Backpacker trip to South Africa - which knife'nd more?

huh,
startin' getting hot here. :rolleyes:
but really, thanks for ALL point of views.

Elen, I was last year in Ghana, WA, and my GF was there alone this year. one month, both. Well I know Ghana is different, all what I would like to say, I would not "trash" the whole continent, because I think Africa is a place, what everybody should experience at least once.

There are very"dark" places there , where I would not go, for sure.
but things differ as one's mindset, too, IMHO.

actually this idea to going there was popping up as a result of hearing so many different opinions, and (mis)conceptions about this country...
 
Well, when you make it back be sure to post how it went so we'll all know you made it back in one piece!



(Of course if something does happen I apologize ahead of time :) )
 
Something to add to your knife list is a SOG Vulcan. It is a very nice knife for the money and a sturdy folder. It is also made of VG-10 steel and has a .16" blade stock. Here are the stats if you are interested:

Vulcan:

Blade: 3.5" x .16"
Overall Length: 8.375"
Weight: 5.0 oz.
Edge: Straight
Steel: VG-10
Handle: Zytel
Finish: Satin
Includes Reversible Pocket clip

This knife has put up with a lot from me in the last month and a half since I've owned it. It is my favorite folder and it is tough. You won't be disappointed. Here is the link for it too:

http://sogknives.com/store/VL-01.html

Hope this helps, J.
 
bato',
thanks, nice blade.
I like the bladeform, and size.
is there a possibility of occasional opening of the blade (is the opening system kind of self-auto? isn't it?)
 
sweet jesus, I had a buddy that grew up there and he used to tell us the horror stories all the time. I though most of it was just BS but i guess now i owe him a few beers.

I also heard similar bad reviews from a jockey(i'm a horse-racing nut:thumbup:) that was from SA. I viewed him as a bit of a racist though but he assured me ''I didn't know what they were really like''.

Which leads me to believe there is a lot of strong racial tension over there, I don't feel like getting butchered over crap like that - i have to worry about it enough in the states:grumpy:

It's a huge world, and traveling is expensive - from what I've heard and read I would choose another country first, especially if I was bringing along my pretty naive girlfriend! - but to each his own.

Good luck with your travels.
 
Yeah... you know what, maybe you should just stay at home. Travelling is dangerous, y'know. The planes, foreign countries, funny food. Its just one long health hazard man.

Better to stay at home, on the coach, and watch it on TV. Hell, life is bad enough without taking risks :rolleyes:

Lord... there was a time when people went off the beaten path into the great unknown because that's how you became a stronger, wiser person. Its called 'experience'.

Hey, there's always Disneyworld!
 
B'hump,

totally agree.
I do not want to hurt anybody on this great forum, but somehow it's a bit funny how I always find posts and threads about "being prepared", "zombie killing"etc....all of these big guys, with those big knifes, MAN...strange.:rolleyes:

yes, maybe we will not go there, maybe we will. I definitely don't go to war zones, but hey, I'm travel because of experience. and my greatest experiences were on potentially dangerous places, from the coach-sitter-point-of - view...
And there is MANY positive feedbacks on different travel forums about SA.

"If there is something what you don't know, go, and check out..."

should I spearfish in waters where reef sharks are?!
should I go to a jungle walk where there are poisonous snakes?!
should I swim in a jungle-river where there are electric eels?
...I did.
AM I INSANE?!...I don't think so.

Ok, I know, two legged beings are ALWAYS more dangerous than the four legged world...

I really appreciate all of your opinions and help, but it would be good to see, when one can see his opinion from a distance, and an objective manner...
 
I can see it from both sides, obviously traveling in general always has at least SOME risk potential, and I can appreciate that that is some of the fun. However I'm not going to wander around south-central LA in kkaki's and a polo giving thumbs-ups to everybody I see for the ''thrill'' of leaving in the 'now'. I don't think I'm necessarily being a paranoid couch-rider by acknowledging some places are more dangerous than others, and it gets to a level where they should probably be avoided if you can help it.

All I'm saying is I PERSONALLY wouldn't bring myself or especially my girlfriend to a place that is notoriously dangerous. I feel bad enough driving into Baltimore with her to go to an Orioles game:yawn:. If you want to go to SA then by all means do it, I just implore you to educate yourself as much as you can about where EXACTLY in the country you are going, and keep your head on a swivel, there are a lot of BAD 2 legged animals out there, I fear them FAR more on a daily basis than our 4 legged friends.

