randall made or fehrman

S

saylorbrand

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
338
I was thinking of getting a last chance from fehrman, but now I'm thinking maybe I go with the Randall made with the same Length blade. I am hesitant because it is not a full tang blade, and I am looking to use the knife very hard. I know the steel will take it but would really would like to hear from some experienced knife addicts. Again I'm not looking to collect, but to use in Afghanistan. My life could come down to this knife so which should I pick, price is not an issue.
 
I've had a couple of Randalls; unfortunately they were stolen. That said, I've moved to Busse as my favorite brand for hard use. I've never owned a Fehrman, but I've heard good things about them. A Randall, Fehrman or Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrapyard will serve you well. In fact, I just recently bought a Swamp Rat M6 for a friend of mine who's leaving for A-Stan in about 2 weeks or so. It is one hell of a brute of a knife:

MickysM6.jpg
 
Give Busse serious consideration. INFI is phenomenally tough stuff and takes an excellent edge.... it will not let you down.
If you post your requirements (blade length etc) over on the Busse forum the Hogs will make some suggestions and help you find the blade and sheath you want.

All the best there bud:thumbup:
 
You can get a Busse alot quicker than a Randall, unless buying a Randall on the secondary market.
Maybe a Chris Reeve? They're not for everybody, but are solid as tanks.

Chuck
 
Busse or Randall will serve you well.
How many soldiers using Randall are out there that broke them? You can find them on every battlefield the last 60 years, I think that's enough said.
Only problem is to GET a Randall.
If I had to choose, I would go for the Randall, it's a classic.
 
Not to mention that a Randall will never go down in value, no matter how hard it's used. BTW, the 14, 15 and 16 SP#1 are full-tang.
 
Samael said:
Not to mention that a Randall will never go down in value, no matter how hard it's used.
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Busse products seem to hold their value as well, though usage does diminish it somewhat. Outside of lead ins to big shows, Busse prices seem to stay at a certain level.

Chuck
 
I could be wrong, but I believe that the Spyderco site occasionally has Randalls for sale. It might be worth a look there if you are serious about picking one up. For what it's worth, I'm not affiliated with Spyderco in any way, I just remember seeing them there. Stay safe on your deployment!
 
Don't forget Swamp Rat. I think among the knives mentioned you'll be fine. Come back safe!
 
Randalls are hard to find but Busse aren't exactly easy either, although there is a very active Busse exchange right here on BF.

Last time I checked they still had a couple of models available direct from the company as well, the very fine NMSFNO and ASH-1.

Another maker to consider would be Grayman Knives. They make a hard-use blade and have a lot of military customers.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
 
Fehrmans have some advantages: availability, prices are reasonable, excellent knives although LC is a bit heavy for its size. Secondary market prices are also lower but I don't see many Fehrmans being offered. Absolutely on the same par with Busse.
 
Actually, if you're active duty, coming up with a Randall just got a whole lot easier. Call the shop and order one of the full-tang knives and they'll fast-track the order for you. You'll have your knife in 6-8 weeks. No joke.
 
now im torn, which one. there is something about having one of the most historic knives. If something happens to the knife, how is the customer service at Randall? I hear great things about fehrman.
 
Truth be told, Randall's customer service leaves a lot to be desired. They don't need your business, and sometimes it shows. That said, they do stand by their warranty if you're the original purchaser. (If you didn't buy the knife from Randall, you're SOL.)
 
WOW! That takes Randall down a couple if that be true. I believe that warranties are not always real high on peoples lists, but I do like solid customer service. Especially when a knife costs as much as a Randall.

Thanks
 
saylorbrand said:
WOW! That takes Randall down a couple if that be true. I believe that warranties are not always real high on peoples lists, but I do like solid customer service. Especially when a knife costs as much as a Randall.
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This in mind, I would definitely go for a Busse, or a Fehrman. I don't have experience dealing with the customer service at Fehrman, but have heard only good things, and Busse's customer service has been excellent to me. The warranty, also, is excellent - Busse won't give you trouble even if you did beat on the knife with a hammer or pry open a door with it. And Busse doesn't care if you bought their knife second hand, used, and whatever - the warranty follows the knife. :thumbup:

Though Randall certainly has the history going for it, I personally do not see a manufacturer having a long history as something that will affect the knife's performance in the field. Busse and Fehrman will also have better edge holding than the Randalls, due to the different steels and hardnesses on these knives - less time to be spent sharpening and more to be spent cutting stuff.
 
Samael said:
Truth be told, Randall's customer service leaves a lot to be desired. They don't need your business, and sometimes it shows. That said, they do stand by their warranty if you're the original purchaser. (If you didn't buy the knife from Randall, you're SOL.)
Click to expand...

Wow. Really? That's garbage.

Busse warrants their knives forever, regardless of owner. As long as you didn't break it by cutting with a torch or something (i.e. broke it intentionally), they'll replace it no questions asked. Busse appreciates the business.

With this in mind, I would DEFINITELY pass on the Randall, and go with Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrapyard (their warranties are all the same).
 
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