I've considered purchasing a Randall in the past, and am now giving the Model 14 Attack another look, along with some others, but I never seem to read much on the Forum about them. I read alot about Busse, Mad Dog and expensive customs but never too much about the Randalls. Any particular reason why?
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Does anyone still like Randall???
- Thread starter Greg Clem
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
- Messages
- 434
Among trumpet players, all the talk these days is about Lawlers, Monettes, Blackburns, and other special-order custom instruments made by gurus in newly-built shops. Meanwhile, the vast majority of cash-earning continues to be done with factory Bach Strads and custom Callichios, both of which are designs from the late 50s.
The parallel with knives is that what is talked about most today is not necessarily either best or most practical or . . . most anything.
Talk usually follows fads more than it tracks any particular connection with what is or isn't best.
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Bill
Unfortunate but Increasingly Necessary Disclaimer:
While this post likely contains incorrect information, fuzzy logic, poor grammar and misspelled words, what it does not contain is intentional malevolence toward anyone.
The parallel with knives is that what is talked about most today is not necessarily either best or most practical or . . . most anything.
Talk usually follows fads more than it tracks any particular connection with what is or isn't best.
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Bill
Unfortunate but Increasingly Necessary Disclaimer:
While this post likely contains incorrect information, fuzzy logic, poor grammar and misspelled words, what it does not contain is intentional malevolence toward anyone.
To answer your first question-of course!
Dealers at gun and knife show consider them as gold, you can always get your money back.
World famous and heavily USED.
Most current complaint is the materails used for the blade, probably they should switch to a more modern stainless steel, but their forged blade is still recognized as a good carbon steel
You get a little bit of history in each knife.
Dealers at gun and knife show consider them as gold, you can always get your money back.
World famous and heavily USED.
Most current complaint is the materails used for the blade, probably they should switch to a more modern stainless steel, but their forged blade is still recognized as a good carbon steel
You get a little bit of history in each knife.
Jack Sides
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 202
Go find a store or local blade show and look and handle a Randall knife.I have three, you will find them to be as well made as many custom knifes and beter than alot.My father had a Randall he bought in the mid 60's it is a model 14 with a black micarta handle.He told me at the time this was the best knife in the world. I now have that knife, and still use it to compair my my own custom knife purchases. The other two are a model 1 with a stag handle I bought in 72 and a miniature Model 18 my Dad bought in 68,my mother had a fit over that one.
- Joined
- Oct 1, 1999
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- 6,490
Greg,
Randalls are great knives. I'd like to get a Model #12, Confedarate Bowie, next year. Seems to me the more traditional styles, are not what is generally discussed at the Forums. Mostly it's tacticals, the newest steels, hotest handle material, smoothest openning. Someone will probably suggest you should get a Sebenza instead of the Randall, or you may not get many replies at all. Others will suggest changing what is a Classic. If you don't find the perfect knife for any application in the Randalls catalog, then your fixed on folders or just not looking hard enough. As for me I could be very happy, for a very long time, with just what comes from that one company. We're not alone, but my guess is we are a minority. Busse and Chris Reeve make great knives, it's not what I'm looking for, but I do look.
Randalls are great knives. I'd like to get a Model #12, Confedarate Bowie, next year. Seems to me the more traditional styles, are not what is generally discussed at the Forums. Mostly it's tacticals, the newest steels, hotest handle material, smoothest openning. Someone will probably suggest you should get a Sebenza instead of the Randall, or you may not get many replies at all. Others will suggest changing what is a Classic. If you don't find the perfect knife for any application in the Randalls catalog, then your fixed on folders or just not looking hard enough. As for me I could be very happy, for a very long time, with just what comes from that one company. We're not alone, but my guess is we are a minority. Busse and Chris Reeve make great knives, it's not what I'm looking for, but I do look.
- Joined
- Aug 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,317
Greg-when I first became violently interested in collecting, my first call was to Randall for their catalog. When I recieved it, I was very, very impressed. I picked through all the custom options and settled on what I believed to be the "perfect" knife for me. Then I flipped the catalog over and saw the projected delivery date of a knife if I ordered today. It was almost three years. Since then I have kept my eyes on E-bay and other auction houses hoping to see "my" knife show up. No luck yet, but I keep hoping. Yes, I collect other, more talked about knives. But I still maintain that I WILL own a Randall, someday soon. Good luck!
Paul
Paul
Hey, call Nordic knives. I think they can get you any Randall with any option in a fraction of the time it takes for YOU to order from Randall.
jc
http://www.nordicknives.com/
By the way, I have a 14 and a SP#1. These are excellent knives and not all that expensive when you consider alternatives.
jc
http://www.nordicknives.com/
By the way, I have a 14 and a SP#1. These are excellent knives and not all that expensive when you consider alternatives.
Greg:
Well now this is just my two cents worth, but if you want one of the finest made knives on the market then do yourself a big favor and go out immediately and get a ............. DRUM ROLL PLEASE...........
Randall Made as soon as possibe. I don't think you'll regret it. Hell if for some reason you did just pack it up, send it to me and we'll just call it an early christmas present.
