...I got two new Randalls I had ordered from Rick Ward. The bigger one is a stainless 12-8 Bear Bowie with leather handle with black spacers and brass hilt and butt. Can anyone guess what I was thinking when I ordered the Bear? The second knife is a stainless 14 CDT with ironwood supplied to the shop by Rick. This knife has a brass hilt and butt and brass and black spacers.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112050746.jpg


The handles on the two knives.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112050737.jpg


The handle on the 14 CDT. I like wooden handles but the ironwood that Rick has is just amazing.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112050270.jpg


The hilts on these new knives are shaped well and the solder seal around the blades are really pretty work. Recent Randalls are forged and built as tough as they have always been but most are now finished a little nicer than the old ones often were. There is still a great deal of individual variation in grind profiles and handle and butt shapes. To me the little details like this are what makes these new Randalls so appealing.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112049959.jpg
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112049944.jpg


This next PIC may give you a hint at what I was thinking when I ordered the Bear.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112049942.jpg

Another hint.
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL165/1107196/2085909/112049982.jpg


The Randall Recon is a really mean and lethal looking knife. As soon as I got mine I started thinking that this combination of killer blade and subdued furniture was a good combo. I decided that a 12-8 Bear was the knife that would most favorably pair up with my Recon to make a "Recon Set". The Bear has RANDALL RECON BOWIE 031 etched on it to match my RANDALL RECON 031.
Jeff Clark

Congrats on your latest RMK, Jeff! :101

Thanks for sharing these two superb looking additions to your collection. :)

I knew just from looking at the photos that you were patterning the "Big Bear" after the "Recon", and it does look like a very lethal weapon.

You're also right about the Ironwood coming from Rick Ward. The #1-7 I picked up from said gentleman at the Blade Show in June, and posted here on the Week One, Model #1 thread is also outstanding.

And lastly, if you will permit me to agree with you one more time? :eek:

You said: "Recent Randalls are forged and built as tough as they have always been but most are now finished a little nicer than the old ones often were. There is still a great deal of individual variation in grind profiles and handle and butt shapes. To me the little details like this are what makes these new Randalls so appealing."

I couldn't have expressed it any better myself! :D

Cheers!

Moosehead

Believe it or not, I did think "Recon" when I saw the black spacers and brass furniture with the leather handle. Nice knives!!

Ahoy Jeff,
WOW that ironwood knocked my socks off, and I've got swollen feet !!!!!!!!

Bob

Great looking knives Jeff

That would have to be the nicest piece of ironwood I have ever seen :D

Rob

Jeff

I could not agree more with Rob Kelly's comment, that is the nicest piece of ironwood I have seen as well.

Spent alot of hours at the past two Blade Shows looking at wood for handles. Saw and even bought a few great pieces, but none as nice. Congratulations on two great looking knives.

Rod

Stunning Ironwood Jeff. Beautiful KNives! Regards, DOug