You could look at it this way, if a Randall Model 14 costs the same as an M7 Bayonet (say $29.95), which would you rather carry? What blurs the line of good, better, best is often the price and thus perceived value.

 

If all cutlery, both custom and production, had a fixed price of $10.00 each, would not the highest quality blade be preferred?

To me, a knife is a tool - and I would want the best tool that I could afford for the job I was doing. So it would depend on what I was expecting to do with it as to what knife I would carry. In many ways, the most useful World War 2 knife was the Cattaraugus 225Q.

 

I have wondered what would have happened had Randall gotten a contract similar to the one Camillus received for the Mark 1 where they said they could deliver 100,000 knives with the first 2,000 in 6 weeks, 3,000 the week after, and 6,000 a week until completed. Handmade high quality knives are great, but they have to be produced in high quantity and quickly in wartime.

Wartime production of hand made Randals was probably just to much to expect during war time. I don't think they could have ever keep up with a order like that and maintained there quality that they are known for. But there's no dought they would have been superior to any knife that was made for the military in ww2.

Of course a knife is a tool so is a flat head screw driver. So why does a guy buy a snap on or Mac tool when he could buy one at k mart for a third of the price? Because it's a better tool if you make a livening going into harms way you should take the best tools you can get. That's my way of thinking anyway if I have to bet my life on something I'm going to bet on the best piece of gear I can get.

 

I see your point but you did say in post 13 the Randall is not a tool and can easily be chipped. I have an old M7 bayonet I've used for throwing into an old plywood door and was surprised it didn't cause any damage.

 

How about it's not a all purpose toll that sounds better. It's a tool made for one or two jobs cutting and stabbing mainly.

Of course a knife is a tool so is a flat head screw driver. So why does a guy buy a snap on or Mac tool when he could buy one at k mart for a third of the price? Because it's a better tool if you make a livening going into harms way you should take the best tools you can get. That's my way of thinking anyway if I have to bet my life on something I'm going to bet on the best piece of gear I can get.

As a young sailor in the early 60's I recall the story floating around the squadron (VT-2) about a mid air between two T-28's at around 16,000 feet. One made it back the other crashed killing the instructor and student. The rear portion of the canopy in the crashed aircfaft disclosed much evidence of the instructor's attempt to cut through it with his survival knife (it was jammed closed). That memory along with the fact that early in my youth I had read about Bo Randall's knife works had collectively impressed me. As an aircrewman in mid 60's-I ordered my Model 18, it took almost a year to receive it, If the occasion occurred I intended to cut through the aircraft skin and anything else that the event may require. Good fortune shone on me, I never had to use it for an emergency. Now I have it for the memories, not displayed, I carry it with me in the woods and general utilization-mostly it just resides (has my name on it). Different site on net, read something to the effect that Randall's Model 18 moved from #3 to #2 position for demand during Vietnam caper

AFC

 

Thanks for sharing your knife and story.

Great Model 18 with crutch cap and flat handle sides.Its a mae to one my cousin hard during the time he was in.

Thanks for posting.

I hope that this isn't too far off topic but this song popped into my mind as I read through this interesting thread.It's called "The Randall Knife" by one of my favorite singer-songwriters,Guy Clark.

 

Here's a link to a video of the song:

https://youtu.be/BpWG98dUgZ0

I hope that this isn't too far off topic but this song popped into my mind as I read through this interesting thread.It's called "The Randall Knife" by one of my favorite singer-songwriters,Guy Clark.

 

Here's a link to a video of the song:

https://youtu.be/BpWG98dUgZ0

Great link...it's tough to beat Guy Clark.

Hey AFC, with crutch tip, riveted sheath, and I imagine grey sharpening stone, I think you will be surprised how collectable and expensive these knives are if you don't already know.

 

Great piece and thanks for sharing!

Hey AFC, with crutch tip, riveted sheath, and I imagine grey sharpening stone, I think you will be surprised how collectable and expensive these knives are if you don't already know.

 

Great piece and thanks for sharing!

Thanks to all for comments: Reeder 3-yes I have followed the Ebay prices occasionally through the years. When I was working on my post, I was surprised at the asking prices!

I hope that this isn't too far off topic but this song popped into my mind as I read through this interesting thread.It's called "The Randall Knife" by one of my favorite singer-songwriters,Guy Clark.

 

Here's a link to a video of the song:

https://youtu.be/BpWG98dUgZ0

 

It got way off topic many posts ago.