Project I or II vs Randall Model 18

B

Beaver

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
616
I'm considering adding one of these knives to my field kit. Where does one of these excel over the other? How bout some help in narrowing down the choices.
 
If your goal is to have a knife that is damn near unbreakable, then go with the Chris Reeves. One solid piece of A2 tool steel, with hollow handle for survival goodies. The Randall, has a stainless hollow tube brazed/soldered to the blade, and is not as strong. But, I have never heard of anyone breaking one anyway. So it must be plenty strong. The Randall would be easier to sell if the need ever arose. For some reason, Randalls can always be sold to someone, as there is always a big demand for them. I myself, like them both and own both.

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
Beaver,
There is no way you can go wrong with any of those choices.

Assumming:
1) That you have found a use for a hollow handled knife
2) Are planning to survive in a dry or North Americian forest environment
I would go with the CR becuase of the solid handle blade joint.

If you are planning to survive in wet tropical conditions you may want to look at a randall in stainless steel. The Model 18 w. 7 1/2" blade fits nicely in an M9 bayonet sheath (just remove the bottom wirecutter), and the plastic sheath with nylon pouches and SS blade would work well in highly corrosive or wet environments.

Both knives are very strong; but, unless you absolutely have a use for the hollow handle, go with a good solid knife like the Busse Steel Heart II, the steel is better and the handle is much more comfortable in hand.

N2S

BTW, if it helps, I had to make the same choice a few years ago...I went with all three.
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[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 11-01-2000).]
 
I want to thank you guys for the great feedback. Regarding the Reeves Project I and II knives. Does one blade shape stand up to use/abuse better than the other?

Also, A collegue suggested that rather than invest in a high-end piece of equipment, I could achieve the same results with something like the CS Bushman. Any thoughts on this?


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Jay
 
Personally I would go with the Randall 18 in the 7 1/2" SS blade. I own both a Randall and a CR Mark VI and the CR is definitely a heavy duty knife. I can't explain it, but just holding the Randall gives you the feeling that it wouldn't fail you when you need it. Another option would be the Lile hollow handle Combat model. You can usually pick one up at a pretty decent price and the D-2 tool steel blade can get shaving sharp and it hold it's edge.

As far as the CS Bushman goes, it's probably BEST survival knife for the money. The soft carbon steel used for the blade (SK-5 I believe) get's scary sharp...as a matter of fact you could probably sharpen it on a river rock (kind of adds to its versatility). I own one and I use it as my "catfish" knife. I've hacked limbs, cut bait, cleaned fish, and used it for just about any camp chore you can think of. The only bad thing about the Bushman is that it doesn't have a handguard and if the handle gets wet or slimy you could very easily wind up cutting more than you want!! (easily remedied by wrapping it with something) Plus at it's bottom basement price, you could afford to pick up a couple (one for your pack, car, etc...).

Good Luck!!
 
Beaver,

That all depends on what you are planning to do. If you need a knife to cut a twinky in half then yes the Cold Steel Bushman will be just as effective as the knives mentioned above. If you are doing something more intensive then one of these knives will behave better than the others.

Why don't you take a minute and tell us what you are planning to use the knife for.

BTW: The Project I and Project II have different points (one is a spear point and one is a clip point). The spear point would be a little stronger, and the clip point would be a little more efficient in cutting. Once again, another trade off, the best choice depends on how you intend to use the knife.

Look here quick! http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/011030.html

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 11-02-2000).]
 
There's no need to debate whether or not you should just get the bushman instead. It's so cheap that I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't order one right now even if you do plan to get the Reeves or Randal soon. It is a very good knife, but it will need about an hour of modification before it will perform well. The bushman comes as just a sheet of steel rolled into a knife. The edge on mine came with about 35 degree angles and just barely cut paper. First thing you have to do is use a file to work the edge down to 15 degrees. Second, dremel some thumb notches on the spine of the blade. If you have time, grind out a large finger notch at the base of the edge where it is unsharpened. Wrap the handle in tennis racquet over-grip or cloth tape to prevent twisting of the blade during chopping (without a handle wrap the bushman is too slippery). Put a lanyard on the handle and you have a knife that will slice and chop light vegitation like no other 7in knife. I've tired to bend the blade of my bushman, but it just flexes and springs back even if I have flexed it to 40 degrees. So to answer your question, the bushman can do a lot for a 12 dollar knife. Carry a bushman and a small 7in stanley wonder bar and you will be able to handle almost any cutting and prying task.
 
