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  #51  
Old 12-17-2010, 05:24 PM
oliver507 oliver507 is offline
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I own several but I carry two, an Airman and an 8 inch number 2.
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  #52  
Old 12-17-2010, 06:16 PM
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I carry a Spyderco waved Endura that I bought at the Randall retail store in Rogers. Does that count?
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  #53  
Old 12-17-2010, 07:15 PM
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Smile My #16 Special Fighter...and another

Well I finally took pics of the #16. Stainless and Micarta with a waxed sheath...according to the catalog these usually ship with the A Type sheath which is not waxed and has a stone pouch which I wish this one had (the pouch).
The other knife is a pre-patent Buck 184 Buckmaster. I bought it brand new in 1984 and it has been ABUSED. I have literally cut fenders off of cars with it. It is one of the 1st 2500 made and had the compass in the handle. If I had known what it would be worth today I may not have been so tough on it.
The "Non" Smith in the pic is my EDC Sig 229 40/357...it has had a hard life too
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  #54  
Old 12-17-2010, 09:08 PM
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the one i had was acid etched with w miguel swanwick i guess it was his, i was told that it went to nam, yea im still kicking my self! if i told you the rest of the story you wouldnt belive me anyway.
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  #55  
Old 12-17-2010, 09:37 PM
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One more interesting tidbit about the 14 in the OP. My friend's last name was Lewis. At some point in his life he tried to engrave his last name into the blade with an electric engraver. He spent 3 hours on the project and barely got "Lew" etched into it.
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  #56  
Old 12-17-2010, 10:49 PM
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Been in Orlando 17 years.. live about 15 miles from the Randall Shop.. keep saying "I gotta go, just to see it.." maybe this thread will get me motivated.....

One of these days I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy one..Just because.. They are fairly easy to come by in this town.. but the prices are as steep as anywhere
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  #57  
Old 12-17-2010, 11:00 PM
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Been in Orlando 17 years.. live about 15 miles from the Randall Shop.. keep saying "I gotta go, just to see it.." maybe this thread will get me motivated.....

One of these days I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy one..Just because.. They are fairly easy to come by in this town.. but the prices are as steep as anywhere
Hey Sal, glad to see you weighed in. Hope the grandson aint wore the blue off that 29 teething on it

I have had a LOT of knives...many of them more expensive than a Randall, but I have always been infatuated with Fla. steel. Guess once you hold one you will know what I mean.
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  #58  
Old 12-17-2010, 11:16 PM
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I bought my first Randall in in 1961 while I was in the Marines, It took a walk when we went to Cuba in 1962, some sailor wanted it more than I did and took it out of my seabag on the way back thru the canal.
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  #59  
Old 12-17-2010, 11:19 PM
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Hey Sal, glad to see you weighed in. Hope the grandson aint wore the blue off that 29 teething on it

I have had a LOT of knives...many of them more expensive than a Randall, but I have always been infatuated with Fla. steel. Guess once you hold one you will know what I mean.

Curtis.. Your generosity will be remembered for a loong time....
I'm sure you can figure out who I'll buy the Randell for

Wadda 'ya mean I can't play with MY lettered Model 29 yet!!

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  #60  
Old 12-17-2010, 11:37 PM
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Curtis.. Your generosity will be remembered for a loong time....
I'm sure you can figure out who I'll buy the Randell for

Wadda 'ya mean I can't play with MY lettered Model 29 yet!!

NOW that is CUTE!!!! Maybe you can take him to Germany some day
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  #61  
Old 12-18-2010, 01:30 PM
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Been in Orlando 17 years.. live about 15 miles from the Randall Shop.. keep saying "I gotta go, just to see it.." maybe this thread will get me motivated.....
If I may, let me suggest you wait a few months. They are just about done remodeling the old Bo Randall home and will be moving the knife museum over there. Right now it's crammed into a couple rooms in the shop and it will be a lot more enjoyable in new quarters. BTW, it is a stunning collection of cultery and in fact the Scagel's there just take your breath away.

The shop itself will shock you. You take a one lane road a couple hundred yards off of SOBT, through an old orange grove, and around a bend is this old block BD house(BD is Before Disney for you non-Floridians). That little place is where some of the finest knives ever made are produced.

