Randall blade steel

I have never been a fan of Randall's 440 steel. Just have no use for it. I do like their O1, and have several different models. I sure would like to see Randall change their 440B to S30V, but it's not going to happen .
I stopped buying their knives, and instead, buy those with better, more up to date metal.
 
I'm with Mannlincher on this. Find a different maker and move on. Getting any maker with a wait list that long to work outside their comfort zone isn't going to likely happen. Even with a "custom" maker.
 
John A. Larsen said:
In late 1970 I got orders to go back to Vietnam on my fourth tour, and ordered a Stainless Steel (440B) Randall 14 from a dealer in Texas, whose name escapes me at the moment. He would order years in advance and had about a 25% mark up, in any case I got it, and carried on that tour as an Advisor to the VN Border Rangers (old SF Camps in II Corps) and for the next 20 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces, until I retired in 1991. I swam that knife in salt and fresh water during amphibious operations training, carried it in Winter Warfare where temperatures reached -40 degrees C/F, in the field many, many times and it is still ready to go. The only thing I ever did was first I got a beeswax sheath from Randall, but still have the original sheath, and in 1988 had Wayne Goddard put a new handle on, as I was never completely satisfied with the finger grip handle on the Model 14. I did have a very good friend of mine ask to see it in about 1990, turn to me and say "John, you actually used your Randall?" I never had any trouble with the 440B blade, so while their are better steels available now, it did its job and I would not have any hesitation to carry it to the field again. John
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John a heartfelt thanks for your service. I lost a few friends in Nam. My closest friend was a Capt. In the 5 th SF A detachment, did four tours also, carried a Randall Model 14 too. He dug fox holes, chopped, opened bans on pallet drops, and anything else his rifle couldn't take care of. He gave his knife to his grandson who is in Afghanistan currently and is still carrying the same knife. Whether Randall's end up in a safe or are on the front lines within hands reach of our serviceman, doesn't really matter. 440b or 440c or O1 it has proven itself capable in the most demanding conditions. I own a Model 14 in stainless Steel and I can field sharpen it when needed probably because it runs a little soft, maybe Bo knew that this was important to the common soldier. I've owned it for over 20 years and has seen some harsh use in outdoor and urban environments.

For those who comment on the 4 year wait, you can pick one up immediately from several dealers just a little over cost and on ebay there are some good deals. If you are in the service and are going to be deployed I believe the shop puts you on the fast track. If they were not good quality knives the laws of economics would have dealt them the death blow as it has to so many of US companies.

Are there better steels and better heat treats available today over Randall's, you bet. If Randall is not your thing that is fine, but really no reason to put down the company. People here keep brining up cheaper knives , but as Bo Randall once commented on his price he quoted John Ruskin "There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.
 
Love the #40 posting. This entry sheds light on the situation. Most of these older, classic blades are not seeing ANY use at all. I suppose they are seen as collector pieces to be kept as investments. Likely the next generation of owners will sell them off to the highest bidder!
 
Randall knives endure because they are meant to be used and simply perform in your hand like no other knife. The steels work just fine! I have several Randalls and I use mine as do the majority of people who buy them. Randall buyers are not generally collectors. If you want a better steel, buy a Busse. It will arrive dull and you will not get a sheath! The wait for a Randall is another myth. Anyone who knows anything about Randalls knows they have an annual sale or two where you phone in and they will patiently tell you what is available and let you buy two knives at current price with no waiting. That sale was Monday. I got two more.
 
JoeRe said:
Randall knives endure because they are meant to be used and simply perform in your hand like no other knife. The steels work just fine! I have several Randalls and I use mine as do the majority of people who buy them. Randall buyers are not generally collectors. If you want a better steel, buy a Busse. It will arrive dull and you will not get a sheath! The wait for a Randall is another myth. Anyone who knows anything about Randalls knows they have an annual sale or two where you phone in and they will patiently tell you what is available and let you buy two knives at current price with no waiting. That sale was Monday. I got two more.
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That is an incorrect statement. If you're wanting a knife made to order with features as you specify (which is the whole reason to order one directly from Randall) then you're going to have a long wait. Anyone can buy an AG Russell knife if they just want a basic Randall right NOWNOWNOW.

Me personally, the only way I'm buying a Randall is if I get it customized exactly how I want.
 
Quiet, the knives available at Randall Monday were hardly base models. Had you called, I bet you could have got what you wanted in terms of options, or darn close. I wanted a #1-7" stag. Got same. Also a #9. Wanted one of those since I was a kid.
 
JoeRe said:
Quiet, the knives available at Randall Monday were hardly base models. Had you called, I bet you could have got what you wanted in terms of options, or darn close. I wanted a #1-7" stag. Got same. Also a #9. Wanted one of those since I was a kid.
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I am pretty sure they could not have built a custom order in one day, as you're claiming. "Or darn close" isn't going to cut it when you're spending nearly $500. If you want a basic model (which is what it sounds like), and they had some basic models lying around for sale with a couple different options for handle parts or whatever, then I'm glad they could take care of you. I, on the other hand, know full well I'll be waiting for years for my custom order, which will be custom, from the engraving, to every single component being handpicked. I wouldn't bother paying for a Randall otherwise.
 
Quiet, what will you order given the limit on options that you are so sure they didn't have available Monday aside from the engraving?
 
