Randall Made Knives

[rusty37874]

I use 4 different Randall knives on a regular basis. I also have some "spares."
Mark

Bubba,-- Nice Randall Collection, I can't see them clearly, Are your Model 18's the "All Stainless Steel" Examples? (The hilts look like stainless) Also, that Model 14, or 15 with Pancake Sheath, The CIA used similar ones, Some sterile, some marked. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BearBio]

I have two well used Randalls==A Gamemaster and a Bird and Trout. Each has done several deer, elk and wild pigs.

Also a Number One that has seen camping duty as an all-around knife. Several others also.

I first heard of Randalls while in the service in 71-72. I worked an aggressor detail with a SOG guy rotating back. At that time, he said all the spec ops and LRRPs carried them. Later I met an ex-LRRP who brought his back.

Blade magazine had an article on what the guys overseas chose. Most of the elite guys still chose Randalls.

 

[Denver Dick]

In 1997, after trying for several years, my brother got me looking at Randall Made Knives. I wanted to get my brother one for Christmas 1997, but at the time it was about a one year wait for a knife from Randall. However, Randall would sometimes have a couple of knives in their counter in Orlando, Florida. I called just before Thanksgiving 1997 and spoke with Pete and ordered a basid Model 15 Airman out of the counter for my brother.

When the Model 15 arrived and I examined it, I was very impressed and called to order myself a basic 5" Model 5 Camp & Trail. I now have twelve Randall Made Knives including my original Model 5. While the others have not been used, I have worn my Model 5 and used it in the field. It has performed great. I once got the leather handle wet and needed to bring it back to life after it dried. I called and spoke to Pete again who told me NOT to use any oil type leather treatment. Rather, he advised that I use natural shoe polish. It worked great. Pete is no longer with Randall Made, but the rest of the guys are great, too.

By the way Nordic Knives in Solvang, California charges about $100 more than the Randall factory for a knife and can have it the way you want in about 6 months. Call Dave at Nordic if you're interested, he's a good guy. (I don't work for Nordic, just a satisfied customer) Nordic Knives - The Leader in Custom Knives - Solvang California

Be sure to check out the Randalls they have in stock, used and new. FWIW

 

[Texas Star]

In 1997, after trying for several years, my brother got me looking at Randall Made Knives. I wanted to get my brother one for Christmas 1997, but at the time it was about a one year wait for a knife from Randall. However, Randall would sometimes have a couple of knives in their counter in Orlando, Florida. I called just before Thanksgiving 1997 and spoke with Pete and ordered a basid Model 15 Airman out of the counter for my brother.

When the Model 15 arrived and I examined it, I was very impressed and called to order myself a basic 5" Model 5 Camp & Trail. I now have twelve Randall Made Knives including my original Model 5. While the others have not been used, I have worn my Model 5 and used it in the field. I has performed great. I once got the leather handle wet and needed to bring it back to life after it dried. I called and spoke to Pete again who told me NOT to use any oil type leather treatment. Rather, he advised that I use natural shoe polish. It worked great. Pete is no longer with Randall Made, but the rest of the guys are great, too.

By the way Nordic Knives in Solvang, California charges about $100 more than the Randall factory for a knife and can have it the way you want in about 6 months. Call Dave at Nordic if you're interested, he's a good guy. (I don't work for Nordic, just a satisfied customer) Nordic Knives - The Leader in Custom Knives - Solvang California

Be sure to check out the Randalls they have in stock, used and new. FWIW

Interesting. BTW, I believe that Pete Hamilton died a few years ago.

 

[medxam]

Denver Dick,

Thank you for directing me to Nordic Knives. They can have what I want in six months, rather than four years at a reasonable premium. They also have a knife in stock that I may buy. The only draw back for me is that it is not drilled for a lanyard. If I do purchase it, it will be at least $200.00 cheaper than the flea bay sellers. Nordic's premium on new Randall's is at least $200.00 cheaper than other sources. One has to figure if a six month wait is worth $200.00.

Thanks again,

medxam

 

[Denver Dick]

Interesting. BTW, I believe that Pete Hamilton died a few years ago.

Yeah, I thought I had heard that, but was not sure about it so I left it out of my post. He was a fun guy to speak with. I remember when I asked back in 1998 how come they have some cool models in the counter (they had a 7" Model 1 with S/S blade and black Micarta handle that I ordered), Pete said, "Well, they came down with that Eye-talian disease." I fell for it and asked, "What?" To which he responded, "Yeah, Mia-fund-less."

 

[Skip48]

A lot of GI's carried Randall knives while in Viet-Nam. For grins, I just checked eBay. There are over a thousand Randall's on eBay right now, and 2 are listed for over $10,000! Skip48

 

[mattallamerican]

if you want a knife to use look at bark river or blackjack. they are made by the same guy mike stewart

 

[jmark1651]

I have a number three with a 6 inch blade that survived Hurricane Katrina. it was sent back to Florida and reconditioned at the factory. It is a 70's knife and i use it, which is the intended purpose.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

In 1962 I had just graduated from Army flight school. I went to a store in Chicago(Abercrombie & Fitch) and bought a Colt Python ($89.75), a browning Hi Power ($87.50) and a Randall #14 ($103.50). Still got em all. The Python needed a refinish after 3 years in the jungle and the BHP got a rework from Novaks in 1980 or so. The Randall is till chopping along. It is a bitch to sharpen well, but I got the hang of it after a few years.
Really interesting part is that this happened in Chicago, of all places a teenager over 18 could walk into a gun store and leave with the guns and ammo like now. Hard to believe........

 

[Texas Star]

In 1962 I had just graduated from Army flight school. I went to a store in Chicago(Abercrombie & Fitch) and bought a Colt Python ($89.75), a browning Hi Power ($87.50) and a Randall #14 ($103.50). Still got em all. The Python needed a refinish after 3 years in the jungle and the BHP got a rework from Novaks in 1980 or so. The Randall is till chopping along. It is a bitch to sharpen well, but I got the hang of it after a few years.
Really interesting part is that this happened in Chicago, of all places a teenager over 18 could walk into a gun store and leave with the guns and ammo like now. Hard to believe........

I went to A&F in Chicago about 1972 with a college group. We were in town for a journalism convention. The store was magnificent. I loved looking at the guns, many of them quite expensive. And at Zeiss binoculars, although I couldn't afford them for some years. The store was among the most famous of outdoor outfitters, and had equipped many famous expeditions.

It was also the friendliest place I found there. Overall, the Chicago population repelled us. One guy even told an elevator operator that back home, his dog was friendlier than most people in Chicago. Oh: the Playboy Club was fun, and we had an outstanding Bunny, who was very articulate, friendly, and informative. I wrote an article about her and the club for the student newspaper and the Photo Bunny provided good pics.

It's a shame that A&F is now just a clothing store for women, owned by The Limited, I think. The name is all that survives of what was once a fine and worthy institution. I'm glad that I saw it in its heyday.

 

[feralmerril]

I just have one. Forgot the number but have owned it close to 35 years.

 

[jlrhiner]

What is it? Model 14? Can't see it too well in the avatar.

Sorry TS, out playing. Yes, Model 14, black micarta handle with nickel silver cross guard. Got it about 85 or so, traded a 9mm Beretta for it. (considered myself better armed after the trade)

 

[Texas Star]

Sorry TS, out playing. Yes, Model 14, black micarta handle with nickel silver cross guard. Got it about 85 or so, traded a 9mm Beretta for it. (considered myself better armed after the trade)

A nickel silver guard makes sense, if less colorful than the usual brass. Might need less polishing.

My Fallkniven NL-2 has a stainless guard, the best of all, I think. I certainly prefer Randall's Micarta option to his leather, especially for humid areas. My NL-2 has a leather handle, which is standard on the NL line, which resembles Randalls. I keep it well polished. www.fallkniven.com

What was the matter with your Beretta? Back then, it wouldn't have had the device to catch a slide that separated and blew off, but that mostly happened with guns shot a lot with high pressure ammo. The latest locking blocks are much more durable than the the early ones, too. I like my M-92FS a lot, and often rely on it for defense.

Anyway, nice avatar! The Model 14 is one of my favorite Randalls. Unfortunately, Texas law limits us to 5.5 inch blades unless on our own land. I have several Pumas with five-inch blades and a Fallkniven S-1, which I think is a superb outdoors knife.

 

[rburg]

I just have one. Forgot the number but have owned it close to 35 years.

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Hey Feral, flip the sheath over, its probably stamped in the back. Often 2 numbers, the first the model and the second the blade length.

I've got a couple around the house. 2 of them travel with us in our picnic pack. They're #6-4 inch individual steak knives. Even steaks taste better with a good knife.

