Randall Knives vs. Others

[jubela#4]

If you want a Randall you should buy one. I have numerous Randall's and also knives from Jim and James Behring and Ruana. Quality handmade, hand forged knives from these makers have an appeal to me and I use them as well.
To avoid the long wait from the Randall shop you should go with one of their dealers that sell Randall's at current shop prices. If they don't have the model you want they can order it and cut your wait time from years to months.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I know the feeling.
The most influential Knife Designer - Maker since WWII is Bob Loveless.
His knife designs are copied worldwide. And I don't have a real one.
The closest thing I have is this Schrade which was Authorized by Loveless.

 

[Mule Packer]

"I...would never use them since sharpening one would cause the value to drop about 50%."​

First off, that quote is bull roar!! A Randall knife doesn't lose 50% of its value because you sharpen it. Bo Randall himself said that he made his knives to be used! In fact, here are his words exactly: "Our favorite models are those specifically designed to be carried and used day in and day out, year after year. The reason is because, like many of you, Gary and I are both sportsmen, so we make knives we want to use."

Oh sure, there are some beautiful pieces of work that artisans such as Rick Bowles have worked on and I can certainly see why one would keep one of these beauties in a safe. But, for the most part, Randalls were made to be used. I'm sure there will always be some guy who tries to use one as a pry bar, chisel, or screw driver then gets upset because the blade chips. But when it comes to everything from boning out an elk, field dressing a buck, or slicing bacon in the camp kitchen tent...a Randall can handle the task and do it in spades!

I'm sure folks can come up with all sorts of excuses as to why they shouldn't get one, but I don't know of anyone who ever regretted owning one. And in terms of value...they not only hold their value, but often increase in value. Try to buy one from World War II and you'll see what I mean. Just my view from the saddle.

 

[dasnake]

I did...........

Ordered a #25 in '06, 6" length, bone handle, duralume hilt, duralume butt cap, all my specs, had my name embossed on it (heirloom city now) got it in '11, put it in my truck door and it's been there ever since, it's been used, sharpened and enjoyed. if you want one? Get one, it's like everything else here, safe queens, unfired, grips, etc. it's a public forum and lotsa opinions and thoughts, that's the beauty of asking and then making your decision, the one thing I think about is having my name engraved, opinions were I wuz nutz, wrongo, I love it.

 

[Fiddler1537]

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KY5MOUO464Q[/ame]

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[Golddollar]

This is my dilemma: I want to get a Randall. Never had one. But, first, they are expensive. Second, what this guy said: I would be afraid to take it out into the boonies and use it -- it might get scratched.
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If you can pay the price, go for it. This is why we work, so that we can acquire nice things.

Now for me, nothing can replace the water spotted Kabar knife my dad gave me.

 

[whataboutbob]

I thought I would stop at 10...then 25...o.k.for sure 50...at 100; I'm
just crazy....so I added another dozen. I may have a problem. Be careful 401k(nives) are not tax deductible

 

[Tom Kent]

I have seen a few Randal knives, mostly number ones. Saw a few in Viet Nam and they were carried and used like our K-Bars. After I got home I met a young man while I was camping in Linvile George on Western North Carolina. He was an ROTC cadet from the University of Virginia. He had a Number One his parents had given him. He used his as a knife like I used whatever knife I had at the moment. The use of those knives did not hurt the value in my opinion, it gave them stories to pass on. If you want a Randal, get one and use it and pass it on.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Met Guy Clark in a Honky Tonk in Red River, NM.
He performed there in Micheal Martin Murphy's big outdoor on the Ski Run Music event.
That was a daytime event.
When the Ball Fall, Hit the Bars!

 

[bgrafsr]

I have 3 Randall's. Have never used them, but would if I hunted. Too old for that now, so I keep them as "safe queens" to pass down to my Wife and children.

Also have this Boker "Magnum" that I bought because it looked so nice.

 

[bgrafsr]

"I...would never use them since sharpening one would cause the value to drop about 50%."​

First off, that quote is bull roar!! A Randall knife doesn't lose 50% of its value because you sharpen it. Bo Randall himself said that he made his knives to be used! In fact, here are his words exactly: "Our favorite models are those specifically designed to be carried and used day in and day out, year after year. The reason is because, like many of you, Gary and I are both sportsmen, so we make knives we want to use."

