Very few if any really left the shop without scales. That is a myth that for some reason folks keep talking about. It more than impractical w/o scales. It is barely practical with scales, a very small handle. Anyone can take an early Astro and take the scales off. Wa la, an Astro w/o scales. Much to do about nothing.
Bill's brown is the "production" knife probably circa 64-65.
Below is one that I recently picked up that belong to a Mercury Program doctor and John Glenn's personal doctor. You will note the differences in the handle color, bolt placement, and block Randall lettering.
Registered: 07/14/15
Posts: 1907
Loc: Spring Hill, Florida
Originally Posted By: freeman1901
Tattoo Bill, I know from seeing the earliest Randall Catalog that they were made without scales. I haven't seen one yet. Do you have a picture of one? Richard
I do, but some turd deletes my posts.....check my signature below.
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Tattoo Bill Spring Hill, FL. Livin On The Edge! ta2bill@yahoo.com
I do, but some turd deletes my posts.....check my signature below.
I am the turd Bill.
Cap said no cross posting. That has been the rule here for a while. When asked for pictures, you sent the guy to essentially another forum. Sending him to your website is fine..... Just not not another forum. Thats been the law here for years. I don't make the rules, just moderate to them.
Tunefink, I assume that earlier reply that I must have missed was meant for me? Sorry I missed it. Another source for learning about vintage Randall's? I would assume there are other forums, but why would there be an attempt to block, to deny me another source for learning more about Randall's? Didn't know that went on on this site. I assume by cap you are referring to Capt Stanaback?
If you just cut the top (and it becomes like a #16), then there will not be a cutting edge on the top view. Then you have to redo the upper blade, it's already harder to replicate the original finish + it takes a lot of skill to remove the painted metal neatly, 1 mistake and knife is spoiled (outwardly, for work it still suits).
p.s. I took one of the photos of the old Astro of one of the members here to show the difference. I hope he does not mind, if not, I will delete the photo and apologize.
p.p.s. I think I understand why the word replica was used for a while, the original had a very large guard and for non-astronauts it would be very uncomfortable (If only a person is not fond of medieval weapons and uses it))
No it won’t look like a 16 if you grind the tit at an angle....like I said. It will leave a hump.
Tattoo Bill, I know from seeing the earliest Randall Catalog that they were made without scales. I haven't seen one yet. Do you have a picture of one? Richard
The newer Model #17's, despite rounds of disapproval here, were an improved version of the more subtle design on earlier models. The purpose was to afford an extremely "safe" usage with the Astronaut's "Space Gloves" on. They could press down on the back spline and the front "notched area" would prevent their gloved hand from slipping down on the tip. Hope this helps, Capt. Chris
How many astronauts are using the current 17’s in space?