Randall knives, are they all that?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
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Howdy all! I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just wondering about this company. I know they've been around for a long time, but are their new knives as good as the old ones were supposed to be? Are these really users? Are they worth the 46 (?) month wait for one? An inquiring mind wants to know! Thanks, again!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
I have a catalog coming. I think I'm going to order two, a small user and a big honkin' bowie. The four year wait will give me time to save up th $$$.
 
I own two models and I love them. Are they all that? IMHO yes.

A Randal knife is a no brainer, even if you don't like it someone will buy it from you at no loss, just to avoid the long wait. So it is oft said. ;)
 
They have built a good reputation and become a solid company. Their knives have been there and done that on more then one occasion. They have been used in every war since World War II and probably have helped save numerous lives. As far as the wait, with the reputation they have and the fact they are made one at a time and not assembly line made is it any wonder they take time to make. If you don't want to wait there are dealers that may have one you want. That's your call. I have three, two bought second hand the third waited two years and yes it was worth the wait.
 
I have a Randall No.3 that has been with me since I got it new in the early seventies. It's a using kinife, been around the block (few times) but not abused. I'd give it very high marks performance wise.
 
I'm not saying that the wait is the problem. Heck, I'm usually slow on the uptake for things so its not unusual for me to be on a waitlist for more than a year at a time. I'm just wondering about what you get after the wait is over. I also like getting what I pay for, so before I sign on the dotted line, I like to ask. Oh, and I usually refuse to pay up front for knife work. It saves the hard feelings if you get into a situation where the maker gets really behind. I'm going through that now, and I'm not happy. Another question I'd wonder is at what point does their waitlist become so long that you are just throwing away money on a knife you may never see (i.e. the required, no-refund deposit). So, what's the scoop?

Sincerely,
Anthony

P.S. thanks for the opinions so far! Please keep them coming!
 
I like some of them more than others and don't care for some of them at all, but I do think the quality is good. Many people seem to think their knives are too expensive, I'm not one of them.

In most cases I would prefer to own their older knives. I just like the look of them more.
 
I personally will not argue that they are a sound investment if you know your Randall knives (I don't) but know guys that do. I will however say that from a strictly aesthetic stand point they do not impress me. I can buy custom knives that have better fit and finish at lower prices and that's what I do...
 
Randalls are not the "cutting edge" in knife technology but they are well thought out designs and made with care. Forget G10 and the latest stainless steel. I have several and consider them worth the money and wait. They get my recommendation.
 
A couple of months is about the longest wait I can stand to buy anything, so I paid a bit more and bought my Randall 14 in a gun shop. I love the knife, and consider it worth the approximately $325 I spent. What I like about Randalls is the traditional designs. Many modern designs lack adequate crossguards, in my opinion. My Randall 14 has a hefty one. The traditional designs look alot prettier, too.
 
I have two Randalls, a 43 year old No. 6 Hunter's Bowie and a 26 year old No. 1. The No. 1 was bought because I had always wanted one, while the No. 6 was bought when I was an 18 year old and had saved up the $25.00 that it cost. It has been used, and used some more, is on its second sheath, and I would happily say that they are both "all that" and more. But they are classics in design, not some super, duper, gee-whiz ninja special killer blade, they are rather straight-forward knife designs, honed to extreme perfection.
 
randall.jpg
they were not very sharp when i got them i had to sharpen them and it was a job
 
They have a devoted cult following. The quality is there--no doubt. Be prepared to spend muucho $$. They will hold there value out there with any of them.
 
I've carried a couple during the latter years of my 23 years of Army service - a standard #14 and a #1-7 with a few "goodies" attached.

As far as the wait, if you order one from the shop right now, they require only a $20 deposit and today's price is locked in for you when it is ready. A great deal. They have a strong "family" line in the operations of the company so they aren't going bankrupt anytime soon. If so, you would be out $20. ...but I've only purchased about five knives directly from the shop -- two during a visit to Orlando on business, and the others over the phone when they used to have made knives in their little store in the front of the shop.

Now that the wait is long, I've gone to ordering from a few of their authorized dealers who can usually get your knife in about half the time; however, the price is usually the price at the time the knife is delivered, not the price at order.

I have owned about 30 Randall knives over the last ten years, have sold some and given some to my children. I even gave one to the local "non-profit" medical organization where my wife used to work. It was part of their annual fundraiser auction. I took a tax write off and they made about $400 dollars from the sale.

The good thing about Randall knives is the vast number of options you can use to design your own knife -- different handle materials and shapes, blade length, saw teeth or not, hilt types and materials. It's pretty much endless. There are a few options not offered on some of the models but you can have as much fun designing your own knife as designing your own "new" car from the dealer brochure! I ordered a few knives from Greg Gutcher at the Sullivan's Holster Shop, the sheath maker for Randall. Most of the time, he would say, "Bruce, your knife is in. It's a pretty good looking one to -- good job!" Sometimes he would just say, "Bruce, your knife is in, send a check and I'll get it in the mail." I didn't know if that meant, "you designed an ugly knife" or he was just busy.

Regardless of what type of knife you decide to use, make, or collect, you should have at least one Randall in the mix. I've given one each to my two grown sons and my son-in-law. I have one on order with Greg that will be here in November that is reserved for my 18 year old daughter's husband (when she chooses him). I made her promise not to tell each date that a marriage to her would result in an instant gift of a Randall or she would be pestered with suitors!

Well, hurry up and order one on the long wait, then find one to purchase right away. You won't be sorry!

Luck,

Bruce
 
What do you plan on using if for? For hunting I recommend the model 25 trapper. I have a 5" and 6". The 5" is more practical even though I like a 3 to 4" blade for a hunting knife, it still works fine. I also have a special ordered model 15 blade with a model 1 green micarta handle with double guard. I feel the double guard models are better combat knives because the top part of the guard gets in the way. Even so it's a neat looking knife.
 
Recently I purchased my first Randall. I have always liked the small Randall #21. Nice handle and great balance plus beautiful stag. Also, I like 3" - 4" fixed blades the most.

I found that you can bypass the lengthy wait if you just find a new one at a knife show. I bought the new #21 for $265.00. The price was right and I think the knife was worth it. Actually not a lot of money compared to many other high quality fixed blades. In fact, at this small New England show, I had my choice of about 10 new Randalls to choose from.

The actual value of any knife, to me, is a very personal thing. Randalls have a direct tie in with knife history. That makes it important to me to have a few in my collection. I won't use it, and I won't carry it. It is just a fun addition to my collection.

Are they really worth the high cost or the long wait? No one can answer this question, except for you.
 
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