Randall Made Knives
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| Private | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founder | Walter Doane "Bo" Randall, Jr. |
| Headquarters | 4857 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida |
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Key people
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"Bo" Randall and his son Gary |
| Products | Custom Handmade Knives |
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Number of employees
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About 20 |
| Website | Randall Made Knives |
Randall Made Knives, usually referred to as Randall, is an American custom handcrafted knife manufacturer founded by Walter Doane "Bo" Randall, Jr. in the U.S. The factory and showroom is located in Orlando, Florida. Randall began making knives as a hobby in 1937. His son and grandson continue the family trade along with 20 craftsmen producing about 8,000 knives per year out of a shop on the South Orange Blossom Trail.
Randall offers 28 models of knives for different applications, each customizable at the factory based on customer specification. Randall hand forges nearly all models of knives instead of factory stamping, one of few manufacturers to do so. Randall uses a 17-step process for making knives, which usually takes over 8 hours to complete. The waiting list for obtaining a Randall from the factory is typically five years.
Two examples of Randall's Model 17 "Astro", designed for the use of astronauts, are on display in the Smithsonian Institution. The company operates its own museum containing more than 7,000 knives and other edged weapons, including one of the world's largest collections of pocket knives.
Bo Randall first became interested in making knives after he purchased a Bill Scagel knife that was being used to scrape paint off of a boat without showing any signs of wear or damage. He made his first knife in his garage at Lake Ivanhoe, Florida using an auto spring.
He founded the company in 1938. Although Randall originally designed his knives for outdoorsmen and sold them at sporting goods stores, demand from military customers initially provided his biggest boost in business, and launched his company nationally.
In the early 1940s, Randall knives significantly increased in popularity after receiving good publicity during World War II. Several noted war heroes and GIs on all fronts carried Randall knives with them into major battles, including Lieutenant General James M. Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Normandy invasion.Army Air Force Captain Ronald Reagan, future U.S. President, owned a Randall knife in World War II. Randalls were so popular that GIs from overseas ordered through the mail by simply addressing letters to the "Knife Man, Orlando".
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Wikipedia