Al Mar vs Randall

[Timb1]

I have an old Al Mar pre-production 4008-B. Of course I have never used it but wondering how does this old Al Mar compare with a Randall? Most Randall’s I see have never been used either. I am looking for a real world comparison to these two brands.

Also how does a knife like a Buck General or a Special compare with to a Randall 14?

I am looking for the best value of a combat knife. Is an old Ka-bar fighting the best value for under a hundred or is it a 700 or 800 knife that much better?

I know a lot of questions and a lot but please give me a honest real world comparison of theses or maybe something like a SOG brand blade.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have owned several Randall's and could not figure out the appeal. A friend had 2 Randalls that he used when hunting. On two occasions he chipped the blade of his larger bowie Randall. Had to send it back both times to have it reground. He got a personal letter from Bo himself saying if he damaged his knife one more time and sent it in for repair, Bo was going to keep it.

 

[silicosys4]

I have owned several Randall's and could not figure out the appeal. A friend had 2 Randalls that he used when hunting. On two occasions he chipped the blade of his larger bowie Randall. Had to send it back both times to have it reground. He got a personal letter from Bo himself saying if he damaged his knife one more time and sent it in for repair, Bo was going to keep it.

I've always thought Randall's were overhyped, overpriced display knives. I guess Randall does too.
I've recently bought a 100% hand made, hand forged custom knife from an ABS Mastersmith for less money than the average Randall goes for.

 

[Shark Bait]

I have a couple Randalls, but prefer Bark River for serious use.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Timb1 - what’s your definition of a Combat Knife?
Randall No. 1, Bark River Smoke Jumper, Omega Loveless Dixon Fighter.

 

[lihpster]

As far as a "combat" knife goes, it's hard to beat the value of the Kabar. No years of training to understand, it's the same simple tool it's always been. As one of my favorite song lyrics goes: "I found out my saving grace, was a little cold steel in a warm, dark place." And, as you said, it's less than a c-note. is it pretty? No. Neither are most hammers. They're tools to get the job done, period.
That said, as an all around knife, the Kabar leaves a little to be desired. Not the best onion slicer. Remember, a lot of the guys that explored this country, did it with the equivalent of an Old Hickory butcher knife stuffed in their belt.
What I mean is, different tools for different jobs. A lot of the Randall's job is looking pretty, IMHO. And just like a woman whose job is to look pretty, that costs.
Personally, in combat, I wouldn't care if my assailant fully appreciated the craft and materials that went into making my weapon, so much as I want him to stop attacking me or others. If it works, then a sharpened piece of rebar is a fine tool, for the job. I just wouldn't wear one to a BBQ.

 

[prescobd]

I bought a Randall probably 40 years ago from Cumberland Gun & Knife in Fayetteville, NC. At the time, it was a status symbol of the elite, and probably still is. I don't recall the model number off the bat, model 14, I believe. I carried it decades later in Afghanistan.

 

[Timb1]

Timb1 - what’s your definition of a Combat Knife?
Randall No. 1, Bark River Smoke Jumper, Omega Loveless Dixon Fighter.

All of the ones you have.

 

[Onomea]

In my opinion, one of the best you can get values in a combat knife is a Cattaraugus 225Q from WWII. Here is my father's:



You can find these listed anywhere from under a hundred bucks to several hundred dollars or more on eBay. To get a good deal, you will likely need to watch for a while.

Or, you can buy just a Cattaraugus 225Q blade, or one with a broken handle/tang end. (Many people do not know how to remove the handle butt washers and wind up breaking the knife handle.) Then have a knife maker rehandle it for you:



I also have several Buck knives and a Swedish Fallkniven A1.

At one point I had a half dozen Randalls but am now down to one, a Model 3 Hunter, I think, plus a couple of handmade knives.

Randall:



I like this model, 5" blade, because I think it a practical and useful size. Plus Bo Randall said it was his favorite model and length because he could wear it and ride comfortably in his pick up truck. so it seemed the one to keep when I was selling off the others.

And an old, worn out Western knife from the late forties (IIRC) that I got from a thrift store for $30:



I throw that in the mix because it cuts as well as any of the others, to be honest. It is light, though, and hence not useful for batoning, or as a pry bar in a pinch.

I had a Randall Model 1, the original Randall, a true combat knife. Lovely knife, and better for stabbing than the others I have mentioned, although not as good as the Model 2, another great Randall which is double edged and designed for stabbing (but not good for much else).

Model 1:



Model 2:



But, when you say combat knife, whether as a collector or as a user of the knife, what are you thinking of? I think nowdays, for example, the Cattaraugus, which my dad called his combat knife, would be called a survival knife. Multipurpose. Does pretty much everything.

I would say the Randalls are the most refined, well made, beautiful knives out there that are not custom knives by custom knife makers. Plenty sturdy, too. But they won't do anything a less expensive knife can't do, so its kinda similar to buying a Rolex rather than a Seiko, or Citizen watch, in my opinion. But if you like knives, and the beauty of knives, and have the bucks to put into it, hell yes, get one!

Here's my bunch in a glass topped table in my library/man cave:



But.... one knife with which I am not familiar is Al-Mar.

 

[Shark Bait]

Bark River did a remake of the Cattaraugus 225Q a while back. It is one heck of a knife.

 

[lihpster]

But.... one knife with which I am not familiar is Al-Mar.

You live in Oregon and Japan, collect knives and you haven't heard of Al Mar Knives?

 

[Onomea]

You live in Oregon and Japan, collect knives and you haven't heard of Al Mar Knives?

Nossir. Let's see some!

 

[lihpster]

Nossir. Let's see some!

The only one I own is an Al Mar design produced by Kershaw. He first worked for Pete Geber, then started his company in Tualatin and many of his knives were made in Seki City, Japan. He is probably most known for his S.E.R.E. knives.

 

[lihpster]

By the way, that's an image off of Google, not my little folding knife. We were talking about fighters, so....

 

[Baxter6551]

Some really nice looking knives here. I had a Bark River - a lil Canadian. Great little knife. It was stolen from my truck unfortunately.
I’ve never owned any high end knives like Randall. I’ve made a dozen myself in Adult Ed knife making class between 2012 and 2024. They do everything I need from a knife these days.

 

[Onomea]

The only one I own is an Al Mar design produced by Kershaw....

Nice! There's one like yours now on eBay. $285 and headed north.

Ah, read your second post. Looks like quality maker, though, for sure.

Baxter, those knives of yours are beautiful.

 

[lihpster]

Actually mine is this one. $35 and staying put!

 

[Erich]

The only one I own is an Al Mar design produced by Kershaw. He first worked for Pete Geber, then started his company in Tualatin and many of his knives were made in Seki City, Japan. He is probably most known for his S.E.R.E. knives.

I'm not really a knife guy, but that looks like it's in the same family as the two my friend gave me when I retired.

 

[lihpster]

I'm not really a knife guy, but that looks like it's in the same family as the two my friend gave me when I retired.

Yep, That's them.

 

[Malysh]

Gerber MK 2. True fighting knife.