Does anyone use a Randall knife as their primary bowhunting knife. I am looking at a Model 3 and wanted some feedback from anyone using Randall knives. Are these the best knives there are by popular opinion? Looking for the best working knife I can find...not one to put in a case and watch :campfire:
If the knife was made by old man Randall then it should be placed in a display case. The old man died...his knives have been used by some of the most famous servicemen every...When Powers got shot down in his U2 spyplane he got everything back...except his Randall. It is a keeper.
My fav custom knives are madde by Chris Reeve..Is it okay to put the links up? Well google him and look up the fixed blade. He has a nice skinner...Examine the handles... :)
Ramius, my dad has a randall knife made in 1976, it is in perfect condition, not sure of the model but is has about a 6" blade and an antler handle. would this be one of the knives you are referring to? i can post pics if it would help
My Dad gave me a Randall knife for high school graduation in 1990. I have carried it exclusively and skinned several deer and several hundred squirrels with it since then. It is a quality knife with a high carbon blade that really holds an edge. You can skin half a dozen old fox squirrels and it'll still shave. If you run across one buy it cause they are currently taking orders for 2011. Just my 2 cents.
If you opt for something other than a Randall take a look at Doug Campbell's knives in Sponsers Classifieds. I received one from him last week and although I haven't had a chance to use it I believe it to be a fine knife and very well made.
I have 10 of them, they are great knives. I have yet to carry one in the woods. The model 3,4,7,and 11 with a 4-5" blade would dress anything in North America. They will work for you if carry them in the woods. If Randall made a gut hook blade, I would carry it in the woods.
Mark
Randall Alaskan Skinner Mod 11 love em, Later, Harry
I have a model 10 with a 3" blade I have carried for 18 years. They are great knives and a piece of history.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/curtandpam/100_3770.jpg)
I'm thinking of a model 3 in 6" blade. I have a bunch of smaller blade knives up to 5" but I want to head out to a shop and find any 6" blade knife to see if that is too much blade for me.
I can appreciate the value and beauty of Randall knives...but the whole beauty of ANY knife, such as a Randall is in the fact it is uselful art...it's a beautiful tool. Aren't they made to be used? If not, seems they are pretty well made to sit in a display case. I'd say it's a shame not to use it if you have one
yep...I agree. If I get one in five years :-) on plan on using it and using it hard.
ClintV
I've got maybe a dozen Randalls and about a 1/2 dozen or so of the old Effingham Blackjacks. Those were some awesome knives and you can still pick them up for about $150 or so. The newer ones are okay knives for the money but they're not as well made as the Effingham models. Once in a while I carry a BJ model 5. Mostly though I carry a Randall model 3-5 or a 7-4.
Here's a pic of a few Randalls and a couple of BJ's I have. Sorry Seeking Trad Deer. You have to look at this pic again.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Ottodude/PICT0891.jpg)
Working knife you say?... Can't beat my Helle Harding. It begs to get used.
I also just got a Spyderco Moran (Drop point) that is nothing but pure function. However, if you are looking for "traditional appeal", it ain't it.
Jim
My 3 favorite knives are Randall Randall and Randall. I use every single Randall I acquire . My dad gave me my first Randall in 1978,2nd in 79. It is a model 3 with a 5 inch blade. Used it last month to gut a 7pt Fla whitetail as well as an 8pt Montana whitetail in 05.My model 3 has taken hogs, gators, deer, fish, coons etc to task and held up fine. I like the blade. I think 6 inch is a bit much. You won't gain anything. The model 3 5 inch is very nicely balanced and "feels" right. I also like the model 11(Jay Campbell's blade of choice)4 inch. The Trapper model 25 is a nice drop point in a 5 inch blade and the 26 is much the same in a 4 inch blade.
You cannot go wrong with a Randall model 3 and if you don't like it , call me.
Give your knife some "soul" and use it. Are they the best? I don't know, sharp steel is sharp steel. They have a good balance to them and are designed with hard use in mind. The 3 allows you plenty of curve for skinning but enough straight edge for heavier duty. A great all around knife and a perenial classic.
Otto, you're still my hero.
my dad and I make knives and the only thing that I dont like about Randalls is the 4 year wait, that is the only thing that has kept me from buying one,the used ones are even more expensive if you like the model 10, check out www.hendrixknives.com, (http://www.hendrixknives.com) he makes some really good hunting knives, I have one of his capers, its a great knife, randalls are great, but you should really check out some of the other knives that people have to offer, bill cheatham is another guywho does not have a website, but he makes randall style knives better than the randall shop!!!!
Good knives but I'm not willing to wait that long. I'll sooner order a custom knife from someone without that long a wait. I don't think the quality of a Randall is any better than many other customs without a 4 year wait.
I think I only have 2 Randall knives. A #1 I carried in the service and a #8 (that was my dad's). Randall makes a nice knife but pick the model that does the job you want it to do. A 6" blade will make an awkward skinner.
I don't know how much Randalls are anymore or how long the wait is, but check out Ruana knives. They cut every bit as well and aren't that expensive.
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/dave27615/knives.jpg)
I met Victor Smith at The Chamberlan Ranch shoot years back. I feel in love with his workmanship. I bought one and never looked back. Like any great knife builder they put their heart and soul into there craft. I use this to make my leather back quivers and everything else. still razor sharp.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u146/desertdude92275/DSCN0073.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u146/desertdude92275/DSCN0072.jpg)
Some of you "bushcrafters" might be interested in this ...
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=179
There's 7 Randalls in the top row. As you can see I like stag.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/knives.jpg)
Mr Magoo,
The Randalls in your pic appear to be a model 7 hunter-fisherman on top and the model 1 on the bottom. The # 8 is the trout and bird and sports a top edge sharpened about 2 inches.
Order Randalls now-$50 deposit- I think you can order 1 every other month. When they start coming in keep what you like then you can recover the costs and then some on e-bay. If you don't 4 years from now you'll go "man I should have ordered that Randall 4 years ago". But if you just can't wait, e-bay has about 100-200 on there at any given time.
Another heretic here: I bought a Randall some years ago and though it was an excellent knife, I sold it not long afterward and made money. I think you are paying more for the Randall name, exclusivity, and a piece of history than you are performance...though they do perform well.
I think they are over rated for either the aftermarket price or the wait for a direct knife. I'm sure that will bring some flames from the Randall lovers, but just my personal opinion. For the money, I think their are many, many custom makers out there that offer products I'd rather have.
Now Ron LaClair posted a pic of the purdiest Randall I've ever seen, all dooded up, that wouldn't mind having...I believe it was the third from the right on the top row.
I've held a couple of Ron's Randall's and they appear to be a dandy knife. I really like the knife on the top left in Ron's photo. I have one of those "Super Shrew Skinners" and it's made by Mike Repke of Black Forrest Blades in Michigan. It's a dandy knife for about $120-150, depending on handle material. There's a writeup on Ron's website about them. I've got another Black Forrest knife that our State Bow Hunting organization commissioned Mike to do with the same blade material as Ron's Super Shrew Skinner. Ron LaClairs super shrew skinner (http://shrewbows.com/ShrewSkinner.html)
I called Bob Dozier's shop today on a suggestion I got on knives from someone. The lady I spoke wiht on the phone was about the most helpful person I ever talked to on the phone. Willing to let me pick handle materials, blade length, sheath type, steel type, etc. I will probably end up getting a Dozier because of that great lady and what everyone says about his knives(although I am not a big fan of D-2) now and maybe a Randall in five years when it is ready :-). Any other input on here or via a pm is greatly appreciated...I am no knife expert...yet ;)
I like that Hendrix knives use ATS34 steel (despite it's Japanese origin :thumbsup:
JC,
No flames from this Randall guy. I like them simply because they are Randalls. Like I said, sharp steel is sharp steel. I have many fine "non Randall" knives and they are every bit as good as a Randall, maybe better.I do prefer a good forged blade over a die cut. I like the Randall look, balance and feel. Once you get used to using the cut out in front or the hilt with your index finger , you can never use a knife without it. Unless you want stitches.
Randall knives are very collectable and good knives to boot. However, I'm with JC. There are some excellent bladesmiths out there who can deliver exactly what you want with less wait time. I own a few custom knives from ABS journeymen bladesmiths, many who forge thier own blades. Not only do they look great, they are built to perform. You're also supporting the craftsman directly. Check out the requirements/standards the ABS requires for JS and MS ratings.
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/
http://www.rheaknives.com/
http://www.burtfoster.com/
Just a few links to give you an idea of what is out there.
Bob
BTW JC, I think the Randall that caught your eye is a model 19 Bushmaster. It is the knife I've like since childhood.
Time to make a trip to the Randall shop next week. Only 45 minutes away.
I got one for xmas but aint used it
Don't forget one of our own, Doug Campbell. He makes some very fine knives.
