Here is a brief report on knives of a classic Randall pattern, whose delivery will be less than 60 days, and whose workmanship and materials will cause you to tremble.
I received my Hattori KD30-2A (5.2-inch blade) last week. My graphic is inadequate. It shows the blind tang versions. My knife has a stag handle with traditional Randall Duralumin butt cap-with-nut.
While it is a close copy of Randall's Model 5, it is superior in precision of manufacture, in detail assembly -- in every respect save one. Hattoris included sheath is as I expected -- bland. The knife deserves better. Sullivans sheath for Randalls M25-5 looks to be an excellent choice. If only Mr. Sullivan would get back to me with a price.
For anyone interested in buying a production knife that is superior to any custom knife I have handled -- there are probably several custom makers who do comparable quality knives, I just haven't seen their work -- the best price I found is from Jemmy Iwahara "Kencrest" <jemmy@kencrest.us>. Quality of service, quality of his personal advice is excellent.
Similarities between Randall and Hattori's outdoorsman's KD30-1A/2A series are close. Their knives are production knives in the sense that knives are made to a pattern. Randall "customizes" by offering many options within fixed production parameters. Hattori apparently offers garden-variety knives of common materials by the thousand.
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Hattori also has a segment of their business that makes very small numbers of outdoorsman's knives and chef's knives of Cowry X (layered with AISI 420) Damascus. There are limited patterns and options versus Randall's many patterns and options.
Apparently Hattori maintains a tiny inventory of Cowry X outdoorsman's knives; most orders are built to an order within 60 days.
B U T . . . where Randall is out of the built-to-order knife business -- building a hundred knives with unusual handles or markings counts for nothing in my built-to-order world -- Hattori will make one-of-a-kind knives. I haven't received my quote yet for my two built-to-order knives, I try not to think about cost.
Hattori will not sell at retail. The best prices with selection I found is from Mr. Jemmy Iwahara
http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/Hattori.html.
The Iwahara family operates a large cutlery import-export business. Finding the universe of outdoorsman's Cowry X Damascus knives is a major headache. I recommend you E-mail him Kencrest <jemmy@kencrest.us>, using LANCE as your reference, and ask for what you need.
