Anyone here actually USE a Randall Knife?

[powderific]

I have the randall that is sold as a diver's knife (basically their classic knife with a bigger tang and stainless). That is some waiting time, mine was a graduation present (tradition in my family) and my dad didn't get to ordering it till the summer before my senior year. Thankfully, my grandfather had known Bo so we got it with plenty of time before Graduation. I haven't had much chance to use mine yet, but my dad always uses his randall when hunting.

 

[riverdog]

I have a Randall #14 that is used. ~19 years ago I bought it and had it sand blasted and parkerized. I also modified the grip to make my pinky fit better. It's been used camping at lot and it is extremely sharp; Randall carbon steel blades take and hold a great edge. This Mod 14 is way past being a collector piece although I hope my nephew gets some use out of it years from now.

Additionally, there is a Model 5 "Bradford Angier" wannabe that has been used camping (although I prefer my Randall 14 when I'm out because of the parkerized blade). A 5" Model 10 with a ding in the edge (I was using it in the kitchen and it came down on the edge of the counter) has also been used but not in many years.

There is a second Model 14 (per my request, Randall modified the grip at the factory before it shipped) and three Randall 1's that are never used.

 

[Michael Zeleny]

The Randall knife that works best for me is an 8" stainless #1 with a right handed finger grip stag handle. (In fact, that's the only working one that I have left, since my stainless #14 and 6" #1, along with the carbon steel #19 and the super rare Sasquatch Bowie, got burned up in my parents' apartment fire. I'll let everyone know how Gary handles the catastrophic repair; in the past, I've had my Randall knives fully reconditioned for a nominal fee.) Call a few authorized Randall dealers to find one that would fit you on his standing order without charging a premium over the list price. (Every one of them is allowed one custom non-catalogued design; look into their range before making up your mind on your order.) Randall will sell anything they have in stock at list price, though they do not stock stainless blades. The #14 is more of a hacking tool, not nearly as good at cutting as the #1. Sullivan sheathes are cheap and well made, but require you to send in the knife for fitting, so get some extras with your order. Avoid the miniature compass: they fail all too soon.

 

[Sport]

As working blades, Randalls are over priced.
There are other knives as good, or better, which
cost less. With a Randall, you are buying a top
quality knife and the assurance that , with reasonable
care, it will hold its value....That's the mystique factor.

I have owned several Randalls including two 14s and a 16.
I currently own and use a 5 and an 8. These knives have
been used by me for over twenty years with no thought to
their cost or collectibility. They have always been tools.
I value them as excellent tools and as items which provide
certain memories afield. I will soon pass them on to my sons.

You will not go wrong buying a Randall knife. Your real happiness
will come is using it for its intended purpose.

 

[ssr]

Do I use my Randall?

As a surprise for this Christmas, my wife researched knives and found a Randall at a local dealer and bought it for me as a Christmas gift. So this morning I opened up my Randall knife and of course was very happy.

We were opening up some more gifts and needed a knife to open some boxes and she said "just use your new knife right there" No, I didn't use it for opening Christmas presents.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I used my #1 for a long time -

I used my #1 for a long time - as compared to the more robust designs (14-15) I like the choil and the ability to choke up on the blade most conveniently - perhaps especially for a longer bladed knife. Anybody ever see it? It's got my name on it. I do have a Randall stag handled stainless carving set I use, especially this time of year.

On the other hand my Number 1 was stolen more than 25 years ago and I have lived in calmer surroundings since so I mostly use Russell/Morseths or some of the beautifully made knives from less famous makers for lower prices. If I got in line to replace the Number 1 I wouldn't use the replacement and I'd sort of expect lines a little more symmetrical than the carbon steel blades of long ago.

I think using Randalls was more common when there were fewer alternatives in the market place.

 

[steveno]

I have models 1 , 5 , 8 , 10 & 18 and I got them when the longest you had to wait for one was a year. there may be some knives equal to a Randall but there isn't any that are better.

 

[pistolero]

Randall Knives

The Chris Reeve Knives are probably stronger, I have never owned either one, so I don't know for sure. For hunting, if I could get a Randall for less than CRK, then I would. For combat, I would probably go with CRK.

 

[Gordon]

OK bedtimes stories: Hell yes I used my Randalls. I currently use a Big Bear Bowie 8" with a stag handle I bought in the 80's to slaughter ranch animals (sheep, goats(lots) and chickens), this thing sticks and cuts throats par exellance! I bought a Model 14 7 1/4" in 70's and carried it around the world and it is THE definitive heavy duty general purpose knife! I still have it and use it when I go hiking ect. I DON'T have my #1 a got from Bo in 66 right before I went to Vietnam the first time. It was an 8" carbon model with the new fangled Black Micarta handle and nickle silver guard ect. My oldest son has it now . It went through 2 1/2 years in Nam and 6months in South America and 3 months in Africa. It survived (won ) 2 knife fights: one in VN against a crazed Hawaaian with a bayonet and one in a south american ????hole against 2 knife weiding street rats. I haven't got my Mad Dog Razine 2000 yet , but up till now the Randall # 1 has been the fastest fighter I've ever USED!

 

[aablades]

Great looking knives, decent price, good collector value, good history, good user but probably the crappiest blade finish in the industry (factory or custom).

At the price they charge, I think they could get a little better finish on the blade than the splotchy uneven buffing that they do. If any of my knives left the shop looking like that I would be out of business in a heartbeat.

