Randall newbie - a few questions

Gov't Mule

Gov't Mule

Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
485
Hello.

I do not own a Randall. I will be looking at a model 18 crutch tip tomorrow to possibly purchase, and was wondering if someone would offer some insights.

First off, I want to make sure it is authentic. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for?

Second, is one sheath design more desirable than another?

Third, how much does condition affect a blade of this age?

Here is the blade in question, no pic of the sheath.

Randall18.jpg
 
Condition is everything; the knife is a legit very late '60's or very early '70's variant; a stainless steel blade is typically more desireable and or valuable than a carbon steel blade, a forged Orlando blade is more desireable/valuable than a Solingen made blade--and while some would tell you otherwise, they would be wrong...

Riveted (large or small rivets) Splitback style sheaths are more desireable/valuable than riveted roughback sheaths, but the correct sheath (in this case, a riveted roughback sheath) is always more desireable than a non-riveted, period incorrect, or replacement sheath...

Hope that helps,

Shel
 
Melvin-Purvis said:
Condition is everything; the knife is a legit very late '60's or very early '70's variant; a stainless steel blade is typically more desireable and or valuable than a carbon steel blade, a forged Orlando blade is more desireable/valuable than a Solingen made blade--and while some would tell you otherwise, they would be wrong...

Hope that helps,

Shel
Click to expand...

What do you base this opinion on?
 
In the 60's a Soligen blade sold for allot less money than the Orlando made steel. I remember $50 vs $75 made in Orlando. Now, collectors drove the prices up on the German made blades. Good quality never the less.


Damn if I only had a crystal ball! :confused: :D


Oh yea, I didn't address your question.....

A crutch tip model 18 with a riveted type c sheath goes for $1000.00 to $2500.00, vs a Orlando made model 18 goes $800, to $1400.00 of comparable age. As stated condition is everything. I base this on private sales as well as "e-bay" sales. But an item is ONLY worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
 
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I don't think the Orlando blade was a full 50% more in cost than a Solingen blade, not really sure where you got that figure but it is closer to approximately 25% difference. When you are talking $26 vs. $34, it doens't really sound like much of a difference, at least not in todays dollars.

I don't really recall seeing any crutch tips in the $800 to $1000 range, even in this depressed market, unless one slipped through the cracks. If you see any at that price, I'll back my truck up and take as many as you can get.
 
I read it fine the first time, what are you trying to say? With all due respect, perhaps you should reread mine.


$50 Solingen vs. $75 Orlando, when in the '60's?

$800 to $1000 crutch tips, when and where?
 
50% of $50 is $25

$50 + $25 = $75

$75 is 50% more than $50

I think that from reading other posts from sams that the part of the sixties he was talking about when these prices were in effect was when he was a frogman.

And that other guy you questioned buys and sells a few RMK's every so often,you might want to listen to his advice.My father has bought a couple of knives from him,one of 'em used to be a file in it's former life.:eek:
 
Curious math, but you can skew that as you did, and unfortunately you are even further off as $75 is %150 of $25. From early Randall catalogs, I could not find a 50% difference in price between an Orlando and Solingen blade in any model. Perhaps I missed something and you can find it.

As for the "other guy", he didn't quote the prices, sams did. Therefore, again I would like to know where the $800 to $1000 crutch tips are.

Your father bought a Randall that started life as a file? Some history and photos would be appropriate at this point.
 
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OICU812 said:
Curious math, but you can skew that as you did, and unfortunately you are even further off as $75 is %150 of $25. From early Randall catalogs, I could not find a 50% difference in price between an Orlando and Solingen blade in any model. Perhaps I missed something and you can find it.

As for the "other guy", he didn't quote the prices, sams did. Therefore, again I would like to know where the $800 to $1000 crutch tips are.

Your father bought a Randall that started life as a file? Some history and photos would be appropriate at this point.
Click to expand...

Actually, $75 is 300% of $25. No big deal – I'm just saying.....

Someday my Randalls will be old, but they'll probably be in the hands of my grandchildren at the time.
 
Um, well, ok, now that the music has stopped...

Gov't Mule, did ya buy the knife bud? ;)
 
Melvin-Purvis said:
Condition is everything; the knife is a legit very late '60's or very early '70's variant; a stainless steel blade is typically more desireable and or valuable than a carbon steel blade, a forged Orlando blade is more desireable/valuable than a Solingen made blade--and while some would tell you otherwise, they would be wrong...


Hope that helps,

Shel
Click to expand...
OICU812 said:
What do you base this opinion on?
Click to expand...
Melvin-Purvis said:
Which opinion?
Click to expand...
OICU812 said:
Orlando blade value vs. Solingen blade value.
Click to expand...

Still waiting for a response.
 
My point is I am curious as to what you base your opinion on relative to the desireability and value of an Orlando #18 versus a Solingen #18. I thought it was pretty clear what you said and I quote,

melvin-purvis said:
a forged Orlando blade is more desireable/valuable than a Solingen made blade--and while some would tell you otherwise, they would be wrong...
Click to expand...
 
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