How long would you wait?

[Otto]

My wife doesn't like the fact that I pay $150 for a pair of sunglasses.   I never have lost a pair of $150 sunglasses.  She says she loses her sunglasses all the time and that's why she only buys $10 sunglasses.

I tell her she loses her sunglasses all the time cause she only buys $10 sunglasses.

[PrimitivePete]

From a strickly consumers view, I find it hard to believe that this knife I would be waiting 5 years or more for does not have an equal that I could get in less time. Same goes for me with bows. I'm sure I can get a high quality bow by waiting for one to be built for me, but I can also buy one used that will give me equal value in the long run.

You'll never make money on a used bow.
I've never met anyone who sold a Randall for less than what they paide for it.

I don't put value based on cost but rather performance and use. I picked up a used Robertson recurve, it has outperformed every bow I have ever owned or shot. And I got it within a month and without emptying the bank account. I bought a knife for 30 bucks that will do everything I need. How do I justify a long wait and greater expense.

[McDave]

Why would anyone buy a Mickey Mantle baseball card, a Bitcoin, or a Picasso drawing?  These are all basically useless things that have achieved great value because there is a “market” for them (or possibly because of the “greater fool theory” as you choose).  At least a Randall knife has a potential use, although most people who buy one probably won't take advantage of that.  I myself have several knives made by Clarence Smitherman (probably spelled his name wrong) that I will probably never use, or sell, simply because I appreciate his workmanship. They aren't my favorite knife, which I already pointed out in a previous post.  I doubt if anyone would give me $5 for my favorite knife, in its current condition.  I wouldn't wait five years for a knife either, but I appreciate people who would, simply because it adds to the diversity of life, which would be pretty boring if everyone were like me.

[Sam McMichael]

I am not inclined to wait very long for a knife, because it is easy to find very nice knives for a reasonable cost without the long wait. If I were a collector, that may make a difference. As a young guy I once bought a very nice skinning knife from a maker in Alabama that I envisioned to be the beginning of a nice collection. However, I took it to deer camp and promptly dropped it in the dirt which scratched it just a little. I was very upset until I realized it is a TOOL. If I can't use a knife and get it dirty, I don't need it. So, from then on I have bought practical knives at a reasonable price, and I don't hesitate to use them. Wait time is strictly a personal matter, and each person should make their choice as to how long that wait time should be. For me a few weeks is enough.

[Otto]

Why would anyone buy a Mickey Mantle baseball card, a Bitcoin, or a Picasso drawing?  These are all basically useless things that have achieved great value because there is a “market” for them (or possibly because of the “greater fool theory” as you choose).  At least a Randall knife has a potential use, although most people who buy one probably won't take advantage of that.  I myself have several knives made by Clarence Smitherman (probably spelled his name wrong) that I will probably never use, or sell, simply because I appreciate his workmanship. They aren't my favorite knife, which I already pointed out in a previous post.  I doubt if anyone would give me $5 for my favorite knife, in its current condition.  I wouldn't wait five years for a knife either, but I appreciate people who would, simply because it adds to the diversity of life, which would be pretty boring if everyone were like me.

McDave gets it.

[stagetek]

Buy what you want, wait as long as you want. But, for me, in a five or six year time span my priorities/desires/needs would likely change. And, owning that knife (or whatever) wouldn't mean nearly as much as if I would have had it "much" closer to the time I thought I needed it.

[GCook]

I am not inclined to wait very long for a knife, because it is easy to find very nice knives for a reasonable cost without the long wait. If I were a collector, that may make a difference. As a young guy I once bought a very nice skinning knife from a maker in Alabama that I envisioned to be the beginning of a nice collection. However, I took it to deer camp and promptly dropped it in the dirt which scratched it just a little. I was very upset until I realized it is a TOOL. If I can't use a knife and get it dirty, I don't need it. So, from then on I have bought practical knives at a reasonable price, and I don't hesitate to use them. Wait time is strictly a personal matter, and each person should make their choice as to how long that wait time should be. For me a few weeks is enough.

This is basically the experience I've had with custom knives.  They look great until used.  Then it's just a knife.  One I spent way more than I should have on.
But I know a guy who has a collection of classic corvettes.   They are perfectly restored and cool to look at if you are into that sort of thing.
Me, I just repaired his 4 post lift and left.  To me they don't mean anything.
It's like anything else in life.  This individual has her/his own tastes, likes and interests.   Variety is the greatness of keeping everything interesting.

[gregg dudley]

I have a Randall knife that my dad bought me for my 40th birthday.  I always wanted one and he made it happen.  The story is kind of interesting.  Frustrated by the wait time, my mother persisted until she finally was told about a sale that they have (or did at that time) once a year where they sell the knives that people have defaulted on their deposit or cancelled their order.  The sale was live at their shop, which is only about an hour from us.  On the appointed day, I took the day off from work and we showed up about an hour ahead of time.  We were given a number and told that when our number was called we would have 10 minutes or so to select a knife for purchase.  Like I said, we were there an hour early (like 6:30 AM) and my number was 42.  As I recall, there were a little over 100 knives for sale.  We were told that after they worked through the people in line, they would start over at #1 again and anyone that wanted to could purchase a second knife.  When my number was called, we went through and selected the knife that I wanted.  I think that we were the only people there that were not intent on buying multiple knives.  There were some hard core collectors there.  I was there to get a birthday present and did not want to diminish the gift by getting another.  The funny thing is that they did not give us the knives at purchase.  They took our payment and mailed the knife within 10 days after a final sharpening/polishing.  It was a special experience with my dad.

Randall sells knives through several dealers in Florida.   They don't always have what you are looking for, but they usually have a dozen or more in stock.  When my son turned 21, my dad bought him a Randall from one of those shops.

My dad has been gone three years last week.  I just packed my Randall knife into my bag for a trip to Alaska this week.  It's nice to carry a piece of him with me in some small way.

[gregg dudley]

My wife doesn't like the fact that I pay $150 for a pair of sunglasses.   I never have lost a pair of $150 sunglasses.  She says she loses her sunglasses all the time and that's why she only buys $10 sunglasses.

I tell her she loses her sunglasses all the time cause she only buys $10 sunglasses.

I was following your logic until you got to this point.  I have just under a million dollars worth of Oakleys, Ray Bans, Maui Jims, Costas, and Natives scattered in every body of water in Florida.   

[howl]

It's not like it's a hobby maker who might never deliver, it's a Randall. Yeah, I'd wait if I wanted one. That's easy to say since I don't want one.

[1Arrow1Kill]

Six (6) year wait for a knife?  Heck, I can't wait 6 minutes to take a leak . . . and I don't! 

[Roy from Pa]

No way do I need a very expensive knife, so no I would not even order one let alone wait 5 years.

But different strokes for different folks.

If it's what ya want and don't mind the wait, then go for it:)

[Mint]

I have three Randal Knives and when I ordered my first one in 2003 I believe it was a four year wait. They told me that people serving in the military going to war jump in front of the line and I thought that was a great thing and I didn't mind waiting for mine. I don't know if that is still true or not. 

[D. Key]

Go to Cowboy Knife Auctions on Facebook, and bid on the one you like. I have bought 3 this year from Bob Jankowski and they are flawless. He is one talented knife maker.