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Randall knives question

8076 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  BlackAgnes
I have never owned a Randall knife & have never really started looking for one or pricing them until now. I see some selling on Ebay with asking prices of $500 & more. But when I go to Randall's website, the prices shown on their site are less than Ebay. Is this just a case of Ebay sellers asking rediculous prices, or is there a reason (like hard to get from Randall)? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Chris
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When you order one from Randall expect to wait a few years to get it. They are hand made, and it takes time with all the orders they have.
Chris It's a matter of availability , Randell has a waiting time of about two years. :shock:
Last I heard the wait was 56 months. I had a number 1-7" made in the early 90's with a stacked leather handle with red, white, and black spacers, duraluminum butt cap and brass guard with a zipper case. I put it on Ebay and with the money I bought a Colt Defender.
:shock:

That explains it. Thanks for the help everyone. I figured there had to be a reason.

Chris
Guys,
There maybe a little more to it....you see there are other items that increase the value.....what kind of handle,what kind of steel,what kind of butt cap,yep there's more ! Any or all of this increases the price of the knife!
Jim
G
Jim has it right. The type of knife and the options available at the time period add signifcantly to the value. Options are things such as stag, believe it or not stainless steel, lanyard wristing, compass in the butt cap, etc....

Time period also adds greatly to value. The earlier fighting knives can bring a good deal of money, as in several thousand dollars...

giz
Another point to add value to the Randall...who made the sheath,yep,it does add to the value!One other bit of info....some Randall's have the Randall logo...they are NOT Randall's in the sence of value.I had a guy yrs.ago present a Randall for sale at a Gun Show marked #007 guy came to me to appraise ,also have seen folders with the Randall logo,be careful...it was fake...IF...I remember correctly only a few were made & one is in the RANDALL museum!
Take care,
Jim
2
Chris- here is one I just Love- :)

Never hit the camping trail without this Pathfinder. :)
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G
Here's an example of what I was talking about. This knife is Vietnam era and has the 4 options available for it. Wristed for a lanyard, Compass in the buttcap, Stag handled, and Stainless...

What's it worth...well it is a user knife but never reground. That really doesn't hurt it's value to much. The last time I posted it on a forum, I was deluged with offers to buy it...many at 4 figures ;)

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WOW. I honestly am not very familier with Randall knives. I just know that they make some of the best knives in the world. Like I had said, I had been thinking about getting one lately & went to their website to price them. Then I figured maybe I can get one cheaper in good condition on Ebay. Boy was I surprised when I saw what they were going for. I really appreciate all of the info everyone is bestowing upon me. I feel like I am getting a crash course in Randall knives. Thanks for all of the help everyone.

Chris
G
Chris,

Not to earn the dire consequences of what I am about to say, but ;)

Bo Randall was a heck of a exception to the rule. He created and designed some of the finest fighting and useful knives seen in the last half century. And legend begets price...

There are many modern makers that can produce a suitable if not better blade at a fraction of the cost of the Randall's....

Blasphemy to some, and truth be told to others. I find the earlier Randalls to be some of the finest blades for form and function made. The modern ones, not so much. Soligen was tapped to make blades for Randall when they couldn't meet production. The weird thing is that Randall collectors will pay a premium for a non-Randall blade....

Go out and figure out what you want a blade to do. Do the research, do the legwork...and you'll be miles ahead of the folks that are simply in the collector market. User blades are really where the steel hits the hardwood. Remember that Randall was a copy of the style and workmanship of Scagel...

Get the books, join the forums, and join the fun :)

giz
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Giz,
Yrs.ago...a Model#1 & a Model#2 were sold BEFORE I could buy them...NAM ERA.SNIFF!!
Jim
G
Jim,

If we all had the hindsight back then ;) I see the fighters with a Nam association going for several thousand dollars on up :eek: I have a friend who inherited his Dad's collection and has spent a good 15 years adding to it. Over 300 Randall's....it is simply amazing to see them all in one room...

giz
Gizamo said:
Jim,

If we all had the hindsight back then ;) I see the fighters with a Nam association going for several thousand dollars on up :eek: I have a friend who inherited his Dad's collection and has spent a good 15 years adding to it. Over 300 Randall's....it is simply amazing to see them all in one room...

giz
Well 300 Randall's beats a 401K in todays world hands down!!!
Giz,
The Randalls had the guy's name on them he was in SF....dealer told me he sold them for $200 ea.Talk about "NOT" having a clue!! I still get sick thinking about it! Ya'll are into S&W's...more than blades...so think about the S&W that got away...at a LOW price & you will know how I feel!! :cry:
Jim
James Clifton said:
Giz,
The Randalls had the guy's name on them he was in SF....dealer told me he sold them for $200 ea.Talk about "NOT" having a clue!! I still get sick thinking about it! Ya'll are into S&W's...more than blades...so think about the S&W that got away...at a LOW price & you will know how I feel!! :cry:
Jim
Knowing what I do now about Puma's, if I could go back 30yrs, I would have bought every Puma possible while I was stationed in Germany. If I had, I would be able to retire today. I am as much into my blades as I am into firearms, not just S&W's. Actually there are some Walthers I wish I had picked up during that time too that would have added to my retirement fund.

Leighton
Tim, beautiful collection. I like the #2 and the one to the left is that an Astro(I think that's what it's called)? Anyway the one built for the astronauts. James
G
Tim,

Wow....great collection. I'd like to have one of those number 8's, Bird and Trout...talk about a useful knife :)

giz
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