Steve,
My very...very first order was shot down by Bo and Gary. At the time I was allowed 12 knives per month (or maybe it was 10...long time ago). I ordered "all" Model #12's and both #13's. I "tricked" them out (for the times) with stag handles, lugged hilts and brass butt caps. I was told that the order was too hard to make and that I needed to space my Bowie orders out over several month's worth of orders...and that was in the early 80's! It has always slowed production down when too many Model #12's or #13's get ordered.
Good question with regards to actually how much time is spent on one Bowie. I suppose, like any other Randall model it is going to be predicated on the options as well as the particular knife model.
Bo once told me the Model #13-12" was the most difficult Randall knife to make. I don't know if that still holds true, but everything on it has to be done..."TWICE"!!
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: Maybe "DW" can give us a guesstimate as to the actual time per Bowie. I'll see if I can't find out...CCS
PPS: Here's one I had made up a few years ago...in "OOSIC" handle!...CCS