On Randall knives

Lodd said:
So, I don't really understand this stuff about Randall Knives, but I would like to.

I'm digging some of their models (especially the no. 5), as well as the stag grips. And maybe the stacked leather ones, too.

I do have some reservations, though. First off, I'd like to actually use the knife. During holidays. During camping. Are they still good users?

Randall's have been used and carried by sportsman and military for over 70 years. They have been used by professional hunters all over the world and they have been carried and used in every major military conflict the United States has been in since the Second World War. There is no doubt that they are excellent users.

Second: I'm left handed. I have seen in some video reviews that the handles are shaped for right-handed users. That would suck for me.

Standard handles, Border Patrol and Commando handles are designed to be ambidextrous. Some natural materials like stag may be selected for right or left handed users but if you choose a standard material like leather, Micarta or wood you are fine.

Third: I'm in the Netherlands and cannot have a knife that is sharpened on both sides. Do all their models have that?

A number of the models have unsharpened top edges. Remember that there are States in the US with similar restrictions.

Fourth: I'm in the Netherlands and with import costs, you can easily add 30 - 40% of the cost for the knife. Is it really worth it? Is the heat treat good enough to not notice that 440B?

There are more high tech steels than 440B but it has been used and proven for years. It retains a good edge and sharpens easily. Because a steel is older does not mean that it is not perfectly good and serviceable.
For example D2, W2, 1095, O1, 52100 are all "old fashioned" but they work excellently.
Only you can decide if you are willing to pay the extra import cost for it. Ironically the blades originate in Sweden and are drop forged before being shipped to Randall.

(I could deal with a 12 month wait if I could get the knife I wanted from an authorized dealer. For the 5 year wait, the risk is too great that I will have moved on in tastes and life. )

What's so special about these knives that I would pay € 700 for a knife in 440B? How do I 'get it'? Can someone help me understand?

The history, originality and design make them special. It's a shame you can't get to see them in person, you would like them. The good news is they are extremely popular all over the world. Buy one and if you don't like it you should have no trouble selling it on with minimal financial loss.
My advice is to order through a dealer like Nordic Knives or Clinton Knives. They will give you excellent advice and service and guide you in the correct direction. You could have your knife as quickly as 6-8 months.
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Answer imbedded in the quote^^
 
I have always stuck to basics #1, #2, #14, #16 and #18. I have always liked them and probably always will. Here is the oldest that I bought in 1980;
Model 1-7.

i-F2MFSSB-L.jpg
 
vjb.knife said:
I have always stuck to basics #1, #2, #14, #16 and #18. I have always liked them and probably always will. Here is the oldest that I bought in 1980;
Model 1-7.

i-F2MFSSB-L.jpg
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Very nice. Is that a GS Seiko? One of my favourite watches.:)
 
Lodd,
Here’s my experience with a Model 5, used over 38 years for hunting (opening up carcass, cutting through ribs, cleaning out entrails, and rough butchering: decapeing and breaking down animal into quarters. For final cut specific butchering, we use other butcher knives.

I found the #5 ideal for my use. Blade length is 4.5”, in SS with a hilt to prevent hand cuts when covered in animal blood and fat. The handle (black micarta) is shaped for either hand (no cant or preference for right or left). Micarta offers excellent grip even when wet, bloody or other. The top edge is not sharpened but there is a taper.

As for the steel, stainless was very important for me as I am not always near a water source to fully clean the knife immediately after use. I found I can break down a number of carcasses before I need to re-align the edge. My record so far is 9 deer before it got dull enough I had to touch it up. My friend commented and said “hey, pretty dang good knife there”. Suffice to say it has more than enough edge for me.

I bought it from an authorized Randall dealer at list price. Delivery time was in months, but this was years ago when one could order any number of chargeable options. I believe folks here have said some dealers still do this (except Randall cap on 5 (?) chargeable options).

Hope this helps.
 
NautiBuoys said:
Lodd,
Here’s my experience with a Model 5, used over 38 years for hunting (opening up carcass, cutting through ribs, cleaning out entrails, and rough butchering: decapeing and breaking down animal into quarters. For final cut specific butchering, we use other butcher knives.

I found the #5 ideal for my use. Blade length is 4.5”, in SS with a hilt to prevent hand cuts when covered in animal blood and fat. The handle (black micarta) is shaped for either hand (no cant or preference for right or left). Micarta offers excellent grip even when wet, bloody or other. The top edge is not sharpened but there is a taper.

As for the steel, stainless was very important for me as I am not always near a water source to fully clean the knife immediately after use. I found I can break down a number of carcasses before I need to re-align the edge. My record so far is 9 deer before it got dull enough I had to touch it up. My friend commented and said “hey, pretty dang good knife there”. Suffice to say it has more than enough edge for me.

I bought it from an authorized Randall dealer at list price. Delivery time was in months, but this was years ago when one could order any number of chargeable options. I believe folks here have said some dealers still do this (except Randall cap on 5 (?) chargeable options).

