How tough are Randall knives?

exactly my point. I wouldn't buy that buck same as I'd never pay 500 bucks for 440B Randall. Randall could easily use premium steel and sell a better product to their customers, But why would they they don't need to because people are happy paying premium price for "mundane" steel. They have a very good thing going. But I would guess it may not last for ever. To much info available and more younger customers geek out on specs like us. The new "knife guys" are growing up with awesome stuff 3v, Infi, s90, M4 etc. 440b isn't going to fetch premium price forever. Collect-ability is the one that have going. Just to clarify I am not calling them junk. In my opinion I can buy a better performing knife for their cost. Will it be as collectable in 20 years? Only time will tell.
 
A knife is the sum of its parts...so to say that a different steel will make a better knife is naive and lacks any understanding of our hobby or passion.
 
To go a step further .....if steel defines a knife then you're nothing more than a production company that reinvents itself every year to remain relevant and foremost in everyone's mind, and if you're a maker always using different steels than you are no different than the dog chasing its tail in circles going no were because you're yet to be successful defining yourself as a maker.
Steel will never define the knife.
 
Seems to me some folks have been deluded into believing the only great knife is a knife made with the latest, greatest of superwhizzbanggoshdarngreat steel. Yet makers like Randall have used tried and true materials and methods to make truly great knives for a lot longer than these other steels have existed. Technology is pretty great. So is experience and know-how.
 
Boggs said:
A knife is the sum of its parts...so to say that a different steel will make a better knife is naive and lacks any understanding of our hobby or passion.
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Very True! :thumbup: a Randall for some reason just has a certain look and feel to it also.
 
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I always believed and still do believe in proven things, tested by many men and by many years, (in this case decades)....Yes, I know, modern super-steels would be towering over old 440's with performance and so on,but for me, it's never steel vs steel, it's rather craftsmanship vs craftsmanship what counts more for me.....

Grade of steel is only half of measurable quality,the other half and same important is the way of process of making knife,how it's edge is made,heat treatment, hardware of knife,tang shape/length/fixation,overall finish,simply meticulous work,that many may and will take shortcuts through,with raw offering of modern "super-steels".... that's why I believe to put it straight- lesser grade,rather old steel can show superior quality and overall performance, when given life by someone, who understand and will never sacrifice anything in the process and who would not take shortcuts.... in order to sale more & more & more and faster & faster & faster....

In my opinion,despite I do not own any Randall (yet:)) clear statement of this can be seen in this manufacturer focused not on "Speed", neither "Quantity " of sales,,,,,(waiting period 4 years speak for itself) ,,,, but rather small,well controlled, meticulous working environment, producing (according to my opinion) best possible and achievable product over the decades and 75 years in this business is guarantee, these knives must be good.... They have seen many wars,harsh use,tested through heats of battles and served well....

In my opinion,with such rare manufacturer like Randall,one is getting far more than a knife,than a piece of steel.You get a legendary blade with history and a lot of stories with it....

That's the way I think of it and no guys,please don't think,I am selling these knives,nor am I any sort of way connected anyhow with this legendary manufacturer.I am only one of yous, who like the blades and want to know more and more about them.
 
Seriousbladeno1 said:
I always believed and still do believe in proven things, tested by many men and by many years, (in this case decades)....Yes, I know, modern super-steels would be towering over old 440's with performance and so on,but for me, it's never steel vs steel, it's rather craftsmanship vs craftsmanship what counts more for me....
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Then I have to ask why have you over and over in this thread asked about the quality of Randalls when they have have been proven in the field (both "military" and "outdoors") for decades upon decades. I cant think of another maker more proven than them.

Seriousbladeno1 said:
That's the way I think of it and no guys,please don't think,I am selling these knives,nor am I any sort of way connected anyhow with this legendary manufacturer.I am only one of yous, who like the blades and want to know more and more about them.
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I don't think you gave anyone the impression that you work for Randall! I wouldn't worry about that at all! :thumbup:
 
I think it's matter of perception, how we see knives and also fully understand man,for who is the knife only a tool, without any passion about it, this men will most likely seek performance ratio vs price or steel junkie,for who modern super-steels are passion, rather than history and other values.... Don't think, there is any need for disagreements, related to this.
 
marcinek said:
Then I have to ask why have you over and over in this thread asked about the quality of Randalls when they have have been proven in the field (both "military" and "outdoors") for decades upon decades. I cant think of another maker more proven than them.



