(http://i.imgur.com/oViOI2l.jpg)
Sometime in the Pacific theater of World War Two, William Ewing Scott, Jr. was issued a Randall knife by the United States Navy. He was a fighter pilot. He had it with him in dogfights over Guadalcanal, and many other maneuvers over the South Pacific. When the war was over and he was finally coming home, the Randall knife was stolen from his foot locker, along with his flight jacket and many other things. He vowed to find the maker of that wonderful knife when he returned home, and get himself another one.
Sometime in the 1950's (I wish I knew exactly when, but I don't)after completing law school on the GI bill, William took a trip to Jacksonville, Florida with the sole purpose of finding Bo Randall's custom knife shop. He sat and had coffee with Bo Randall, and told him tales of how useful his knife had been in the South Pacific. An avid sportsman, he purchased what I believe to be a model 3 hunter with a rosewood handle. He had Mr. Randall put a small medallion in the handle bearing his initials. He also purchased what I believe to be a model 4 small game skinner, and I am hoping any Randall experts will chime in if I am incorrect. He wanted to have a Randall knife for his son, yet to be born at this time.
You may have it figured out by now, William Ewing Scott, Jr. was my grandfather. He gave my father the model 4 on his 18th birthday. In 1985, two new sportsmen came into this world. Twin boys. Myself and my brother, Mike.
After thanksgiving dinner several weeks ago, my father asked my brother and I to come back to the safe, he had something he wanted to give us both. When he presented us each with one of the Randall knives we both were speechless. We sat and visited until late into the night, remembering fondly William Ewing Scott, Jr. War hero, father, grandfather and true gentlemen.
I wanted to share this story with the gang, and I have posted in the PowWow hoping that it will see more traffic than in the knife forum. My apologies to the Mods if I am in violation of the rules.
Any of you knife experts, feel free to chime in if you know much about these knives. I know that they were made sometime in the early to mid 1950's. They both have matching sheaths, and small stones that came with them. Neither knife is serial numbered, they just carry Randall's stamp. A little internet digging has revealed these knives to be worth quite a bit of money, that matters little to me....
In my eyes they are priceless.
Thanks for coming along, guys.
Jake :campfire:
One correction, I said the shop was in Jacksonville, it was in Orlando. My apologies.
Jake
Wow! Great story... thanks for sharing!
Really neat story! Congratulations on receiving such a traditional and emotional gift.
Wow, I was in a bad mood this morning until I read your story. That is a great story. Thanks for sharing. chad
Definitely worth sharing. Thanks.
Good story and history behind those knives. Thank you for allowing us to be a part.
You are right! PRICELESS....
Great story but I was hoping the thief returned the original knife. Wouldn't it be great if someone read this thread and contacted you about the original.
Pretty Cool story! Great History and Great Knives!
LD
Thanks for the story. Great pieces of history.
That's a cool story! Those knives could have got lost or sold, or who knows over the years, but they were not, and now they are a precious heirloom for you and your brother!
Bisch
That is very special.........
Such a cool story. I love the history of these two knives and the value of the story and history far exceeds the monetary value they represent to the average guy. Thanks for sharing them here. The tradition of passing on family heirlooms is one that seems to be dying off in the modern world we live in. I think most here will appreciate the value they hold for you and your family.
Chris
What a great story....made my day.
Those knives are true treasures,..but I don't need to tell you that, thanks for sharing the story.
Pat
QuoteOriginally posted by Tater:
What a great story....made my day.
Those knives are true treasures,..but I don't need to tell you that, thanks for sharing the story.
Pat
Exactly :clapper:
Great story ! Maybe next season you'll be posting a follow-up story where both you and your brother were faced with opportunities to use your Grandfather's knives to skin game.
awesome.
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Cool.
Wonderful post, it made my day.
Exactly why I come to this site. You never know what kind of pick-me-ups you'll run across. Thanks for sharing!
Sometimes a knife is not JUST a knife. Those are real treasures. Thanks for the background on them and happy hunting.
:campfire: