randall knives

[dbl-haul]

any opinions on Randall knives. I have two ordered. just wondering if anybody has used the model 14 attack as a carry knife.

[E5c03]

Had a 16 Divers,,ended up as a safe queen,,,usally carry my gramps Navy WWII ,issued K-bar.

But they are awsome.. was just heavier then my K-bar.

[Falcon]

I've owned a Randall Model 16 Special Fighter (http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=31) since they first came out. I carry it with me everytime I go archery hunting here in Illinois and is a great knife to have with me.I average about 30 hours a week in the field during the 3.5 month long season.Holds an edge very well and has enough mass to use as an axe to cut limbs out of my shooting lanes. The only criticism I have is in the sheath, as I wish it'd have a better retaining system to keep securely in. The one snap strap across the hilt does OK, but I've modified mine with a velcro strap across the handle.

You won't be disappointed in my opinion, and even if you are, they retain their value and are always sought after.Selling it to buy something else, if you so choose, shouldn't be a problem.

[MAINER]

My ONLY complaint with Mod 14 is that mine has the rather deep finger groves and in hindsight would have preferred a smoother handle now. At the time of purchase, holding on to the thing was more important.

Taken care of, you get your money back if you should ever want to sell it. ( Can't imagine why)

[dbl-haul]

thanks all for the response.I have owned randalls in the past , but have never used them in the field( safe queens) I now have since modified my thinking and when these knives arrive I am going use them as they should be used .

[E5c03]

My mod 16 Divers

http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=23

16 Special Fighter

http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=31

[GW870]

"Any opinion on Randall knives?"

Yeah I do. Y'all be careful. They can be dang near as addictive
as FALs.

GW

[FA Gunner]

Been carring my Model 14 since I came in the army 13 years ago. It and me just got back from the sandbox. Going to get another for my son. Others say there are better, but it is a classic and it is hard to go wrong with it and it wont let you down.

[Stan the Gun man]

I have lots of knives(Im some what of a Strider knife nut!)but my Randall 14 is my most treasured knife! If get your self a Randall no matter what model as long as it suits you ánd your needs then you cant go wrong! :biggrin:

[gunseller]

WOW I have owned a Mod. 14 sense 1975. Got it from Bo himself. Had to give $125 for it. When you think about it I was making $265 per month at the time so it was a lot of money then. I was in the Army and this knife was one some one had ordered and put a down payment on. Bo said it had been over three months and they had not paid it off so I could have it for what was still owed on it. I do not know what the sticker price was then. I have used it for everything but a pry bar and all that shows is the blade is a little darker than when it was new.
Steve

[yovinny]

I have two ordered

Dealer or direct ?
The wait for a knife direct from RMK in FL is now over 4 years :cry:

Even the model 10's, that up untill a short time ago, used to be available in a few month's time.

I havent added a new RMK to the collection in a few years.
Dealers usually want too much of a premium and a 4 year wait is just too long for the gratification of fondling something new.

Still, nothing's quite like an RMK :biggrin:

[dbl-haul]

I ordered direct from Randall. I dont mind the wait. One is due in after the first of the year and the other is due in 09. The knife that is coming first is a non catalog yukon skinner.(cant remember the model # right now) and the other is a model 1 fighter. I am going to order the model 14 soon . the deposit now is up to 50.00. The dealers are crooks when it comes to these knives .They put in orders on a monthly basis so they have steady flow of knives and they charge a premium that I refuse to pay.

[oda572]

I'll say this about my Randall Model 15 Airman. I bought it back in 1979 when I was in the Fifth Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC. That knife went around the world with me on more than one ocasion. My Randall, like all those carried by my teammates too, were worn on our fatigue belts, not our LBE pistol belts. That meant that no matter what, even if you jettisoned all your LBE, you still had your one most important tool..... your Randall knife. From opening steel drums to filleting goats, that knife has done it around the globe. I can not say enough about the quality and craftmanship of those knives. I rate it way over my Yarborough. Find out for yourself.

[Jim in Alaska]

Randalls are THE classic Millitary knife.
I had a mod 14 purchased at Ft bragg in about 1981. I was on a USAF Special Ops Weather team at the time and carryed it to the live fire excersise in Granada.
Traded it in for a mod 15 a few years later. Carryed it till I retired from the USAF in 1996.
The shop in Fayetville (dont remember the name) gave me what I payed for it in trade for the new one.
They hold there value very well.

Regards,

JIm

[slikrickabn]

Jim

I think the shop you're referring to is probably Cumberland Knife and Gun, the only Randall dealer that I knew of at that time. Located on the left on Bragg Blvd, just before entering Ft. Bragg. Went out of business years ago, but one of the guys that ran it has a store now further up on Bragg Blvd.

Rick

[Jim in Alaska]

Thats the one Rick, good memmory.
My kids tell me I have old timers.....:wink:

Regards,

Jim

[Stan the Gun man]

Figured id post a pic of my Randalls too..


http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/382/myrandallscp3.jpg

i like em.. :biggrin:

[Rivaltm]

i've got one similar to yours, Stan the Gun man

It's my dad's from the early 1970's - he used it during his tour in vietnam.

Model 18 "Attack and Survival" is actually what it is, looking at their site - except it has a rubber stopper instead of a threaded insert

One of the few stories he told about vietnam involved that knife - apparently he used it to cut his way out of a Cobra (he was a pilot). Not sure the details

What's a knife like that worth? To me it's priceless, but I'm sure they do sell once in a while.

[yovinny]

Check e-bay, it's the bigest market for RMK's out there.

An 18 of that vintage with the correct sheath and stone bring big bucks.
Last one I looked at of that type and vintage was a few years ago and they were asking over $3500.

[Rivaltm]

oh wow

yeah it has the stone and leather sheath

:uhoh:

[yovinny]

Just noticed I hit a wrong number, should have read $2500.

Their known as "Crutch Tip" model 18's.

5.5" or 7.5" ? Brown rivited sheath ? gray color stone ? cord wrapped handle ?

[dbl-haul]

stan the gun man, is the watch pictured an O&W M series?

[Rivaltm]

I'll have to get it out of the safe to check for sure

I THINK the stone is grey, and i know the handle is NOT wrapped.

I'm not entirely sure if the butt is threaded for that brass cap or not - if it is, it must have gotten lost, because it has a cane-tip type rubber bit over it.

I'll dig it out and post some pics. I found it in a toolbox buried in the garage, and the brass fittings on the sheath/hilt had a good amount of green corrosion on them, but it turned out to be superficial. somehow, none of the steel had so much as a speck

[Rivaltm]

Alright see here are the pics I promised, a few days late.
Please excuse some bad lighting - my closeups turn out better than anything

Also, the blobs are where I removed the Social Security number engraved on the blade



http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150442.jpg

[Rivaltm]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150434.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150429.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/PC150440.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150441.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/PC150437.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150448.jpg

And here's a picture with the S&W and the Dozier - pool, fine guns, and sharp knives - hard to beat!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Crimsonshrew/Randall/editPC150451.jpg

[yovinny]

Very Very Nice :bow:

The engraving and a copy of you'r Dad's DD214 proves Viet Nam usage, which add's a good premium to collectors.
But with the engraving I wouldent even consider selling it, it should really be handed down in the family.

Note it's a Solingen made blade, rather than a RMK FLA made blade.
IIRC, they used them during the early 70's when they couldent forge Stainless blades in-house to keep up with the orders.

Cheers, YOOO VINNY

[Rivaltm]

oh no, this one won't ever be sold.

If I end up living in a box, I'll be living in a box with a Randall :wink:

it still has some of the green crap on it. I found it in a toolbox in the garage about 5 years after he died, and I don't think that toolbox had been opened in several years. I'm just lucky the blade is stainless.

I'd been informally looking for info on it since then - i hadn't thought anybody here would know!

are there any other places i could find info on this knife?

[yovinny]

Lot's of info out there on knife site's, but be prepared, theirs an over abundance of prima-donna RMK collectors.

I havent spent much time there, but some places to look around with RMK forum's would be;

http://www.knifeforums.com/

http://www.knifetalkforums.com

I'll help with anything I can, but my knowledge is very limited.

I just like RMK's, have a bunch and actually use them :)
I'm very, very far from the usual RMK collector :wink:

Cheers, YOOO VINNY

[Rivaltm]

I'm just getting into knives as a serious hobby myself. Until recently i hadn't realized how much a good blade would set you back - I'm used to Buck, Gerber, CRKT type deals that run under $100 most of the time.

I'm considering getting on the wait list for a new RMK M18 that I can use without feeling guilty about it. The price really isn't that high consdering how much I hear about Randall stuff.

I've also seen some very impressive Chris Reeve knives that I would love to own.

I appreciate the info thus far - my searches really haven't yielded anything comparable to this knife. I see older models for sale, but they're generally just somebody's old knife, most haven't really seen combat like this one has.