I don't think you gave anyone the impression that you work for Randall! I wouldn't worry about that at all! :thumbup:
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I have no problem to ignore, what I think shall be ignored....that's all I can answer :)


:thumbup:
 
Always changing steels for the next best thing is NOT what I am talking about. If their stainless steel 440 series knife didn't say Randall theres no way on gods green earth it would sell for what they sell for. They would sell for what well made knives made out of equal material sell for. Their knives do not defy science. They have the edge holding capability of 440B and O1 with a great heat treat. Do you guys think that hasn't been out done in the past 20 years? They have been proven but their performance best has been bested at this point, I guess would be my point.
 
Im guessing, that youve never held let alone own a Ranndall:D

I couldnt be bothered to go back in the thread and check as I didnt want to run the risk of another Im-young-and-like-super-duper-steels-and-that-old-stuff-dont-work-for-carp;)
 
I'm not that young lol I buy to use and if your telling me theres nothing better than 440B and O1 than ignorance is bliss. Older steels are great also, I love my Buck woods man in 420hc, but I paid under 40 dollars for it, what I believe is great value. I would not pay 200 dollars for the same woodsman. I have held and used a Randall and watched as a very good friend proudly pull his new Randall out and have it get dull before it was done field dressing a deer to do a 2nd cleanly. Maybe he made bone contact, what I saw was mostly hide and hair contact, which can do it to. He claimed it was sharp when he started. Who knows. That is reasonable performance for a 440 series steel. On the other hand I recently purchased a Barkie in 3v and a spyderco southfork in S90v if you have handled, used or owned knives in steel comparable to s90v or 3v you would expect a lot more performance in a high dollar knife. For my money I try to get the best performance for my dollar. If my budget is $50 dollars I will research and find the best I can for 50 and if I want to spend 500 I can find some AWESOME knives that will out perform a Randall any day of any week.
 
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We get it, Randall knives are not for you, but there is no need to consider others love for Randall as a mistake. Randalls are a marriage of well tested materials and design, backed by hand forged construction and finishing skills that are the proud heritage of a single family.

A knife is more than just steel, as a Busse fan, you may not be capable of understanding that concept. :)

Randalls are best in carbon steel, but to satisfy their customers, they sell stainless as well.
 
I contemplated asking him, how any grown up could reach this conclusion....
lobo9er said:
if your telling me theres nothing better than 440B and O1 than ignorance is bliss.
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.....from this post, as I implied nothing of the sort:
BladeScout said:
Im guessing, that youve never held let alone own a Ranndall:D

I couldnt be bothered to go back in the thread and check as I didnt want to run the risk of another Im-young-and-like-super-duper-steels-and-that-old-stuff-dont-work-for-carp;)
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But then your post says it all:D
:D
brownshoe said:
A knife is more than just steel, as a Busse fan, you may not be capable of understanding that concept. :)
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ROFL
 
brownshoe said:
We get it, Randall knives are not for you, but there is no need to consider others love for Randall as a mistake. Randalls are a marriage of well tested materials and design, backed by hand forged construction and finishing skills that are the proud heritage of a single family.

A knife is more than just steel, as a Busse fan, you may not be capable of understanding that concept. :)

Randalls are best in carbon steel, but to satisfy their customers, they sell stainless as well.
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Brownshoe,I think we all seek different values in knife and lobo9er is seeking best possible performance for the money without any historical,sentimental or unique values that comes with Randalls with its significant price tags...

I may say that I am fully with you and your opinion expressed is identical to mine on Randalls....

One thing is unclear to me and that O1 options comes cheaper than Stainless with Randalls,do you know why,or anyone please???
 
brownshoe said:
We get it, Randall knives are not for you, but there is no need to consider others love for Randall as a mistake. Randalls are a marriage of well tested materials and design, backed by hand forged construction and finishing skills that are the proud heritage of a single family.

A knife is more than just steel, as a Busse fan, you may not be capable of understanding that concept. :)

Randalls are best in carbon steel, but to satisfy their customers, they sell stainless as well.
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Please don't generalize about busse fans. I am a busse fan and have always liked and owned Randal knives. And yes there is more to a knife than just the steel.
 
Cobalt said:
Please don't generalize about busse fans. I am a busse fan and have always liked and owned Randal knives. And yes there is more to a knife than just the steel.
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Both manufacturers have its fans and followers for different reasons, both cater for diverse knife users or collectors.This thread is dedicated to Randalls, but I d also love Busse Straight back Battle Mistress in my hands :) just love its design for some reason....

It would be tough decision for me to choose between that one and let's say Randalls Smithsonian Bowie, but I d give preference to Randall I think,despite the infi steel pros...
 
My guess is that the O-1 Randalls are less expensive than the stainless ones because O-1 is easier to forge and finish than stainless steel is.
 
excellent statement cobalt, I enjoy both as does the man himself!!

Cobalt said:
Please don't generalize about busse fans. I am a busse fan and have always liked and owned Randal knives. And yes there is more to a knife than just the steel.
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