JoeRe said:
Quiet, what will you order given the limit on options that you are so sure they didn't have available Monday aside from the engraving?
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So, let me get this straight. They had a large batch of customized models, available for immediate sale? I could pick out anything from this list: http://www.randallknives.com/extra-features/

And they'd say "Sure thing, you want a Model #3 with Green micarta handle, crow's peak handle and a brass collar? No problem, we got a stack of those right here, it'll be in the mail tomorrow!"

We both know the answer is going to be no, they wouldn't say that. So, whatever I'm ordering is of no relevance to this. My point remains that I can't see Randall somehow making a bunch of variations of its knives and making those available for sale when it has a customer backlog years out. Tell me, you say you just bought a #1 and a #9, what custom options do they have on them?

They're local to me, I'm of half a mind to simply call them up and ask about this supposed sale.
 
They've already closed for the day. A shame. I'll call tomorrow and simply tell them that I was told that there was a sale Monday where I was allegedly able to purchase a knife with any upgrades or options I wanted, and I'd have been able to get my hands on it right away instead of the "backlog that exceeds four years". When is that next sale where I'll be able to get a knife immediately that's customized "in terms of options, or darn close."? After all, that whole backlog wait is a myth...right?

I'll let you guys know what they say. :)
 
Quiet said:
They've already closed for the day. A shame. I'll call tomorrow and simply tell them that I was told that there was a sale Monday where I was allegedly able to purchase a knife with any upgrades or options I wanted, and I'd have been able to get my hands on it right away instead of the "backlog that exceeds four years". When is that next sale where I'll be able to get a knife immediately that's customized "in terms of options, or darn close."? After all, that whole backlog wait is a myth...right?

I'll let you guys know what they say. :)
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OK jerkoff. Where did I say they will build you a custom knife in a day? Also, Russel marks up considerably their cost for standard Randalls over what the shop charges, even at their sale. Where did I say they had a complete stock off all knives with all option possibilities available at the sale? Call em. Then kiss my a**!
 
JoeRe said:
OK jerkoff. Where did I say they will build you a custom knife in a day? Also, Russel marks up considerably their cost for standard Randalls over what the shop charges, even at their sale. Where did I say they had a complete stock off all knives with all option possibilities available at the sale? Call em. Then kiss my a**!
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I'm sorry, what was that? This wasn't you?

JoeRe said:
Quiet, the knives available at Randall Monday were hardly base models. Had you called, I bet you could have got what you wanted in terms of options, or darn close. I wanted a #1-7" stag. Got same. Also a #9. Wanted one of those since I was a kid.
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Oh wait, yes it was. Keep being classy, guy. :thumbup:
 
Quiet,

What Joe is trying to say is that during the Spring and Fall Stock Sales, the shop has many knives made up in advance for the sale with an assortment of options. Any given model might have one or even a few options. Typically, the knives that do have options come with options that are more popular. They also have standard configuration knives. If you're interested in an unusual 5 option knife, then no, they probably won't have it. But Joe is right, I have seen some knives purchased at the Stock Sales that had more options that I expected.
 
TAH said:
Quiet,

What Joe is trying to say is that during the Spring and Fall Stock Sales, the shop has many knives made up in advance for the sale with an assortment of options. Any given model might have one or even a few options. Typically, the knives that do have options come with options that are more popular. They also have standard configuration knives. If you're interested in an unusual 5 option knife, then no, they probably won't have it. But Joe is right, I have seen some knives purchased at the Stock Sales that had more options that I expected.
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That sounds fantastic, it does. But that doesn't make the phrase "The wait is a myth" correct. That is not the case. There IS a backlog, and you WILL be waiting, unless you temper your requirements to meet what is available, which at that price point is something that I personally won't ever do (others may, and good for them). Others who decide that they have to have it NOWNOWNOW; they can check out one of these sales and hope to find something, but that in no way means that the wait for a Randall exactly how you want it is a myth.

Which is my point.
 
I said the wait for A Randall is a myth. I never claimed there was no wait for a Randall EXACTLY like you wanted it. You wanna wait, fine. Meanwhile, chill!
 
Quiet said:
That sounds fantastic, it does. But that doesn't make the phrase "The wait is a myth" correct. That is not the case. There IS a backlog, and you WILL be waiting, unless you temper your requirements to meet what is available, which at that price point is something that I personally won't ever do (others may, and good for them). Others who decide that they have to have it NOWNOWNOW; they can check out one of these sales and hope to find something, but that in no way means that the wait for a Randall exactly how you want it is a myth.

Which is my point.
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You're correct. There is definitely a backlog if the Sale doesn't have the exact knife you want. But some folks don't want a knife that is highly optioned out. There is a good chance the shop might have the exact Randall they want at one of these sales without the 5 year wait. They're not settling or being impatient, they're just lucky. :)
 
Other than model, steel and handle choice, most users of Randalls Ii know couldn't care less about "options." Optioned out Randalls are safe queens. Etching, eeech!
 
JoeRe said:
Other than model, steel and handle choice, most users of Randalls Ii know couldn't care less about "options." Optioned out Randalls are safe queens. Etching, eeech!
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Logical fallacies on your part won't change the fact that your statement is incorrect, sorry. But hey, you could always tell me to "kiss your a**" again, I suppose. :rolleyes:
 
Once more, if you look at this thread, the are several references to the multiyear wait to get a Randall knife, compared to blackjack and others (without paying jacked up prices). I said that is a myth and I stand by that statement despite your trying to parse pathetic.
 
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