days with a range up to 500 miles. The Model 18 made sense for what I was doing. Over the years I have acquired a few other Randalls (Models 10-3 (my EDC), 19-5, and a 17). I'm not much of a collector like many people here - I tend only to buy knives I will use. Except for my Model 17 "Astro." I bought that because, like many folks of my generation, I'm in love with space exploration.

I'm posting for the first time on the forum on this old thread because I have read requests for a small lanyard-ready soft metal screwdriver for the Model 17. The discussion gave me the idea to get one, but what was available on the web was stupidly expensive and not suitable without modification for the 17 so, after 40+ years as an engineer, I came up with a perfectly workable solution that costs significantly less and you can make yourself fairly easily. I've written step-by-step instructions and placed them in the public domain for anybody to use as they see fit. It's not just for the 17, but any other use you come up with. The instructions are attached. After all, I got the idea of a soft metal screwdriver and saw pictures of small drivers on the lanyards of old 17s on this forum, so my work is derivative. For all I know, someone has already done this. If it weren't for the good folks here I would not have come up with my version. I hope it is of some use. If anyone has questions, or for any reason cannot make their own driver and needs one, contact me directly, or on this thread, and I may be able to help you out. I don't check it often, but I will get to it eventually.





Link To Instructions: 1 Cent Driver for the RMK Model 17 Astro

Best,

Mike

Genius, Canoeist.

In-no-vay-shun.

Neat solution.

I don't think commercial screwdrivers are made with a thought to soft alloy to avoid damaging screw slots!

Perhaps the shop would have replacement screws for any that get dinged on the Model 17?

Larry

I wonder if the shop could manufacture, subcontract, or buy similar small screwdrivers (that aren't as ugly as mine) to include with the purchase of a 17. Is it the only model that requires a flat head driver for full functionality? They include a stone, why not a pair of drivers on the 17's lanyard so when you get your knife you can use all of it's features out of the box? Folks on this forum have been asking for small, light, lanyard-ready soft metal drivers for a long time. I bet any Model 17 owner would want a pair (redundancy, redundancy, redundancy). Perhaps they looked into it and it was too expensive. That might be likely with the number of 17s sold per year. I think many would agree that it's important to keep costs down for the basic knife. Either way, be it ever so humble (and it *is* seriously humble), we have a cost effective solution now.

Thanks for posting the detailed instructions.
No excuse for not carving one or two for the 17.
Just do not use a 1909 S VDB penny from the penny collection.