randall knife fans

[Piraticalbob]

I read somewhere that Current Blackjack Knives offerings are contracted out to Bark River Knives, which is Mike Stewart's current company. Bark River has a fine reputation for quality work and is a US company. The Randall copies that they produce are of very high quality indeed, on a par and sometimes surpassing current Randall quality (I have a model 12 Smithsonian Bowie from Randall that is just covered with grinder marks that weren't polished out). Since, quality-wise, there isn't that much difference between a Blackjack and a Randall, you'd pick a Randall simply for the history of the name.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

Just to be honest I, don't know much about all the different companies, and quality of said companies. Though I, have learned that the Randall's are top shelf. Yes when I, bought it the salesman explained that it was a Randall copy, at that time I, did not even know what he was talking about. Though he did show me the same model in his Randall book. As far as BlackJack goes they are nice, well made, and no longer in business.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

BJ knives are better than "decent"

That all depends on who owned the Blackjack brand, at what time, from which facility. The Effingham, illinois production-quality was all over the map. The Randall, however, is ALWAYS a Randall.

 

[hso]

As far as BlackJack goes they are nice, well made, and no longer in business.

Blackjack was purchased by Blueridge Knives from Ken Warner who had it after Mike Stewart's leadership. The knives are still being made.

Let's respect the OPs original focus on Randalls and open a separate BJK thread if we want to discuss the history and quality of Black Jack Knives, please.

 

[alaskanativeson]

...I carried a #1 my time in the Marine Corps. It was as tough as a K-Bar, only cooler lookin'....

To a Randall afficionado, that could be seen as blasphemy. It would be the equivalent of saying

"I drove a Rolls Royce for a while. It was a nice as a Toyota."

I ordered a model 15 in the late 80s. I called the shop one day in '88 to ask what they might have in stock available for immediate sale (I got an unexpected bonus from work.) The phone was answered "Randall Knives, Gary Randall speaking." I asked about what they had, which wasn't anything on my list. What really got my attention, though, was at the beginning of my call I identified myself. Mr. Randall actually recognized my name. I was really surprised when he said my model 15 was ready to ship. I asked if he actually followed every knife, which he laughed at. He said he recognized my name because he had finished the final polish on my knife that day. Good stuff.

My first Randall is a 5 inch model 2 with a black micarta handle. I traded a .380 Auto Bernardelli for it straight across at a gun show. One of my best deals ever. I've had several since, some I still have, others I've given to friends. I just got a 6 inch model 25 which is a real beauty. I was only disappointed because it didn't come in before elk season last Fall. I have a model 12 Big Bear Bowie due here in May, and an 8 inch model 2 with an Ivorite handle and scalloped collar and butt cap due in September. Yeah, they were ordered 5 years ago while I was living in Alaska and had a lot more money to throw around then.

I'd say their overall quality is very high, equal to more so than on many knives made these days, and more consistant in quality. There are other makers who I believe equal them in quality, two names coming to mind are Chris Reeve and Jerry Busse. I wouldn't be too surprised if Busse knives are even a little more stout than Randalls are, but Randall has them beat from an artistic and polish stance. If I had to rely on my knife to work to survive (a more real prospect in Alaska than down here in civilization) I would feel more than prepared with a Randall.

 

[mic214]

I am a Randall knife fan.....I got my first one (Model 14) back in the early 80's and have picked up a couple more over the years....

Model 14:



I use my Model 16 when I am out on the kayak:



My Model 10 is always in my Maxpedition bag:



This Model 12-9 was a retirement gift to myself:



This is my Model 5.....It is my main carry blade when I am in the "Outback":

 

[22-rimfire]

I like Randall's. I have a few of them (#15, #16, and Jack Crider Special) when I first started buying better knives.

 

[Lone Star]

If you need a knife now and don't want to pay a premium to get a Randall from a dealer, try Fallkniven. Their NL series even looks Randallesque, but uses a VG-10 blade core.

Their basic knives, like the Models A-1 and S-1 are perhaps the most practical and stylish ever. And the handle material endures well in all climates. (The Northern Lights line has leather handles.)