Hope this helps.
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Thanks, this was also part of the picture I was looking for. It sounds like they're heat-treating that 440B to really get the most out of it. (At least, was it always 440B? Even 38 years ago?). I hope the quality still holds strong, a lot can change in 38 years. But such a knife is certainly one to cherish and use, and worth the money imho.

I've been looking at a few dealers and it looks like it'll be between €700 - €1000 to get the knife I would want. Ouch. My personal circumstances make it unwise to make such a purchase right now, but who knows? You don't wanna spend such money just to find out they've recently shifted to the 'luxury display knives market' or something like that. Sadly, there have been many companies over the past few decades that have lost their quality.
 
Wasn’t the #10 made of ATS-34 at one time? Or maybe still is? I think to remember that Randall has used other stainless steels rather than just 440B. I’m possibly wrong, though.
 
mendezj said:
Wasn’t the #10 made of ATS-34 at one time? Or maybe still is? I think to remember that Randall has used other stainless steels rather than just 440B. I’m possibly wrong, though.
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Here was Gary Randall's statement from about a decade ago, I think they might of switched back to all 440b again, but I'm not sure -

"The Randall shop is currently using 440B and 440C stainless, on most knives, except the smaller stainless models, in 3/16 blade stock, which are made of ATS-34. Randall forges the 440 blades as always. The ATS-34 knives are made by stock removal mostly, but a few may be forged if the blade needs to be wider. We have stopped ordering 1/8 inch ATS-34 which is used mainly on the Model 10 series. A high carbon 440B is about the same as a low carbon 440C steel, so depending on the carbon content of the order analysis, it may be either 440B or 440C."

Also just as an aside, 440 class stainless is usually what most hand forgers use when making stainless forged knives. It's very rare to see anything else aside from a little AEB-L, and S30v every once and a while.
 
scottyj said:
Garbage. I bought a brand new Model 14 from that alleged "Captain" in Florida who is an authorized dealer.
The edge was butter knife dull.
The tip was blunt.
The blade looked like it was polished with a Brillo pad.
The blade stock was barely over an 1/8th of an inch thick.
The blade length was short by a 1/4 inch.
The Randall stamp on the blade was a black smear.
There were holes in the micarta where it met the exposed tang.
The brown wrapping paper was for a Model 1 knife.
I never received a bill of sale for the knife.
The knife was shipped loosely wrapped in old newspaper.
Immediately after receiving it I called the Randall shop, and spoke with Michael Randall himself about the above issues. He asked where I got the knife from. I told him the Captain, and all he would say was "send it back" over, and over. When I asked as to why the shop would send out a knife with all these obvious flaws he just kept screaming "SEND IT BACK" over and over. He never gave me any answers to my questions, except that the holes in the micarta were from air bubbles in the epoxy to glue the handle on, and then got so mad, and loud that I hung up on him, and vowed to never ever buy a Randall Knife again. I also did some research on that alleged "Captain" in Florida, and found out that he sells factory seconds for "shop price". I'm sure that is what I bought. The knife was eventually sold for what I paid, and I was glad to get rid of it. It was an embarrassing example of a knife, and I will never own another Randall, or recommend them. They suck.
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You sound like a rude, abrasive guy and I'm not surprised you weren't treated like a princess.
 
^^^ Never bought from Captain and it seems his stuff is always sold out so can’t speak on his stuff. However as quick as his inventory sells , he must have faithful clientele. I bought my now only Randall Camp and Trail off another authorized dealer (Clinton) several years ago and it was flawless. Razor sharp.
 
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E.D.C. said:
You sound like a rude, abrasive guy and I'm not surprised you weren't treated like a princess.
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I am rude and abrasive. I wanted simple answers to questions I had on the 400 + dollar knife I just bought from the guy who made it. Instead I got a bad attitude, and zero customer service. If I wanted to be treated like a "Princess" I'll go downtown and see Momma San at the local rub and tug.
 
scottyj said:
I am rude and abrasive. I wanted simple answers to questions I had on the 400 + dollar knife I just bought from the guy who made it. Instead I got a bad attitude, and zero customer service. If I wanted to be treated like a "Princess" I'll go downtown and see Momma San at the local rub and tug.
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The way you speak to people is important. Especially if you think you're owed something. I'd bet my left nut that Randall wasn't the one that initiated the rude behavior lol.

Next time try swallowing your pride before calling a company, you might get better results.
 
scottyj said:
I am rude and abrasive. I wanted simple answers to questions I had on the 400 + dollar knife I just bought from the guy who made it. Instead I got a bad attitude, and zero customer service. If I wanted to be treated like a "Princess" I'll go downtown and see Momma San at the local rub and tug.
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Zero customer service? Why does he have to answer questions? Didn't he tell you to send it back? (for repair or replacement I assume)
 
Wurger190 said:
Of course!
I have gone for a plain Model 1-7, no changes from the catalogue. 7" carbon blade, double brass hilt, stacked leather handle with Duralumin butt cap.
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Congrats!
I’m a week in on a 10-16 week wait for something else, I can’t imagine the torture of waiting 5 years for something..
 
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