BTW, sure is a cute grandson ya' got there.

Bob

Last edited by bk43; 12-18-2010 at 01:34 PM.
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  #62  
Old 12-19-2010, 11:10 PM
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cool thread to keep going
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  #63  
Old 12-22-2010, 04:03 PM
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any more stories???
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  #64  
Old 12-22-2010, 04:54 PM
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I came back from Korea in 83 and ordered one and 3 years to the day it arrived I carried it in the field until 92 and now it is in my dresser drawer. Mine is a model 14
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  #65  
Old 07-16-2012, 04:33 AM
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I have 2 Randalls that I have used quite a bit.

The first is a 6" No5. I have used it on deer, wild pigs, black bear, caribou, and elk.

The second is a Trout and Bird. It has the SS steel blade. I have used it on a lot of small game, several different birds, duck, dove quail, grouse, and deer and pigs.

You have to be careful when gutting a deer or pig with the Trout and Bird, as the sharpened back clip will cut the guts. But the sharpened back clip is great for disjointing bones on small game.

I find the Randall steel to be very good. I can tell little difference between the tool and the stainless steel as far as edge holding and ease of sharpening.

While Randalls do have a lot of Collector appeal, they are great using knives as well.

I have some others I have carried, but I have not actually cut any thing with them. ie a No 14, bought for "survival" and an 8" No1, bought as a Fighter.

I find all the Randalls to be very well balanced and they handle very good when you have to gut and butcher several animals in a single day.
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  #66  
Old 07-16-2012, 05:32 AM
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I have used this one (picture when it was new) several times:




Along with other high end knives that I own:
From Horsehead Creek Knives: Fire-blued Damascus skinner with dyed, stabilized burl handle:


From Bob Ham: Bird and trout knife with stag handle...gifted to me by my hunting partner's dad:




Horsehead Creek Knives: The 3 Amigos! I commissioned these three for myself, my hunting partner and his dad. Teardrop Damascus with ram's horn handle:


These were too well made for their intended purpose to languish as safe queens.
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  #67  
Old 07-16-2012, 10:44 AM
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Wow, this thread went dormant for a long time. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since we worked it last. I just do what I always do, walk gun shows and see what there is that I feel is grossly underpriced or so rare I may never see it again. Often its a knife or two.

A while back I picked up another carving set (6-10) I think. Its different from the real modern ones and even has a little plate on the stag so it can be inscribed. A buddy dates it to 1971, give or take. That from the way its put together. About 20 years ago a knife purveyor (slickster who resells knives) had a pair of carving sets. I had 2 boys and figured that would be a really good wedding present for them some day. But then I gave away one of them to another guy as a wedding present. One day watching my youngest fumble at trying to clean strawberries, I just gave up. So a neighbor who I like was getting married a year ago. They had a list of things they needed and a carving set was on the list. I already had it so I "saved" money on a wedding present and gave it to them. Guess it took his new FIL to explain just how good it was.

And one day I was walking (stumbling really) through a big gun show and in a glass case was not just a Randall, but one in a H H Heiser sheath. Too good to pass, I bought it. Its a 1947 vintage 4-6. It'll do. Yes, its well worn, but I don't care at all. And I found a long #10 Saltwater fisherman with its sheath. There was another priced the same without a sheath. Go figure. If you can only have one, it needs to have a place to be stored! We'll wait for the cringes.... No, it hasn't rusted yet.

Somewhere in the bowels of my collection is a Solingen Fighter. Should have bought the Vietnam Vets model the same day, long ago.

I've separated the set of 4 individual steak knives. Two of them travel with us on vacations. We threw in with a bunch of scoundrels who have taken to cookin' steaks out in the hills. Guess it won't happen this year in Colorado since they even banned cook fires. But two of the knives along with full place settings of Momma's sterling ride along. If you've got to eat, you might as well eat in style. I always enjoy watching other people try to eat with a plastic knife and fork while we're dining with sterling and a Randall.

