Randall "mystique" question from an Ignorati..

Steve, on behalf of the hundreds of Randall Made Knives enthusiasts that peruse this particular forum on a semi-regular basis, I'd just like to take a moment to thank you personally for taking the time out of your busy day to drop by and share that little gem of wisdom with us...:yawn:

Topos, I doth protest friend, you stated the word far better than I ever could, and I'm in full agreement with your sentiment as well! Here's to wishing you continued success in your (long-term) RMK collecting :thumbup:
 
stevetexas: Please tell me what knife you consider better than 'medium at best'. I surely do like to improve on the quality of my acquistions.

Are you referring to, say, some of the Damascus makers?

Great day to you.
 
Yeah Steve, I'm with ya!
medium at best. I bet that's what those N.A.S.A. guys thought also. Not like it's rocket science..............................

My names James, and I'm a Randallholic......I havent bought a Randall in 3 weeks.........o.k............1 week, but I take it day by day................
 
Gentlemen and women,

I can not argue with any of you who have chosen Randalls as an investment. So far you have been proven right. The name does sell.

When considering knives as users, many come to mind. Many custom knife makers here on this forum offer knives that are superior to Randalls at the same or less cost. In addition, Bark River, Chris Reeve, Mission, Benchmade, Spyderco and many others manufacture better knives that perform as well or better than Randalls at less cost.

I know I just called your lover average. I know that she is beautiful to you.

Lets just agree that I am an old asshole who likes to take the other side in arguments *smile*

Steve
 
Topos said:
stevetexas: Please tell me what knife you consider better than 'medium at best'. I surely do like to improve on the quality of my acquistions.

Are you referring to, say, some of the Damascus makers?

Great day to you.
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Hi Topos :) ,

The quality of Damascus steel is highly variable. Some is great. It is made of high quality steel that mates well and looks beautiful after etching. Other damascus is crap.

Steve
 
ron mathews said:
Hi Steve,

I'm wondering if your opinion is based on owning and using a Randall.

Thanks,

Ron
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Hi Ron :) ,

I have owned a Randall in the past when I was assigned to East Africa during my military service 30 years ago. I think it was called a Trail knife. It was carbon steel and worked fine, however, no better than a Western or Case, for example.

Steve
 
stevetexas said:
Hi Ron :) ,

I have owned a Randall in the past when I was assigned to East Africa during my military service 30 years ago. I think it was called a Trail knife. It was carbon steel and worked fine, however, no better than a Western or Case, for example.

Steve
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Hi Steve,

Thanks for getting back to me. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, even though you seem to be swimming upstream here. I hope you don't mind me leaving you with your own comment from another post:

stevetexas said:
btw, my word is as usless as any other
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Take care yo' self. :D

Ron
 
"Lets just agree that I am an old asshole who likes to take the other side in arguments *smile*" - Steve, I admire a man who has a great sense of humor. You and I share the admirable trait of punching holes in pomposity.

The quality of the Chris Reeve small folder I gave my son is of suprior design, quality, and function. When it comes to knives, I adhere to an old Sargent from North Carolina who told me in 1956: "T'aint the blade, it's the man behind it. [chuckle]. Best knife is the one you have when you need it. Much like a woman. Pretty is better, available is acceptable".

Best day to you.
 
stevetexas, Benchmade, Barkriver, Spyderco? I don't think so! I've carried Randall, Chris Reeve (Green Beret), and Mad Dog (ATAK Hunter) in the field and found all to be great knives. ...but I wouldn't carry the lesser knives you mentioned. I did give my Benchmade AFO to a Special Forces Captain I know but my Sebenza is a much better, more trusted knife. I'm sure if Randall made a folder, it would be worth carrying too.
 
For what it's worth as a English Knife maker, I love Randall knives brings back memories of when I was a boy looking at pics of Randalls, and then later on in the 70's of working with The US military, where quite a few owned them.
I have just made this one not a copy but just because of the memories from them years gone by
scoutknifeleather007.jpg

www.msknives.co.uk
 
The quality in real life was for me very disapointing :the no 1 and fighting stiletto both broke at the guard in what I call normal use.The finishing touch is very middle class.Hand made doesn't mean that imperfections are a sign of character.Then my face has a lot of character.SR Johnson,Aad van Ryswijk,Gert van den Elsen,Kressler make flawless knives.But because the whole production is bought as mostly an investment prices are very high.If a knife has to rest in a vault I prefer to give that money to charity but as the old romans said:di coloris et di gusputis non disputandem.And for the Randall lovers enjoy them:carpe diem.
 
To put things in perspective, a Randall Made Knife was a true bargain at one time. Back in the 50's and 60's there weren't many good knives. Case, Gerber, Buck, Puma, and Marbles were the high end of hunting, outdoor knives.

My first Randall was $45.00 when a Buck or Gerber were going at $20 to $27.00. The Randall had a better made sheath. I think the sheath is another feature that makes the Randall knife. So my hat is tipped to Heiser, Johnson, and Greg Gutcher.

There are some great knives being made today no doubt, but there will always be a place for "Randall Made Knives". Every serious collector should own at least one.
 
It's a reminder of my Dad when I was a boy and we'd go deer hunting together. He'd let me carry his Randall on my belt and taught me how to field dress a deer with that knife. It was my introduction to hand made knives and that old Randall of his made a lasting impression.

Dad collected knives. Randall, Loveless, old English Bowie's, Lyle and he was fond of a maker named Lambert from here in Texas. But this Randall was special to him because it stayed sharp no matter how many deer or hogs he cleaned with it and the size was handy. He'd just put it on leather and it would shave the hair off of your arm. That old Randall has character and if it could talk the stories it would tell would keep us up late around the mesquite fire at night.

I have all of his knives now as his mind has started to wander and he's gotten old. But my favorite one is that in the picture below.

Each time I use it or hand it to my son to use it takes me back to another time and it reminds me of my Dad.

Whoops just found out I can't post images. Too bad, it's a dandy knife.

Martin
 
I have used the same Randall 15 since 1974. Has been through alot and never let me down. Could other knives have done the same maybe but these knives have my trust. Own many knives but will always have a Randall no matter what
 
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