My cousin has an old Randall knife (
I don't know the number) it has a rat-tail style tang. I know the 18 woulden't have this, but on Randall's web site they mention "silver soldered." I don't know what exactly is soldered, but I know there isn't any at all on the Chris Reeve. That is one of the things I liked about it, All one piece. I also like the steel and the coating. But, the main thing is it's size. In NJ I can't carry anything over 5" legally, and 4" is usually "pushing it." I have heard of a lot of cops here who will take a knife away if the blade is longer then the width of their open palm. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

(whoops, Presumed_Lost beat me to the post <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)
By the way presumed what would be your first choice if not Randal or Reeve? Just wondering <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />