Experience with a Randall?

[lobo9er]

If I had to slay a dragon tonight I would probably take a Busse.

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probably this one. And if my bank account was in need of a diet I would add one to the safe anyways.

 

[JShirley]

I have a Swamp Rat Waki. And I totally can slay dragons.

And stuff.

In all seriousness, though some of the Busse ergos are debateable, I don't think anyone makes a stronger knife.

Potato Head, I'd advise you get one of these in the blade color and handle color of your choice. Then get a nice sheath. And be happy.

John

 

[Sam Cade]

In all seriousness, though some of the Busse ergos are debateable

Ha!

So Jerry is actually in the room with you then?


I can't fault the Scrap Yard/Old Busse Resiprene C, those are pretty good.

 

[CWL]

Randall's are no longer handmade custom knives.
And have not been since Bo Randall died 25 years ago.
And stopped making hand-made knives himself many years before that.

Today, they are produced in a factory by a bunch of semi-skilled knife assemblers.

Any perceived 'scarcity' or 'back-order' is caused by Randall's insistence on filling their dealer orders first, and letting them sell them on eBay for a 150%-200% markup, or more.

And just what exactly are the "semi-skilled knife assemblers" putting together? Where do the forged blades come from?

Randall has a long history supplying knives from wars to field to space exploration, they've earned a place in history. They are still carried by soldiers and sportsmen. If you don't want to pay the mark-ups, then order them directly form Randall.

If you want to see crazy mark-ups, look at Busse, Strider, or Mad Dog.

 

[JShirley]

The Swamp Rat - a Busse- I linked is $135. Sure, it's "only" 3 1/2", but I specifically linked to it in the hopes that our OP might actually buy a knife in a size he could regularly use.

I traded Sam Cade a Scap Yard (another Busse brand) recently. It's not as pretty as the one I linked to...but it sells for less than $100. For a coated 52100 knife. That doesn't seem like much mark-up at all.

John

 

[Sam Cade]

T
I traded Sam Cade a Scap Yard (another Busse brand) recently. It's not as pretty as the one I linked to...but it sells for less than $100. For a coated 52100 knife. That doesn't seem like much mark-up at all.

..and it is a dandy little knife.

My wife confiscated it and has been EDCing it pretty regular since then.

It has seen quite a bit of use in the garden, kitchen and office. Took a spooky sharp edge, is holding it well and doesn't panic the other Moms when used to cut the birthday pizzas at Ralphies Funland.

For less than a Benjamin, it is a steal.

 

[Potatohead]

Sweet. My little girls would love that. (dragon slaying, J shirley comment)

 

[Potatohead]

I have a Swamp Rat Waki. And I totally can slay dragons.

And stuff.

In all seriousness, though some of the Busse ergos are debateable, I don't think anyone makes a stronger knife.

Potato Head, I'd advise you get one of these in the blade color and handle color of your choice. Then get a nice sheath. And be happy.

John

Nice knife

 

[Potatohead]

but I specifically linked to it in the hopes that our OP might actually buy a knife in a size he could regularly use.

And damage its beauty? No way. Mine are safe queens. (except a switchblade)

 

[Potatohead]

mic214's 12 shows almost exactly one of the examples I indicated with stag and a brass buttcap. Look at the flow of the knife from the point to the butt with the brass buttcap he chose. Then go back and look at "Q" in the picture from Randall with the crow beak. Does the "Q" flow like mic214's? Not to my eye, but then I'm not the buyer and it may appeal to you.

I don't like the stag..(if thats what you are calling the handle on mic12's one on the left), well I love the look of it, but for my display piece, not so much..If I'm out in the woods, yes. I do see your point about the butt cap. What is that called, just a regular butt cap?

Also, I would like the hilt (handguard) and butt to be the same color, but I don't remember specifying when I placed the order..? Any comment on that? I guess I could just call Randall, but you folks seem pretty darn knowledgeable.

 

[Potatohead]

I really like that model 5 of mic12's

 

[JShirley]

Potatohead,

Knives are made to be used. That knife I linked is much more affordable, yet in a hardworking premium steel. You're missing out on the true beauty of a knife- the ability to be used with purpose.

John

 

[Potatohead]

Yes you are probably right...I love watching Bear Grylls use his, shaving down a spear, cutting vines, skinning a tree to get twine...slicing open a camel...maybe not that one

 

[JShirley]

Swamp Rats have the best guarantee in the world. Use it. If you break it, they'll give you another.

 

[kamagong]

Randalls are worth it if they make what you want. If you'd prefer something else -- different blade steel, stainless instead of brass furniture, etc. -- you'd be better served by something else.

 

[lobo9er]

I agree with Jshirley on this 100% swamp rat makes one a bit prettier and still under a hund-o.

 

[Potatohead]

That is a sweet little knife. Sheath?

 

[JShirley]

A nice sheath will run $35-100 (or more!) depending on materials and how nice you want it. Sam1911 has a friend and forum member, Joel, who makes best-quality leather sheaths. If you want kydex, those tend to be less expensive than premium leather. There are several THR members who make terrific kydex rigs.

John

 

[Sam Cade]

Hmmmm.... I'd love to do a composite wrap/layup on a Scrapyard.

Too bad the handles are so good already.

 

[alsask]

I have to agree with Potatohead, the Randall model 5 is the nicest looking of the bunch.

 

[tubeshooter]

Not to pile on here... but that Model 5 is mighty, mighty nice.

 

[hso]

Buttcap and guard have to be the same color for a display piece.

Stag is more suitable for display than use. Stabilized wood is good for either.

 

[Potatohead]

thx

 

[BrainOnSigs]

I own several Randalls and love them all. I have a few safe queens but several have been used to skin big game. Love a good stag handle.





Gave my son his 1st one 5 years ago (he now looks down on me).

 

[Slamfire]

We live in wonderful times, so many choices. It was not always that way. Knife companies in the 60’s were sticking to old designs, the scabbards were thin, the blades were thin, if you wanted a quality knife you had to go to a custom knife maker. There were not that many and they were not easy to find.

Randall made excellent patterns with heavy duty sheaths. The Randall #1 and #14 is such a sound basic design that you can find many copies or many variations.



While the blade shape is excellent for combat/utility knives, it is too wedgie when reduced to camp knife size. My trout and bird is not a good slicing or piercing knife.

I got to talk to one of the Randall sons the last I was down there, the steels have varied over the years. I am not interested in carbon steels, because they rust. It is my recollection the stainless used to be 440 (B or C I don’t remember) and Randall was trying other stainless steels.

I think the overall designs are excellent, the construction excellent, but , after beating up the handle and sheath on my trout and bird against rocks, trees, I don’t think it is smart to put that much money in one if you plan to use it.

Unlike 40 years ago we have lots of outstanding factory knives made out of the best stainless steels ever. If I lose my VG-1 Pendleton in the woods, I am not out much money, and I can get another. Same for the Hattori knives I have, excellent little sheath knives.



So, keep your Randall, play with it, it is still American made, the blades are still hand forged, and that is getting to be a lot harder find every year.