The idea that any use of a Randall hurts its price can work for or against you. If you're buying it with some use already, it doesn't hurt you one bit. A decent quality knife should out last you by a good margin. My dad bought a Marbles back in 1925 when he was 14. It cleaned literally thousands of bunnies, tree rats, quail and pheasants, and who knows how many crappie and blue gills, plus a few bass. He used it until he died in 1980. I got custody of it for a while, but then passed it along to my oldest son a while back. Too much responsibility for someone like me. Let him tend to it. Same thing happened to his guns.

The guy who sold me the steak knives included 4 sheaths for 7-4s. I have no idea what to do with them, but I'm sure not going to put steak knives in them. Guess I can put my trout and bird knife in one of them.

So a while back I was reading some Kentucky laws. Its OK to carry a pocket knife or an ordinary hunting knife. Ya think the 1949 Randall in its Heiser sheath is "ordinary" enough? Guess if I get busted, I'd better hope there are no knife collectors on my jury.
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  #68  
Old 07-16-2012, 11:40 AM
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I would state that MOST expensive Sheath Knives, (not just Randall's) that I have seen in my life are rarely if ever used. Most spend their lives in their original box or hanging on the wall for display. I own a few Marbles (Gladstone made) knives and can count on one hand how many times they've been used.

Unless you make your living in the woods or outdoors, most of us just don't have the need for a large knife like that.

I find that the Marble's Large Stockman Folding Pocket Knife (Gladstone) that is in my pocket each and every day gets used almost each and every day. It's small, handy, sharp and is unobtrusive. In fact, when I go into the woods these days, that is usually the only knife I have with me. The sheath knives I own usually get left at home in their box. Just my experience of course, YMMV.......

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  #69  
Old 07-16-2012, 01:50 PM
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I just sold an unused safe queen. Had it up at a pretty good price for several weeks on several forums and ended selling it for what I paid.



My others (#1, #23, #8 and my wife's Little Beaver) are all used=camping, Several elk and deer and many wild hogs.

For those "end of the world as we know it" fantasy threads and other serious social encounters:
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Old 07-16-2012, 02:25 PM
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Given the lack of mass production techniques and 5 year wait time for a new Randall from the maker, how does a certain seller on ebay have literally hundreds of brand new Randalls for sale? Are these knives legit?
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  #71  
Old 07-16-2012, 04:03 PM
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Earlier this year I met a Hells Angel who was carrying a Randall on his belt. I'm not sure of the model. Under different circumstances it would be interesting to sit down and talk with him about Randalls. I hope he never does anything stupid with it.
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Old 07-16-2012, 04:59 PM
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Quote:
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Given the lack of mass production techniques and 5 year wait time for a new Randall from the maker, how does a certain seller on ebay have literally hundreds of brand new Randalls for sale? Are these knives legit?
Randall has a dealer network. The dealers have regions, and are allocated a set number of knives. Most of these guys have been at it for decades. They do have knives on order, but the shop allows them to change the order when the time comes to build the knife. So if they've got a hot one on the line, they just change the order that goes into production next to what the customer wants, then charge him a premium.

But the other way it works is simple. They know what buyers want and just order it. Its pretty easy to guess what knives are in the greatest demand, and if tastes change they can just change the order. So the shop makes what they ordered a few years ago and ships it to them. They inspect it, then take a picture and stick it on their web site. Its the only practical way to get a knife quick. You pay a modest premium but don't wait any time at all. Everyone is happy.

Those vendors are probably legit. If you have any doubt, call the Randall Shop and ask. You can probably buy the knife you want for within $100 of the stated list price today. Or if you want to wait the 58 months, save the guy the profit. You get the added satisfaction of locking in the price at today's level (but paying half now for something you won't see until 2017. Your choice.

The advantage of buying at a gun show is its a compromise. If you now just what you want for options, you can probably find it at a major knife or gun show. No reason to wait for a standard configuration knife. But knives made with stag handles vary all over the place. Some look much nicer than others. Paying on the spot and carting it off is much better than waiting. I don't even have much confidence I'll be alive in 5 or 10 years. So if I up and croak, call my widow to get pix of my collection. She might even have some spectacular guns you'd want.
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:30 PM
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Here is the only one I own. I have not used it yet......maybe someday:

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Old 07-16-2012, 07:43 PM
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Quote:
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Randall has a dealer network. The dealers have regions, and are allocated a set number of knives. Most of these guys have been at it for decades. They do have knives on order, but the shop allows them to change the order when the time comes to build the knife. So if they've got a hot one on the line, they just change the order that goes into production next to what the customer wants, then charge him a premium.

