On Randall knives

tltt said:
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.
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Are they still doing that? I lost track but thought they didn't do that sale anymore.
 
ohen cepel said:
Are they still doing that? I lost track but thought they didn't do that sale anymore.
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Yep, this year they sold about 150 knives that way.

I don't think people have much luck with off the street sales like the old days, but the still do the big sale once a year.

Edit - actually twice a year, I forgot they do one in October too, I always think of the spring sale as the big one.
 
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bdmicarta said:
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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If you do please take pictures and post with your thoughts. Most people own one or the other, not both.

That April sale is pretty cool. I never heard of it. Those who know probably like to keep it a secret. Lol.
 
There's a lot of history behind Randall and that commands the price in part. It's hard to argue quality about a knife that WWII guys carried,used and recommended. There are better and cheaper modern options but there are also better and cheaper modern options for a 69' Camaro as far as fuel efficiency, price, etc. It's hard to get mad about rarity when they're made the same way as always, hand forging takes time. I'd much rather buy something done right that takes longer and costs more rather than a stamped piece of metal.
 
That’s what I did (bought from an authorized dealer, at list price, took 4 months at the time) some 38 years ago with my first, a Randall Bradford Angier SS Model 5. Since then, it has gutted/skinned over 150 heads of game, mostly whitetails along with a few bear and antelope. Holds an edge as good as any. Never, ever let me down or made me wish for something else. It’s a working, hunting knife made to be used and IMO, nothing holds a candle to it.
 
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eveled said:
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.
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I’ll check it out. Thank you. :thumbsup:
 
tltt said:
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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Thank you, but I already own a bundle of Randall knives. I just wonder how they are seen now in the context of so many new brands and makers. :thumbsup:
 
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? A cubic zirconia? They are out there, but I’d prefer not to have a knock off.
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I do have to wonder about the Randall wait period ? Seems strangely excessive.
 
They are just unwilling to expand. They have no need to. Every knife they make they sell. Staying small maintains the integrity of the brand. I don’t mind the wait, I have plenty of knives to use while I’m waiting.
 
eveled said:
They are just unwilling to expand. They have no need to. Every knife they make they sell. Staying small maintains the integrity of the brand. I don’t mind the wait, I have plenty of knives to use while I’m waiting.
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That's how I've always viewed the waiting list. They are selling everything they make, and while it has become sport to pick on them for this or that, the waiting list hasn't dropped, and it's still the most well known handmade knife brand in the world among regular people. The waiting list helps maintain that status, with every new worker they'd add or extra few hundred knives they'd pump out, it would diminish the brand a little. It would become just another factory knife.

Maintaining the wait also helps their dealers and the value in the aftermarket.

On Randall's part, they've always been decent about acknowledging the wait, and pointing people to quicker sources. Sometimes they might even throw out the name of an unrelated maker they think does nice work.
 
I really like the No. 15 Airman. My first was the No. 16. This was back when I thought you needed a tactical knife as your "survival knife". If I use one, it would be the Jack Crider Special. I bought it off Jack Crider years ago and it is a very functional knife. Now, I simply choose not to spend the money, but I really like the classic Randall look.

The days of buying new Randall's at shows have ended. I think the authorized dealers sell all they can get their hands on. I suspect the dealer orders impact the wait time for individual sales as they probably get priority service (as they should).
 
tltt said:
That's how I've always viewed the waiting list. They are selling everything they make, and while it has become sport to pick on them for this or that, the waiting list hasn't dropped, and it's still the most well known handmade knife brand in the world among regular people. The waiting list helps maintain that status, with every new worker they'd add or extra few hundred knives they'd pump out, it would diminish the brand a little. It would become just another factory knife.

Maintaining the wait also helps their dealers and the value in the aftermarket.

On Randall's part, they've always been decent about acknowledging the wait, and pointing people to quicker sources. Sometimes they might even throw out the name of an unrelated maker they think does nice work.
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Thank you for saying what I was trying to say and saying it better than I did. Exactly this. The people Randall employ know the craft, you can't just hire somebody from an employment agency.
 
