Edit: this is an old thread. I’m resurrecting it because it is time to give him the knife. Time really flies by.

I told my son it was time to think about ordering his 18th birthday present. I told him to spec out a Randall knife, and I'd order it for him.

At first his choice was a no1 with an 8inch blade. Bigger is better Dad right?

I opened up my knife collection, and let him try some different things on for size. He really liked his grandfathers pal rh35. He realized the value of being able to get his thumb on the spine of the blade.

Long story short. His ideal knife is a stainless 5inch model 5, maroon micarta, brass crow's beak pommel, and half guard.

Any thoughts? Looks like a winner to me. Gonna wait a few weeks to order it, in case he wants to tweak it a little.

How long will you have to wait after you order the knife from Randall, for it to be shipped to you?

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

I will not be one to fault anyones choice in a knife. Many years down the road, if I was still buying I would still choose carbon steel, but that is just me. I only have three Randalls, a pathfinder is my field choice, second choice would be this one. Then again, just my choice. Have thought about letting this one go, but just cannot seem to. Additionally -- you seem to be steering the young man in the right direction, that being, go for the best-- and that sir is a good thing in this world of plastic and cheap-- A big CONGRATULATIONS to you.

Wish my Father bought me a Randall when I turned 18 in 1968. I would be a very happy man now

The wait is about 4 years AFAIK.

We have been talking about stainless vs carbon steel. I am trying to sway him towards carbon steel, but want him to decide on his own.

I think he designed a fine knife. I may order a second one with green micarta handle for myself.

I've got five different Randall's, and I am happier with the carbon steel blades . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I'm fortunate enough to own a few Randall knives, two of which are five-inch model fives. Both are high carbon steel. One has a stag handle, the other has a black micarta handle with a compass in the end.

Sorry, I don't have any pictures. I'll try to work on that. Anyway, I personally prefer the one with the micarta handle. It just seems to fit my hand better in my opinion.

Also, it's a user. I know, I know...that supposedly brings the value down, but I sure as heck didn't get it as an investment. I got it to use.

I think your son will really appreciate the model 5. It's a great knife...and he could do a heckuva lot worse. Another thing...it's the type of quality where he'll be able to pass it on to his son.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Check out Nordic Knives. They have several No 5 Randalls listed.

HA! Me too. I turned 18 at the rifle range on Camp Pendleton, I could of use it.

There was a thread a week or so ago..... about "wanting" a big knife....truth is IMHO a 4-5 inch knife is about all the bigger one will ever need.

While a long wait that #5 will serve him well for many decades....

Great idea for a gift! I'm sure he will be proud of any Randall for many years.

Randals are great knives good choice,but I do like the carbon steel easier to sharpen and gets a great pantina

Nordic knives will place your order with their normal order. You will get it in a few months, instead of 4 yrs.
I have done this myself.
Google is your friend.

If anyone here is considering giving their son a Randall, the time to place the order is when the kid is about 14. That way you can give it to him when he is 18, not when he's 22 or 23. Or as the one poster suggested, buy it from a purveyor that either has one in stock or a knife coming up for production that he ordered years ago.

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Dick Burg

My Model 5 was NS guard, black Micarta, no butt cap, but with a silver-lined hole for a wrist thong.

In the five-inch blade, the heavy brass cap will unbalance the knife. If he insists on a pommel/cap, get Duralumin in that crow's beak format.

I ordered another Model 5, seven-inch, blk. Micarta, Duralumin cap, false edge sharp. That was solely because I hate the dip in the blade spine on Model 1, so ordered the Model 5 blade, which eliminated that issue in an otherwise identical knife. Yeah, the double hilt on this one. (Full quillon.)

Both were just as wanted and have been my favorite Randalls of all time, although I like Model 14 a lot if they don't whang the trademark stamp in too deeply. That applies to all Randall blades, but I think they usually hit the thicker blades harder with the stamp.

I prefer stainless blades and think Randall usually finishes them better. Probably, the steel alloys just polish better than does their plain steel. (Prob. 0-1 or very similar on the non-stainless.)

The five-inch blade is legal in more jurisdictions than are longer blades. Handier in most uses, too.

