Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Randall Knives

jeffbird, can't wait to see you new Randall. The model 25-5 is one of my favorites and the hunting style knife I wanted to order back in the 90s.. I wish they made it in a 3 3/4 - 4" pattern

They do,it's a Model 26 Pathfinder.

Thanks for the update!

'Mooner,

Sorry I missed this.

I like it being there but overall, it's not something I've noticed. But when miles from the truck I prefer having more sharpened edge than less.

I could use that Moki for 10 life times and probably not complain. My Menefee also has the mirror polish and all that thing needs is a rag to clean right up.

Just got a notice that one is 7 months out.

#1 7”

Green Micarta BP Handle.

Single brass guard and a compass.

$470.

So I have a little history with Randalls...

Winter Ranger School in '75 taught me many solid things, one of them being use the best possible gear. That is when I first heard about Rolex watches and Randall knives. My Ranger Buddy had both; his Dad was a General Officer and when he graduated from school he was given both from his parents. They were the only two things which worked all the way through the school. First two things I purchased and still have/use them today.

My Dad was on a Destroyer in the Aleutians and after the war Mom and he lived/worked and hunted Alaska. He got his first one there. My sister, a Captain in the Navy always carried one around in her kit wherever she was. My brother was an AF rescue Huey driver and always carried one on his kit. I carried my Attack all over and used the hell out of it; it got a great workout when I served with 2-75th. Probably not the "best" knife ever made, but it had the history/sex appeal that a young Lt. could respect. For you old timers you will recall that any good SF troop had a Rolex, Randall and a Star Sapphire Ring.

On my last three deployments to Happyland I decided not to deploy with both as I knew what I was getting into and did not want to chance losing either. My brother had a [bleep] fit and got me a #16 Fighter as a present. That one got more use, but not like you would think.

My primary job was to advise the ODA CPT as we would go out to meet the Taliban boys; specifically talk with the village chief to see how we would proceed with that AO. Now these Pashtun Hillbilly goat fuggers are not worth one drop of American Blood, and they do not have much respect for anything- with the exception of Spin Gerrys (Gray Beard=Old Men) and blades. Well I had both. So in talking with them, sitting on the ground I would always position myself so I could reach out and almost touch him. At the appropriate point in the conversation I would whip that Randall out and pass it within an inch of his throat and pretend then to clean my finger nail. Those SOB's would light up like a Christmas tree, usually with an "Oh [bleep]!" expression followed by a "Ok, this guy gets it..." which then led to much more productive conversations. That knife never drew blood, but probably save a good bit.

Probably have a half dozen, last one being a #28 which I ordered over there and have since used on Moose, bear, elk and deer.

I will be buried with my #14.

..

RLTW,

very interesting, thank you for sharing that.

As mentioned in my last post, this thread caused me to give Randall a try. I have been using Ingram and Phil Wilson's work in 3" - 4" sizes for a number of years for skinning and have no need to replace them at the moment. So, decided to fill a void in the size line up and opted for Model 25-5" Trappers, one in carbon steel and one in stainless to try both steels.

Both were purchased from authorized dealers, Nordic Knives and Andy Thornal, who charge the actual book rates with a bit of a premium once the options are priced in. The O1 blade was super dull, the stainless was pretty sharp, but left room for improvement. fyi to buyers, A.G. Russell is higher than Nordic or Andy Thornal on many, but not all, models. Buxton Knives is another to check for reasonable prices. Check all of them as inventory turns quickly for all of them as I learned dawdling over a decision initially.

The O1 really took some work on the Edge Pro with silicon carbide stones, but came around. The stainless sharpened up in just 2 - 3 minutes. I literally shaved with both yesterday - just the flat sides of the face. 5" hunting knives with large curved bellies are not optimal for shaving. The stainless steel edge really was shaving surprisingly well, the O1 remained a bit "toothy."

Today, I tried cutting 3/4" Manila rope, which is a pretty good challenge for any knife. The O1 blade is thinner and had a very slightly easier time cutting the rope, slight, not much difference. Both held their edges surprisingly well, and I really could not tell much difference in edge retention between them. Initially when the edges were finished with 8,000 grit tape, the highly refined edges had a hard time cutting the rope. After 10 cuts, I quit and went back and recut the edge with a 140 grit Atoma plate and nothing else. Then the edges cut like crazy. The 140 grit has yielded much longer lasting edges on the knives I use most often for skinning. For comparison, an Ingram Bullnose in D2 that sees use often, now still works nicely after 4 animals, which used to last 1 - 2 animals with a more polished edge.

With the 140 grit edge, my arm wore out before the edges did. (Next time I am buying smaller diameter rope.) I was very surprised. Shocked actually. I have to say I am looking forward to trying these on skinning some pigs soon, which will be the real test. But my skepticism is gone, and I am impressed. I can see a couple of more on the horizon. I now can see why they have such a devoted following. Thanks for the input gentlemen, been interesting.

Jeff,

When you refer to the number of animals are you referring to gutting, skinning,butchering, or what?

Travis,

On deer, I skin, quarter, and trim all the meat off, but do not open them up, except for a small cut forward of the pelvis to remove tenderloins. Occasionally I will open up a pig to save the ribs if there are not a bunch. If there are 7 or 8 or more, then it is going to be gutless, except maybe for one or two. For a knife edge, the only difference would cutting the sternum. I use a big Busse to cut the ribs and sever the spine forward and rear of the ribs. I never cut the pelvis.

Final processing and trimming of meat is done at home with regular kitchen knives. Our state game laws require meat to be transported as quarters, ribs, and trimmings to the point of final processing.

Don't need it but I want an 18 in 5.5". Just don't want to wait for 5 years. Rusty

If you order from an authorized dealer,you will receive it in less than a year.

Thanks.

You guys take the fun out of everything.

When my Navy son went to Afghanistan I tried to get a Brend knife for him , but was not successful in the timeframe required. Found a Randall 14 and got it for his send-off. It is one bad-ass knife. Dunno the quality run-off with other similar knives, but he was inundated with purchase offers by fellow SPECOPS GI's during his entire tour.. Says something about the how a REAL user finds the desireablity of these knifes.

Walter Brends knives are amazing. His Model 2 is off the hook!

That's good of you.

Always liked this pic. Appears to be a Randall.

https://www.newsweek.com/top-us-mil...nt-professional-calls-facial-hair-794170

You're welcome.