Question on AG Russell Randall 25

[Grapevine]

I love how this knife looks. I've been considering either buying it or spending the money on a very specific custom knife and can't really decide. Thing is, I would probably have very little use for either knife because of their size (I don't hunt and nor do camping--yet). They'd likely just be collector pieces for me. My question is, do you think a knife like the AG Russell exclusive Randall 25 would keep its value should I wish to resell it one day? I know the custom isn't likely to unless the maker becomes famous. My buying intention is just to enjoy whichever of the two I buy for however long (hopefully life time), but I'm just planning for future contingencies where my taste might change.

Here's a link to the Randall.

http://www.agrussell.com/randall/ra-m25mb.html

Thanks in advance.

 

[sams]

Hello Grapevine, welcome to the forum. Of course the A G Russell special is a Randall made knife and will appreciate in value. To some collectors perhaps even more so. If I didn't already have a model 25 I would buy this one. I love that handle. I have the maple burl on my sportsman bowie. If you see the prices on Ebay, for Randall made knives, this price is a "discount". Go ahead and jump on this knife. You'll never lose money and discover the wonderful world of Randall. But one thing more ......enjoy the great outdoors especially with a Randall. You'll have a feeling overcome you of wonderful bliss!! Good luck.

Sam

 

[jimsbowies]

You cannot go wrong! It is a Randall that that's enough said in my estimation....

Furthermore, that honey-colored maple burl is exclusive to AG Russell...at least, I've not been able to find it anywhere else and I've looked...

 

[dd2]

Interesting the color of thread on sheath in A.G. Russell add?

It would be Great if Knife or Sheath were marked as something special from AG

Or save all the paper work and sample of ad for provence down the road

Here is a picture of a Limited Production Pathfinder that I own.
I was able to document it through the Randall Newsletter CD
December 1996 RKSA Newsletter
ANDY THORNAL COMPANY ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF 50 YEAR COMMEMORATIVE KNIFE:
The Randall Made Knife is crafted with all the qualities that have gained the Randall family it's reputation of building "The World's Finest Knives". The knife is built on a Pathfinder design with a 4" drop point blade of 3/16" stainless steel stock with a 4-3/8" leather/India stag/leather handle with a brass hilt backed up with brass and black fiber spacers and a slightly rounded brass butt cap w/flush nut. A handsome 3/8" struck 10 kt. gold medallion noting our "50 Years" has been inlaid in the stag section of the handle. The blade is etched "A.T.S.-III", indicating the third "Andy Thornal Special" edition produced by Randall Made Knives for us exclusively. Also etched is the unique serial number for each knife in the edition.
Total production run 150 this is #57
Picture post below

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

...the 'other' RMK 'Dealer Special', #9; ergo, an exclusive...

Food for thought...

Or, to paraphrase..."Randall's bean berry, berry good to me..."

Mel

 

[dd2]

From the RKS Newsletter
A letter of authenticity accompanied each knife along with our guarantee that only 150 of these knives will ever be made. This limited production will indeed make this a valuable addition to any Randall Knife collection.

I found the Randall at a show in Pigeon Forge walked past it for 2 days because it was in the sheath. At the time I was not looking for a Pathfinder and without turning the sheath over and with the knife in sheath medallion does not show.
Well I bought it and to my surprize was able to ID it on the Randall CD.
Did not get a letter of authenticity I figured I would take a chance on it.
When I got home the fun started ID HUNT ON ANOTHER RANDALL

So back to the original subject Limited Production Randalls are GREAT IN MY BOOK.

 

[Grapevine]

I have a problem with what Melvin just wrote. And that is that I have no idea what he's talking about.

???

 

[dd2]

I think this will explain Melvins Criptic Message.
Sounds like he is waiting for correct planet alignment to take place.

From March 1996 RKS Newsletter
A.G. RUSSELL - RANDALL SKINNER

A.G. Russell is the newest large volume Randall dealer. He has been selling Randalls for over 25 years and a Randall dealer for about 10 years. He is also happy to announce the newest Randall Dealer's Special, the A.G. Russell-Randall Skinner. This new knife is being made at the Randall shop in Orlando exclusively for A.G. Russell and to his design.

This knife was first introduced to his Knife Collectors Club (KCC) members in February of this year via a club member mailing. A.G. has 8,500 members in the KCC so it is no surprise that today, two weeks after his first mailing he has already sold almost 200 of these knives. In fact, the first 100 knives were sold at a $50.00 premium price of $385.00 and they are all sold. The knives are serial numbered.
The KCC mailing and the notice you see here in your RKS newsletter will probably be the only notice going out on this knife for many months. Why? These knives are being made in the Randall shop at the very limited rate of 40 knives per month. This is almost the entire monthly quota for Russell's Randall orders. The 500th knife will take over one year to deliver so it is important that you order ASAP. Knives with serial numbers above 100 are being sold for $335.00. No numbers below 100 are available.

I know some of you RKS members are sad that you did not have the opportunity to purchase a low number. I hope you appreciate the fact that A.G. Russell was obligated to give notice to his KCC members first since many of them have been with him for over twenty years.

When you place your order you will be told the serial number that is reserved for you and the month and year when you can expect to receive your knife. The first 40 were delivered in February 1996, 41-80 in March, 81-120 in April, etc. They will assign smallest numbers first.

Now, about the knife. Using Randall's regular high carbon steel, the blade is hollow ground very high to give you real slicing ability.

The brass hilt is backed up by brass and black spacers, the India Stag handle has a compass in the butt and the top grain leather sheath has a stone pocket containing an India stone from Norton.

The shape of the blade is unique and the grind outstanding. Blade length is 4 inches with an overall length of approximately 8 1/2 inches. The neat brass and black spacers and the compass are touches that make this a knife that you will treasure always.

The first 80 knives will have a sheath marked on the back, above the Randall logo, "AGRS" for A.G. Russell Special. All later knives will have the words "A.G. Russell Special" above the Randall logo stamp on the back of the sheath.

Hope this helps

 

[NFA]

An authorized Randall dealer gets a regular allotment of knives. I was told by an authorized Randall dealer that they get a 25% discount off of the current RMK List Price. That dealer charges their customers the current RMK List Price. On the other hand, I know of another authorized Randall dealer that charges their customers $50.00 over RMK List Price.

 

[Rick Bowles]

As to Randall or custom, it's a no-brainer! The Randall will appreciate not just hold it's value. I would however suggest a stainless blade rather than carbon.

 

[Greg Gutcher]

To NFA, Once a Randall dealer gets a knife from RMK it is theirs to do with as they see fit. They can sell it at whatever price they want. Some dealers do sell at catalog price and some sell at over catalog and will say so usually. Some dealers are currently selling at over catalog in anticipation of future price increases. When Randall sells a knife to a dealer it is at current catalog price AT DELIVERY TIME, less our 25% discount.
When we, at SHS, sell a knife to a customer we will quote current catalog price at that time but we will also tell the customer that being that we are sold out for over a year in advance, the final price we charge them will be catalog price at the time of DELIVERY and we will supply the actual invoice we receive from RMK so you can see that we actually sell at current catalog price. Most dealers will sell like this. If you order direct from RMK your price will be locked in at the catalog price on that day. With dealers you may be able to get the knife sooner than the current 40 months wait from RMK, but you will most likely be charged the catalog price at time of delivery or more if the dealer does things that way. Greg.

PS: Attached picture is a knife from my personal collection.
Mod 14CDT Attack/ zerecote wood handle, with lion skin [hair on] covered sheath. Actual lion claw from skin attached to front of sheath.
Greg