Well now this is just my two cents worth, but if you want one of the finest made knives on the market then do yourself a big favor and go out immediately and get a ............. DRUM ROLL PLEASE...........
Randall Made as soon as possibe. I don't think you'll regret it. Hell if for some reason you did just pack it up, send it to me and we'll just call it an early christmas present.
Tenbeers
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 1998
- Messages
- 2,165
I agree with everything said so far. Randall knives don't get as much attention as some others, but they are great knives. I own the #14 and #1-8. I had to wait 2 years on the #1-8, but it was worth it.
It would have been interesting to see how the #14 would have done in Mike's tests. Probably not as good a chopper as the Busse, but I think it would have done well overall.
Ten
It would have been interesting to see how the #14 would have done in Mike's tests. Probably not as good a chopper as the Busse, but I think it would have done well overall.
Ten
- Joined
- Jul 7, 1999
- Messages
- 645
I have/had a Randall#14 purchased sometime in 90 and that has been used and abused all over the pacific and the midle east sandbox. Right now the knife is TDY with a cousin in the Army (he needed a knife mucho pronto in the worst way)
I purchased a Busse #9 to play with and possibly use to retire the Randall as the Randall has done it's share and then some for me. As good as the Busse seems it just does not have the "feel" of a Randall.
However the other day I ran across a Randall #1 stainless and the price was right so we now own another Randall.
I'd love to see a Randall in Mike's tests, in fact I sent Randall a e-mail and letter explaining about this web site and the tests Mike is doing. I also told Randall how I'd really like to see some of their knives included in the test. Now if enough other BF members do the same who knows they might just send a couple of knives in to be tested!!!
Knives are much like guns, when you have one that works, makes you feel good has your trust and confidence you want to stay with them. I felt "naked" without a Randall even though the Busse#9 is a excellent knife.
[This message has been edited by Shrike9 (edited 20 November 1999).]
I purchased a Busse #9 to play with and possibly use to retire the Randall as the Randall has done it's share and then some for me. As good as the Busse seems it just does not have the "feel" of a Randall.
However the other day I ran across a Randall #1 stainless and the price was right so we now own another Randall.
I'd love to see a Randall in Mike's tests, in fact I sent Randall a e-mail and letter explaining about this web site and the tests Mike is doing. I also told Randall how I'd really like to see some of their knives included in the test. Now if enough other BF members do the same who knows they might just send a couple of knives in to be tested!!!
Knives are much like guns, when you have one that works, makes you feel good has your trust and confidence you want to stay with them. I felt "naked" without a Randall even though the Busse#9 is a excellent knife.
[This message has been edited by Shrike9 (edited 20 November 1999).]
not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,750
Just ordered my eight Randall last week, and am currently looking for a ninth, tenth, etc.
Randall makes an excellent knife, and their customer service is the role model for all private makers. The model 14 is an excellent camp/field knife; I am sure you will love it; and if you don't like it send it down my way. I have two model 14s and I wouldn't mind a third.
Randall makes an excellent knife, and their customer service is the role model for all private makers. The model 14 is an excellent camp/field knife; I am sure you will love it; and if you don't like it send it down my way. I have two model 14s and I wouldn't mind a third.
Randall Knives have tradition and history.
Modern steels are ok, but they all seem to use carbon steel as a measure of how they hold up. My point is why measure against the best instead of using the best? I will own a Randall, it's just a matter of time.
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(!)
Modern steels are ok, but they all seem to use carbon steel as a measure of how they hold up. My point is why measure against the best instead of using the best? I will own a Randall, it's just a matter of time.
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(!)
Count me in. As Phil said they basically cover the ground for different functions but since they aren't trendy a lot of folks probably see them as old fashioned. The other thing is they aren't made by Randall himself.
The same thing is true of the late Jimmie Lile's knives (unless you have a marked prototype or one of his high end bowies), but it doesn't make them a lesser knife. Randall, Loveless, Cooper and others I am not even naming helped generate the groundswell of demand for non-mass produced cutlery that enables a lot of modern up to the minute guys to make a living making something that most people aren't willing to spend real money on.
YMMV
The same thing is true of the late Jimmie Lile's knives (unless you have a marked prototype or one of his high end bowies), but it doesn't make them a lesser knife. Randall, Loveless, Cooper and others I am not even naming helped generate the groundswell of demand for non-mass produced cutlery that enables a lot of modern up to the minute guys to make a living making something that most people aren't willing to spend real money on.
YMMV
knnut: you have 21 Randalls?! Wow! You da man. Actually I've been giving the 6" Model 3 a look also. It looks similar to the Little Bear Bowie except it doesn't have the top edge sharpened, which I believe is illegal in my state. I found one in stock at a dealer with a leather handle (not my first choice), but the price is right. I like the shape of the blade, and I think the size is just about the right length for a practical working knife. (not looking to buy a sword.)
- Joined
- May 5, 1999
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- 3,065
For those whose desire for a Randall doesn't require special-order mods, the advice in their catalog to call and inquire about stock on hand is good. I called them a month ago on a whim to see if they had a Model 1-8", and was told they had one "that wasn't here yesterday". Needless to say it wasn't there the next day either
.