"model of the week" model #12 (big and little Bear Bowies)

[Seussbrother]

This very popular model number of Randalls actually includes the Bowies: Smithsonian, Raymond Thorp, Confederate and Sportsman as well as the Bear and Little Bear Bowies. I thought it might be good to separate them and do the Bears as a group first. This should be a great picture week so, please lets see those Bears and little Bears.

Let the fun begin!

seuss

[Moosehead]

Thanks Seuss for getting up this week's model thread off the ground!

I'll start the ball rolling with a "Little Bear", circa mid-80's stainless version with a stag handle with fingered grips. This knife is extremely well balanced, and feels like it could really be a great companion when accompanying one for any outdoors endeavour. It has a thumb notches on top of the blade for extra security (An option too few people order in my opinion.) The single hilt is made of nickel silver, and is "squared" on top, which gives it a neat look. The sheath is a latter day "wide" stitch Johnson.

This "Bear" Bowie and its big brother are two of my favourite RMK models, as I love the contours of the blades, and I'm very partial to heavy, partly carnivorous, thick-furred, plantigrade quadrupeds.

Let's see some of your "Bears"!

Cheers!

Moosehead

[Seussbrother]

Moosehead, nice pictures and very nice little Bear! Does it fit the latter day #3-6 sheath well? With the extra hump on the top of the blade of the Bear, I would have thought it would be snug. Another great stag handle with fingergrips!

Thanks,

seuss

[Moosehead]

Hi All!

Well, firstly, thanks Seuss for so tactfully bringing to my attention the fact that I posted the wrong sheath for my "Little Bear".

It looks like I was out to lunch in early October when I took photos of my #12-6 and #3-6 and their respective Johnson sheaths to do a comparison of the sheaths, as well as photograph the knives (See: "Johnson Sheath Stitching Question" thread posted on Oct. 7/05.)

Obviously, your unobservant Moosehead never noticed that he had placed the wrong sheath and stone with the #12-6.

So here's two shots of parts of the correct sheath that goes with the knife. I guess I'll have to venture outside into the freezing cold to re-photograph the knife with the full sheath and stone.

Sorry for the goof up folks!

Cheers!

Moosehead

[Moosehead]

Okay folks!

Here's a couple of brand new photos of the correct sheath for my "Little Bear".

Since bears prefer to hibernate in winter it was far too cold to venture outside, so I took these inside with morning sunlight shining in the window.

Now where are your bears?

Cheers!

Moosehead

[The "Captain"]

Moosehead,
Nice looking "Little Bear" Bowie. I have several in my collection as well. The "Little Bear" has a pattern exactly the same as my "Stanaback Specials" (or should I say: the other way around). It has always been one of my very favorite Randall Models.
Just a note of correction, or caution, or whatever ya' wanna call it: Model #12-6" "Little Bear" Bowies come standard with a single hilt "and" thumb notches"! Your post may have given someone the impression that more people needed to order thumb notches. While it is, indeed true, that thumb notches are an option that should, in my mind as well, be ordered more often on "other" models, they already come supplied on a "Little Bear".
Models that have thumb notches included in their base price include: The Model #5 "Camp and Trail", Model #10, "Salt Water Utility", Model #11, "Alaskan Skinner", Model #12-6" "Little Bear", but NOT the "Sportsman's" Bowie, Model #16-7", "Diver's", Model #19, "Bushmaster", Model #20, "Yukon Skinner", Model #21, "Little Game", Model #22, "Outdoorsman", Model #23, "Gamemaster", Model #25, "Trapper". I hope I did not furthur confuse anyone. This was not my intent. Many other models are available with thumb notches, but these are the only ones that come "standard" with them. Best, Captain Chris Stanaback

[Randall Man]

Howdy folks!

I'm takin' a quick break from my ordinary Super Hero duties, so I have a chance to show y'all a real fancy collection of "Big Bears" that was on exhibition at last years' Blade Show in 'lanta.

The fella had so many a these Bears all with different configurations, that he needed six cases to display 'em all.

So here they are, in two posts.

Enjoy 'em, cuz y'all never see the likes again.

Best RM

[Randall Man]

Howdy agin!

Here's the rest of 'em...

Best

RM

[mhwwlmc]

Moosehead,
that must be the Little Bear you bought at the Blade Show from "Unc"?

Capt. & Moosehead,
I agree with both of you that Thumb Notches are a "MUST HAVE" on any Randall Knife you Build. You will never go back once you try a "Notched Randall".

[Moosehead]

Yup!

You're right on, Mike.

That's the "Little Bear" I picked up from "Unc" at the Blade Show.

Cheers

David

[Moosehead]

Hi all!

I know it's winter and the bears are hibernating, but this is ridiculous...

In an effort to lure some of your sleepy blades out into the open, I'm posting photos of one of my favourite Randalls, which happens to be a #12-6. (I was hoping to save it for later on in this thread.)

It's a "Little Bear" with a walnut handle, and a brass single hilt and butt cap.













Oh yes, in case some of you are wondering, the scrimshaw is of a female Grizzly, done by Rick Bowles in 1995, and David Perdue did the engraving.

I hope this will encourage, entice and cajole you into adding your treasures to this thread. Remember every Randall knife is a work of art!

Cheers!

Moosehead

P.S. The belt buckle is fossil ivory which I obtained from Greg Gutcher a few years ago.

[Seussbrother]

David, that is one knockout little Bear! Just about the nicest I've seen! Another on my list of gotta haves I reckon. Nice picture with the Randall paraphernalia grouped about too! Shucks man, I haven't got anything that nice to share but I'll scratch around and see what I can come up with.

seuss

[oakwood304]

Moosehead,

That is an exquisite knife! It is amazing how they get the detail on the grizzly, the hilt and the butt cap. I hope to have one in my collection some day! Great photo's also! Seeing different models and handle configurations gives me ideas for my next Randall building project. Thanks again for the post.

Chris

[armedcitizen]

Here is mine, or at least it was until I sold a few weeks back:

[Moosehead]

Hi all!

Here are some more photos of my new "Little Bear":














You can see more pictures, a description, and the "history" of how this particular knife came to me over here:

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=34368

Cheers!

Moosehead