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  

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.

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.

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,  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.

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.
 

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.