- Joined
- Jan 7, 2005
- Messages
- 29
...And my problem with the collector mentality in general.
Years ago I purchased a standard Randall model #5 from direct from the company.
It served me as wonderful tool
over the years performing every task imaginable in the
great outdoors.
While hunting a couple of weeks ago the knife was
lost. I planned to replace the knife with one just
like it. I went to the website only to learn that the
wait would be close to 4yrs! I might need a new knife
before 2009!
Best I can tell the company seems to have shifted
it's focus to placating collectors. They make a good
product and it disheartens me to think that so many of
these fine tools are being locked away in safes, under
glass, or traded and sold like baseball cards rather
than being used for the purposes they were designed.
As evidence I submit that most of what I could find
for sale on the aftermarket were mint condition(never
carried, sharpened, or placed in sheath etc...) with
options that those of us who use knives as the tools
they are would never consider such as hard-to-sharpen
stainless blades, and pink and purple handle materials
that look like they belong on a Tiffany lamp.
I did find a website "Nordicknives.com" which offers
user grade Randalls in about a year but only at an
exorbant mark-up. I refuse to pay $335 for a $265
knife.
Knives are tools, not trophies. I realize that it is
not up to the maker to decide what their customers do with
the products. I also realize that a 4yr wait means
good business and I offer congratulations on their
sucess, and if I knew that every knife you sold was
used for its intended purpose I would have no
complaints. But I would like to see the company
reduce the number of collector type options and
concentrate on making knives more likely to be used.
If for no other reason to ensure that more usable,
affordable knives are in circulation for users like
me.
I really think that these knives are an oasis in a desert of factory made junk and cheap materials but I strongly disagree with the idea that a knife is more valuable as a horded display item than in the hands of someone who uses it while they're out enjoying life.
Just for the record I don't man any offense to anyone here, I just felt that this would be the best forum voice my opinion.
Years ago I purchased a standard Randall model #5 from direct from the company.
It served me as wonderful tool
over the years performing every task imaginable in the
great outdoors.
While hunting a couple of weeks ago the knife was
lost. I planned to replace the knife with one just
like it. I went to the website only to learn that the
wait would be close to 4yrs! I might need a new knife
before 2009!
Best I can tell the company seems to have shifted
it's focus to placating collectors. They make a good
product and it disheartens me to think that so many of
these fine tools are being locked away in safes, under
glass, or traded and sold like baseball cards rather
than being used for the purposes they were designed.
As evidence I submit that most of what I could find
for sale on the aftermarket were mint condition(never
carried, sharpened, or placed in sheath etc...) with
options that those of us who use knives as the tools
they are would never consider such as hard-to-sharpen
stainless blades, and pink and purple handle materials
that look like they belong on a Tiffany lamp.
I did find a website "Nordicknives.com" which offers
user grade Randalls in about a year but only at an
exorbant mark-up. I refuse to pay $335 for a $265
knife.
Knives are tools, not trophies. I realize that it is
not up to the maker to decide what their customers do with
the products. I also realize that a 4yr wait means
good business and I offer congratulations on their
sucess, and if I knew that every knife you sold was
used for its intended purpose I would have no
complaints. But I would like to see the company
reduce the number of collector type options and
concentrate on making knives more likely to be used.
If for no other reason to ensure that more usable,
affordable knives are in circulation for users like
me.
I really think that these knives are an oasis in a desert of factory made junk and cheap materials but I strongly disagree with the idea that a knife is more valuable as a horded display item than in the hands of someone who uses it while they're out enjoying life.
Just for the record I don't man any offense to anyone here, I just felt that this would be the best forum voice my opinion.
