Randall Made Knives Model 5-5" "Camp & Trail" Custom Knife ~ Vintage Late 1970s / Early 1980s
$1,199.00
Current stock:
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Randall Made Knives Model 5-5" "Camp & Trail" Custom Knife ~ Vintage Late 1970s / Early 1980s
This is a highly collectible vintage Randall Made Knives Model 5-5" "Camp & Trail" custom knife. This specific piece features an exceptional combination of options and dates from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, a highly sought-after era for Randall collectors.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the features and historical context for this knife:
Blade & Hilt Configuration
- Model 5-5" Blade: A robust 5-inch straight-bladed design crafted from premium O-1 carbon tool steel, known for its exceptional edge retention and historic character. The spine features standard non-slip thumb notches (jimping) in front of the hilt for precision work.
- Flat Nickel Silver Hilt: An upgrade from the standard brass hilt, adding a sleek, premium appearance that pairs beautifully with the silver tones of the spacers.
Handle & Spacers
- Genuine Stag Handle: A gorgeous, rugged piece of authentic stag horn selected for its rich texture and natural character, typical of high-grade vintage Randall builds.
- 5-Spacer Stack: Features the 5-spacer configuration (traditionally consisting of red, white, and black fiber elements) at the hilt end. In 1973, Gary Randall standardized production from 7 spacers down to 5 spacers for stag and wood handles, firmly anchoring this knife to the post-1973 period.
- Imbedded Compass: A factory-installed, liquid-filled waterproof compass is beautifully inset into the polished butt end of the stag handle. This functional upgrade was famously favored by survival experts like Bradford Angier.
Sheath & Era Identification
- Maurice Johnson "Rough Back" Sheath: The package is completed by a highly collectible original Model A leather sheath crafted by legendary maker Maurice Johnson (or his son Johnny Johnson). It features a pocket for a sharpening hone on the front and the distinctive "rough back" unlined split-leather texture on the reverse side.
- Era (Late 1970s – Early 1980s): The combination of the 5-spacer layout (post-1973), the Johnson rough-back style (which was produced up until 1982), and period-correct hardware confirms this knife was handmade during this golden window of production.
This configuration is an outdoorsman's classic, presenting an excellent opportunity for serious Randall Made Knives collectors to acquire a well-optioned, premium vintage build.
- Never used, carried or sharpened
- Original Johnson "Rough Back" Sheath
- Condition is near mint , very minor patina consistent with age, see all photos.
NKCA Grading system
MINT: A factory fresh knife, absolutely original as it came from the manufacturer, not carried or sharpened, a perfect knife.
NEAR MINT: A new knife that has seen sometimes, show some slight carry or shop wear, blades snap perfectly, handles show no cracks.
EXCELLENT: Shows no more than 10% blade wear, handles are sound, no cracks, blades snap good.
VERY GOOD: About 25% blade wear, slight cracks in handles, may have one lazy blade, stamping clearly visible to the naked eye, no blades changed or repaired.
FAIR: 50% blade wear, blades lazy, cracks and chips in handles, handles replaced with same type, blades repaired, stampings faint but readable with a glass.
POOR: Blades very worn, handles bad or missing, blades have been replaced with the same type, reading of the stamp is almost impossible, even with a glass, good mostly only for parts.