But the other way it works is simple. They know what buyers want and just order it. Its pretty easy to guess what knives are in the greatest demand, and if tastes change they can just change the order. So the shop makes what they ordered a few years ago and ships it to them. They inspect it, then take a picture and stick it on their web site. Its the only practical way to get a knife quick. You pay a modest premium but don't wait any time at all. Everyone is happy.

Those vendors are probably legit. If you have any doubt, call the Randall Shop and ask. You can probably buy the knife you want for within $100 of the stated list price today. Or if you want to wait the 58 months, save the guy the profit. You get the added satisfaction of locking in the price at today's level (but paying half now for something you won't see until 2017. Your choice.

The advantage of buying at a gun show is its a compromise. If you now just what you want for options, you can probably find it at a major knife or gun show. No reason to wait for a standard configuration knife. But knives made with stag handles vary all over the place. Some look much nicer than others. Paying on the spot and carting it off is much better than waiting. I don't even have much confidence I'll be alive in 5 or 10 years. So if I up and croak, call my widow to get pix of my collection. She might even have some spectacular guns you'd want.
Thank you for the insight, sir.
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Old 07-16-2012, 07:53 PM
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Bk43 knows what he is talking about.

My opinion is, use em' for what they're intended.
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Old 07-16-2012, 08:31 PM
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I picked this 12-9 up last year. I believe that it is 80's vintage. Obviously not used.

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Old 07-16-2012, 08:42 PM
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To answer the original post. Yes.
Model 5, 4". carried most days.

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Old 07-16-2012, 08:46 PM
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Default 12-9 Randall Bowie

Note: told this story recently, and if I posted it here, just skip on down to the next one.

I have a hard copy pic of this knife, a 12-9 Randall Sportsman Bowie, but can't find a digit copy. Bought it at a local estate auction in upstate SC. One of those first Fri night in the month things. There were two bowies, one marked Randall made and the other not marked. There was knife making equipment in the auction too, so I figure the guy liked his Randall so much he decided to make his own. The unmarked Randall was in a Randall sheath, the Randall was in a homemade sheath. The only thing I knew about Randall's is that they were way too expensive for me and you had to wait 2 yrs to get one (early 90's .. the good ole days).

Decided that any bowie was worth $150 or so, so that was my max. At $95 the bidding stopped, I owned the real Randall. Then I had to buy the other one to get the sheath and it cost $105. Carried it to gunshow experts, they had never seen one with that hilt.... what do you want for it? Its a fake, what do you want for it? Carried it to the custom blade show in Vegas, wrong show. They only wanted to talk home made stuff.

Finally sent the knife to Randall and Gary Randall sent me a nice letter back with the knife. It was one of four ever made back in 1959-60 with an S curve nickel hilt, ranger handle and skull crusher cap. Handle was Manila or Phillipino ??? ebony.

So Joined the Randall knife Society, went to the next meeting in Atlanta at the Blade show. Met Pete Hamilton the shop foreman and he introduced me to Tom Clinton, one of the top collectors in the day. I could tell from the letter and Pete's reaction that it was a special knife. Tom saw it, said how much, I said I think its a $3000 knife. He turned to his wife and said "Honey, hand me my money".

We had quite a crowd by then, and a guy behind me asked if I had any other Randalls. told him I had a fake one, and he paid me $200 for it.

This covered a lot of bad deals I made in my day.

Charlie
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  #79  
Old 03-02-2013, 09:51 PM
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I have had three Randalls. I purchased all at the factory. My 1st was a model 14 (1968). Then a model 2 (1969) and model 10 for the wife.

I used then pretty hard. The M-14 was stolen but I still have the M-2..

These days I carry one of Bill Harsey's D2's.
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Old 03-02-2013, 10:19 PM
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Been in Orlando 17 years.. live about 15 miles from the Randall Shop.. keep saying "I gotta go, just to see it.." maybe this thread will get me motivated.....

