Randall or Strider?

S

sgtdevildog

Joined
Feb 20, 2003
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I am considering acquiring one of these knives. Both have stellar reputations. Does anyone here have any experience or preferences one way or the other. I'm considering a Model 1 Randall or a Strider BT. Any suggestions?
 
Very different styles. While I can't comment on the Strider, the Randall No.1 is a classic. If you want a tough knife to abuse and pry open cans buy the Strider. For something with a bit more style buy the Randall. I bought Randalls.
 
How much time do you have to wait for a knife? The Randall will take either a looong time or a price way over retail. You can get a BT fairly quick in comparison.

But, as Loki said, the knives are very different. I might decide on blade material first. O1 or Stainless. Maybe decide on tanto or clip point next. Handle material. Lots of questions to answer before anyone can recommend one for you, as only you know what your needs are.

Mark
 
You can't go wrong with either brand. I can vouch for Randall with my own experience. Very sturdy knife, very reliable. Strider is also known to produce excellent knives. Again, you can't go wrong with either one.
 
Randall's are classics. Everyone should own at least one. They will hold their value to the end and have proven their worth through many wars and outdoor expeditions. Strider's a relatively newbie, their worth and value are basically untested compared to the Randall reputation. Not that there's anything wrong with Strider, its just Randall is now on its third generation and Strider has yet to reach the end of its first. If you're willing to buy aftermarket, go to a knife or gun/knife show and you can get a fairly large selection of Randalls at pretty good prices.
 
I've got a Randall 14 and Strider D-9. The Strider is a much better knife. Much, MUCH tougher. They use better steel and better heat treat. Randalls were great in their time (and still are today), but metallurgy has come a long way in the last 20 years, and Strider stays at the absolute cutting edge of technology. I'd get the Strider.

Strider only works with stainless steel, I believe. They use either ATS-34, BG-42, or S30V. S30V is the latest, greatest thing (even though the others are more than tough enough; personally, I like BG-42). If you order it direct from Strider, you may have to wait 6 months to a year. So contact one of their dealers. I recently had great results with Matt Donohue. E-mail him at MDono21404@aol.com . As of a couple months ago he had a BT on hand. Ckeck out the MT, too. It's an awesome field tool, and probably has more uses than the BT.

If my life were on the line, I wouldn't think twice about grabbing a Strider over a Randall.
 
As an example of the differences. I slammed my Randall 14 into a beer keg years ago and it severely damaged the tip. It's made of 440B stainlees, which is far inferior to the stainless steels used by Strider. You take a Strider BT or MT and slam it into a beer keg, my guess is that ist punctures the keg with little or no damage to the tip. I've read first hand accounts of guys slamming their stirders into pavement, using them as pylons for mountain climbing, choppind steel with them, with no damage to tha blade whatsoever. Their heat treater is Paul Bos, the very best in the business.

About a year ago, I posted on the Randall forums a question about why Randall doesn't come up with the times, use the best steels, and use Paul Bos as their heat treater. The reply was that it would probably cost too much. If you are lucky, you'll get a Randall made of 440C. Randall is now contemplating using ATS-34 (which is something Strider STARTED with 15 years ago!). Randall still doesn't use Paul Bos, though. He puts the blades through alternate cycles of heat and cryogenic treatment, which makes for an extremely tough piece of steel. Although he has staff that works for him, he personally treats all the Strider blades. Lastly, Strider has a lifetime guarantee. You break it; they fix it or replace it, no questions asked. Go out, beat up the knife, slam it into concrete, use it as a pry bar, no worries.

I've dealt with the Strider guys for a while, and they are absolutely top notch in every regard. They are military, and they know what is needed out in the field.
 
Hard to beat the ergos of the Model 1 - the Strider might be "tougher", but so is a titanium crowbar. If you buy a Randall, get the tool steel, as stated previously Randall SS is not particularly state of the art.

A tool steel Randall is a remarkable knife - I like Striders, but they're more about brute force than finesse. For 90% of what you use a fixed blade fighter for, the Randall will do it with less effort and more comfort than the Strider. Randall heat treatment is first rate, but the SS knives are limited by the choice of steel.

Sort of a HMMWV vs. Corvette argument, really, both are outstanding but they have different strengths.
 
Model #1 Randall is a all time Classic, for many, many years now and still going strong.

Can't see you going wrong with either knife, both are very good knifes and for using the carbon steel Randall's are very hard to beat when it come to cutting power. Both brands have a high resale value, get the one you like sgtdevildog and forget about it. hehe

James
 
A lifetime garuntee from a company only 15 years old and dominated by its founder is not worth much. There are more knife companies that have folded in one generation than those that have survived.
 
