Business model Randall vs. Busse

[cpd670]

This is not an argument for one over the other. Both build great quality knives.
What I am referring to is how they do business.

Randall:
Continually makes a wide catalog of knives with a variety of options.
Materials, models, and options have not changed much over the decades.
Knives are not serialized so the used model you just purchased could be made yesterday or 25 years ago.
Wait times run just over 4 years for a new knife from them.


Busse:
Continually offering different models with only really two options.
You order the knife you want from them when they offer it or have a hard time finding it on the secondary market.
Wait times run about about 4 weeks from their factory.

Which way do you believe is the better business model?

Make the same thing over and over?
or
Continually mix things up?

 

[Skrapmetal]

Better business model from which perspective? As a customer, or as the business owner?

From a customer perspective, I'd say Busse. If I want a Busse, I'm always only a couple of months away from getting whatever they have available. And when you compare it to the four year wait for a Randall (Is it really still that long?), the different runs of Busse's will cover a wide range of types of knives in that timeframe. This is strictly considering the ordering process, and not knife shows/ganzas/secondary market for Busse, or the dealer options/secondary market for Randall.

But from the business perspective, I have no idea. Both are clearly successful enough to keep doing what they are doing.

 

[fzla226]

I don't think either is very good, considering you either have huge wait times for customers or a limited selection, but I don't think that investing a lot in modern production is something either are very interested in. So not much can be done about it.

 

[Lycosa]

Randall and Busse are established knife companies. Word of mouth is the best business model.
May I add Dozier knives?
rolf

 

[Shotgun]

I dislike both business models but they make a lot of money doing it.

 

[Ken44]

I like both alot.
Many companies do things in different ways, and both of these companies are doing well.

Randall has been around for about 75 years, so they must be doing something right, and I think Busse will also be around for many years to come.

 

[tltt]

Both have all the business they can handle. Also in the case of Randall, part of that strategy is what's helped it cement its place as a luxury brand over the years. People hate the wait, yet they love the wait, and the one's on the outside go "wow, let's see what's all the fuss about".

 

[glocker199]

I think the primary appeal of Randall knives is the exclusivity of having something you are required to wait that long to own. They are nice to look at but no way in hell I'm paying $400 and waiting four years for a 440B knife no matter how pretty it may be.

 

[Franciscomv]

I think the primary appeal of Randall knives is the exclusivity of having something you are required to wait that long to own. They are nice to look at but no way in hell I'm paying $400 and waiting four years for a 440B knife no matter how pretty it may be.

You could always get one of their carbon steel models (I do agree on their stainless models being VERY overpriced for the materials you get).

Anyway, it's difficult to be certain without access to each company's financial information, but it seems that their respective business models are quite successful. Randall's been around for ages and Busse seems to sell everything they make. As a customer, I find both companies a bit annoying to deal with (I don't like things like Busse's "no sheath" policy).

 

[cpd670]

You could always get one of their carbon steel models (I do agree on their stainless models being VERY overpriced for the materials you get).

Anyway, it's difficult to be certain without access to each company's financial information, but it seems that their respective business models are quite successful. Randall's been around for ages and Busse seems to sell everything they make. As a customer, I find both companies a bit annoying to deal with (I don't like things like Busse's "no sheath" policy).

No sheath with their knives have kept me from Busse so far. It basically adds $100 to the cost of their knives unless you never intend to use it, which doesn't work for me.

Randall could certainly upgrade their steel but then it would probably kill the used market.