DrRollinstein said:
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.
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Not to mention, they aren't even made by the guy who built the reputation for quality of the name, but a bunch of guys just putting parts bins parts together, like people on the line building a hamburger at Five Guys (some friends have taken the tour). That alone (for me personally) is enough reason not to ever buy a new one. When you're paying for the name of a guy whose name is on the blade of the knife you're holding....who wasn't even in the room when it was built means an instant pass for me.
 
I love Randall's. I only own 440B knives but they are all well made, well heat treated and superb examples of classic Americana.
Because something is made using older materials or technology that does not mean that it is inferior.

Certainly there are more modern knives made with updated materials that offer better performance. I own many.
However for over 70 years professionals of all kinds have trusted Randall knives to do what they expect a well made knife to do. That has not changed and neither have the knives.

When you buy a Randall you buy a piece of knife history. You own something that has its roots in the very fabric of the handmade knife. Without Randall there is a possibility we would not even be having this discussion on this forum. Such was the effect they had on the knife world.

As for the price Randall's are in my opinion still pretty good value for money. They are essentially hand made from scratch in the USA in a small shop by dedicated artisans. Unfortunately in this day and age that costs money.
The 5 year wait is easily avoided. There are a number of brilliant Randall dealers who will custom order you the knife of your choice in 6-9 months. The cost is either the same as the Randall factory price or just slightly higher.

I have never seen any knife aficionado hold a Randall Model 1 in his hand for the first time and say "Hmm old fashioned, overpriced"
I have seen many say...."Wow that's nice.....is it for sale?"
 
I own both Blackjack and Randall knives. I think the Blackjack's were fantastic value for the price. That being said I carry a Randall more often, but my primary field knife is a Loveless pattern drop point by WC Davis. Things change, and everyone needs to find what works for them.
 
Steven65 said:
I love Randall's. I only own 440B knives but they are all well made, well heat treated and superb examples of classic Americana.
Because something is made using older materials or technology that does not mean that it is inferior.

Certainly there are more modern knives made with updated materials that offer better performance. I own many.
However for over 70 years professionals of all kinds have trusted Randall knives to do what they expect a well made knife to do. That has not changed and neither have the knives.

When you buy a Randall you buy a piece of knife history. You own something that has its roots in the very fabric of the handmade knife. Without Randall there is a possibility we would not even be having this discussion on this forum. Such was the effect they had on the knife world.

As for the price Randall's are in my opinion still pretty good value for money. They are essentially hand made from scratch in the USA in a small shop by dedicated artisans. Unfortunately in this day and age that costs money.
The 5 year wait is easily avoided. There are a number of brilliant Randall dealers who will custom order you the knife of your choice in 6-9 months. The cost is either the same as the Randall factory price or just slightly higher.

I have never seen any knife aficionado hold a Randall Model 1 in his hand for the first time and say "Hmm old fashioned, overpriced"
I have seen many say...."Wow that's nice.....is it for sale?"
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I dont think anyone is arguing that they're old fashioned or that they arent very nice knives. The argument is that they're difficult to obtain, either price wise or wait time. I've checked out a lot of the dealers, and you either have a very limited stock or a limited selection of models. So it still isnt that easy. Plus as many have said, you can buy similar, or even full on custom knives, for less at this point.

I straight up went on Ebay and got a very nice looking Blackjack model 1-7 I believe for 240ish dollars last night.
 
Quiet said:
As the owner of some of Mr. Dozier's work, this is who I'd rather go with. But, much like Randalls, you have to find an older knife if you want one the man himself actually made.
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Yep. I like Dozier's too and find them to be a good value overall. Bob makes the ones in his St. Paul shop as far as I know. He mostly makes folders now and I have been tempted to get one more than once.

Even an older Randall was probably not made by Bo Randall. Randall knives have made a significant contribution to the industry and were in fact the first "expensive" knives I considered buying after learning a few things during my early Blade Show visits (beginning in 1990). My first handmade knife was purchased as a trade for a gun I was selling at a gunshow.
 
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