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THE SHAW-LEIBOWITZ SPECIAL
The following is from Randall Knife Society newsletter #7, July, 1990.
A special thanks to fellow RKSA member and Randall knife dealer Jack Crider for most of the information in this article.
The Shaw-Leibowitz Special was advertised by them in the late 1970's as "The Lewis and Clark Commemorative", but is known on the collector's market usually as the, Leibowitz Special. This is probably due to the fact that most of the sheaths are marked on the back with "LS".
This offering started out to be 300 knives but only 144 knives were etched by Shaw-Leibowitz. The etching on the blade was to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 to 1806. Guided by the Indian Princess Sakagawea, they made a daring trip from St. Louis up the Missouri River and onto the Pacific Ocean in 1805 opening a new frontier for the young country. The advertising reads, "Randall Knives has designed and made a New Bowie style knife, and Shaw-Leibowitz has created a new scene, to commemorate this great historical event".
The three, figures of Lewis, Clark and Sakagawea are seen rowing their canoe through the Missouri waters past dense foliage and distant mountains, while a flowing banner above the scene identifies the commemorative with the words, "Lewis & Clark - 1805". Any numbered scene could be purchased with or without the dramatic effect of colored plating. In the scene with plating, the figures and canoe are 24K gold, and the banner, supplies, and oars are plated copper.
The bottom photo is courtesy of Daniel Feldstein. This knife is being sold on eBay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2165571253&category=1402
The knife, advertised as a bowie knife, is more aptly described as a 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 inch wide 6 inch long clip blade with a Model 6 style grind. The knife, which does not appear in the Randall catalog, features a handle of selected rosewood, a guard of nickel silver, and a butt cap of duralumin. The total length of the knife is a fraction under 11 inches. Each knife has its own leather sheath with stone pocket and LS is stamped on the back of the sheath. This knife was not offered in stainless but offered in Swedish tool steel only.
The issue price for the knife was $185 for the etched scene only and $235 with the special gold and copper plating. A special glass-top walnut display case was available for $45.
Shaw-Leibowitz stopped production at 144 knives since this is what was ordered at the time. Old "Knife Scrounger" Jack Crider was able to get the jump on the other 156 blades and had them made up in many different handles, but these knives were not etched. Jack has sold most of these and has few if any left. /// Rhett Stidham
The following is from Randall Knife Society newsletter #7, July, 1990.
A special thanks to fellow RKSA member and Randall knife dealer Jack Crider for most of the information in this article.
The Shaw-Leibowitz Special was advertised by them in the late 1970's as "The Lewis and Clark Commemorative", but is known on the collector's market usually as the, Leibowitz Special. This is probably due to the fact that most of the sheaths are marked on the back with "LS".
This offering started out to be 300 knives but only 144 knives were etched by Shaw-Leibowitz. The etching on the blade was to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 to 1806. Guided by the Indian Princess Sakagawea, they made a daring trip from St. Louis up the Missouri River and onto the Pacific Ocean in 1805 opening a new frontier for the young country. The advertising reads, "Randall Knives has designed and made a New Bowie style knife, and Shaw-Leibowitz has created a new scene, to commemorate this great historical event".
The three, figures of Lewis, Clark and Sakagawea are seen rowing their canoe through the Missouri waters past dense foliage and distant mountains, while a flowing banner above the scene identifies the commemorative with the words, "Lewis & Clark - 1805". Any numbered scene could be purchased with or without the dramatic effect of colored plating. In the scene with plating, the figures and canoe are 24K gold, and the banner, supplies, and oars are plated copper.
The bottom photo is courtesy of Daniel Feldstein. This knife is being sold on eBay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2165571253&category=1402
The knife, advertised as a bowie knife, is more aptly described as a 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 inch wide 6 inch long clip blade with a Model 6 style grind. The knife, which does not appear in the Randall catalog, features a handle of selected rosewood, a guard of nickel silver, and a butt cap of duralumin. The total length of the knife is a fraction under 11 inches. Each knife has its own leather sheath with stone pocket and LS is stamped on the back of the sheath. This knife was not offered in stainless but offered in Swedish tool steel only.
The issue price for the knife was $185 for the etched scene only and $235 with the special gold and copper plating. A special glass-top walnut display case was available for $45.
Shaw-Leibowitz stopped production at 144 knives since this is what was ordered at the time. Old "Knife Scrounger" Jack Crider was able to get the jump on the other 156 blades and had them made up in many different handles, but these knives were not etched. Jack has sold most of these and has few if any left. /// Rhett Stidham