Why is Randall Model 14 so popular?

[golok]

I have heard it mentioned several times that Model 14 is highly sought after.

Why is this so? What makes this model so special?

 

[TAH]

That's a good question and one that I have often asked myself. In my opinion, they seem to feel slow and clumsy when compared to a Model 1. I think it's the heavy guard. Perhaps, I would like one better with a Model 1 guard.

 

[pauldulson]

In October 1996 my Wife and I visited new York. On a stall in a market near the Chelsea building I saw a table full of knives, ( coming from the UK this in itself is a rare treat) anyway in amongst them was this fantastic knife , I had no idea what it was,I had never seen anything like it , turned out it was a Randall 14, it was $300 and I could not afford it . I was smitten by the Randall bug there and then.
Two years later my wife handed to me a model 14 for my birthday, what a present !!
For me the 14 has it all ; the name , the heritage , the quality and the image.It's a tough All American blade! It has an aura all it's own.
I have other knives , but my 14 is the most
special.
Having read my reply I don't know if it answer's your question, I hope it help's.
Paul.

 

[bruce]

TAH, your "clumsy and slow" comment in comparison to the #1 must have been in the realm of knife fighting. I didn't carry my #14 through my entire 23 year Army career, mostly just the last five years, but my purpose for carrying it wasn't knife fighting. It was the small amount of fieldcraft a logistics officer might have to perform. For this, it was definitely superior to my #1. I found it neither slow, clumsy, or too cumbersome to carry. I have since given it to my son who is not in the military, and I have a nice #1 as a "retired" present for myself.

Bruce Woodbury

 

[Loki]

You can have the No.14 made with a "cut-down-tang" which lowers the overall weight and allows you greater choices of handle and guard styles. The CTD version handles much like the No.1. Oh yes, I think the No.14 is a great knife.

 

[RGRAY]

Here's one I had and sold because I didn't really have a use for it, but I though it was the best 14.

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

You sold it...and you didn't let us know you were selling it?

Oh for shame, for shame....you'ah bad player mistah Rick!

For those in the know, that was a RMK SS Model #14 Sawteeth/no Sawteeth (aka the NST #18 grind) optioned model with a Border Patrol handle and model #1 hilt that Rick 'had'...

It was the second best RMK made today as a 'true blue' fighter...second only to a similar setup with the Model #16-7 special fighter, like the one we own...

The #16-7 is about 2 ounces lighter than the #14 above...

Darn Rick, you're getting a big freaking lump of coal next X-mas...

Mel

 

[RGRAY]

Mel, I know.

I liked the full tang 14.