O.K., Randall knife freaks,
Our next building project will be, indeed, a Randall bowie! Just to refresh some "old" memories, and instruct some new ones: here are your choices.
A) A Randall "Little Bear" Bowie: 6" blade: stainless or carbon steel: top bevel sharpened & concaved: 1/4" stock: thumb notches (on a single hilt) standard, but double hilts are available (all types): all handle material available: all butt caps and plates available; black or tan sheath, with or without hone pocket: wrist thong: brass or nickel silver hardware (and aluminum) available: A very "artistic" knife!
B) A Randall "Sportsman's" Bowie: 6" blade, with all options of "A" available. A much more "traditional Bowie design, with no finger choil, & a much straighter line. Folks often tell me they don't like this model,"until" they see one made up with a double hilt and the tang dropped slightly!
C) A Randall "Bear" Bowie" 8" blade of 1/4" stock, with all features of A & B available. Probably the most "artistic" Bowie design in the catalog. Long top bevel sharpened, and much more sweeping blade design.
D) A Randall "Sportsman's" Bowie: 9" blade: Available in 1/4" stock: carbon steel only: all other options available.
E) A Randall "Confederate" Bowie: 11" long version of the same general type and look (i.e.: traditional) as the Sportsman's 9" model: carbon steel only.
F) A "Raymond Thorpe" Bowie: Said to resemble most closely the "original" Jim Bowie knife, in size and weight, this Bowie is named after the author of the Jim Bowie book! 13" blade length! The "longest" of all the Bowie knives available from Randall!
G) A "Smithsonian" Bowie: Yes: There actually is one on display there! Bo's version of the "Cooper" Bowie used in the movie "The Iron Mistress": 11" blade length: carbon steel: 3/8" stock!! The "heaviest" of all the Bowie knives offered by Randall!
O.K.: Those are your choices. Let's hear from ya'! Choose one, and then we will decide exactly "how" and with "what" we are going "trick it out"! I am in Orlando this weekend for the gun and knife show, at the central Florida fairgrounds. Hope to see some of you there.
We will choose the steel, hardware, etc. in "Stage #2". We will discuss "custom" handle material in "Stage #3", and will make any changes and modifications to this project, along with rapping it up, in "Stage #4". Everyone is encouraged to participate. If you submit input in these various stages, you will be qualified to choose a number in our "guessing game" at the end of our project. The closest "guess" to the actual decided number will be allowed to purchase this very "building" project Randall Bowie, probably in April of next year!! That's not a very long wait! It could be as early as March, if all goes quickly. Good luck!
Best, Captain Chris Stanaback

My vote is for the Raymond Thorp. It is the longest blade Randall makes. The girls like that. It is supposed to be the bowie that most is like the the one ole James him self carried. I think we could do a lot with this as our starting point in the "Great Bowie Build Off" Maybe this could become a new Discovery channel television show. Anyway thats what I would like to see, what does everyone else think?
Panhead
Steven
RKS 4109

The Bowies are my favorite class of Randalls and the Confederate has to be my favorite and pick here. Not as long as the Thorpe and not as thick as the Smithsonian, the knife has the "right stuff" for me. It is 11" of pure artwork, sexy lines and the dimensions are just right! In other words, this is an emotional call and not a logical one.
As a side note, when Rita, the pregneant one, sees me cleaning my Confederate Bowie, she just sighs, and walks to the bedroom. Coincidence? I think not! ;)

A smithsonian for me,last year I got my 12 - 9 with 14 grind and I would love to see a heavy made up with the same furniture.NRJ

A Raymond Thorpe Bowie is my choice but I do like them all. I can just picture one of these all decked out in al its glory.

Brad
RKS #5127

LB Bowie

Jeff
RKS 1700

I'll take the confederate.

Steve

We all have a catalog and access to the Randall Knife website but it would be great if some of you graphically inclined guys could post an image of each type.
There are more variations of the Bowie than any other Randall type.
Might generate interest from more newbe's.

I consider myself to be an older newbe and would appreciate the photos too.

Thanks guys.

My vote is for the 12-8 Bear Bowie.:D I think with the right hardware and handle material this is one of the coolest Randall's out there.:cool: :cool:

thanks
Barry Perdue
RKS 4451

12-8 Bear Bowie for me
Its my favorite Randall

I gotta go with Dick and the BP guy:

I really like the "BIG BEAR" Bowie too!:smokin

There are lots of option possibilites for a #12-8 too. :eek:

Cheers!

David

I'll also put in my vote for the 8" Bear Bowie.
To me, it's the best looking bowie and it seems to have the most potential.

Kimon

I gravitate to users. To me the Little Bear fits this best. The big ones do look great if they're dressed up as show pieces.

I'll also put in my vote for the 8" Bear Bowie.
To me, it's the best looking bowie and it seems to have the most potential.
Kimon
OK, let's do it.

I gravitate to users. To me the Little Bear fits this best. The big ones do look great if they're dressed up as show pieces.

Me too.

Another vote for the LB.

THORPE. It is one I do not have and I do want one.
Jeff

O.K., folks,
The overwhelming favorites (plural) are for the "Bear Bowies"....Big and Little!! Fair enough. A "Pair" of "Bears", in stainless....to "MATCH"!!
Please see "new" buildin' stage!! Details contained therein!!
Best, Captain Chris Stanaback