I have no skin in this but the following offer Randalls at catalog price :

New and Used Randall Made Knives. – Clinton Knives

Buxton Knives

Nordic also has an available inventory to choose from but he is about $100 over catalog price.
Good luck in making your selection.
BTW - the current shop wait time is about 5 years.

That is a great present, lucky young man!! My $.02, I really like the #28 Woodsman, great practical field knife. Bought and sold a few, but kept this one.

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PTLAPTA!

If your son is anything like my son, this is just his first Randall. There will be more later.

Texas Star, would the plain 1/16" brass cap be a better choice, than the crow's beak? I usually see the cap on a stag handle, how would it be on a macarta handle? I had not thought of the weight of the cap off setting the balance.

He is 13 now so the timing should be perfect, I don't want it sooner. I wanted to give him something to look forward to. Also an incentive to make good decisions, between now and then. If he becomes a screw up, or drug user, he can watch me sell it on eBay.

Well, the thinner cap will weigh less. Maybe you could order the thin domed cap in nickle silver or Duralumin? Brass tarnishes easily. I've had brass caps on other knives, including a G.W. Stone Model A and a Ralph Bone knife or two.

For a fighting knife with a 7-8 inch blaDE, THE WEIGHT OF THE BLADE OFFSETS THE WEiGhT OF A BrASS GUARD/HILT.

I HATE the Caps Lock. I keep hitting it.

Ask Randall. I think they'll make that crow's beak cap for any handle but leather.

Thanks Tex, my son wants to know your opinion of the compass Randall uses. He is worried it will fail, at some point. I assume it can be changed but should ask Randall I suppose.

The compass question is for mulepacker too, or anybody else who has one. Thanks guys.

First off...I goofed. In my previous post, I mentioned that my model fives had five-inch blades. Nope. Both have six-inch blades. My model 25 knives have five-inch blades. My mistake.

Now, on to the answer to your question. A good quality compass is always in my pack or saddle bags. The one that Randall uses works, and it's liquid filled, but I certainly wouldn't use it as my primary compass if I had the choice.

The Model 5 that I have has been often been referred to as the "Bradford Angier" model. Tool steel, 6-inch blade, wrist thong, black micarta handle, ¼-inch blade stock, nickel silver single hilt.

I really like this knife. Good, solid tool for the back country. If the compass in the handle was the only one I had, I wouldn't be afraid to depend on it, but I would certainly prefer something a little larger. It's a good "back-up" compass.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Thanks a bunch, I googled Bradford Algier, nice knife. I showed it to my son, and he liked it a lot, so he might go that route. I am having fun, watching him try to figure it out. I gave him a dead line in a couple of weeks. Going to order it on his Grandfather's birthday for some good karma.

I have fallen in love with the model 27 with the stag handle and the 13 spacers.

Mule Packer-

May we see your Model 5 Angier knife? I like those.

I've always wondered about the accuracy of a compass mounted so close to a steel blade. And the compass seems fragile in a butt mount, although you won't be pounding with such butt.

I took a small Silva compass and passed it over my sheathed Victorinox SwissChamp in its leather SOS Kit . The needle reacted, so it does respond to steel nearby. There's a Recta compass mounted on a little ruler in a recess in the SOS pouch, but I use the compass well away from the knife.

I think the Bradford Angier Model 5 without the compass is a wonderful knife. That's what my shorter Model 5 amounts to. I just had to order the five-inch blade, as Texas law limits me to a 5.5 inch blade for public carry.

The Fallkniven S-1 has a blade very similar to a Randall Model 5 with a five-incher. A VERY nice knife. But this topic is about Randall.

Sure. Here are a couple of pictures of my Model 5, 6-inch blade, micarta handle with compass. As you can see, it has been used. The blade doesn't seem to affect the accuracy of the compass, but as I said before, I always carry a better compass along as well when I'm in the back country.


I really like the feel of this knife....much better than its stag-handled counterpart (see below). I don't know why. It just feels a little more balanced in my hand for some reason.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Thanks for the info. I thought they all jacked the price. Which actually isn't a problem when you break it down over the 5 year wait.

Then I figured they must charge handling fees. Nope $5 shipping!

The only thing I did notice is some of the knifes from Buxton come with a cover Sheath, not the heavy belt one with the pouch and stone.

Really other than the possible sheath down grade. The only down side is not picking your options, and knowing Randall made the knife for you.

Anyway, I just ordered a model 10/3" for my tacklebox. I wanted one but did not want to wait for one. Also it doesn't have options available, so no real reason to order it from the factory.

Thanks again.

That's a nice gift that he should have until he passes it down to his son. You asked for ideas and since I've been an authorized Randall dealer for 35 years, I have a couple. Unlike others, I would suggest stainless even though it is harder to sharpen. Stainless holds an edge longer and requires much less maintenance. Next I would strongly suggest a natural handle material. Micarta is durable but it's kinda ho-hum especially for a $50.00 option. Stag is traditional, durable, attractive and always popular. I like exotic burl wood too. I would also consider having his name etched on the reverse side of the blade. Lastly, though the model #5 is a great knife, I would consider a non-cataloged knife. Here are some model #5s with exotic wood and one of Randall's newest non-cataloged knives the Copper Companion.

Double down on the Ha! I turned 18 on the rifle range at Parris Island (1963) without realizing I had had a birthday until three days later. Marine Drill Instructors did tend to keeps recruits rather busy and were not at all sentimental except for the feeding, health, and well-being of sand fleas. Semper fi!

Thanks so much for your fine photos of the Model 5's! I think this Angier Trail Knife variant is one of the best, most practical knives in their line.

You also let viewers see the Model A sheath and the wrist thong.

Please - no one be offended by this post, as it is not my intent. I admit that a knife is more of a tool to me, I suppose. I do not understand what about these Randall knives is worth waiting 4 to 5 years for delivery.

If it is just that it is a fine, handmade, work of art that gives pride of ownership, well that is fine, and I can understand that and have absolutely no issue with that.

So - and I am not trying to offend anyone - but if there is something these knives actually do better than some other knife in terms of performance, I really want to know.

Please educate me on these knives.

Pay attention to Rick Bowles advice above. He is very knowledgeable of all things Randall, as well as, an extremely talented scrimshander.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

The stone pocket on the sheath is an option when ordering the sheath. Some don't use the stone as they have an alternate way to sharpen their knife. Some people cut off the stone pocket!!

Shawn, no offense taken. Texas Star and Rick Bowles can undoubtedly add quite a bit to the following, but here's just my two-cents worth.

Actually, when "push comes to shove," a knife is really nothing more than a sharpened piece of steel, stone, or ceramic with some type of a handle. And, just about anything, within reason, will fit the bill.

If your purpose is just to have a tool that'll "cut stuff," then just about anything will do.

It's kinda like comparing a beautiful, classic Smith and Wesson to a five-dollar pot-metal Enrique Kaboom-o .25 acp. They'll both go "bang," but there's a marked difference in quality and craftsmanship that went into the individual firearms.

Same holds true with knives. The Pakistani-made knife with a colorful handle that the service stations used to hand out with each fill-up will essentially do the same thing as a bench-made Randall. Only it won't do it as well or as long.

There are a couple of factors that drive up the price of a knife. One factor is the kind of steel the knife is made of, and the heat treatment used in tempering that steel. For example, a good quality high-carbon steel blade is going to take an edge better and hold up longer than a blade that's stamped "Starkist Tuna."

Some steels are made to hold an edge longer. Some are made to sharpen easier. Some are made to be stainless (note that I didn't say "stain proof." I said "stain less.") Any good steel will eventually rust if not cared for. Some just take a little longer.

Another factor that increases the cost of a blade is the amount of hand work that is done. This includes hand forging (verses stamping a blade out of sheet metal), polishing, and honing. All of these things take time, patience, and skill.

Of course, handle material can up the cost, too. Is the handle made of ivory, stag, jigged bone, exotic wood, plywood or plastic?

Lots of variables that can increase the cost of a good blade and I've just touched on a few. Like I said, Texas Star or Rick Bowles know a heckuva lot more about blades and blade steel than I'll ever learn in a life time.

What you said about a fine, handmade, work of art that gives pride of ownership is partially true. No doubt about it. Like the old saying goes, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." But, that being said, all of my knives are users. No safe queens here.

I guess one of the optimum tests for any blade is to skin, bone out, and cut up a bull elk and still be able to shave hair off your arm. The Pakistani-made gas station knife will have a tough time making the grade when it comes to that.

When you find yourself field dressing an elk just before the sun sets, you want a knife that'll get the job done so you can get back to camp before dark without having to stop every ten minutes to touch up the blade. At times like that, you find that the money you spent on a good, quality blade is well worth the extra cost.

Are there good knives that are less expensive than a Randall? Sure. But there are also good guns that are less expensive than a Smith and Wesson. I guess it just boils down to what you prefer.

Just my view from the saddle.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Yes but the "cover Sheath" is something else, I think it is a cheaper alternative to the sheath supplied by Randall with some of the models.

Some of the pictures on Buxton's sight show a model a sheath but the description says "cover sheath" included. A phone call would clear it up I am sure.

If the photos and the reputation don't "educate" you, I can't.
The issue is that of the knife as functional art as opposed to the knife as mere tool.

Some people pay a lot more for clothes with designer labels. Maybe that's warranted, if the materials and workmanship are quite a bit better than store brands. The price should be justified by more than a name alone.

Visit Randall's site and order the catalog. You'll get an explanation as to why the knives became famous and are sought after. Some is the fame. Some is the style.

You can get other very good knives. Buck offers a lot for the money, and Fallkniven is very impressive, among others. Older Pumas, like Randall, offer the knife as art as well as function, and Puma and a few other good Solingen cutlers offer a look into the cultural world of the German hunter, if that interests you.

Frankly, I think Randall now occupies much the same role in the knife world as does Rolex among watches. There are more advanced watches (apart from the Oysterquartz) but Rolex continues to flourish, because people like the styles and the reputation. Other custom cutlers offer more advanced blade steels and maybe heat treatments. Some offer G-10 or Thermorun and other handles that may be better for some needs. But few manage to achieve the traditional custom knife look and tradition as well as does Randall. And with the various options, you can create the knife you want.

Randalls are tougher than most cheaper knives. Doesn't mean that you can't chip an edge if careless, but a broken blade is really rare. I've never actually heard of one.

I wouldn't wait five years for one. There are dealers who may have what you want in stock. Some are named in this thread.

Finally, few custom knives are as collectible as Randall. Values climb.

Seriously, order the catalog and study it careully. Think who has made the brand famous, including the original seven astronauts.

The marque has a glamorous image.

If all you want is the steak without the sizzle, order some cheaper brand, readily available over the counter. In Afghanistan today, the bright brass or nickel silver guard of a Randall or the bright blade is contraindicated. I'd choose a Fallkniven A-1 or S-1 or maybe a Gryphon M-30-A-1 with the dull blade finish option. Fallkniven offers a black blade, Cerakoted. Taliban and Al Qaeda snipers shoot at reflections!

The SCUBA diver may prefer the very tough SOG SEAL 2000, which has passed grueling Navy trials and won't reflect light like a Randall Model 16, which in theory could cause a barracuda to rush in and snap at the shiny object. I've never heard of that really happening, but the SOG is a heck of a fine dive knife and much cheaper than a Randall. I've seen them on sale for about $100.

But Randall products have a certain mystique and charm that causes men to value them.

Why pay $13,000 for a Rigby rifle on a Mauser action when the Winchester M-70, especially in higher grades, looks so good and shoots so well? To have a Rigby, I suppose, and the pride of ownership of a fine custom rifle with a magical name. It connects you to W.D.M. Bell and to Jim Corbett and their storied exploits. American custom rifles on M-70 and Mauser actions are also works of art. And they take time to deliver, too, often years.

That's the best explanation that I can give.

Mule Packer and Texas Star:

Thank you for taking the time to give me an introduction to the topic of knives. I truly appreciate the time and effort it took to make the long posts. I am sure I will continue to learn and wanted you both to know how much I appreciate you both taking the time to help me.

Thanks again to both of you!

Shawn

Another facet of Randall knives that's not worth 2 cents but cannot be overlooked is the history of Randall Made Knives. Here are a few of the famous and infamous who understood the value of a Randall knife. While you look at these images may I recommend that you click on this link and play it in the background.

Guy Clark: Singer-Songwriter "The Randall Knife"

Major Richard Bong: The United States' highest-scoring air ace in WWII.

General James "Jumping Jim" Gavin C.O. 82nd Airborne

Col. Rex Applegate: O.S.S. instructor, Knife Fighting Expert

General William Westmoreland: Commander of US forces in Vietnam

Erol Flynn: Actor

Charles Whitman: Texas Bell Tower Sniper

Gus Grissom: Mercury Astronaut (All seven Mercury Astronauts carried a Randall knife.)

Francis Gary Powers: U-2 Pilot (Powers' Randall 8-4" now in a Moscow museum)

The first one I ever held, I new was something special. I had never heard of Randall made knives before, and the knife was just handed to me, it needed no introduction. Even as a young teenager I could tell I was holding a special knife.

Beyond that I have no real explanation, Ed.

This is from the "everything's relative" category. I thought I'd share this knife for those think that Randall knives are expensive. This Loveless Drop Point Skinner will sell for between $3,500.00 to $5,000.00. Is it worth that? Not to me but I assure you it will bring that price.

We had an incident that involved the prior owner of this forum and one of his friends. It seems the friend had a Randall and took it out of his safe and placed it on top. Then somehow the knife fell to the floor and the blade broke. Pretty clear that it was a hardness issue and a defect. The guy then returned it to the factory and it was immediately replace at no charge to the owner. Its the kind of service you would expect.

I only bring this up because it does show that on occasion, even the very best brands can have a problem. It doesn't prove much to falsely claim they never have a problem. The more important thing is how the infrequent problems are handled. Quality makers solve the problem to the satisfaction of the customer.

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Dick Burg

rburg-

I didn't make any false claims. I merely said that I had never heard of a broken Randall blade. Now, I have...but only due to a manufacturing defect in that particular knife.

BTW, has anyone seen any Puma knives with broken blades? Given how stupid some people are, I bet it's happened. Throwing one at a wooden wall might break a tip, or using it as a screwdriver.

I've heard of people breaking Buck knives, usually by applying a lot of force when misusing one as a screwdriver or when trying to pound the edge through bone.

Rick Bowles-

In the photo of Gen. Gavin (back to camera , wearing knife) is the other Maj. Gen. Maxwell Taylor, and what did he command at that time?

Thanks for the photo of the Loveless knife. Yes, they're very expensive collectors' items now. And knives by Dietmar Kressler are in that league, too. The German edition of, Playboy did a major color feature on Kressler. His knives were already costly, and I doubt that made them any cheaper, ha! The photography was outstanding.

Not to hijack the thread....this is a fun thread........but a lot of knife guys and good info in this thread.....

For "things" I'm going to use on a daily basis...I tend to look to the best value.......if I was Jeremiah Johnson going west one should get the best one can afford.... but my everyday carry at the cabin doesn't involve,fighting Indians, large Bears or surviving a October blizzard in the high country..............................

put another way..........................

like a Seiko dive watch vs. a Rolex.... maybe a Rolex will keep slightly better time than a Seiko automatic ( it's been debated) but not 10X better......... and my ego doesn't require me to wear a Rolex even though I can afford one..... to me it's just not worth the money to stroke my ego....

So my question/hijack... what are the brands that give the best value in a fixed bladed "every day carry" knife......................

IMHO, if I can keep from losing them, for folders: Benchmade, Emerson, and Spyderco, in that order. For a fixed blade hunting, and I know they're expensive, but they work: Randall.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

LOL...About 10 years ago I bought my wife a Benchmade folder (friend going out of business/closing out sale had one with royal blue scales); she put it safely away so the Boys wouldn't find it.........hasn't been seen since....

I have a buddy who collects Randall's ...... will have to take a closer look.

I am a big fan of Randall knives. Here are a couple of pics of my collection:



Starting on the left is my 12-9 Bowie, then a Model 14 (My first Randall), followed by a Model 16 Diver and finally a Model 10-3 Salt Fisherman.

My daughter recently got married and as a surprise wedding gift for my son-in-law, I gave him the Model 16 and they used it to cut the wedding cake...

My son is getting engaged next month and the Model 14 will be passed onto him at the wedding as well....