The spear point will be tougher than the clip point so if you want the knife which can take the most abuse, it is the Projet I. the A2 steel should take more abuse too. I'm sure the Randall and even the Lile would make great hollow handled survival knives but the first one I'd buy would be the Project I.

I have a Bushman and you should get one of these too! The first thing I did what put a shortened broom handle in the knife handle and threw it at some targets I set up. Ahh, what a fun way to burn some time on a Sunday afternoon!

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"Come What May..."
 
Another option that wouldn't break your bank would be a Buckmaster. I love all of the sheath compartments...in my compass compartment I keep a schrade old timer, a boy scout fire starter, and the compass. The knife is heavy, but you'd have to determine what extra weight you'd be willing to hump for the extra peace of mind.

I agree with Not2Sharp in that we would need to know what you're planning on using the knife for. If this knife is to serve as an emergency tool that you'd keep on yourself at all times (in the event you're lost or separated from your gear)then a hollow handle would be your best bet. You need to keep in mind that these are designed for short term survival...not for long term bush living. If your need is for a knife that you'll simply carry and use for general camp chores, then you may want to consider a Busse or a Cold Steel Tralmaster. Hollow handled knives simply exist to keep you alive until you're found or find your way back.
 
Hey Bever... I would go with the Randall if you like to hike. Randall has a walking stick that is made of steel, and screws on the the handle of the Randall 18 attack to make it a spear. This is very cool! They come in two sizes, and they are a little hard to find, but they are available.

Here is a link to ebay's Randall page... <a href="http://search.ebay.com/cgi-bin/texis/ebay/results.html?query=randall&categoryid=&ht=1&category1=1401&maxRecordsReturned=300&maxRecordsPerPage=100&SortProperty=MetaEndSort"> Click here to see!</a>

Good Luck!

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BC... For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know... Semper Fi
 
This is just my opinion.

My cousin used to work in a knife store. I, too, wanted a Chris Reeve hollow handle knife. His retort was, why? The hollow handle can't hold very much and you can carry a lot more in a fanny pack or a small belt-pouch. His opinion was that a soldered together hollow-handle knife will fail on you when you need it most. He suggested that I get something that was one-piece, handle and blade, and go from there.

I ended up buying a pair of Randalls, a Model 14 and a 16. I also bought an Al Mar SF-SOG at one point. All of these knives have similar characteristics: Micarta handles, one-piece construction, large blades, two are clip points and one spear point.
 
pcc,
just for you to know..the CR project I,II
are not hollow handle soldered to the the blade but a one piece of very solid steel that was CNC'ed out of a chunk of steel bar.
scorpio.
 
I have used my Project II for eight or ten years and it is as good as they get as a soldiering tool. The Randals that I have handled never did much for me; though I am sure they are up to the job.

However, we don't know what you want to use the knife for. Both these knives are quite specific. Not many people need this much knife, or at least this type of package.

If you think you could put them to great use then pick the one that feels good for you. You've got to learn to use it and get used to carrying it.

I carry some ultra fine nylon para type cord in the handle and a couple of Compeed band aids.
 
scorpio, I am well aware that the Chris Reeve hollow-handle knives are made from a solid piece of steel. The point was that the CR compartment was too small to hold what is really needed for survival. In other words, if faced with a situation where you could choose between any CR knife with its handle stuffed with anything you want provided it fit within the confines of the handle or a 'normal' knife of your choosing and a small (4 X 2 X 1 inch) belt pouch, again stuffed with your choice of survival gear, which would you choose? The compartment of the CR knives can't hold very much at all. If you are going to need to carry a separate pouch to hold items for survival anyway then why settle for a 'compromise' design that has a feature that you can't really use? Again, this was the philosophy that my cousin has thrown at me and that I have adapted.

