On Randall knives

I bought a Randall 14 in 440B from Van Sickle (?) a dealer in Texas that you could get a list from of available knives and for about a 25% mark up get the knife right away, think it was $80 total. This was in late 1970 as I was getting ready to go back to Vietnam for the 4th time. I carried that 14 for that year and until 1991, when I retired. I was in Special Forces, on a Scuba team for 5 years, swam that knife in salt and fresh water, out on Winter warfare exercises down to -40 degrees C/F, jumped it many times. I did have the late custom knife maker, Wayne Goddard, put a different handle on it back around 1988, and that knife handled everything it needed to do, and I would not feel under equipped to got to the field with it today (but my body would not like it!). That being said, it is a long wait these days, and there are some great bargains out there for far less money, that would serve you well in difficult situations. For instance I have a Carothers Field Knife in CPM 3V, a collaboration between Nathan Carothers and Loren Arnold that is an excellent field knife, and available at a very reasonable amount. John
 
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I bought this one many years ago from Randall and the wait time was one year. They've gone way up in price since then and I believe the current wait time is five years. Too many better options out there nowadays and you won't have to die from old age waiting.
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I ordered an eight inch Model 1 before I went active in the army and was most of the way through a tour in Viet Nam before it was delivered to my home address. I just told my dad to hang on to it rather than ship it over. Still have the knife if things in the world ever get really, really bad. Good knife for its intended purpose.
 
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I like them. I bought one for myself as a present for getting my Plumbing license and another for my masters. A model 1 I waited 4 years for. A Buxton fighter I got from Buxton knives. The trick is to order ahead for a major future event.

On your 60th birthday order your retirement gift. My sons just came in for his graduation present next year. My daughters is a year away still.

I think they don’t get talked about because for me anyway I get tired of defending my decision to own one. You either get it or you don’t.

The first Randall I ever held my heart skipped a beat, and I had never even heard of them before. They make me happy and I don’t find them to be that expensive.
 
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I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bo Randall and Randall knives. Bo’s designs are classic and have stood the test of time. Randall’s have served American GI’s, hunters and sportsmen alike for decades

That being said, the only reason I’d buy one today would be for “pride of ownership” as I agree with Quiet and others that there are just too many superior options for general use.

Let me put it this way.....I’d liken a Randall to a ‘63 corvette splitback in the garage. Sure...you can drive it to work. But would you? Or would you prefer to baby her a bit and drive her on special occasions....and leave the everyday drive to the Tahoe...
 
eveled said:
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I like them. I bought one for myself as a present for getting my Plumbing license and another for my masters. A model 1 I waited 4 years for a Buxton fighter I got from Buxton knives. The trick is to order ahead for a major future event.

On your 60th birthday order your retirement gift. My sons just came in for his graduation present next year. My daughters is a year away still.

I think they don’t get talked about because for me anyway I get tired of defending my decision to own one. You either get it or you don’t.
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I dont think that's the issue. The issue with discussion is that its difficult when the knife takes either too much money or over 5 years to get. I wouldn't want to wait 5 years for the most perfect knife on earth. It just seems excessive.
 
The 10-3 is a great edc knife.

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There are dealers who have them ready to ship with no mark up.

The benefit of the five year wait is you lock in today’s price with just a $50 deposit. Like I said plan ahead for a nice gift for someone and pay $125 less than retail when it’s ready.

I can plan ahead and I’m patient.IMG_20160331_181303213_zpsvuzkclwz.jpeg
 
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eveled said:
There are dealers who have them ready to ship with no mark up.

The benefit of the five year wait is you lock in today’s price with just a $50 deposit. Like I said plan ahead for a nice gift for someone and pay $125 less than retail when it’s ready.

I can plan ahead and I’m patient.
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Why would I need to lock in a price? Not taking 5 years would considerably help with any price changes.


Speaking of which, does anyone know of some custom makers with a similar style to the Randall knives? I really dig the classic military knives.
 
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I carry this Astro a lot. It came from EBay for less than retail. (It’s the only Randall I’ve seen sell for less than retail on EBay) I’ve never paid over retail for a Randall. Every one I sold I made a profit on and all I did was sell them at the current retail price. I’m not a price gougerIMG_2967.jpeg
 
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eveled said:
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Did you read my post? Locking in the price saves money if you are buying for a present for a future event. As opposed to paying full current retail in 5 years.

Similar style to Randall? Do you want a fake Rolex too? They are out there, but I’d prefer not to have a nock off.
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It's not really a fake if it's an extremely classic design lol. Cheaper and not waiting 5 or 6 years sounds solid to me.
 
I have several. Not sure if they still do it but for a while there would get active military certain models (1, 14, and 15 IIRC) in about 6mns. Took a 15 with me to Afghanistan and received a 14 a as a graduation gift. Picked up a few others over the years. I appreciate them a lot and when many people make something comparing it to a Randall, or in the "Randall" style it makes me simply want to go buy the real deal rather than a copy. The designs are rather classic.

Are there better knives out there, sure. Ones which are easier to get, yes. However, they don't speak to me the same as a Randall does.

Lots of reasons to not buy one. Personal preference.
 
DrRollinstein DrRollinstein I get what you are saying.

But you are talking about a classic Randall design. Not about a “Bowie knife” or a “steak knife” or a “fillet knife”

I feel the same way about Buck knives, I’m not buying a Schrade because it looks similar and still cuts stuff.

There is a line there. For me. If a company is known for a specific design. I want the real Mc Coy, not one just like it.

I’m sure there are makers out there that would make whatever you want. But I’d rather have them make what they are known for than to have them copy someone else’s design.
 
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If you want a Randall, buy the Randall. I've owned a few copies vs their real examples, and they are always off just a tad or if they are really close, the difference in price wasn't that great that it made sense to buy the copy.

If you are buying close to Randall's actual book price, you are paying about right. If you are paying the big "Randall Tax" some collectors ask on current models, you might be disappointed. Spend some time to learn who are actual Randall authorized dealers, then spend a little more time figuring out which are selling near or at Randall's book price and go from there. Like many things there are levels to their dealers.

Also Randall has a shop sale the 2nd Monday of April where they get rid of odds and ends that went unpaid for, if you have a idea what you want, you might get lucky there. There is one in October too.

You are paying a bit for the name, but they are fine knives none the less.
 
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mendezj mendezj did you know there is a Randall forum here? It’s hidden under Collector forums found at the bottom of the Manufacturers Forums, because Randall doesn’t have an official sponsorship of it.

Some very knowledgeable people hang out there. It’s not the most active forum but it is all quality stuff.
 
I have one that I got used many years ago so if I want to use it I can do that without worry about affecting its value. It is a great knife but I agree that if you want a knife to use then there are plenty of other choices. The Randall is somewhat of a legend and some people like owning a legend, plus they do seem to be very collectible. I also have a couple of Blackjack homages to the Randall 1 that I would use if I needed to use a knife of that type, but unfortunately I rarely use a big fixed blade. I like my Randall and I like my Blackjacks but I'm ashamed to say that I have never compared them side by side to see the differences.
 
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