I've got a bad habit of buying them whenever I see one too cheap at a gun show. Back in 1990 I bought a pair of carving sets. We use the carver from our silver service, but I have 2 son and figured they'd be needing wedding presents sometime. Didn't work out so well. A buddy got married a few years later, so I gave them one set. I worked with his wife (I introduced them, go figure, and they still talk to me!) They still say its the best present they received. So last August my neighbor was getting hitched. So I figured maybe they'd like a nice present. They got the other. It was her father who told them what it was and what it was worth. Who cares, its only money.

About 15 or so years ago I went to a tiny gun show down state. Maybe 20 tables, total, and some were taken by the promoter. I walked in and took a quick tour. Nothing! But then up on the stage of the little hall I saw some tables with boxes on them. One of the display boxes had the unmistakable Randall handle peaking out from a bunch of junk. So I asked around who the owner was. Somebody said he went out to breakfast. So I took my time and examined all the stuff on other tables, burning time. Finally an old hillbilly in overalls came in, carrying a McDonalds bag. Food and coffee for everyone. When he got done with his Santa Claus act of feeding everyone I approached him.

I asked if those tables were his, and he said yep. So I asked him about the knife in the one display. He laughed and said "Oh, you must have seen that old Randall." Not a good start, but then he added "I won't take a cent less than $150". OK. I couldn't even identify what model it was, and no sheath. But for that price with a stag handle, it was a gamble worth it. So away I went, back up the road. The next big gunshow I went to I took it along. One of my buddy's specializes in them. He looked at the old knife and asked "you want to triple your money?" Nope, its still with me. Its a different grind than the current Model 8, trout and bird. But thats what it is. A good grind and utility blade.

Someplace along the way I picked up a #4 with a H H Heiser sheath. The experts again date it. They say from the spacers and the Heiser, its a 1949 product. Those guys are even better than our S&W folks about dates. And we've got serial numbers.

And Randall even sold "Kit" knives. You finish it yourself. The one I bought a while back has an ivory handle. The guy was selling it because it had a crack in the ivory, stem to stern. Looked ugly, but a great knife.

So I brought it home and took it to the kitchen sink. It had some dirt in the crack, and I scrubbed with a tooth brush and some detergent. With a little more soaking and scrubbing, it looked pretty clean. So I took it to the dungeon for storage and asked my wife to pick me up some baby oil at the grocery. We both forgot. A few months later I noticed the knife at the back of the safe and remembered. So I again asked my wife to pick some up. About a week later she did and I went to the workshop to try to lube up the ivory. Except I had a problem. In that old house we had some moisture. Nice words for a leaky basement.

When I picked it up, the crack that had been thick enough for a business card to enter has swollen itself shut! What had happened was the prior owner had dehumidified his knives to the point where the ivory dried out and cracked. In a more modest humidity, it had returned to a usable state. Made me happy.

My bang around in the woods knife is a #3 saltwater fisherman, a shortie. Its got a wood handle, and I haven't lost it yet. But then I will never lend it out, either. Even my wife is offended when she asks to use my knife and I stand right with her while she uses it. Once, probably 40 years ago she borrowed my pocket knife for something, then put it down and walked away. Not a big deal to her, it wasn't her knife. We went back and found the knife right where she left it.

One of the rules of life is never loan a knife to anyone. They don't respect it.

 

[fat tom]

My one and only. It was used when I bought it and I used it for a while 'til I found out how much they were worth. Now I just look at it.

f.t.

 

[boykinlp]

My one and only. It was used when I bought it and I used it for a while 'til I found out how much they were worth. Now I just look at it.

f.t.

ft - If you would get rid of that "wood clutter" in the background, your knife would look much better. Just PM me and I will send you my address. I need some good kindling.

 

[dasnake]

i ordered my one randall in 2006 got it in the mail when we were in pendleton for the rodeo last year, mother came walking out of the koa office with a box and i figured it was the knife, we had made arrangements with koa and randall for delivery. when i opened up the box i looked the knife over and both of us thought this was well worth the wait, i haven't had this knife (model 25) out camping yet but i use it around the place a fair bit and i think it was well worth the almost five bucks i paid for it.

 

[S&W ucla]

I found a #28 woodsman 4.5" at a show for a reasonable price. Great knife and I really enjoy using it. Pick out which models you really like, get current prices from randall's website and whenever you see one at a show make an offer. Maybe you'll run into someone like I did with more knives than cash. Good luck.

 

[jlrhiner]

What was the matter with your Beretta?

What was the matter with it?!? For chrissake! It was a 9mm!!!

(also, it felt like holding the wrong end of a baseball bat)