Didn't mean to rain on your parade, just trying to look out for fellow members =)
 
midnite-penguin said:
If you want to go to SA then by all means do it, I just implore you to educate yourself as much as you can about where EXACTLY in the country you are going, and keep your head on a swivel, there are a lot of BAD 2 legged animals out there, I fear them FAR more on a daily basis than our 4 legged friends.
Click to expand...


Thanks, m'p,

exactly that's what I'm doing.
agree all of your statements above.
 
ikkyo said:
bato',
thanks, nice blade.
I like the bladeform, and size.
is there a possibility of occasional opening of the blade (is the opening system kind of self-auto? isn't it?)
Click to expand...

Oh no, the blade is all manual, just the finger flipper helps to push the blade open without having to use your thumb all the time. It is perfectly legal, the blade length and the overall knife is legit. With a little practice I was able to draw my knife in the ready position in about 1~2 seconds. It is about the same size as the fallkniven F1, same steel too, but at least this one can stay in your pocket throughout the entire trip (minus the airport of course). The pocket clip allows the knife to be completely unseen except for the clip. Don't worry, the blade won't open in your pocket either. The clip can be set to either side depending on your preference. Another plus with this knife is the Arc-Lock. The arc-lock can withstand over 1000lbs of pressure without breaking. Almost like having a fixed blade that can fold. I wouldn't go stab a rock with it, but I'm sure it will hold against anything you could do with it.

Hope this helps, J.
 
ikkyo said:
huh,
startin' getting hot here. :rolleyes:
but really, thanks for ALL point of views.

Elen, I was last year in Ghana, WA, and my GF was there alone this year. one month, both. Well I know Ghana is different, all what I would like to say, I would not "trash" the whole continent, because I think Africa is a place, what everybody should experience at least once.

There are very"dark" places there , where I would not go, for sure.
but things differ as one's mindset, too, IMHO.

actually this idea to going there was popping up as a result of hearing so many different opinions, and (mis)conceptions about this country...
Click to expand...

By no means did I mean to offend anyone by what I said - it was just my experience, and I'm just one man. I certainly did not mean to trash the country as in the land itself, or the people. Just the current state of affairs.

People experience things differently, at times, and some people are just less lucky than others. I can see how someone could, for example, experience Finland as a pretty hostile place, what with all the quiet people and a generally freezing weather. For people who don't like cold and quiet, a place like this would be not much fun at all.

And South Africa, really, is not my kind of place at all. I thought I might like it, but no. Just, no.

I wouldn't compare the place to a warzone, but that would be only because on a warzone, at least you'd have your guys with you, people you've trained with that you know and trust with your life, and because you know a warzone when you're on it, and you can act like it. You have that rifle in your hands and you know that this is, as they say, it, and you have to be ready for it. SA may have changed for the better after I left, and if so, I apologize for speaking too quickly, but when I was there, it was like an on-off warzone: one moment it's quiet and the next moment you're knee deep in trouble, and the best part is you didn't have to do anything at all to get in it. It's not a warzone, only that it can practically become one at any time, if you're unlucky. On the other hand, I guess it can be paradise - if you're lucky. Want to take that chance? Myself, no, not with my kind of luck.

Sure, people live there, and visit there, but I can't say I envy them. And from what I've heard, they're not too happy about the state of affairs there either.

Regarding Africa as a whole, yes, there are rather friendly places there as well. But overall, I don't know any other continent as dangerous. And I'd rather not say this from experience, but unfortunately I do have experience.

It's really quite a shame, because the few people I got to actually know there were all good people.

But really, if you want to go there, go, and I hope you'll have fun and be just fine. That can happen and does happen to some, it's not at all impossible. But it's also quite possible that you'll come back in a box, if at all. Sure, that possibility exists with every place on earth, but in some places, it's quite a lot higher than in others. If extreme is your thing, it's a good place to go. I like to think of myself as pretty open to experiencing things most people would consider too risky or just not smart, but that's where I draw the limit. If I wanted to get shot at, I would still be in the service. I believe it's important to give different viewpoints - I wouldn't want anyone going to SA after having heard only comments like "it's a beautiful place, you'll love it" and "that kind of nature you don't get to see over here". Forewarned is forearmed. And better to be paranoid and notice it was unnecessary than to have a false sense of security and be shown just how false it was.
 
Enjoy your trip mate. Plan for as much as you can, stay alert and take care. With regards to knives I would take a strong folder, a multitool and a strong medium sized fixed blade like your busse or rat.
 
An interesting thread. I think if I decide to hike abroad, it will be to Iceland.
What kind of icepick should I take?
 
I really would avoid africa. Have you considered a different continent a little safer? There are beautiful places all over,look around find someplace where the odds are at least fifty-fifty. I wouldn't go to Juarez either,unless I was goiing fly over and nuke it.:barf::barf::barf::barf:
 
If you want an objective opinion - why not speak to your foreign affairs dept? Most countries will offer a travel advisory on certain destinations. You can base your decision on that.

But going by the opinions here, when the Soccer World Cup is hosted here in 2010, there are going to be bodies everywhere.

3 million people visiting in the space of one month - the rivers will run red with blood! :rolleyes:
 
Man, what a total waste of your time ....... horror stories galore with near to no fact. Yes, some areas are dangerous and that could be the Bronx in NY, Brixton in London or Hillbrow in SA. 2 guns and body armor ......yeah, even around here we have our closet SEALS :rolleyes:

No hear say ....not heard from a buddy ........ I live here. I am white and I am staying. Each and every country I have been to has issues ...... ours is different to yours. I have visited around 84 countries in 23 years and if SA was that bad, why would I stay.

Golden rule off thumb ...if you are the only white face, you are in deep trouble so let common sense dictate movements. No respect for live or property but no more than anywhere else in Africa.

Good news is you can carry about any blade as long as concealed ...I kid you not ..... concealed is legal but open carry will get a cop ask you to cover the offending item with your shirt or remove it.

Yes, travel with lockable luggage and on departure, have it warpped with that shrink wrap. They may have a few seconds to rip a bag and steal something but a hard Delsey case in shrink wrap is rock solid. I know ..... I travel 2-3 weeks a month.

Now things that will work .....

1 - A solid folder such a Sebenza for daily use.
2 - Fixed blade as large as you like.
3 - Decent flashlight such as the Surefire E2E and a few spare batteries
4 - Garmin GPS with mapping. If you plan out of town ...visit www.tracks4africa.co.za for some detailed maps of the wild.
5 - Small back pack (3 day)
6 - Camera, IPOD
7 - Leather man
8 - Personal first aid kit
9 - Water bottle/hydration bag

BTW, we use 240V 50Hz so make sure you have the right power supplies. Buy an adaptor at the a/port in USA on departure ...unles you plan to cut off all US plugs.

Dec is hot ..... hat, sunblock, sun glasses and cotton clothes.

Check the area you plan to visit ...some may be in malaria area. http://www.malaria.org.za/ Don't risk it without meds. Get all innoculations on a yellow card ...cholera, yellow fever, Hepetatis (whole line), menengitus, polio (if not done before)

Suggest you rent a GSM phone on arrival (Look for Vodacom or MTN)...... at a/port and send new number out. We pay for outgoing calls so all can call you for little expense on your side.

You can drink the tap water but bottled water available.

Get medical insurance ...if the accident doesn't kill you, the public healt service surely will.

AIDS is a pandemic so no sleeping around.

Get an international drivers license from the AAA prior to departure.

Our beer is good and cheap ..... :) Our food is great and also cheap :D

If you SCUBA dive ...great diving ....PADI and NAUI but no card, no dive. Bring your log book and card and rest can be rented her.

If still in doubt ...call me +27 82 654 5858.... Yes, I really live here

For a breakfast on the run .... look for a Wimpy.

Above all .....enjoy and come back soon :D
 
Aubrey, i'm not a closet SEAL, I need that gear for work purposes, you might note that my earlier post does not specify I always have everything or even most of it on me all the time.
I've also travelled extensively (hence my experience of having knives stolen from my luggage, more than once, and yes, they broke the zippers to get past the padlock on the suitcase), and I'm convinced South Africa is one of the most violent societies around. I still love SA, especially Cape Town, I just feel one should be awake and aware
 
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