Anybody ever seen an Okapi lockback folder?

MaxTheKnife

MaxTheKnife

Joined
Aug 19, 2000
Messages
643
I read a story in the Knives 2000 Big Book. I was impressed and bought one. The company is in South Africa. The knives are made in South Africa.

The construction is very simple. It has a native hardwood handle, an outsite spring for the lockback, a nickel silver inlay, and a 1055 carbon steel blade. Absolutely simple but very useable.

Has anybody else seen one of these? I'm just curious. There are only 3 dealers in the USA that carry these to my knowledge. I would gladly put a pic in here if I knew how. You have to see this knife and use it to appreciate its simple beauty and quality for the money. Let me hear from you curious folks.
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M.Ogg

"It's better to be thought a fool and remain silent, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
 
I don't have a picture but, I remember Steven Dick mentioning them on an article about skinning game in South Africa in Tactical Knives.
 
Hello All,

Ahhh......the ubiquitous Okapi Knife.

There are two models that I know of - one is a small straight handled one that is smaller than the more commonly used one with the slightly curved and tapering handle, which is obviously the one that MaxTheKnife has.

There are no lockback models that I am aware of - These knives are simple cheap slipjoint jobbies.

The Okapi knife is probably your most used knife in South Africa, it is used for anything and everything, from game skinning to despatching human oponents.

The Okapi knife is VERY VERY popular with criminals.

These knives are surprisingly durable for their price (cheap, even in South Africa), and the blade takes a surprisingly good edge.

By the way I have some scars on my lip, obtained from an Okapi used by a criminal.
Fortunately for me the criminal was not a good knifer and I survived, the criminal went to jail for two years (criminals are a protected species here), although he was slightly the worse for wear after I finished with him.
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Regards.
 
Hey moonstone, good story! Do you live in South Africa now? I'm sorry about your lip too. Criminals like anything they can get their hands on to do the job, I guess. Like in a survival situation, whatever knife you have in your pocket is a survival knife.

The model I have is #907E. The model you're referring to is either the #1907 or the #1979. It is indeed a lockback with a very positive lock and tight outer spring. The 907E has a pull ring on top which is kind of cumbersome but works well and also serves as a lanyard ring for neck hanging and pocket clipping and maybe even an oversized key ring.

I got it yesterday and cleaned it up a little and am pleased with it. Yes, it is inexpensive. But 'cheap slip-joint jobbie' is a little unfair to the people making it. I'm sure they're not making them for such a small selling price to entice the criminals to use them. It will be a valuable addition to my using knife collection. I have no illusions about its inferior quality. I just appreciate it for what it is and where it was made.

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M.Ogg

"It's better to be thought a fool and remain silent, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
 
Hello Essav.
Thanks for the link to Ragweed Forge's page.
I did not know that Okapi knives actually have model numbers
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Here in S. Africa if you ask for an Okapi, you will usually be offered the model 1907E, this is the one encountered most often.
I was also unaware of the lockback and the small "sailor" type - I will have to buy them for my collection
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Regards.

 
moonstone, that's what the article I read seemed to say. It was about hunting in SA, and the men skinning the animals used okapis so worn from constant resharpening that the blades were like little filet knives, they were so narrow. They had no use for a lockback, just the one basic model. I can't imagine anyone in that position wanting a small size.
 
OKAPI KNIVES? I have them! I am from South Africa and am a distributer. I have the 907E which is the locking type, the 1907, which is the same as the 907 without the lock as well. We also carry the 1978 which is a smaller version, all three here have hardwoord and I also have ones with black and red handles. If anyone wants to see pictures and descriptions, go to this link and view all my knives or e-mail me for more info. We are also looking for other distributers.

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Safari Joe.

 
OKAPI KNIVES? I have them! I am from South Africa and am a distributer. I have the 907E which is the locking type, the 1907, which is the same as the 907 without the lock as well. We also carry the 1978 which is a smaller version, all three here have hardwoord and I also have ones with black and red handles. If anyone wants to see pictures and descriptions, go to this link and view all my knives or e-mail me for more info. We are also looking for other distributers.
http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&userid=safarijoe&include=0&since=-1&sort=2&rows=25

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Safari Joe.

 
hy,

I recently bought an okapi folder at an army surplus shop in Belgium. It was brought in as old junk between tools (sold as old metals). If all is ok, there should be a picture here:
<img src=http://www.photoloft.com/view/exportImage.asp?s=xpag&i=3544379&w=500&h=98>
Blade length is 11cm, handle is made from compressed beechwood. Plain carbon cutting power. I was lucky to find this beauty for 1$. Anyone an idea about its age?

See you,

Tim
 
Tim, according to what I've read about Okapi knives, it was probably manufactured in Germany in the early 50's.
 
Okapi folders were made in Germany up till 1987. I noticed Smokey Mt. had a few old stock German versions in their last catalog.
 
Yep, I almost bought one from Smokey Mountain. But I decided to go with a South African made one from Safari Joes.
 
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