MrMurphy wrote:I consider Randalls (these days) like spending $3k on a 1911. If you've got the money, hey, it's your money. But better or similar performers can be had for far less and a shorter wait.
In the '40s and 50s Randall was one of the few custom makers out there, but these days, there are far more options. Randall honestly does not make a knife that I actually would use, even if they were cheaper.
My current hard-use knife is a Grayman Suenami, and I had a hand in modifying the design slightly. Runs about $200 and it has a lifetime guarantee if it breaks.
Striders and several other brands are more to my style and general liking (size, grip configuration, etc), with prices near Randalls but shorter wait times.
A friend now formerly in Special Operations had 2 Striders at one time. He now has one. Without being specific, early on in Iraq while exiting a situation in a hurry his inventory went down to one knife. As he put it "the guy I left it in needed it more than I did". Considering that was a $400 blade he was a bit ticked, but he survived it, so he wasn't complaining.
I'd use a Randall, but I don't ever see myself paying $600 for one. A friend had a Model 15? i think on his third tour of Iraq (90-91, 2003-2004 and 2007-2008) as his near-retirement gift to himself, knowing that was his last tour. Still has it, and he loves it.
Murph,
I don't know ya, but you remind me of one of my buddies whom I argue with all the time --- (he had a long career in some ugly MOS's too) -- he sees absolutely no value in anything with the slightest bit of form, beauty or grace --- he actually turned me on to the Kershaw Blur series of knives , which I thank him for --- they are great somewhat low buck folders for everyday carry , but he looks at my stag handled 8" #1 Randall like its from another planet -- he just can't wrap his head around something that's not be-decked in para cord, cordura and kydex.
He also prefers Glocks, ugly pump shotguns, and black rifles he is familiar with in the same way
Not a Randall, but I took a nice little survival knife my dad had given me for my 14th birthday into battle 22 years ago ----- my issue knife was a mk-2, but I left it at home and took "my knife" ---and I strapped it upside down to my LBE like a good boy should -------- the knife was basically like a rabbits foot - it was there when I needed it , just to handle, or keep sharp, or whatever --- and I think that is the primary purpose for most big sheath knives in the military - not many get left behind stuck in somebody's chest plate ---- most are fondled during long nights on CQ and guard duty , kept well oiled and always ready, but rarely called upon ----------- now the combat folder is another story , knives like the Blur I mentioned, and numerous other knives with similar mission parameters, get used all the time ----- but the big fixed blade remains the talisman for the soldier
There is a romantic notion almost of being alone in the wilderness with nothing but your knife , a'la Rambo and a lot of other Frontiersman type tales and movies, but in reality, it would be far more efficient to carry a small axe, and a small to medium size knife, than one big glorious blade. As I was taught in a specialty school --- sometimes the calories you spend tilting at windmills (constructing elaborate shelters, elaborate schemes to get food, etc. ) are better spent moving forward, within reason
------ all that said, I am in neither for or against big camp knives -- I have a few of them ------- and if photobucket would resume working right I would post up some pics of my favorites, but I believe a nice knife can be a much more personal choice than a nice 1911 , and everybody deserves to have at least one
I love Randall's ------ but I will throw another name in the mix and if I could post pics, you would see why ------ Enedino De Leon --- Mr De Leon is a Korean War vet who has been making knives for some time, mostly in the military mold, (not like the Striders, more like the Randall #'s 1 and Attack models) ------ I just procured another De Leon and I believe it stands toe to toe with it in quality . The stag handle is beautiful, --- i'm not a collector i'm a user , but I like to use stag handled knives because they're cool (so ina roundabout way I guess that makes me a little bit of a collector) ------ De Leons handle work is Randall's rival and his blades look awesome
Check 'em out if your in the market ------ I spoke to De Leon himself at the Tulsa gunshow 14 years ago and he sold me. Now the only reason I look for Randalls is if there isn't anything similar in a De LEon for sale somewhere (most of his stuff commonly encountered is big knives and daggers, which I already have enough of though)
happy hunting n- and I dearly wish to post some pics of my latest De Leon soon --- its a 6" blade reminiscent of a Buck 119, except much thicker