Randall Made Military Knife Owners...

C

crowinghorse

Joined
Sep 14, 1999
Messages
332
I would like to hear from prior or current service members who have used, owned, or still own and use a Randall. How do they work compared to other blades you have used? Is the "Randall Made knife" all it is said to be? What exactly caused the enormous mythos surrounding the Randall Made knife?
I have heard countless stories from servicemen: sailors, Marines, soldiers, and airmen about their "Randall knife." I am entering the military and my folks and fiancee have ordered me a Randall made knife. I was just wondering why they are so popular with servicemen.
Thanks
Horse
 
I was in the Army 9 years and had a Randall Modell 14 at the time. It originally had the micarta finger grooved handle which I sent back to be retrofitted with a Border Patrol version. I wish I had gotten the O-1 blade instead of the forged 440B. It was very difficult to sharpen in the field. Great knife, though. It stood up to a lot of abuse. I remember cutting up some branches and sharpening the tips for aiming stakes. The log I was chopping the branches on had a nail on it which caused a small section of the edge to curl, not chip.

-Greg
 
I carried a #14 also (stainless, single finger grip handle) and never found anything it couldn't do. I met another Colonel (armor brigade commander) who also carried a Model #14. Someone asked him why a tank brigade commander needed a combat knife. He stated he used his to "scare" lieutenants!

Bruce Woodbury
 
Personally carried a Randall #5-7 until it was stolen out of my HUMVEE along with the rest of my TA-50 while rolling around NTC, FT Irwin.

Replaced it with a series of MD ATAKs, but always missed that Randall. Handle one and you'll agree that there is an elegance/balance that just isn't present in an ATAK.

An apt comparison is a compact govern't model .45 and a HK USP compact. The HK is a wonderful weapon and function as intended, but leaves a certain something to be desired, balance, asthetics, tough to define. All I know is that I can shoot my kimber aluminum compact better than my USP compact.

I knew more tabbed out folks that had Randalls than any other high dollar fixed blade. Fayetteville, NC even has a Randall dealer, Green Mountain Knife and Gun. They always have a good stock and sell the great BlackHawk industry sheaths.

Its a matter of personal taste. If any one ever sees a Randal #5-7 marked, John Frank, USA please contact me.

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"Women bring life into the world
and much death, for they sway the
destinies of men." -Anneas
 
C'Horse,
I had and used a Mod. 1-7 in the Nam, but sent it home when I got a Buck Special in 440C. The Buck wasn't near the knife that the Randall was, but it didn't rust near as fast either. That 1-7 cost me over a months pay at the time and it was well worth the price.

I now have several Randalls and I wouldn't trade any of them for a Box full knives from the Nasty Puppy.
Dan
 
Do any of you who have used the Randall 14 with finger groove handle like the finger groove handle, or do you prefer another style of handle?
 
My current #14 is a single finger grip style but a previous one I owned had the standard finger groove style. I gave it to my son to justify buying the SFG style. Now I wish I had it back! It fit me like a glove. If only I hadn't sent it back to have his name engraved on it. I even asked him if he wanted to trade--he doesn't. Seems the grooves fits his hand well also.

Bruce Woodbury
 
I am a fan of Mad Dog knives (look at my past posts!) and have been told by Randall owners the Border Patrol handle is the most comfortable. I like the ability to change grips on the handle quickly (sabre grip to reverse grip) and the Border Patrol handle seems to be the easiest and most comfortable to manuever.
Horse
 
ChrisJohn,

I could not have said it better. Three continents, One MK IV colt and one Korean conflict MD. 14.

Cheers,

ts

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Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.
 
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