Why the Mystique?

GMT+7

GMT+7

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Aug 21, 2006
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116
Pardon my ignorance on this matter, but why do Randall knives command such price premiums? Is it just the 56 month order backlog? Certainly they still produce quite a number of knives annually so rarity is an unlikely reason. There are other fixed blade knives of equal quality, some customs for the same price as Randalls. Just curious if anyone can really put their finger on the reasons people 'want' Randalls?

FYI: I'm guilty of buying a few myself over the years!
 
I guess I disagree with your premise that they command "such premiums". Perhaps those sold on ebay, or in the secondary market are higher in price because they are hard to find and very desirable. The list price from the shop is still very reasonable for a handcrafted knife of very good materials with an excellent, long lasting reputation. Many "custom" knife makers have waiting times nearly as long as Randall does. They seem to keep the quantity of knives moving out of their shop the same each year so as they become more popular, the wait increases.

I've only purchased these knives at "Randall Shop" advertised prices. A few from the shop itself in the days when you could call and ask what they had in their shopfront cabinet. Those days are basically gone. I now buy from a couple of the several dealers they have across the country -- at shop prices, with about half the wait. I've owned probably 30 in my lifetime. I've sold most since they commanded a higher price than I paid. About six of them even had my name etched on the blade and the buyers never blinked or tried to use that as a reason to drop my price. I have one on order now for Nov '08, and I've given one each to my two sons and two sons-in-law. One for me and I'm probably done. I do have customs also but everyone who collects or has more than five knives, ought to have a Randall also.
 
Bruce,

You make a very good point about factory "shop" prices being reasonable. Yes, in fact they are very fair indeed.

The factory backlog has absolutely driven aftermarket and dealer prices up, and that's the puzzling thing to me. Not puzzling because of the supply and demand aspect, that's clear as day. Strange because in my personal opinion a Randall knife is something that I enjoy owning but don't NEED, like a toothbrush for lack of a better example. I would not pay a premium to have it today, vs. wait 4.5 years. Then again I'm still young enough to wait!

Thanks and cheers,

Barnaby
 
GMT+7 said:
Pardon my ignorance on this matter, but why do Randall knives command such price premiums?

Just curious if anyone can really put their finger on the reasons people 'want' Randalls?
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Randalls are just good lookin knives. They're tough and dependable. They have many different materials, configurations, shapes sizes and everything, which make them super collectable, and knife user friendly for certain jobs. They have a good history.

People have preferences about what knife styles they prefer, and I think Randall knives cater to everyone from the military guy, the Mall ninja, the old timer, and everyone in between.
 
psycho78, I'm in two of your categories -- retired Army (76-99) and at 55, an old timer. I carried a Model 14 for about the last five years of my career. I saw a few Randalls on soldiers -- once I was supporting the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. I ran into the Commander, an Armor Colonel. I was a Lieutenant Colonel at the time. I asked to see the Randall on his hip (I noticed most of his staff also had "other than issue" knives -- sort of like, "If the boss has one, it's OK for us!). He pulled it out and said he had bought it over 24 years before, just before heading to Viet Nam. He said that he only used it to "scare lieutenants" with now! I giggled for a couple of hours.

My Model #14 now belongs to my youngest (26) son who is still at university. He works as "wait staff" in a BBQ restaurant in Salt Lake City. The tips are good! One slow day he saw the chef reading through a knife magazine. He told the chef about his dad and all the knives he has around the house. The chef was looking at a featured Randall in the catalog and said, "I bet he doesn't have one of these!" Ryan said, "Nope, he has 30 and I have one in my apartment. I'll bring it in tomorrow." When he arrived for work the next day, the chef and the store manager both came out to the back lot and told Ryan to "get your Randall out!" They thought he was a big liar. Sure enough, Ryan produced my Model #14 and now he's the envy of the restaurant!

The problem with obtaining a Randall is the big wait but if you don't dive into the "waiting pool" it just gets longer.
 
Your son is my age, and he is one lucky kid to have a dad give him a Randall model 14. The model 14 Attack with the finger grooved handle has been my dream knife since I was a little boy. I was lucky enough to have a nice gentleman at a knife show let me handle one of these beauties for the first time, and I was so excited I was shaking. Felt like no other knife I have ever held. Felt alive in my hand.
 
Just reading those last two posts got me requesting a current catalog from Randall. I'm going to dive in that waiting pool, and if it gets too deep I'll visit my friend's Randall Dive Knife that I gave him as a birthday gift a couple years back.