I recently picked up one of the Randall Knife Society #4, 8 inch fighters. This knife currently trades for $700 plus. I've seen a better blade finish on a $2 Chinese bowie.

My opinions only.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

My experience is Randall stock removal has a fine finish

My experience is Randall stock removal (stainless) has a fine finish - forged is nowhere near the same standards for shape and finish but there aren't a lot of forges out there these days. Some say 154CM/AT34S is popular because it takes a nicer polish than other steels that might make a nice knife.

 

[jthuang]

My RMK #14 is not due until 6/05 but I intend to use it. I can always put in an order for another one (and wait 4 years) if I want a wall-hanger.

Hah, it's finally here!

Model 14 with single nickel silver hilt, single finger grip black micarta handle and thumb notches. Modifications were to facilitate saber grip (single hilt, thumb notches). Also, the single finger grip was more comfortable to my smaller hands than a stock Model 14 handle. You can see in the pics with the Model 3 the difference between a nickel silver and standard brass hilt.

 

[Dave P]

Looks great - Now go forth and use it as it should be!

Here is mine that I blued:

 

[armedandsafe]

Do I USE it?

Here: I'll let you judge for yourself. (Page 210 of Gaddis's book on Randall. Change "Arkansas" to "Alaska." Page 211; change "Micarta" to "stag.") Notice the finger grooves are cut for left hand. Thanks, Bo.

Pops

 

[Dave P]

AAS - you win the prize! That is much worse than the one my ex always took surf fishing - saltwater and carbon steel don't mix well :banghead:

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've always wanted a Randall, but I would want to use it. (Such as a #1, #14, etc.) The price makes me pause, though. I'm reluctant to buy one just to sit in a safe, but wonder what the pros and cons are of actually using it?

Anyone else here use their Randall?

I have (or had) three Randalls. I bought a Model 14 (That's a 7 1/2" blade Bowie style) in '65 and carried it through two tours in Viet Nam, plus all my other assignments until I retired in '85.

When my daughter was commissioned, she went through Officer Basic at Fort Eustis. One day she told me, "Dad, we're going to the field next week, and they told us we'll need knives." I passed her my Randall.

This particular knife has my name and old Regular Officer's serial number on it (OF102XXX) which makes it a bit of a collector's item and a great family heirloom.

A few years later, she gave me a new Model 14, this one in stainless, which I carry all the time -- I use it for things like chopping away branches when riding or hiking in thick brush.

The third Randall is a Model 3 with 5" blade. I lost my pack in the Rockies one year -- just got up from lunch, picked up my rifle, and walked away. A while later I was marvelling at how strong I was, "Why, it's just like I wasn't wearing a pack -- D'oh!"

I found that pack next elk season -- after it had spent the winter under a blanket of snow. Needless to say, the knife is a bit the worse for wear, but I used crocus cloth to clean off the rest and neatsfoot oil on the sheath, and it's still perfectly functional -- if not as pretty as it once was.

 

[Lt. G]

The Randall shop is just about 1/2 hour drive from me. I grew up 15 minutes from the place, (lived off of Oak Ridge Road, Orlando), guess I should drop by before I leave the planet!!!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You should get a Randall -- life is to short to be lived without one.

When I was a young lieutenant training to go to Viet Nam at Fort Bragg, everyone had a knife. The SF NCOs doing much of the training would say, "What kinda knife you got, Lootenant? Hmp! Piece a junk!"

Until they came to me. To me, they'd say, "I'd have one a them, but they're backordered."

 

[armedcitizen]

I'm guilty...

My two are unused:

 

[hdj2520]

USING MY RANDALL

I ORDERED MY FIRST ONE , WAITED 3 YEARS, PUT IT IN MY SAFE FOR A
FEW MONTHS AND SOLD IT FOR A NICE PROFIT. OPTION #1.
I GOT MY SECOND ONE, A #5-5" AND AT ONCE PUT IT IN LEATHER AND STARTED USING IT. OPTION #2
OPTION #1 IS FINE, BUT TO REALLY APPRECIATE A RANDALL, OPTION #2
IS BETTER.
GET AT LEAST ONE TO USE. I HAVE SEVERAL MORE OEDERED THAT I MAY OR MAY NOT USE, BUT I DO LIKE HAVING A WORKING KNIFE. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT,BUT I USE IT.
I HAVE A #3-5" STAG ORDERED FOR MY SON AND I HOPE HE WILL USE AND APPRECIATE IT FOR WHAT IT IS. I MEAN THE BOY NEEDS A KNIFE, HE'S ALMOST THREE YEARS OLD.

 

[tellner]

I've got three. One of them hasn't been used yet. The mini Saltwater Fisherman and the Trout and Bird get used all the time. They're freaking tools for Chrissake. I've even *gasp* modified them, knocking off a couple sharp corners and molding one of the hilts to fit my hand better.

 

[M249MachineGun]

I have a model 16 dive knife that was made in 1967. It was given to me as a graduation present. It spent many years in someone's drawer collecting dust before being passed on to me. It was stored in its waxed leather sheath, so the brass guard is a little corroded in a couple of places.

I think it is a well-made knife that could outlast any of my other knives at any task or even just the wears of time. If I ever go diving, it would go with me.

 

[Sharpdogs]

I know a guy who carried his during the first Gulf War. His Dad surprised him with it just before he shipped. Had his name inscribed on it as well.