Another Randall "Save"!

Kingknives · Jun 18, 1999

I'm currently reading a book titled "Black Hawk Down" about the U.S. misadventures in Somalia earlier this decade. In it, there is a description of a Navy Seal, in a Humvee, taking a round in the right hip. After further investigation it was found that the round had impacted on his Randall Knife, shattering the blade, but deflecting the bullet. Who says a knife isn't a good choice for protection? Maybe Gary Randall needs to branch off into the body armor business!

Roadrunner · Jun 18, 1999

Sounds like that guy was pretty lucky. I hope I never get to test a knife's bulletproof factor. Doesn't sound like fun.

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Just because I talk to myself doesn't mean I'm crazy. What's wrong with getting a second opinion?

Jun 18, 1999

Is this book fiction or non-fiction?

Bernie

Kingknives · Jun 19, 1999

Bernie,
This book is non-fiction. The author is Mark Bowden. It is excellent, if not disturbing, reading. I recommend it.

Jeff · Jun 20, 1999

The author's original serialized BlackHawk Down articles, which originally appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, may still be posted online with plenty of multi-media supplements and forum discussions. If the material is still online, enter "Blackhawk down" in quotes into a search engine. The online series was emotionally exhausting but a worthwhile read.

The book is supposed to have even MORE material and I look forward to reading it.
Jeff

Kingknives · Jun 20, 1999

Jeff,
If your interested, the author also has a website dedicated to the battle @ www.blackhawkdown.com It has excerpts, video, interviews etc... check it out.
Your quite right about the reading being emotionally exhausting. But I think it's a must read.
Joe

grnamin · Jun 22, 1999

So that's what the knife was! The Philadelphia Inquirer writeup at http://www.philly.com/packages/somalia/nov22/default22.asp didn't mention what it was. Thanks!

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-Greg
You don't need a parachute to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You need it only if you want to jump out twice.

bruce · Jun 22, 1999

Did he mention which model of Randall knife he carried? Inquiring minds want to know!

Bruce Woodbury

Kingknives · Jun 21, 1999

It doesn't say Bruce,
It just say his "Randall Seal Knife". As far as I know Randall doesn't make a model called a "Seal", so I think they just meant the Seals were carrying it.

FullerH · Jun 21, 1999

Has anyone pointed this incident out to Les Robertson? It would be interesting to hear his "take" on it.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh

bruce · Jun 23, 1999

I'm sure Les would say, "See, I told you so, if it had been a custom Brend, the blade wouldn't have broken when the bullet hit it!"

I guess we are going to have to add "bullet impact" to all knife testing now.

Jun 24, 1999

Wow. That Philly Inquirer stuff is fascinating . . .

Bernie