Now, to just decide which knife first???
 
GMT+7 said:
Just reading those last two posts got me requesting a current catalog from Randall. I'm going to dive in that waiting pool, and if it gets too deep I'll visit my friend's Randall Dive Knife that I gave him as a birthday gift a couple years back.

Now, to just decide which knife first???
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Probably the most fun descision you'll ever make! All the options once you decide which model to order will require a lot of consideration. of course it will all be worth it once you recieve YOURRandall. It took me almost a month to decide on my first Randall(#1,8''stainless,black micarta,brass buttcap ,thong hole,initial etch) enjoy!!!!:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
How sweet it is. Almost makes me wonder why I have given Randalls as gifts before and not keeping them. Just my nature.. or stupidity? Whatever!
 
GMT+7 said:
...makes me wonder why I have given Randalls as gifts before and not keeping them. Just my nature.. or stupidity? Whatever!
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So, be good to yourself and order a couple:D. Enough to make up for the ones that you gave as gifts...and in the future when you do give one as a gift, gift yourself as well. Enjoy, Preston(a little less than two years before my #12 Bowie joins it's nephew and cousin).
 
Did you see the 1960's version Airman on eBay? Last time I checked it was over $7,000! My God, what's that all about.. must have had a famous owner or something. WOW:eek:
 
GMT+7 said:
...what's that all about.. must have had a famous owner or something. WOW:eek:
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Don't know, I have been trying hard to stay away from E-Bay. This is what happens to me...I decide that yes I want that and when the bidding gets hot and heavy(I think it's the bidding, yes at my age it is:D) I just can't stand to be out bid. I say to my self, two dollars more or five or what ever. Then I win and think... NO I really didn't do that:mad:.

This could have had that happening, plus the fact that it is more than likely a very desirable knife that there were few of made. Is this the one that went into space? If it's one of those then the sky's the limit, no pun intended. Preston
 
GMT+7 said:
Did you see the 1960's version Airman on eBay? Last time I checked it was over $7,000! My God, what's that all about.. must have had a famous owner or something. WOW:eek:
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That knife has the rare Tenite handle material. Looks to be in extremely good original condition which we all know is a huge factor in pricing.

Jerry
 
My oldest son got my Model #16 divers knife (stainless, sawteeth, forward curved nickel silver hilt, border patrol handle, "C" sheath). Carried this for a short while in the Army.

My youngest son go my Model #14 standard (I agree with Psycho78 that it does feel quite "alive")!

My oldest daughter's husband got my Doug Kenefick Small Sasquatch (stainless, forward curved nickel silver hilt, stag handle).

My youngest daughter's husband got my Model #5 (stainless, green micarta border patrol handle, all red spacers.)

So all my "boys" have a Randall. I've tried to treat my two son-in-law just like my sons. I have two M1 rifles and an AR15. I gave my oldest son an M1 as a college graduation present. The others will get one also. I guess you could say my daughters got an equal share but I know their husbands want and will get the goods anyway so why deal with the middle man? Besides, my daughters chose well and I have "four" great sons.

I have one on order but like others have said, even after having bought about 30 in my life, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO ORDER AND WITH WHAT ADD ONS!!!!). Well, I've got a year and a half to decide.
 
I admire your passion for Randalls. Mine started about 1987 and increased even more when I started the Randall Knife Society in 1989.

A major part of the Randall hype was Bo Randall himself as through the years he was a very personable fellow and always stood behind his knives. He was also one of the most patriotic people I ever met.

Gary, Jason and Michael Randall carry on that legacy today making a fine product that holds its value even if you use it (but not abuse).

Yes there is some mystery why many of us just have to have them. I hope we never find out, as the more you get get, the more you want.

Regards,

Rhett Stidham
 
Fits my hand like I was born with it. The balance and natural pointing ability feel as good as my Browning Hi Power!
 
We all know by now how well Randalls hold their value. I would imagine that one could 'select' his Randall purchases to enhance future collectability (read: value). My question is whether it might be better to go with the less popular models, styles, steels, for the rarity aspect, or to go with the most popular for 'mass appeal'?

How do you guys feel about which way to go?
 
Speaking of "mystique", which would be more valuable -- an absolutely mint, still in the butcher paper Viet Nam era Model #14, never worn or used, never even been sheathed since it was made, -- OR -- a similar Model #14 used by a soldier in Viet Nam with a photo of the soldier with the knife, the original sales slip, and a letter from the soldier authenticating it's VN history?
 
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