One of these days I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy one..Just because.. They are fairly easy to come by in this town.. but the prices are as steep as anywhere
Well this thread popped up.. I had forgotten about it.. it's about two years later..

I had just finished a deal for another 5" 27.. ( Go figure) Last January
When I turned down another aisle.. and this RANDALL stopped me in my tracks..

It took 4 trips back to the table for some serious
" Hunkerin' " as Iggy calls it.. but it ended up following me home..

RANDALL #1-7 with Ivory.. ( oh yeah and the 27 too)







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Old 03-02-2013, 10:33 PM
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I don't really get buying new production knives and looking at them. My one and only Randall is an antler handled trout & bird, and it has dressed numerous fish, along with some game. The steel is stained but I don't care. I bought it with full intentions of using it.
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Old 03-02-2013, 11:16 PM
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[QUOTE=ditrina;137059639]


Oh my....what a knife!!!
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Old 03-02-2013, 11:23 PM
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I do. I have a model 1, 15 and 4
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Old 03-03-2013, 12:07 AM
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Here's a "pre" Randall that has been over used and abused


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Old 03-03-2013, 12:36 AM
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Here's a "pre" Randall that has been over used and abused




Harry Morseth's knives were not connected to Randall's. Both were just handmade knives. Randall was inspired to make knives by a friend that he saw using a Scagel knife , and early Randalls resembled Scagels.

I kept some handwritten letters from Bo Randall. Wonder if they're valuable today? He used a fountain pen, which I thought was classy.

I prefer the stainless blades. Gary Randall told me that the plain "carbon" blades may hold an edge some 10% better and be a little easier to sharpen, but I think the advantages of the stainless outweigh that. And based on my observations, I think the stainless blades usually get a better polish. Could be just the knives I've seen...

My son visited the Randall shop a couple of years ago and took some nice photos. He was pretty impressed.

Last edited by Texas Star; 03-03-2013 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 03-03-2013, 01:01 AM
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Hi:
USE A RANDALL ?? HECK NO ! I secure them in a safe and there they stay forever !
Seriously I have never been able to afford one. Besides "Real Men" use "El Cheapos" purchased at Flea Markets for 5.00 and can never be sharpen. Besides if I had a sharp knife I would likely cut myself.
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Old 03-03-2013, 01:21 AM
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Quote:
Harry Morseth's knives were not connected to Randall's.
Sorry! My old brain mixed up Randall and Russell.
(At least they both start with "R" and end in "L".)
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Old 03-03-2013, 06:30 AM
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Sorry! My old brain mixed up Randall and Russell.
(At least they both start with "R" and end in "L".)

Yeah, I think A.G. Russell bought use of the Morseth name.
Not to be confused with Canadian Dean Russell, who designed the knives made by Russell-Grohmann in Nova Scotia.
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Old 03-03-2013, 04:04 PM
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My brother gave me a beautiful Randall 5 4 several years ago and it lives in my desk drawer. I have never carried it because my hunting knife is a G. W. Stone "Diana" (s.n. 93) that has cleaned more deer and other game than I can add up.

I bought the Diana from cranky old George himself back in the mid 1960's. I fell in love with it when I picked it up but the price was $125. My wife and I were recently married and there were lots of things that we needed more than me spending $125 on a hunting knife, but she gave me the OK and I've never regretted it. Sometimes we hear someone say that a gun or other tool "just comes alive in my hands" The Stone "Diana" does that!

Bob




Attached Files
File Type: zip Randall 5 4.rtfd.zip (1.2 KB, 21 views)
File Type: zip Stone %22Diana%22 #93.rtfd.zip (1.2 KB, 28 views)
File Type: zip Randal & Stone Knives.rtfd.zip (1.3 KB, 22 views)

Last edited by bettis1; 03-03-2013 at 04:27 PM. Reason: open photos
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Old 03-03-2013, 04:12 PM
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Owners of older Randalls, and especially those from the Vietnam War era, might be surprised at how valuable they have become. I ordered a Model 14 in 1963 and basically kept it unused until last year when I mentioned it to a collector. I had originally paid $40 for the knife, an astronomical sum at the time, and the collector offered me $1550! Since it had no sentimental value, he became the proud new owner.
He may be prouder than you think.