The last Randall I bought was a Model 5-5, This is the knife I carry the most when out in the woods:

Its been an interesting thread, and some views expressed I hadn't considered. I guess if all you want is to cut something, an old tin can lid with tape on the part you want to hold would do. Not very well or for very long, but then those factors are really what we're discussing. I'm old, grumpy, and can afford the things I want. Yes, I have a whole passel of Randall knives, but in all honesty I haven't carried most of them. And while I collect them, I tend to buy the big ungainly ones that I'm never going to use but I carry the small ones.

What brought me to this post and to point that last out was the last guy showing his Saltwater Fisherman. Its a really handy size for a lot of general purpose uses. When I'm spending the day outdoors and a knife is indicated, besides my handy pocket knife (a buck), the little ones seem to be carried or selected more often.

One exception to that was a Jeep outing in Utah about 20 years ago. I didn't even bring the Randall along, it just was left in the jeep from a prior outing. One of our group was a pilot trainer for Air West I believe. I didn't understand the reason for his stop in Green River at a roadside fruit stand. Of all things, he bought a big ole watermelon. And then from the ice chest he scored about a 50# bag. Stuck the melon in a cooler and dumped the entire bag of ice on top. And we all forgot about the stop, driving up in the wilds to the north west. After a full day of offroading, we pulled up under the big, high bridge of I70. And the cry went out for a knife to cut the melon! Lots of pocket knives and then I remembered the 7" Randall. So it came out and did a fine job of cutting that melon. Sometimes I get really annoyed at my wife who wouldn't accept her piece. I'd have like to eat a 2nd one! After a full day of sloshing, it was pretty darn cold, perfect on a hot August day.

So I wiped the blade, casually, and put it back in the jeep pocket where I got it. And forget it! It was months later when I accidently found it and pulled it out of the sheath. Who knew melon juice as a good bluing agent. But there it was, uniformily tarnished to kind of a blue/brown. So I got out the Flitz, and in a few minutes it was back like shiny new.

I've given away 2 sets of Randall carvers. Both as wedding presents to good friends. Both couples still insist its the one wedding present they still remember both the item and the giver. Makes me feel good. Never mind the retail value is probably $700 or so these days. I've got a 3rd set locked away, never used and probably never will be. What a waste.

And you know what? I've got a few of those steak knives Shell Oil used to give away with fill ups. Dad used shell, I guess because one of his friends owned the village station kind of near where we lived. Not long ago I needed a rough knive, one I wouldn't put my pocket knife to, so I grabbed the 1960s vintage shell knife. I remember it cut the material that I needed to cut, but not well. I'm glad I don't need to live m life like that, too. Sure, it would be slightly better than gnawing my way along, but not all that much.

Yes, there really are even Randall folders. They cost too much to be anything other than curiosities. I have one, as does a friend (yes, one of the receipients of the carving set). They'll both eventually become illegal as they have this funny white material for scales that has become non-PC. God I hate the PC crowd, every last one of them.

One of the things that amuses me is using a new Randall knife for some purpose. I prefer already used knives because I don't want to inflict damage on my safe queens. But the interesting part is how well some of the knives "use". Its like a whole lot of time and effort was spent designing and grinding the different models.

And lastly, I've discovered the new "mini' models work great as knives! Who'da thunk it. My current favorite "user" is the mini 3. Its really a fine knife, and I'm glad I bought it.

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Dick Burg

ThisKa-bar still offers a decent knife, the full size is a little too big, but they make a 3/4 version that is a good size. My choice would be one of their repro Navy mk1 knives.

Buck has always been a good buy, a 110 folding hunter is all the knife you will ever need. They can be bought new on Amazon for $30.

The trouble with Rolex watches past the initial cost, is the cost to maintain them. You can buy a new g shock every year, and still save over a Rolex.

You can only buy about 4 ka-bars to equal a Randall.

LOL about 10-15 years ago I bought two or three of the 5" ka-bars for IIRC less $40 apiece (they ride in my car(s) kit bags)....... my current every day carry at the cabin is the Ka-bar Mk-1(on the RZR) and a Kershaw Blur w/ speedsafe (in my pocket).

Let me contribute something to this thread.

If you need a different/better or replacement sheath .... check out Harry Savage of "Savage made Sheaths" out of Saxis Va.

He's done 3 or 4 for me.