Hi all, I'm looking for a working camp/trail knife. I really like the design of the Randall model 5 and model 1 single guards, especially with the leather or saber-style handle, and will likely be ordering one for the collection, soon, but while I wait, could anyone suggest something similar for working use? Prefer usa made, stain resistance is a must, and budget is up to 250.
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Randall-style working knife?
- Thread starter Bigned
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kabar mark 1 with the leather handle
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SOG looks a lot like Randall in stacked leather and stainless.
If You look around, You may also find a Fällkniven NL4 Frey within Your budget.
I'm partial to the NL-series due to the convex edges and laminated steel, but the SOG's are also very nice.
In a local knifestore, when I have had the opportunity to handle a Randall, a SOG and a Fällkniven NL, I have chosen the NL's.
The Frey is 5 1/4" bladelenght and the upper guard is shortened.
On double-guard models if You want a single-guard, You just cut-off the top quillion.
Regards
Mikael
If You look around, You may also find a Fällkniven NL4 Frey within Your budget.
I'm partial to the NL-series due to the convex edges and laminated steel, but the SOG's are also very nice.
In a local knifestore, when I have had the opportunity to handle a Randall, a SOG and a Fällkniven NL, I have chosen the NL's.
The Frey is 5 1/4" bladelenght and the upper guard is shortened.
On double-guard models if You want a single-guard, You just cut-off the top quillion.
Regards
Mikael
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Check out Blackjack knives - they have several models of Randall type knives - most under $200 bucks.
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Blackjack knives is where I would be looking. The classic ones are very similar to Randals as shown above. I have a 125 and 1-7. Both are good knives. Some don't like the large choil, but it actually does allow you to choke up on the blade for more detailed tasks. Good all around blades. They also have fairly large handles.
Hard to beat a Fallkniven F1 or one of their larger ones.
Hard to beat a Fallkniven F1 or one of their larger ones.
Another vote for Blackjack.
They're convex ground from tool steel by Bark River. Also, they differentially heat treat the blade and tang, so they won't snap like cheaper stick tang knives.
If you don't like the guard that came on the knife, you can send it in and they'll grind it down as much as you want, or completely remove one side.
They're convex ground from tool steel by Bark River. Also, they differentially heat treat the blade and tang, so they won't snap like cheaper stick tang knives.
If you don't like the guard that came on the knife, you can send it in and they'll grind it down as much as you want, or completely remove one side.
chiral.grolim
Universal Kydex Sheath Extension
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$250? How soon do you want the knife in your hands? For that price you could get a custom-knife from a maker such as one who posts HERE
Just tell them what you are looking for and get a quote on price/wait-time.
The Blackjacks generally aren't stainless, nor are most Marbles knives which is the company i would recommend for that style in your price range (Randalls themselves are more commonly O1 tool steel than the stainless 440), so you'll want to use oil to avoid any/all staining, but is that really such a big deal? Why a "must"?
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Randall Style? Just buy a Randall. You can beat the snot out of them, and they can take it.
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Yeah, that one sure looks like you beat the snot out of it.
Looks sort of like mine all beat up. Used to be you could buy them at about retail price at Gun & Knife shows. Not so much anymore.People call the Blackjack classic line the "poor man's Randall" in a very good steel >A-2. Bark River makes them for Blackjack.
I like the suggestion on custom makers.
How's the stain resistance on the A-2 for blackjack? I'm inclined toward stainess due to use in wet, salty climates. Completely ruined the edge on a 1095 knife after a 2-night backpacking trip, and it was only exposed to the weather for part of the trip. Does Blackjack ever do limited runs/custom orders for stainless? Their fit and finish looks great.
How's the stain resistance on the A-2 for blackjack? I'm inclined toward stainess due to use in wet, salty climates. Completely ruined the edge on a 1095 knife after a 2-night backpacking trip, and it was only exposed to the weather for part of the trip. Does Blackjack ever do limited runs/custom orders for stainless? Their fit and finish looks great.
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I have never seen any stainless used in Blackjack classics. I was handling my 125 a few minutes ago and choked up on the blade a bit. The chroil is just about finger width. The 125 is my favorite. At a glance the partial guard looks perhaps odd, but it works better for a daily use woods knife that way.
I would just keep the A-2 slightly oiled if I were using or carrying it in a salty climte (near the sea). You can get little oil wipes that work real well and store quite nicely since you likely only need a couple. I don't know how stain or rust resistant A-2 is. I don't really care about stains so much, but rust is important or lack of it.
Bark River uses A-2 a lot. It is better steel in my opinion than 1095 which is fairly rust prone. Randall uses 440C on their stainless versions unless they have changed in the last couple of years.
I would just keep the A-2 slightly oiled if I were using or carrying it in a salty climte (near the sea). You can get little oil wipes that work real well and store quite nicely since you likely only need a couple. I don't know how stain or rust resistant A-2 is. I don't really care about stains so much, but rust is important or lack of it.
Bark River uses A-2 a lot. It is better steel in my opinion than 1095 which is fairly rust prone. Randall uses 440C on their stainless versions unless they have changed in the last couple of years.