But, then again, any knife is better than no knife when one is needed. Doesn't matter who makes it or what was designed into it.
 
I've got to agree with what has been said regarding the uselessness of the hollow handle. I've been in the market for a large fixed blade for awhile now, saving up, researching, pondering. The Reeves looked great but I soon decided that I saw no benefit to storage space in a knife. Clearly, the round handle sacrifices ergonomics. And with the removable butt cap, the knife isn't actually a one-piece. Not that the separation is a structural weakness but it is annoying.
I soon moved on to the Busses. The Steel Heart and Natural Outlaw both seemed great but the choil appeared too small. I have read a couple of posts confirming this.
I don't like the style of the Randalls.
I am still looking for my first high quality semi-large fixed blade.
 
If you are going to buy one survival knife to last you a lifetime time, go with the CR Project 1..

I believe it to be the Best Survival Knife made..

Strength, Edge Retention, Fit and Function all in one package..
Even after years of use and abuse CRK will reburish to new..

Read Cliff Stamp's review on the P1, he worked it hard and performed perfectly..

Take Care..
 
You don't buy a CR Project for the hollow handle. The simple design concept is a one solid piece of steel forming blade, handle, grip and tines. Nothing could be simplier or more bomb proof. Rounded handles are difficult to fault so long as the grip is good, and the CR Reeve grip is one of the very best.
The by-product of the concept is a hollowed handle; which achieves the correct weight and balance. The but cap is a cap and even its loss would be of little concern. If you want to stuff things into the hollow, then thats up to you. Chris Reeve has never pushed the idea much. Any E&E or survivalist will tell you to spread your survival kit about your body and not centralise it where loss would be total/catastrophic. One of the first items you would lose as a POW would be your knife and the CR Project is too big to hide where the sun don't shine
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The Chris Reeve Projects are boring: in that they do what they were designed to do. Boringly simple, boringly executed, boringly tough, boringly good at being a seven inch survival knife which are boringly pretty good at any task but not fantastic at any. Boringly modern. Boring because they give no good reason to buy another survival knife as they have no real faults.

I can't think of any other survival knife that is so good that they are boring. Even the Busse BM fans (another great knife) argue about design changes and design tinkering.

Finaly, boringly, the Chris Reeve Projects just look so darn good. (If they were at least ugly we would have something to rant about.)

[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 11-30-2000).]
 
Originally posted by PCC:
This is just my opinion.

My cousin used to work in a knife store. I, too, wanted a Chris Reeve hollow handle knife. His retort was, why? The hollow handle can't hold very much and you can carry a lot more in a fanny pack or a small belt-pouch.

I have to disagree that a hollow handle can't hold very much. If you know how to survive you don't need much. I have a MK-VI which holds everything that I might need for short term survival. It includes a spool of dental floss, 12 strike anywhere matches, 3' of duct tape, and a vaseline/cotton ball fire starter, and a magnetised needle.

I always have this knife on my belt in the wilderness. I could lodse my backpack and all of my gear and still have the essentials to create shelter and fire, and other improvisations.
Click to expand...
 
Just found my old hollow handled survival package which I had made up quite a few years ago. I don't have much use for it now and it needed refreshing as the fishing leader material tends to disintegrate over time.
Here is what was in it:
4x pheasant tail dry fies.
10x hooks, mainly size 14.
2x mini swivels.
20x split shot.
At least 15 ft of nylon double strength leader material, 10lbs breaking strain.
At least 7ft of micro para cord/backing material, 30/40 lbs breaking strain.
At least 15 ft of tent sowing thread.
A mini brass compass.
A flint.
A small piece of hacksaw blade.
6x needles, two stout with large eyes.
4x band aids.
Wrapped in electrical tape.
There was still room for some puritabs.

I tend to pack for the occasion, and make up a user toolbox, depending on what I am going to do and where I am going.

The fine para cord and some Compeed plastic plasters complement the knife better for day to day use.
 
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