Wow, this post brings back memories. When I flew the SOG, FOB II missions with the Special Forces into Laos and Cambodia, their knife of choice was the Randall. Once one of the guys saw I wasn't carrying a knife. He gave me his Army issue carbon blade combat knife. I could shave with it. Carbon steel gets sharp fast. He said, "This will do until you get a Randall. Everyone in SF needs a Randall." I think at that time the Randall was about $40.00 or so. He also gave me several lessons in hand to hand combat with a knife. Won't repeat them here, but will say it was an effective way to save one's life against one or two attackers, while armed only with a knife. They also taught me the proper way to get a razor's edge on a knife with whetstones.
For the next several years I often thought about getting a Randall, but eventually forgot about it. I liked the knife the SF had given me. Still have it, and it is sharp from my practicing my sharpening skills on it.
I just looked at the current prices on Randall knives. The highest priced knives are up to almost $900, although the fighting knife, which is what I would get is a deal at only $420. The problem is the wait time. if I read it correctly, it is 6 years. Guess I will stay with what I have.
Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Nordic knives has a good selection in stock including some model 1’s