Randall Knives vs. Others

Mule Packer said:
"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.

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Are those Mammoth Ivory grips on the .45? Beautiful.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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
 
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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
 
What type of steel does Randall use? I assume (for carbon steel) 1095. What about for stainless steel?



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

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bgrafsr said:
Are those Mammoth Ivory grips on the .45? Beautiful.
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No, Bill. Although they sure look like Mammorth ivory, they're actually elk. Just recently I wanted to get another set just like 'em for my Springfield Rangemaster 1911 in 9mm, but, unfortunately, the old guy who made them has since retired and doesn't do it anymore.:(
 
Flattop5 said:
What type of steel does Randall use? I assume (for carbon steel) 1095. What about for stainless steel?
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These use O1 for carbon steel and 440B for stainless. While neither one of these is what one would call a "super steel," Randall's heat treatment is the thing that makes them so good and brings out the very best qualities in both.
 
Mule Packer said:
These use O1 for carbon steel and 440B for stainless. While neither one of these is what one would call a "super steel," Randall's heat treatment is the thing that makes them so good and brings out the very best qualities in both.
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I have heard that from several experts: "you can have great steel, but, if the heat-treat isn't good, then you won't have a good knife."

The best field knife I can recall owning is a Schrade Sharpfinger made circa 1980 (carbon steel, 1095). I worked at a warehouse and used it every day for something (usually cutting nylon twine), but yet I rarely had to sharpen it. It held an edge forever. Cheap, yes, but great. Sometimes money does NOT equal quality. (Today, they are made in China and are not 1095).

I still have a 1095 carbon Sharpfinger (but not the same one).

It's my understanding that Texas ranchers love Carl Schlieper Eye Brand "Sodbuster" knives (also carbon steel). German steel tends to run harder (on the Rockwell scale) rather than softer, in my experience.

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I bought a Randall in 1967 at a gun shop in Orlando. I took it down to the Randall Shop on the old Orange Blossom Trail and had thumb grooves on the blade back, name stamped on the blade and the stag handle got finger grooves...while I waited. It has been on many a hunt and cut many an animal. I still have it and no problems or issues. It's not shiney but it's also not pitted.

My brother on the other hand went down to the Randall shop in 1965 and bought a Model 16 stainless and had them give him a C type sheath for it. He shipped out with the 1st Brigade of the 101st that landed in Viet Nam in 1965. He was using the knife the 1st month he was there and the blade snapped at the hilt. He sent it home to me and I took it down to Randall and they promptly replaced it with a non stainless Model 14. Wayne Potts, then the shop foreman told me the stainless in the 16 had crystalized during the forging. He could tell by looking at it. He said that isn't all that unusual. I mailed it back to my brother and he kept it from then on. But he used a Kabar in the field after that during his entire 27 year career. He did however have a Randall he used hunting as his primary knife and I have that one now since he passed away. It's just as good as the day is long but it's non stainless also. No reason not to use a good knife. That's why you buy them.
 
Mike said:
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.
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How many do you actually own ... be honest
 
gwpercle said:
How many do you actually own ... be honest
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As I stated above my son owns them. I don't own any.....If I did they would get their chance to be elbow deep in a deer or hog...Clean fish. Cut meat and do all the chores knives are meant for.....Not lying NIB in my safe...Bo Randal knives built their reputation on USE. Not lying a a dark drawer or safe.
 
I don't think you will loose money by using it. They go up in value every year. So if you don't overpay, you will always be able to get back what you paid. I own use and like my Randall's a lot.
 
I have 3 left. One (a 14) that I got 21 years ago, name and date engraved, and gave one to each of my sons. That one stays in the safe to be handed down. The second is a 24. That one has been carried often off duty for about 30 years. The third is a 5. It has been used, abused, and cared for, also for about 30 years.

None were nearly as expensive as they are today, and the 14's actually only took about 8 months to get directly from Randall. No way they show up that quickly today I understand.

The 5 is the only one that has seen any sort of hard use. I have used it for about anything you can need a knife for, hunting, camping, backpacking, etc. I have other knives for very specific tasks, but the 5 is the constant companion during those activities.

It has never failed to do what I needed.

It has never failed to do what I needed well.

It has never failed to hold a good edge through a fair bit of use or force me to stop mid task to touch up the edge before evening.

It has never failed.

Would I pay today's prices for another? Probably not.

Would I trade it for a stack of ESEE, or TOPs, or (pick your favorite brand). No

Would I buy an ESEE or TOPs or (pick your favorite brand) if this one gets stolen or (more likely) given to a grandkid soon? Absolutely. Many great knives, but in my experience Randall's are great users.

