Pardon my ignorance, but why are the Randall knives so expensive?

fracmeister

fracmeister

Petroleum Engineer
Joined
May 26, 1999
Messages
1,686
Is this simply a collector's run on a limited number available? And if so, what is the mystique or draw there? I am sure they are very fine, but they don;t strike me as incredible and justifying the prices I have been seeing.

Not intended as a troll! I would love to know why they are so cool from some Randall fanatic!
 
Clearly they are nice knives. I don't understand how they hold there prices however given how many are on the market at any given time. You can see more Randall knives than any other knife short of the most common production pieces. There must be tens of thousands if not a hundred thousand Randalls out there.
 
Originally posted by averageguy
Clearly they are nice knives. I don't understand how they hold there prices however given how many are on the market at any given time. You can see more Randall knives than any other knife short of the most common production pieces. There must be tens of thousands if not a hundred thousand Randalls out there.
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Yes, they are exceptionally fine benchmade knives. They have a cashe that spans over 50 years. They are a serious collector item for some. As to numbers, a recall someone saying currently about 6000 a year - so maybe 25 knives a day are produced. I buy them because I like them. :D
 
many knives are collectoable items, like any other niche collectable item, be it, coins, bank notes, bottles, stamps etc. The value is determined by factors outside of actual production value / cost. I'll leave it there.

My understanding is that there are many who value Randalls as good investment value, others regard Randalls as good working knives. Maybe both. It helps that they have a history that dates back to an ethic to provide quality working tools for the fighting man and woman and that they were perhaps amongst a very small select group of craftspeople to spawn an entire modern genre of the finely crafted knife. Very similar to the Sheffield bowie makers and the desirability of orignal Japanese swords. Jason.
 
High quality knives, and good looking

Usually go up in value

Part of American history
 
Originally posted by beluga
High quality knives, and good looking

Usually go up in value

Part of American history
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^^I second that. not every knife company can make those claims, especially the good-looking part ;)
 
From all of my friends who own these pieces, the common thread is "exceptional quality" -- one that has almost reached legendary proportions (and rightfully so).

:)

I'd love to try one out, but my budget is not quite big enough yet !

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
They're actually cheap when you realize how much labor is involved. You're essentially getting a hand forged knife for what is now the high end of the production knives.

http://www.randallknives.com/knifeconstruction.htm

I currently have 5 of them, and they were the catalyst for me to start collecting custom knives some 25 years ago.
 
I agree, it's a pretty reasonable price for a hand forged knife of the quality that Randall produces. I don't have one...yet, but plan to get one someday. Since I'm not a hunter or even much of an outdoorsman I don't have a whole lot of use for larger fixed blades so it hasn't made it to the top of my priority list yet, but I'll get one eventually. If I had a large need for that type of knife I would already have one as I beleive the quality of product you get for the price is very good. Part of it is also the mystique of having a handmade knife from a company with such a rich history.
 
Why? Because people will buy them, that's why. I have found Randalls to be somewhat crude in their finishing. Sloppy solder joints, wavey grinds, plunge cuts off substantially, etc...

Still, I like them and will continue to buy them. They are well made, and styled the way I like(and obviously a lot of other people too). One other plus for Randalls; you will NEVER get stuck with one if you decide to sell or trade it. Somebody will always buy or trade you for your Randall.
 
If you are buying a new knife from RMK or a dealer, I don't think they are really all that expensive. I have handled a few and like Danbo says, they usually have a few faults. Overall though, I find their quality to be high and I just love the way the Model 1 looks with an 8" blade. What a knife!
 
I'll tell you...I have had Randall on the brain for a while. I think I'm going with a Model 18 when I do get one. My question is this, what's deal with ordering from them direct? Does it really take 3 years to get a knife? The price diff is huge on the secondary market as well. The next big thing I get will be a Randall, but as for which one...well lets say I torn on a few. So many knives...so little money.
 
Originally posted by NRG
My question is this, what's deal with ordering from them direct? Does it really take 3 years to get a knife?
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I've walked into Randall's Museum and bought one right off the display case. I've also called up and asked what they had in stock, and was able to pick up something. Difference between these knives and the 3 year one was that I wasn't picky with the options (like Maroon micarta handle). The 3 yr wait is because their dealers always has order in place, so it takes a while for them to get to yours; of course that one is exactly the way you wanted it to be.
 
If you order from RMK right now, the waiting period is listed as 43 months. If I wanted to order a Model 1 with 8" blade, stag handle and nickel silver fittings then that is how long I would probably have to wait. As Tony stated, if I wasn't picky I could get something a heck of a lot faster.
 
I just ordered my 1st Randall on Dec. 1, 2003.
Scheduled ship date is May 31, 2007.:D
 
You may not know this but Randall has the best layaway plan in the business. You can order a knife for $20 down, send them whatever you want each month or send nothing and as long as you pay the balance when they let you know it's ready, it's done. They do all the paperwork and here's the best part. If at anytime you decide you dont want it, they will refund all your money. How can you beat that?
I have dealt with Randall many times and have found them to be extremely personable and ethical.
 
Ok...for instance if I called Randall and asked for the basic Model 18, they might have that in stock?
 
Call them up and take a chance. You might get lucky; I did once. One day, a couple years ago, I felt like taking a chance. I called Randall up and asked them if they had a model 1 with carbon steel blade, nickel double guard and stag. Gary said, "Lemme go look. Yep, got one right here." A quick money order later, and I had a very nice stag model 1.

Although that was probably akin to finding a Loveless at a garage sale, it just shows you that it is possible. You never know exactly what they have finished at any time.
 
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