Thread: Randall Made Knives.

So what do you guys think about them. I actually live like 10 minutes away from them and work less than a mile from them and have always wanted to stop by but the gate is closed by the time I get off work. I know they have a crazy long wait list but is it worth it (taking into account not only price but wait time) to order from them? I am not to familiar with knives unless they are kitchen knives (my whole family are chefs and I myself am a budding cook).

In the 1940s Bo Randall based his knives off of William Scagel designs. They are very well made and attractive. I've had a couple of hunters and a few fighting knives from Randall. I don't hunt, nor do I want to 'fight' someone with a knife when I can use a 10mm slug so much more efficiently, so sold them all. If I was going to collect custom knives I'd definitely have a Randall model 1 all purpose fighting knife, and maybe a Smithsonian Bowie in the collection.

I knew someone that bought one as an investment. I don't think he ever meant to use it, just wanted it for the history and collector value. His thinking was that it would never lose its value.

Worth is up to the buyer. Look at them, can you appreciate what you hold in your hand or is it "a knife"?

They are neat, and I know some very serious collectors I could put you in touch with, but unless you really love and appreciate them for what they are, you are spending money for a good knife that you might otherwise enjoy buying something else with.

As for investment...it takes a pretty knowledgable collector to speculate what will be a good collector piece, and even then, they get it wrong once in a while. At very best you end up with a knife you can sell for more than you paid....provided you can find that right buyer.

At very worst you store it incorrectly and devalue a knife that you never even enjoyed. Yes, these require special care in storage if you plan to collect

I don't plan on collecting but my walmart knives get worn quickly from the use I put them through (lots of saltwater). Basically I am wanting to buy one high quality knife and that be it for at least a long while and be able to take some abuse and maybe be able to pass it on to one of my kids

Originally Posted by cosperryan

I don't plan on collecting but my walmart knives get worn quickly from the use I put them through (lots of saltwater). Basically I am wanting to buy one high quality knife and that be it for at least a long while and be able to take some abuse and maybe be able to pass it on to one of my kids

Why not have someone cerakote a blade for you? It would definitely be saltwater resistant...

Originally Posted by cosperryan

I don't plan on collecting but my walmart knives get worn quickly from the use I put them through (lots of saltwater). Basically I am wanting to buy one high quality knife and that be it for at least a long while and be able to take some abuse and maybe be able to pass it on to one of my kids

Randall has a website. I haven't looked in a few years but they used to carry the "salt water fisherman's knife" which might be of interest to you. Randall's model 15 "Airman" was designed with the help of the Marine Corp and is about as indestructible as a field knife can get. Their 'Astro' , IIRC, went on one of the early moon landings. A lot of cool patterns and special purpose knives, as well as a lot of history over at Randall. Most are 01 tool steel BTW.

Yeah I was thinking about their dive knife. Its stainless with a 1% carbon content. I like the dive knife design as I was issued one in the navy but I lost it one day do to a wake from another boat when I was cutting nets out of my props. I sure do miss that knife.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

I don't plan on collecting but my walmart knives get worn quickly from the use I put them through (lots of saltwater). Basically I am wanting to buy one high quality knife and that be it for at least a long while and be able to take some abuse and maybe be able to pass it on to one of my kids

May I suggest a more modestly priced custom knife made to your liking?

It will cost less, work better, and will likely mean more when you pass it on.

RMKs are nice knives, but there are makers using modern steels that have performance that positively blows RMKs away. Modern steels can be ground thinner behind the edge and still survive the same abuse a thicker O1 or 440C blade can handle.

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by unit

May I suggest a more modestly priced custom knife made to your liking?

It will cost less, work better, and will likely mean more when you pass it on.

RMKs are nice knives, but there are makers using modern steels that have performance that positively blows RMKs away. Modern steels can be ground thinner behind the edge and still survive the same abuse a thicker O1 or 440C blade can handle.

Just a thought.

Yeah, go ahead. I'm all ears. I just figured that if people were willing to spend to such money and wait so long than RMK knives must be awesome/the best. But if you have a better suggestion by all means.