A Tenite handled early 60's # 14 is a $5,000 knife.
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Old 09-30-2013, 10:13 AM
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Hello everyone!
I recently purchased a knife Randall model 10-5".
This knife I really like. I bought it already in use in ebay.com. I take it with me on a fishing trip, hiking in the forest, using the kitchen. He really liked my girlfriend. Now, I think about buying a model 14 or 16, but has not yet decided which of steel - O-1 or stainless.
[img]http://s4.uploads****/t3QDM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://s5.uploads****/1gjJI.jpg[/img]
[img]http://s4.uploads****/xORiY.jpg[/img]
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Old 09-30-2013, 10:59 AM
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Not using a Randall is like locking a beautiful young woman up behind closed doors. Or having a Colt Bisley and never shooting it. Some thing are meant to be used in order to be fully appreciated!

Here's my Model 23 that I re-handled in buffalo horn, along with my OM Ruger in 45 Colt (porcupine got to the knife one night). My usual and preferred hunting rig!

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Old 09-30-2013, 12:10 PM
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Dick, if you don't post a picture of that folder I'm going to have ask the mods to give you multiple dings for cruelty to members.

In high school we had a name for girls who acted that way...
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Old 09-30-2013, 12:48 PM
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Default FUNNY BUT SAD!

Had some friends with the 20TH GROUP(SF) laughing when I was talking Randalls!They had a jump at Avon Park......afterwards you saw a lot of troop walking & searching the drop zone!One guy had a Randall that he jumped with......he lost it while jumping......never found it! (Sniff....I told you it was sad)!My bud said......NOBODY ever jumped with a RANDALL again!
Jim
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Old 09-30-2013, 02:16 PM
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Had some friends with the 20TH GROUP(SF) laughing when I was talking Randalls!They had a jump at Avon Park......afterwards you saw a lot of troop walking & searching the drop zone!One guy had a Randall that he jumped with......he lost it while jumping......never found it! (Sniff....I told you it was sad)!My bud said......NOBODY ever jumped with a RANDALL again!
Jim
I carried my Randell #2 & #14 in the field, and also had several near-loses. The leather sheath is pretty, but the strap is not really secure. Kydex is much more practical and when heated it will form a real good seal on the hilt.

Along the same lines. Randell's are great knives, I've had 4,, but I also have others. Chris Reeves & Bill Harsey use CPM S-30V for both the Special Forces Yarborough knife, and several others. It's probably the best steel for hard use on the market. The sheath is also much more secure.

My next purchase will be a Yarborough. I don't need one, but us Regimental FOG's are jealous that the kids get one for graduation these days. The FOG version has a different serial sequence, but is exactly the same as the issues ones..

Choices, Choices, Choices.. Buy one of each??
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Old 09-30-2013, 06:41 PM
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Guy Clark used one.
And even wrote a song about it.

I have only looked at them and read ads in the magazines years ago.
Have a big Browning, a medium size Kershaw and several Buck knives.
No Randalls.
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Old 09-30-2013, 07:22 PM
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Dick, if you don't post a picture of that folder I'm going to have ask the mods to give you multiple dings for cruelty to members.
I'll bring it along to a Louisville show and you can both look at it and handle it! If you ever drive over to Lexington, we'll be there the day after Thanksgiving for the Kenny Woods show. I think the Louisville show is the weekend before Christmas.
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Old 09-30-2013, 09:50 PM
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Thumbs up

This Pathfinder has rode along on many a camping and hunting trip. Have a couple others, but their use isn't required as much these days.

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Old 09-30-2013, 10:23 PM
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This is the only one I have.

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Old 10-01-2013, 08:19 AM
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I have a Md. 26 in stag with a custom end cap that my brother purchased in the 80's from A.G. Russell, he used is as his hunting knife for a number of years. When he moved on to the happy hunting ground I picked it up and have used it ever since. Great knife, and always a good conversation starter.

That said, if you can find the Blackjack copies of a Md. 1 you can have use a great knife without feeling like you are flushing money every time you put in on your belt.
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