[StarPD]

I still have my Model 14 from circa 1968. It has a stainless blade and was ordered with a black sheath. I understand the black sheath was discontinued for a time, but may be available again. I've taken it out in the field several times, but never used it.

My 6" #1 is another story. It has a stainless blade too along with the black Rucarta handle. I've used it for years hunting. My buddy used it to prepare a rabbit for dinner, and chipped the blade on a rock. I buggered it up trying to grind the chip out. Eventually I sent it back to Randall. For around $50, they re-ground it and refinished it. It looks like brand new now, and it will see more service hunting in February.

Anyone who has a 14 needs to treasure it. Those who don't, but appreciate the best that money can buy should bite the bullet and get one. I also like the 6" #1, which is why I kept it along with my #14 when I gave all my other Randalls and most of my Microtechs to my sons when I almost croaked.

REALLY good knives are such a pleasure to have and to use.
Yes, they ARE expensive, but worth every penny. Buy them once and use them for a lifetime and leave them to someone who will appreciate them when you go.

[FoxRodder]

Randall is like a half mile down the street from me. Too bad I dont really have any interest :beer:

[Voided37]

I've never found a firearm i couldn't live without, although i'm still searching. A M27 Smith and a Colt Agent are the two that i haven't done without yet. And some type of Government Model .45......
But if someone were to fluck with my Model1, 8in. non-catalogue Randall....I'll get in trouble.
It's THE one thing in my life I'll do serious time for....
My old Harley...junk. My last set of wheels...i'll find another ride. My ex-wife...adios. My girlfriend...SEE YA! Even my handguns...you'll get in trouble, but i'll survive.
My Randall? Deguello! No quarter asked or given. It's got soul. Mine.:bow:

[StarPD]

Yeah, Voided, I can dig it.:)

[Voided37]

Hey George...
Sounds like we may be from the same world....
I say your phrase at least a few times a day. So...I CAN DIG IT TOO!

Hey friend..
Please tell me what that 'Molon Labe' or whatever it was [can't see sigs when posting replies] means to you.
I been curious every since i first saw it.
Thank You, George

Steve

[StarPD]

Hi Voided.
When the Persian Emperor Xerxes invaded little Greece circa 480 BC, the Spartan General-King Leonidas was the only one who went to oppose him. He took his personal bodyguard of 300 men in a forced march to Thermopylae. Along the way, several thousand other Greeks joined them. When they met, Xerxes laughed and told Leonidas that if the Spartans would throw down their arms, he'd spare their lives. Leonidas replied in Greek: "MOLON LABE!" (moe-LONE lah-VEH), which means "Come and get them" (Literally, "Come, take").

Read my brief treatise on the event here: http://www.thefiringline.com/HCI/molon_labe.htm

The original, more complete version is here:
http://henrietta_bowman.tripod.com/molonlabe.html
I wrote it in 1997.

Depending on who wrote of it, the Greeks numbered from 3,000 men total to around 7 to 9,000 men. The Persians were, again depending, 300,000 to 600,00 men The Greeks killed approximately 60,000 Persians before Leonidas sent the rest of the Greeks home to defend their towns, and kept his 300 Spartans. After around four and a half days of hand to hand combat, the Spartans were killed to a man, only through the perfidy of a traitor, a Persian immigrant who showed Xerxes elite "Immortals" a goat path through the mountains that allowed them to encircle the Spartans. But the Spartans stalled Xerxes long enough for the rest of Greece to mobilze. At the succeeding battles of Salamis, a naval battle, and then at Plateia, they finally threw the Persians out of Greece.

Leonidas refusal to surrender his arms and his sacrifice saved Greece. Today, we enjoy much of our culture derived from the discoveries, advances and developments of Greece, including theater, architecture, science, medicine, language, politics, mathematics, philosophy, and democracy itself.

Steven Pressfield wrote a fictionalized narrative of the battle at Thermopylae, called "Gates of Fire". It's an excellent read, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this event which altered history in a way we can never fully appreciate.

I can dig it.

[Voided37]

AW MANNNN.....
Too Cool!

'MOLON LABE!!" Absolutionally. Absolute for giving ONE'S ALL! And absolve for purging oneself of the desire to remain human and small and fearful instead of stepping up to the immortality of the LIONS of His-story. [OUR-story]

That was....

SIDEBAR! [FEDEX just delivered my G! kit!]

That was beautiful man....

Let's talk more later, George. Gotta open my new project.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189463

And thank you very much for your answer, friend. I CAN DIG IT!! LOL

"MOLON LABE!"

steve:bow:

PS, The kit is better than the picture![Had to open before i finished writing this...]