Yes you can Jerry. It's helpful to order the thin & rounded butt cap, especially in brass, as it keeps the weight down and balances far better on the smaller knives.
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: Jerry...Email me. Thanks...CCS

Capt,
Thanks. And I can add a wrist thong to a thin butt cap? 29R

Yes you can...as a matter of fact, I think butt caps on #26's are usually slightly thinner.
Best, Capt. Chris

I am ordering model 5, with 5" blade probably, NS, single hilt, border patrol handle, thumb notches, wrist thong. I need lots of input.
I know the SS vs tool steel is widely discussed but my question is specific to model five.
the knife will mostly sit on my desk and not be used in the field.
will a good wax coating do a good job of protecting the steel?
approx. what percent of RMK are currently produced in SS vs. O1?
thoughts on 5 vs 6"?
does RMK have micarta other than the black and brownish green?
first knife order and I want LOTS of feedback.
also how many options does this count as?
MW

For a desk knife, you shouldn't have a problem with the tool steel, and that wouldn't use up an option. Keep it clean and dry and use wax or a Sentry Tuf-cloth and you will be ok.
There is maroon micarta, blue/red micarta from the shop and you could provide another color if desired.
Here is my #5 5 inch with brass and green
Peter

Just to add (or ammend) what Peter wrote. You can also have white (Ivorite) from the shop...and the green Peter shows has been unavailable for a couple of years now. It was green "canvas". All the green available from the shop nowadays is green "linen".
Model #5-5" would be my choice. The 6 incher gets a bit long for me. Other folks feel the opposite, but for "your application" I think 5 inch is a good recommendation. Thumb notches are standard. Micarta and PBH will use up "2" options. The other "3" will be up to you and your needs. It would be a fine knife with just those "2"!
Good luck with it, Capt. Chris

PS: Here's the green linen as an example...CCS

Gentlemen, thank you for your quick response.
forgot this issue.
1. I am thinking about ordering a sheath w/o the sharpening stone. thoughts? desirability? I will probably get the brown standard sheath.
2. Captain, is that photo of a model 5? Peter, very nice pic of your knife. I have seen it online, very sharp.
3. As I understand, the Model 5 is close to the APF...
4. And the combat commander is close to the Model 5 w/ sharpened top edge?
5. If I order the BP handle it will have exposed tang?
6. Thoughts on Combat Companion compared to Model 5?
again thanks for your help.
other readers please join in.
MW

Welcome to the forum!

If you haven't already done so, check out this thread:

Knife of the Week Model 5

It's 28 pages long with lots of photos and info.

As for your questions:

1- If the knife is going to just sit on your desk, then get whichever sheath you think looks best. Randall recommends that you don't store the knife in the sheath. If you plan to anyway, you might want to consider getting stainless steel.

2- If I were the Captain, I would say, "No, it's not a Model 5. It's a Model 28." Although he would probably say it with more personality!

3- Yes, it's close. The Model 1 All Purpose Fighting Knife was the basis for the Model 5 Camp and Trail. I think of the Model 5 as the All Purpose Knife. The top of the blade in front of the hilt is straight (unlike the Model 1) which makes it suitable for thumb notches, which is a feature that I like. Thumb notches are standard on the Model 5. And the Model 1 has a sharpened top edge.

4- The grind on the Combat Companion is very different from the Model 5. At least, it is to the practiced eye. Check out this thread:

Knife of the Week Combat Companion

5- No. Not any handle on a Model 5 will have an exposed tang.

6- For a desk knife, one's as good as the other. Get whichever one looks best to you. For a field knife I prefer the Model 5.

One thing you should consider is the style of hilt to order. The Model 5 is available with a rounded hilt or a squared one. Again, it's just a matter of which one looks best to you. Some people don't like the pointy edges of the square hilt when handling the knife.

Also, consider getting aluminum spacers with the NS hilt. They count as an extra option but they look really nice.

Deciding on which model and options to get is part of the fun of collecting Randall knives. Enjoy the process!

Rick

The knife in my photo is a Model #28-4 1/2", "Woodsman". It was the quickest one I could find to show you the green linen (verses canvas) with a BPH. Rick M. is correct. If it has the full (exposed) tang, it ain't a Model #5.
Best, Capt. Chris

Folks, Could someone post a picture of the "A" sheath that will come with model 5-5? Typing my order today.
MW