I've owned several Randalls, and QC is indeed "iffy" on many modern ones. I'd prefer my Fallkniven NL-2 to a Randall Model 12 Sportsman's Bowie. I like the balance and size better, and the workmanship is more consistent, in my experience. And they are available for immediate delivery. (They do have US dealers.)


www.fallkniven.com

And if you need high value for dollar spent, the Buck traditional line, like the Model 105 and 119 are very good knives. I gather that WalMart has the fine Model 119 in a synthetic sheath for about $40.00. That has to be one of the best knife buys today. Their phenolic resin handles are tough, not affected like Randall's leather ones, by bad weather and mold, etc. Randall charges extra for Micarta. I think it's worth it, on a "using" knife. They also charge more for stainless steel! The knives I've mentioned come standard with stainless blades and synthetic handles.

 

[JShirley]

I don't know ANYone who isn't a fan of Randall Knives

I'm certain Randalls are high quality knives, but I'm not a fan of knives with sharp spines. It limits versatility, even in a so-called fighting knife.

John

 

[JohnBiltz]

I bought a stainless 7 inch Model 1 with a micarta handle back in 83 when I was a young paratrooper. I carried it until I retired back in 99. That knife went to a lot of countries with me and did what ever I asked of it and did it well. Its probably the one thing I could never sell. It was well worth the money.

 

[Owen Sparks]

People will pay a disproportionate amount for whatever they perceive to be the very best. I have noticed this phenomena with many other things besides knives. Wine, cigars, sports cars, motorcycles you name it. People will pay multiple times as much for “the best” even though it may only be slightly better than second best. What they are really buying is the prestige that goes along with the name. No doubt Randalls are great knives but the price is kept artificially high because of a limited supply and very high demand. You see this technique used all the time in the art world with limited edition of signed and numbered prints by famous name artists.

 

[JohnBiltz]

If you are in the military and a long way away from being able to buy a replacement knife that you need to use multiple times a day that difference may not be imaginary. I've broken a K-Bar in the field after that I wanted something better.

 

[Zeke/PA]

The Randall Knives are a legend and I really would like to see them STAY a legend.

 

[Slamfire]

I have more than a couple.




Back in the 60’s, 70’s, when factory knives were limited in design and were being cheapened, year by year, to maximize profit, your choices for a good knife were rather limited.

A three tour Vietnam Special Forces bud of mine said that every Infantry Officer carried a Randall. I really don’t know if every did, and bud carried something else, but it is a comment on how popular Randall’s were with the Armed forces in Vietnam.

Randalls are a very sound design and are made of excellent materials with good sheaths.

The Randall No 1 is one of the most copied designs around. You see the blade shape in many different knives.

I am certain Dan D's Green Beret was influenced by the Randall blade shape



Still, today, we live in a world of plenty. Top end factory knives are made of excellent steels, lots of different designs, and if you cannot be happy with a factory knife, go buy a Randall. But you are being really picky.

 

[xm21]

I like Randalls

 

[Doors]

I am the proud owner of a model 1. Here's my review on Boing Boing, which I totally forgot about writing.

Here's one photo of my Model 1:


Here's an unsheathed photo of my Randall made knife:

 

[alaskanativeson]

mic214, that bottom knife which you call a Model 5 is actually a Model 1, right? The 1 and 5 are essentially the same knife except for the hilt. The model 1 has a double hilt which is desireable in a fighting knife. The model 5 has a single hilt which makes it desireable in a camping/hunting knife. Makes it easier to get your thumb on the back of the blade to apply more downward pressure if needed.

 

[dprice3844444]

got my 18 stashed in the safe

 

[mic214]

mic214, that bottom knife which you call a Model 5 is actually a Model 1, right? The 1 and 5 are essentially the same knife except for the hilt. The model 1 has a double hilt which is desireable in a fighting knife. The model 5 has a single hilt which makes it desireable in a camping/hunting knife. Makes it easier to get your thumb on the back of the blade to apply more downward pressure if needed.

It is a Model 5 with a double brass hilt. It is virtually identical to a Model 1, but without the small scalloped area in front of the hilt that the Model 1 has.

I compared them both when I was visiting the Randall shop back in 2006 and I liked the looks of the straight back blade of the Model 5, but I also liked the double brass hilt of the Model 1, so I combined the features of both....

 

[Zeke/PA]

In all seriousness, I can make a knife that's as good or better BUT it's STILL not a Randall.