BS, if i remember correctly, you took some heat for your criticism of the Sebenza, and now Strider is in your sights, you seem to be something of a contrarian, but, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, even if i disagree, as i do here. And, i do NOT think you're a troll, so please dont be offended. I believe someone CAN have an unpopular or contrary opinion and not be a troll and some of us cant resist being argumentative. :)

15 years in business is not exactly a fly by night operation, and with demand as high for Strider knives as it is, i dont see them folding up just yet. :) With the quality of their knives, and the incredible unconditional warrantee, i see them as having some longevity in the industry.

Also, i fail to see what you are implying when you say that the company is dominated by M. Strider, I dont know if thats true, but if it is, so what, i would imagine LOTS of companies are dominated by their founders. In fact, i think i would PREFER that be the case.
 
in my opinion... randalls are and were great knives...

but, if my ass is on the line??

i'd want a strider... their knives are tough, and they have a finesse of their own

they stand by their product, and while the company may be 'just' 15 years old... their reputation and consistency is unquestioned...

better steels... better heat treat... tough as nails, sharp as anything out there, and in my opinion, they move sweeter than anything on the market with the exception of very few custom makers.

respects, Guro Jeff
 
Strider Knives are performance minded; have a lightweight design w/ a high-tech attitude.

Stainless steels. Less care required. Greater protection against rust between cleaning and oiling than carbon steels. Don't believe the hype: not all stainless steel is crap. ATS34, BG42, and S30V from Strider are all winners. They are heat treated by Paul Bos. They all get really sharp and hold the edges well. Although, compared to carbon steel, stainless steel is a bit harder to sharpen.

Special Operations Equipment cordura sheath w/ kydex insert is well made, tough and quiet. No oiling or other care needed except for flushing with water to remove debris.

Leather, if oiled and cleaned regularly, will probably last much longer.

Warranties are nice to have, but, like others have said, out in the field, it doesn't mean much.

You are faced with some strengths and weaknesses of both company offerings. So the real question is which do YOU prefer?
 
Strider... Plain and simple, if you want the best battle blade money can buy get a strider. If not, go ahead and get a randall, while I like the design of randalls, the materials used and the technolgy is much less advanced then what strider works with.
 
These are both very good knives but with different philosophies at work.

It's akin to comparing a Ferarri and a HumVee.
One is superfast on the road, but no good over muddy terrain.
The other goes from 0-60 in about a minute, but can climb over anything.

You want a beautifully forged and crafted knife that's pretty enough to carve Thanksgiving Turkeys with? You get a Randall.

You want a superstrong sharpened prybar that's ugly as sin but can crush concrete? You get a Strider.
 
I sold the Randall Model 1 that I waited for a couple of years ago. I have been kicking myself since then. I have had, and own many fine knives. Just purchased another Model 1 and am happy as can be. As Others have said its like owning a classic. Beautiful knife, great design, etc. Striders are built like tanks but..........Damn its hard to get away from those classic line of the Model 1 . Just my opinion. Of course the Ochs S.O.B. give the Model 1 a good run for the money :D
 
Actually, I can carve turkeys just fine with my full bevel flat ground Strider MSC7.5. I don't know how well it does as a prybar, but the blade design makes it cut like a thick kitchen knife.

Some significant differences lie in the handle design and blade finish between Randall and regular Strider knives.

Downside first. The Strider cordwrap can only be cleaned efficiently by boiling in water. When used in a sandy environment (beach, desert), Greg Walker recommended sealing the cordwrap in epoxy. If not, the sand permeates the handle and eventually grinds up the paracord.

Full handles and handle slabs can be cleaned by wiping. For this reason, I prefer the handle slabs found on the Strider AR/GB folders and EB series.

The upside of the cordwrap is that it will maintain a positive grip even when wet or covered in dirt, sweat, oil, and blood. Also, the cord insulates that hand from the metal completely, so some shock is absorbed, and heat/cold is insulated to some degree. Regular handles will probably be more difficult to hang on to.

Unlike some, I found the cordwrapped handle to be very comfortable.

The strider blade finish is another plus. It starts out with a somewhat chaotic tigerstripe finish. This breaks up the visual profile of the blade, so it is difficult to identify by viewers at a distance.

Also, scratches and scuffs that develop from usage end to blend into the tigerstripe pattern well. Thus, the fear of ruining the finish of a new knife through usage is not as dramatic as it is with a "clean" finished knife (satin, beadblast, mirror, etc). That said, over time, any finish will degrade.
 
I think any of Mick’s fixed blades can be purchased with G-10 instead of cord wrap directly from the shop.

Although Strider has been with us for only 15 years Mick and the boys sell many of their knives before they even hit the market. It's hard for a company to fold when you have great ideas, a flawless warranty, a fantastic product, and you are selling your product before it's even on the shelves.
 
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