Shud I buy used dull RANDALLl??

Striderco · Sep 1, 2011

There is a beautiful Randall 3 (i believe) at my local gun/knife store. It has like a 5 inch or so blade with a beautiful stag handle. The knife is previously owned but pretty much spotless other than some real fine scratches. Never owned one, always wanted one. My issue is that its dull as all hell! They re asking $550 for this. Is this a good buy? Can I get a good edge back on her? Thanks for the input!!

espnazi · Sep 1, 2011

Cant you send it in to be re-sharpened?

Superdave1 · Sep 1, 2011

Seriously how are we to know if you have the ability to sharpen a dull knife?
Do you plan on using it, or just displaying it?

Striderco · Sep 1, 2011

Thats what im wondering? Not sure the steel on these badboys? And not sure if you can get a good edge back on one? The goof at the store didnt know what a sebenza was.

Superdave1 · Sep 1, 2011

It's a knife ....it can be sharpened. I wouldn't worry about it. Is it 440B?

marcinek · Sep 1, 2011

Striderco said:
Thats what im wondering? Not sure the steel on these badboys? And not sure if you can get a good edge back on one? The goof at the store didnt know what a sebenza was.

Typically O1. They do make some blades of some kind of stainless steel.

Can you sharpen O1? We don't know.

Ken44 · Sep 1, 2011

Thats a little high for a used model 3. The model 3 is one of my favorite Randalls.

There O1 is very easy to sharpen, and there SS isn't very hard to sharpen either.

edit- if the store didn't know what type steel you just need to look on the blade. There SS knives will have an S on the blade.

marcinek · Sep 1, 2011

Striderco said:
The goof at the store didnt know what a sebenza was.

He probably didn't know what steel Randalls were made of either! Or if that steel could be sharpened!

JTR357 · Sep 1, 2011

Depending on the model,AG Russel has brand new ones at that price.

Striderco · Sep 1, 2011

Ok thanks for all the great advice so far!!

richard j · Sep 1, 2011

if you find a new knife just like it at a cheaper price, go back there and let them know what you can get a new one for. maybe they would sell it to you cheaper. if you do get it, i can fix it up for you.

pvicenzi · Sep 1, 2011

I have one Randall, A number 3 with stag handle and O1 steel. It's easy to sharpen, and holds an edge well. Pricing on Randalls is tricky. There are a lot of options that when added together, can significantly up the price of the knife. Everything from the type of pommel, to the finger guard can affect the value.

Striderco · Sep 1, 2011

Thats funny Richard J! I was gonna PM you about this! Figured if anyone would know, you would! I might go back and try to negotiate then send er off to Richard and have him work his magic with his paper wheels!!