Sponsor's classified
http://tradgang.com//noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=000032;p=1#000031
Well I guess I will put up the link..since I have seen some links up.
http://www.chrisreeve.com
I prefer his fixed blade knives. Look at the skinner. His handles are typically hollow, water tight, for storing matches and such.
I love all the Randall Pictures ppl have put up.
Mr. Campbell's damascus blades look great!
Japanese are indeed great steel makers Clint. They are also good car makers. I just try to buy American made when I can...I drive a Chevy. Toyota is probably better but I'm just old fashioned I guess. Heck, it is hard to beat a Browing A-Bolt Japanese rifle as well.
I use a Randall Model 8 with Burl Maple handle. Randall made me up a left handed sheath too.
I've coveted a Randall for decades, so my wife gave this to me for Father's Day last year.
Far and away the best knife I own...
You can get one through A.G. Russell in 4-6 months, but you'll pay a premium for it.
I agree not to write off the Japanese blades. My second most favorite fixed blade is a Hattori HA-6 Medium Fighting Bowie (virtual twin of the Randall Model 5).
I had Sunrise River Custom Knives make up a left handed buffalo hide sheath for it, and replace the stacked washer grip with black canvas micarta sanded to 120 grit. The end result is about as beautiful and practical of working knife as can be had. You can see this knife's before/after pictures featured on Sunrise River's website (www.sunrisecustomknives.com) on the Repair/Conversion page.
This knife has a permanent place on my S&W 44's gunbelt, which I wear when out on horseback or poking around in the bush...
Alligatordond
I think I have a model 19 slated for delivery in Oct 2011 or so. And 1 or 2 every year in between I think.
Yeah, I like the Randalls for all those reasons. Mystique of the brand and all that stuff. But I really like how plain old O-1 takes an edge and sharpens easily. I could care less that it stains. I like a carbon steel blade with a bit of patina to it. There are certainly more "sexy" steels out there. ATS-34, SV30 and all that. I'm not a memeber of the "steel of the month" club. I like Randalls, Effingham Blackjacks and Doziers D2 stuff. Oh yeah, and XX Case knives as well. One of these days I'm gonna pull the trigger on a Loveless. THEN you'll hear my wife scream.
Hi, my name's Otto, and I'm a certified Bow/Knife/Gunaholic.
I've got two model 26 Pathfinders for my son and I scheduled to be delivered in April. I ordered matching ones when he was 10 (he'll be 14 this hunting season) so he'd have something of a keepsake when he's my age.
I primarily hunt whitetails, while working in an elk hunt every few years. Any one have any experience with this model?
Glad to find this post. thanks.
Emailed Randall with some questions and they told me to look in their catalog. Told them I did and couldn't figure out the options on their Model 3. Never heard back again from Mr. Randall. Emailed Dozier and Alicia gave me the best customer service I ever received so they got my order. Decided on a D-2 KS-3 Professional Guides Knife with an orange G-10 bead blasted handle, thumb groves, etc. Delivery is about 10 months now so I am hoping it comes for my Christmass present :) . Thanks again to everyone for their input.
STD
That's an awesome knife you've got coming. A serious big knife that oughta cut up anything you throw at it. Ya gotta let me know how you like it when you get it.
Thanks Otto...all your pm's a couple months ago about Dozier's lead me in their direction.
I had a Dozier K2...great knife. Wish I hadn't sold it to my cousin (he won't sell it back) :rolleyes:
Do you guys sharpen the Dozier's yourself or send them back to Bob for resharpening? They said you need a diamond stone which I have because of the tool steel used in the blade. Ever have any rust problems with D-2 being that it is not a true stainless steel?
All I ever do to any of my Dozier knives is to run them across a set of crock stix. i really like the Spyderco variation since it has two different angles to choose from. 30 or 40 degrees I think. I have one Dozier that has field dressed and skinned 5 deer I think. I have yet to do anything to the edge. I just keeps cutting.
I didnt know the wait was back up to 10 months. I took delivery of one in November and had only waited 4 months. Bob must have had a busy fall to fall so far behind.
BP
STD
I'm able to sharpen mine on a plain old Norton Arkansas stone. Just a few strokes and it's touched up. I've never actually had any of my Doziers get truly dull. Bob's D2 holds an edge better than any knife I've ever had. Never a problem with rust either. Not even so much as a stain. Even though D2 isn't a "true" stainless, it's only about a half a percentage point of Cr. away from it. While my Randall's from O-1 will take a stain almost immediately upon making contact with the acids in meat, my Doziers look like brand new after a season of gutting and skinning deer and doing nothing more than wiping it on my pants.