Randall Made knives

[tongueriver]

Question: I see that some time in the past a Randall Made knife for sale was rejected in the Exchange in the Custom section because they are not customs. I do not understand. There are approximately 20 or a few more workers associated with the operation at Randall Made Knives in Orlando, Florida. I suppose that this could suggest to someone that it is a cutlery that turns out knives.... say... a few hundred or a few thousand every few days. Actually, every knife they make is hand-forged (except for a few smaller ones) and individually ordered, customer by customer with multiple custom options. Every single knife is individual, one of a kind. The waiting period is variously quoted as between four and six years. Can someone explain to me why they have not been considered to be custom knives?

 

[eveled]

Because people are snobs. I guess they think Randall’s are not custom because you can’t design your own blade shape.

You pick from one of their pre existing models, then you pick from available blade lengths, then you pick from available handle guard pommel options.

Then you wait and they make YOUR knife for YOU. Hand forged and no 2 are identical. Seems as custom as any other custom to me.

Most makers will not let you design a knife for them to make. You are involved but you pick from their options. Same as RMK

FWIW, If you order 2 knives 3 months apart, the orders will be approximately 200 numbers away from each other. The wait seems to be increasing. So this tells me they make less than 800 knives a year. Not exactly production.

 

[madcap_magician]

This is not some sort of anti-Randall conspiracy. It's just that Randall comes close to the murky line of 'custom' vs. 'limited production,' and in terms of the sales forums, anything that is midtech-ey goes into the Production subforums, which includes companies like Olamic, Oz Machine and Tool, Holt, etc. who make knives to order as well as maker's choice for retail.

 

[tongueriver]

Whenever there is a grey area anywhere in life, bias exercised by the powers in charge rules.

 

[madcap_magician]

Whenever there is a grey area anywhere in life, bias exercised by the powers in charge rules.

Sorry they disagree with you. Why's it matter?

 

[knarfeng]

Randal's aren't my thing. So since there are set patterns instead of being absolutely one-of-a-kind, then it sounds to me like "not a custom".
But if I came across a Randal in the custom forum I would leave it unless somebody made a report about it not being a custom. We get reports of that nature on a regular basis. Given what little I know about Randals, if somebody complained about it, I'd likely move the sales thread.

We try to make the exchange rules fairly crisp so that the staff is not accused of unfair practices. Despite that, there is still room for interpretation. At the end of the day you are just going to need to cut us a little slack. Mistakes get made. Deal with it, or put us on salary.

 

[brownshoe]

They are not custom made knives from one person and their associates. I’ve been to their place. They are a factory, they have a set product line yet Randall is small and they still put the final edge on by hand with a stone.