You can collect quilts, but you can't gut a deer with one.
 
I'm 73 years old and today I bought my first Randall, because I have always wanted one and I am absolutely not getting any younger. It's a new Model 17. Paid a lot for it - don't care. It's a piece of art. It will be a safe queen to hand down to my son.
Yup, I have a bunch of "working knives" that can handle most any job as well as the Randall. Much like I have a bunch of S&W revolvers that shoot just as well as my nickel, 3 1/2", Pre-27 which is also a safe queen.
If you want one, do it. You won't regret it.
 
Randall = pride of ownership, worldwide recognition as one of the finest pieces of sporting equipment a man can buy, unbeatable service, what more do you need?

Just about anyone can flash $500+ these days, few can pull out a genuine Randall.

Besides, people can spend $70-80K these days on a pick up truck and they drive/use them, don't they? Why not $500-600 (or more) for a quality knife that will probably outlast you and you can hand down to the next generation?
 
TheHobbyist said:
I've, personally, never understood the notion that you can't buy them...tons right now available on 'popular auction sites'.

It's a decent spend for a knife but a lot of value for what you get. People spend $100s on folders, etc. If you want to buy it and use it, go for it. If you want to buy it and keep it tucked away somewhere never to see the light, that is ok too; it's your property.

I could be wrong, but I don't foresee this going up like stocks, real estate, etc. Nothing wrong with that at all.
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Just curious, IDK a thing about Randal knives, but they sound like a prime target for fakery on an auction site. How do you verify authenticity?

I don't do safe queens. Guess that's why I'm happy with Bucks, Kershaws, & Pumas.
 
jc2721 said:
Randall = pride of ownership, worldwide recognition as one of the finest pieces of sporting equipment a man can buy, unbeatable service, what more do you need?

Just about anyone can flash $500+ these days, few can pull out a genuine Randall.

Besides, people can spend $70-80K these days on a pick up truck and they drive/use them, don't they? Why not $500-600 (or more) for a quality knife that will probably outlast you and you can hand down to the next generation?
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30 years ago when I could've used one, I couldn't afford it.

Now I can afford one, but don't have a use for it.
 
jtcarm said:
Just curious, IDK a thing about Randal knives, but they sound like a prime target for fakery on an auction site. How do you verify authenticity?

I don't do safe queens. Guess that's why I'm happy with Bucks, Kershaws, & Pumas.
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You don't buy from those sites. Once you've looked at enough of them you can spot the fakes.
 
My only issue with Randall Knives is how many folks treat them as absolute Safe Queens. Meaning, they don't even have them on display, just locked away in the dark, only to see the occasional artificial light of a shutter flash when pictures are taken.

I get not wanting to hurt something that's precious to you, but a knife is a tool which exists for a purpose, and thus it should be used at least occasionally, even if only as a novelty letter opener.
Besides, knives are made of steel, and any quality knife should be all but impervious to damage from ordinary use, so it's not like you're going to chip, bend, or crack a Randall unless you're totally abusing it.

Honestly, what's the worst that you could possibly do to a Randall by using it? Get it dirty? Dull the edge? Scuff the finish?
USE IT! Even if only to slice open a stubborn bag of snacks that just won't pop. And if you want to keep it safe like a treasured work of art, then get a nice glass display case for it where you and others can admire it like you actually would for a work of art! Don't lock it up in a safe forever!
 
Golddollar said:
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.
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Agree whole heartedly. I have drawers of Snap On tools knowing full well Craftsman tools do the same job. Hell Harbor Freight would probably suffice most times. I shoot Browning A Bolts exclusively when a single shot New England Arms will kill that deer just as dead. If you appreciate that knife as a tool or a work of art buy it. Hold it. Shine it and talk to it. It's why we get out of bed every morning and take on the world.
 
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This is a picture of my well used Randall Model 18. I have 6 other Randall Knives that I also use on a regular basis. I have a large number of Custom Made and high quality production knives that perform as well or better than the Randall Knives.

As a former knifemaker, I have made knives with designs and /or features that are not available from Randall.

I had never heard of Randall Knives until a good friend of mine got a stag handled Randall Model 3 for his high school graduation present. The knife cost approximately $45 at the time.

I got a Ruger Standard for my graduation present at the same time. My Ruger cost $42.50.

Fast forward to today and the MSRP for a Ruger Standard is $539. A stag handle Randall Model 3 with fingergrips lists for $565.

If pride of ownership and availability of funds work for you I say go for it.

Be warned, buying Randall Knives can be habit forming. The below picture show some of my Randall Knives that do not get used.

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