I just picked up a box of old tools for a bargain $50. I got a good deal all round, but this knife caught my attention, more for the home made sheath than what was in it.

When I got the box home, I pulled out the knife and saw that what I had bought was a Randall 3, 7 inch blade. Can anyone confirm this? Any idea of how to date it?

So it looks like I will have bit of work on my hands. This is a knife that I want to bring back to life and pass on to one of my boys. Can anyone suggest some methods to get the rust off the knife with the least chance of damage. I've used electrolysis to restore old tools before, but this is stainless and electrolysis isn't an option as far as I'm aware.

Thanks for any info.

Eire

It is a Randall 4-7 in carbon steel...spend the coin and send it back to the Randall shop and they will make it look mickey mouse...DO NOT do it yourself or send it to someone else...MAKE SURE you send it to Randall.

Contact Mitchell and get a period Randall sheath from him...NOT a new Sullivan.

Mitchell

An excellent find.

If you don't follow Doc's advice you're beyond help.

Thanks for the advice. I'll send it back to Randall for repair. I'm only learning about these knives since I deciphered the marking below the rust and looked online.

I never have warmed up to Randall’s as to looks, but I can appreciate where they came from and what they did.

Are the leather washers tight? Get a little oil on it, sharpen, start using.

As info Randall does not replace handles. Send it back and they will send a quote as to repair cost. Normally it’s pretty reasonable ($100 or so) but the weld looks bad. I’ve never sent one in with that damage.

This dude knows.

I would contact Randall but I doubt they will be much help. My last Randall came with a embarrassingly crooked handle - they offered to clean up the blade and sharpen it for free but wouldn’t do anything about the admittedly crooked handle. They said they don’t replace handles.

I’m sure they would clean up the blade, but it’s pretty much impossible to fix the solder joint without rehandling the knife.

If it were mine, I would buy a proper sheath as suggested and resell it to a collector as is. Take the money and buy one that doesn’t need work if you want a user.

They will rehandle the knife and resolder the guard...what they won't do is change handle, ie leather to stag.

Speak to Dirty water on the Knifetalk forums, he works there.

That’s news to me. My experience with them was roughly a year ago, and it was Jason Randall who answered my emails. My handle is stag, pictures were sent and after reviewing them they admitted it wasn’t proper but told me they don’t rehandle knives. Not sure who I need to talk to but they weren’t interested in fixing it. They did offer to clean up the blade for free…

Okay...have it your way.

Doesn't sound like he got it his way at all.


I wouldn't put any money into it at all including a new sheath. I'd flip it to a collector. I can't see a big knife like that getting much use.

Not sure how it’s my way….
I’m only relaying the response I got. I hope you’re right, because I would love to have my knife fixed. Which was the whole reason I contacted them in the first place.
I don’t personally know anyone who works there, so the only way to go about it was by email in my case. I’m not sure how else or who to contact to get it worked on, it’s not like I was going to argue with Jason Randall on what they do or don’t do.

In the meantime I registered to the website you mentioned and will see what dirty water has to say.

I was referencing the op's knife which is to be restored, which Randall does. I don't give a flying fuck about you being unhappy and wanting a rehandle because it doesn't meet your lofty ideal.

Stop being a whinging bitch and either get the fucking thing rehandled by Behring or grow up and use it or sell it.

Wow

Got sick of the whining bastard bitching about his knife handle...don't bitch, fix the bloody thing.


...or not, I don't give a shit and I am not into holding hands.

Post a pic once Randall refurbishes it - would be neat to see.

Great find!

I too would enjoy seeing it post refurb.

I will post pictures for sure. I was in contact with Randall over the last week after getting some good advice on this forum and elsewhere. I will send it down to them and update with photos when I get it back. The only issue is that I'm in Canada and have to wait until the border opens up so I can mail it from the States. Mailing from Canada gets a little too complicated sometimes and I can get a return PO box in Washington State and pick it up there anytime. The only problem is the border may not open for a number of months. Randall seems confident that it will clean it up well though.

I also tried to get a sheath from Mitchell but he didn't have one for a 4-7 unfortunately. I may have to get one from Randall which will be a 2021 sheath witha 60's knife.

Its been a pleasure to learn about these knives though and even through my knife is in rough shape it feels really nicely balanced. Looking forward to skinning an animal with it someday!

I have to say that I am really looking forward to seeing it refurbished...I have seen a couple done and they are head and shoulders above a new one.

If you do opt for a Sullivan you can always use it as a work sheath and pick up an earlier sheath for when you pass it down to the next generation, which is seriously cool by the way.

Regards.

I would love to see this too!