That's all I can figure. Good thing I'm not left handed.
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Randall Model 23 - Stag handle disappointment
- Thread starter kaneman23
- Start date
That's all I can figure. Good thing I'm not left handed.
When I buy a user, even if it's going to get beat to hell on a construction site, I still choose a knife that I like the looks of.
I see nothing wrong with a person wanting their knives to look a certain way, regardless of whether they use them or not.
I would imagine that most people who choose stag handles do so because they like the LOOK of stag handles. In my opinion, some pieces of stag look better than others. And if I were buying a knife with a stag handle, I'd want a piece of stag that I thought looked good to me.
It's like buying a car. How it looks, or the color of paint, has no affect on how it functions as a car. But how many people buy a car and say "I couldn't care less what it looks like". And if you see a big dent in the side of that new car you're thinking of buying, a dent that has no affect on the cars performance, would you buy it anyway? I'm guessing- no.
But someone might say- "It's a car, it's not for looking at, it's for driving. So why care about the dent".
I see nothing wrong with a person wanting their knives to look a certain way, regardless of whether they use them or not.
I would imagine that most people who choose stag handles do so because they like the LOOK of stag handles. In my opinion, some pieces of stag look better than others. And if I were buying a knife with a stag handle, I'd want a piece of stag that I thought looked good to me.
It's like buying a car. How it looks, or the color of paint, has no affect on how it functions as a car. But how many people buy a car and say "I couldn't care less what it looks like". And if you see a big dent in the side of that new car you're thinking of buying, a dent that has no affect on the cars performance, would you buy it anyway? I'm guessing- no.
But someone might say- "It's a car, it's not for looking at, it's for driving. So why care about the dent".
I like the handle. the "bump" is different. Stag is unique and prefer it on my knives. I had a couple knives in the hot Florida sun, I picked one up and it was too hot, grabbed the stag and no heat in the handle at all. Same in Utah elk hunting in the cold weather. Stag is great but a bit fragile. Of course I'm 67 yrs old grew up with stag handle Case knives.
- Joined
- May 16, 2010
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- 9,347
Nope.
In fact its nothing like buying a car.
Cars are mostly generic and you can pick and choose what features and extras you want. You know EXACTLY what shape and color you get in your average Chevy, Ford, Toyota, VW etc.
A stag handle is the opposite of that. Each is different and unique and that is part of the charm and why most buy them.
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- Mar 7, 2011
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- 5,959
Yep, that would bug the crap out of me and I would have called them when I received it. There's no excuse for not considering both the aesthetics and functionality of the horn used on a premium knife. I bet it would get uncomfortable in heavy use. I'm sure Randall will take care of you! :thumbup:
BluegrassBrian
Gold Member
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- Apr 20, 2015
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- 2,564
I kinda like it..and as you said, it feels good. I imagine it's like a rhombic pukko, a hand swell.
It could very well grow on you aesthetically. It's cool to have such a unique one.
It could very well grow on you aesthetically. It's cool to have such a unique one.
Those who say that he should not have returned it because Randalls are meant to be used, not looked at, might have overlooked the fact that if ever OP has to use the knife with his left hand it looks like it would be extremely uncomfortable.
And please, you buy a cold steel to beat on, use and not look at. This knife is functional art, the owner has the right to be 100% happy with how it looks, regardless of whether it's "meant to be used" or not.
And please, you buy a cold steel to beat on, use and not look at. This knife is functional art, the owner has the right to be 100% happy with how it looks, regardless of whether it's "meant to be used" or not.
It has grown on me and I like the ridge on the stag but the bumps need some more work. I did put it to work today on this little feller this morning.
I'm leaning on leaving it as. I appreciate your advice and it makes sense. The photos I posted magnify the bumps making them appear worse than they actually are. They really don't look as bad in person. I believe I would be more disappointed if they were filed down too much altering the ergonomic grip and the appearance of the stag. I agree with you on the G10 and micarta and own a few but this one feels better than any of them.
Onto a more important subject, the knife's performance was excellent and didn't break a sweat field dressing the young buck above. I even used it to split the rib cage and it was effortless. The hair and blood cleaned up easily from the stainless blade and stag handle. I was surprised how easy it was and there wasn't any staining. The edge retention was excellent and there was no visible evidence of wear. I was worried the 440 wouldn't have as good of edge retention properties as the O1 but I believe it's going to perform great in the long term and I won't have to worry about blood staining the blade.
It makes it YOUR knife.
That's quality stag. Not the cheap work and second stock one sees in a lot of the stores and sites. That's someone who knows what they're doing. I can judge the pic exaggeration you mention...the handle looks fine to me.
I guarantee you a few people at Randall held and looked at that knife. People who are far more knowledgeable about stag, how to apply stag and what constitutes a good knife handle than anyone here. They decided to put their name on it and send it out as is.
If the handle doesn't have a hot spot, if it's good to go in gloves, if it doesn't fatigue your hand during long use periods, use and enjoy the knife. It's a beaut.
That's quality stag. Not the cheap work and second stock one sees in a lot of the stores and sites. That's someone who knows what they're doing. I can judge the pic exaggeration you mention...the handle looks fine to me.
I guarantee you a few people at Randall held and looked at that knife. People who are far more knowledgeable about stag, how to apply stag and what constitutes a good knife handle than anyone here. They decided to put their name on it and send it out as is.
If the handle doesn't have a hot spot, if it's good to go in gloves, if it doesn't fatigue your hand during long use periods, use and enjoy the knife. It's a beaut.
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2006
- Messages
- 15,036
This is a good comment
Stag is picked not only for appearance but how it feels in the hand
Most good stag knives are right handed or left handed
You say it feels good ......I must of also felt good to the guy that handled it
All Stag is different
Looks to me like a real nice knife and I like the handle
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It makes it YOUR knife.
That's quality stag. Not the cheap work and second stock one sees in a lot of the stores and sites. That's someone who knows what they're doing. I can judge the pic exaggeration you mention...the handle looks fine to me.
I guarantee you a few people at Randall held and looked at that knife. People who are far more knowledgeable about stag, how to apply stag and what constitutes a good knife handle than anyone here. They decided to put their name on it and send it out as is.
If the handle doesn't have a hot spot, if it's good to go in gloves, if it doesn't fatigue your hand during long use periods, use and enjoy the knife. It's a beaut.
Thank you EChoil. I appreciate the words of wisdom.