Just couldn't help myself. I picked up a Randall #15 "airman" today, with sheath/stone. As new condition. These are awsome knives! I like it better than the #1 with border patrol handel that I used to own. Question: In the catalog they imply that this knife was carried by USMC pilots and air crews...does anyone have any verification of this?

Randalls are not issued equipment for any branch, but many airmen, soldiers, sailors, and Marines have purchased Randalls on their own to use on the job. Great knives! I have a Model 1. Where did you pick yours up?

Private sale from a guy about an hour from me. He was a Naval officer and bought it to have until his came in. It was advertised on Gun-broker and I contacted him after the auction ran out. What grip is on your #1?

I have the standard handle in black micarta with nickel silver guard and duralumin buttcap. 7" stainless blade. I plan to get a few more, and a 15 is on my list.

I like it a lot more than I thought. At first i was a little hesitant, because i like a longer blade...but the balance and heft is perfect. Get a 15 if you can and you wont be sorry...Semper Fi!

One benefit a person in the military gets from Randall is that the wait time is significantly reduced over the general orders they receive.
Current wait is about 58 months and they are supposedly late with that time estimate.

They do say on their web sight that they are not doing some work (Handel replacement/re-grinds) because of the demand from the military customers...doesnt bother me a bit that they give the men/women over there preference!

Randall's are awesome knives. Be it a safe queen to pass down in your family or to use as a tool, simply amazing geometry and balance.

I too have a Model 15 Airman but with green micarta handles.

Gents,

I picked up a NIB Randall #5 Outdoorsman a few months back. Came with sheath, stone, original literature, and packaging. Paid $300.00 and didn't have the several year wait. What a deal!

Wes

quote:

Originally posted by seabass:
Randall's are awesome knives. Be it a safe queen to pass down in your family or to use as a tool, simply amazing geometry and balance.

I too have a Model 15 Airman but with green micarta handles.

Nice...Thats a real desirable model!

quote:

Originally posted by Weshowe:
Gents,

I picked up a NIB Randall #5 Outdoorsman a few months back. Came with sheath, stone, original literature, and packaging. Paid $300.00 and didn't have the several year wait. What a deal!

Wes

I can never find deals like that...I'm usually the one giving them! Nice Find!

No pictures?

Not a great pic but here is my Model 15.

Nice Model 15 Seabass!!! I just missed out on one I had on Ebay that I had my eye on - it had saw teeth and nickel silver forward curved hilt - it just got a little higher than I wanted to spend.

quote:

Originally posted by seabass:
Not a great pic but here is my Model 15.

Very nice...Mine would be it's twin except I have the finger groove handel and a brown sheath. I've been slowly sharpening it...Carbon steel is like a razor! (Oh yeah...mine is carbon rather than stainless)

My model 1 is stainless and is very sharp. Is there a noticable difference in sharpness between the stainless and the carbon steel?

My #1 was stainless also...To me it seems like the carbon gets sharper faster. They both were very sharp and tended to stay that way.

Additional pics