Oh sure, there are some beautiful pieces of work that artisans such as Rick Bowles have worked on and I can certainly see why one would keep one of these beauties in a safe. But, for the most part, Randalls were made to be used. I'm sure there will always be some guy who tries to use one as a pry bar, chisel, or screw driver then gets upset because the blade chips. But when it comes to everything from boning out an elk, field dressing a buck, or slicing bacon in the camp kitchen tent...a Randall can handle the task and do it in spades!

I'm sure folks can come up with all sorts of excuses as to why they shouldn't get one, but I don't know of anyone who ever regretted owning one. And in terms of value...they not only hold their value, but often increase in value. Try to buy one from World War II and you'll see what I mean. Just my view from the saddle.

Are those Mammoth Ivory grips on the .45? Beautiful.

 

[Marshal Tom]

My older brother just passed away recently after fighting Parkinson's for twenty years. He was a big time knife collector, mostly custom folders but had several fixed blades as well including 4 Randall's. He left me his collection minus a few that he and his wife consigned before his death.Another close friend had over 50 Randall's and gave me two before he died. A couple have been used and carried but three are as new. No harm in using them, that's what they were made for just like our S&W's.

 

[Onomea]

I have three. Used to have four, but I sold one. Frankly, not being a hunter or a camper, I don't have much use for sheath knives, but I like 'em so I have 'em around. Always have.

Well, got a well-used 1950s Randall carving set, too.

I buy from dealers or individuals, not being of an age where I am willing to wait years.

I agree that there is no way a used Randall costs 50% of new. I don't think they even cost much, if any less, than new from Randall's. New from a dealer costs more than new from Randall's.

But here's the thing: You can send a well-used Randall back to Randall's and they'll spiff it up so that it looks like new for about $80. So if you find a well used, or abused, Randall at a good price, go for it and get it renewed by Randall's if that's what you want.

Here's a #2 I bought used and had Randall renew:



Here's what Randall says about their pricing:

Prices – How can you justify the price of your knives?

We make every effort to keep our prices reasonable for hand-crafted work, and in comparison to others supplying hand-made knives, we're quite low. But, certainly, you can pay much less for a knife. That's why for years, we have reminded customers of this quote from John Ruskin: "Quality. There is hardly anything in the world that some men cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey."

I really like the story above about the guy who chips his knife and sends it back to Randall's for repair, twice, and then gets a letter from Bo himself saying, "You do this again and I am keeping the knife!"

Well said, Bo!

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Go for it. By buying a Randall you're supporting jobs in the U.S. and though I have never owned one I'd definitely use it if I did. There are far more expensive things out there that get used every day. The vehicle you drive is one of them.

 

[gwpercle]

Reasons to Buy :
Pride of Ownership.

The wait isn't getting any shorter and you aren't getting any younger .

Next year the prices will only be higher .

I started buying Randalls when I had a real job ( 1973) . A few are "hard use" using knives a few are "light use " using knives , a few are worn around the camp and to BBQ's , only two or three are never used and stay put away ... these are my collecting knives .

I enjoy the heck out of all of them !

Buy at least one ... you won't regret it .
Gary

 

[Skyhunter]

To me, Randall knives are as dependable as the sunrise and were made to be used. Bought my 1st one (a Model 14) a long time ago, when I still humped a ruck and carried an M-16. It served me well those years ago, but now serves a nephew just as well.
My Model 11 Alaskan Skinner has also proven to be a dependable blade. I lost track some time ago as to how many deer & other critters its help me skin.
The point to all this is simple - if it won't break the bank, buy that Randall. Use it and enjoy it - that's why Bo started making them in the 1st place!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[samandglove1]

Another Randall

Picked up another one yesterday.

 

[Flattop5]

What type of steel does Randall use? I assume (for carbon steel) 1095. What about for stainless steel?



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[Mike SC Hunter]

My son has Randalls in his safe.........What good are they? Qoute "I would never sharpen them because the value would go down". Might as well have a picture of one on the wall for all the good you'll get out of it. Knives/guns/shovels/axes etc are tools made to use......Quality ones do the job better than others........BTW The word is Randall knives were better when Bo Randall was alive. Lesser now.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

The No.1 that I posted is Stainless.
It's about 50 years old.
Anybody know which Stainless Randall was using back then?