Randall vs Reeve

B

Booger

Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
300
OK here is the deal.For several years I have used a Chris Reeve Mountaineer II for all my backpacking and wilderness camping.It has served me well but I recently aquired a Randall Model 18 and realy like the look and feel of this knife.I know that most people do not like the hollow handle concept but I not only like the ability to be able to carry a few survival items in the handle but I also like the feel of the round handle shape.My only concern is the strength of the Randall.Both of these knives are 5.5" blades which I think is about perfect and both measure 3/16" thick.The Reeves is A2 and the Randall is Stainless.The use that my camp knife gets is for food prep,cutting kindling,cleaning game or fish,building and setting traps,whittling and whatever else I may need it for.I have on occasion forgot my Gerber Camp Axe and had to use my knife with a baton to split wood for a fire but don't usually do this and since the Randall has the saw back I don't think it would work out too well anyhow.My question for you is have any of you had any experience with the Randall 18 and if so do you think it would hold up to the chores of a do it all camp knife?I know the Cris Reeve will but I would like to try the Randall out and don't want to do it if it may fail.This is not a qustion of do you like hollow handled knives.Some don't but I do.This is merely a question of do you think from experience that the Randall would hold up?Thank's in advance for any replies.
 
The Randall #18 is a great knife, I have another one on order, and hope to great it some time in the summer of 2005. The Randall will hold up fine performing all you need a knife to do.
 
The 18 will most probably hold up, but you have given up some of your margin for error due to differences in construction and material. However, a veteran knife user is unlikely to treat a good knife as a sharpened pry-bar even if it's up to the task. On the other side of the Big Pond, many think a $12.00 Mora is plenty of knife for all the jobs you describe -- and they make it work. Enjoy your Randall.
 
Got one of these. The Randall Model 18 is an attack and survival knife that was developed for use in Nam. So, yes, it can handle all your camp chores with no problem.
 
In the early 70s I bought a Randall 18. While in Special forces Q course I broke the handle off the blade. When I sent it back they were great. Said there was a problem with one batch of glue or whatever and they would fix or replace. I chose the Model 15 Airman in Stainless and don't think I could break it if I tried. It has been around the world and no problems. (Should have kept it, it was a Soligen blade model and now worth a lot) Just my 2 cents worth.
 
SAK will do fine for 'all around camp chores" so will Opinel. But if you want toughness of a fix blade I blieve the handle- blade join of the Randall #18 is inherent compromise, yes of course it can cut, etc. but it is weaker then comparable fix blades. Reeves is the only hollow handle production knive that has comparable strength to more conventional fix blade becuase 1-piece construction. If Randall will warranty then try chopping with the #18 and tell us how it goes, I am curious.
Martin
 
I am of the opinion that the sawback on a thus equipped knife is more of a hinderance than a benefit. If you can't carry a full sized saw, carra a varco survival saw. I think the Reeve is a vastly superior knife.
 
I decided to try this one out for myself.I have been in the woods all weekend for no other reason than to try out my new Model 18.I have to say that I do like this knife very much.I have done some very basic stuff like building traps,cutting wood for fires and just sitting and whittling for hours.I did do some light chopping with it to see how it held up.The edge held up well and the handle was very comforatable,but then again I like the round handles.Overall I like this knife alot,the feel as well as the look.I believe this knife would do fine for long time use in the field but I do not think that it would hold up as well as my Chris Reeve would.I have put my Reeve through the ringers on more than one ocasion and have never doughted it.It will be hard to leave the Randall behind on my wilderness trecks but I think the Chris Reeve One Piece will still be my first choice.Maybe if Randall would offer theirs without the saw back it would be better.More spine thickness and alot more comfort when using.Do I think the Randall would work?Yes.Would I choose it over a Chris Reeve?No.You could get two Reeve's for the price I paid for the Randall.I will still use the Randall from time to time because that is what I bought it for but I don't think it will be my primary blade for what I do.So if anyone is thinking of buying one of these,go for it,it will hold up to the basic needs of a camp knife.Thanks to all who answered this post.
 
Booger said, "but I do not think that it would hold up as well as my Chris Reeve would." So apparently it's your "unfounded" opinion that the Randall, having survived some "light chopping" wouldn't hold up to the "ringers" you have put your CRK through. I'm struggling with the logic. You might just have saved yourself the effort in the woods and declared the CRK the victor.

I once owned a Model #18 and was concerned about the handle join. I called Gary Randall at the shop and asked him about his frequency of repair on such. He said he got back a couple a year to have the handles resoldered. These were usually driven over by vehicles or involved in some catastrophic accident. I agree the CRK is bulletproof, but the Randall will take much much more than light chopping to get it to fail.

I have both Randall and CRK knives. Which I use depends on the situation, but I would not hesitate to recommend either, and have done to many of the soldiers that worked for me in the past.

Bruce
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top