Daughter on a Mission Trip

My girlfriend has been to Haiti twice for humanitarian work. I just asked her about this.
She said that it would have to be put in checked luggage. But when she went they were only allowed to take a carry on bag. I guess the corruption is so bad that you may have your luggage stolen or detained unless you pay a "fee." That's why the group she was with only allowed carry ons.
She did say that it would've been nice to have a little pocketknife while there, especially if it was given to her by someone special from home.


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Only one knife?

An Alox SAK like the Pioneer is pretty slim even with the extra implements. The Awl, might come in very handy..... I'd go that route.
 
Marty, I'm not sure how I would feel letting my child go on a trip like that, but I commend you for considering it, and your open-mindedness.

I've read some good advice so far. I like the SAK idea, very useful in those situations where tools may be scarce. I also like Brett's idea of sending a knife to her when she gets to each place, as she might likely have it confiscated at every move to the next country.

Finally, I am honored that you would consider sending her out with your modded TL-29. If you do decide to go that route, and it goes missing, I'll make sure you get a replacement.
 
Though not a traditional, I'm going to suggest a knife that is cheap, and quite usable: The Lansky World Legal knife. Maybe do as suggested, and send one on ahead of her, or to meet her at her destinations.

To keep this in the traditional forum, I'd also second the SAK, in some variation. If a Multi-Tool is her thing, I'd expect those would offer so many more points of use, especially if she is helping out with any construction.

That being said, The TL-29 is such a great all-around user, that is affordable enough, you could send 3 or 4 of those.

Obviously, I would look into a small efficient sharpening stone or diamond rod for the trip, as well.

At this point, as you are aware, Prayer is your best option. Copiously and continually.
 
What makes her want to visit Haiti or S.Africa? There are some very violent aspects to both of these countries....

A good knife that's rugged, light, easy to see when dropped and good for food uses is a CASE Yellow Sodbuster in stainless. As many others have suggested a stainless Opinel, especially the smaller 6 or 7 make a lot of practical sense.
 
Let me suggest a Bucklite 422. I was searching for a light SS folder for my daughter's backpack. I got the Bucklite idea from our friends over in the Buck forum. Not in production anymore but still get them on line. Inexpensive ($20) but not cheap, light, tough as nails, and a great 420HC Bos HT SS blade that she can easily touch up with the pocket tool of your choice. Corrosion will be a problem where your daughter is headed so the SS is a real plus. I put a blaze orange lanyard on it with a ring at the end for securing it, and some small trinkets and knots in the middle for those worry-bead moments. Here's a testimonial to its toughness: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1459628-Bucklite-Question?highlight=Buck

I know what you're going through. The above daughter spent a month in rural Kenya last summer (she was not allowed to bring any weapons but did use a machete a time or two). We of course worried but she came back unscathed with some great life lessons. You might consider registering her trip with the State Dept., kind of like a flight plan. You can get alerts on each country she will be traveling to.
 
Thank you for all the recommendations She is very proficient with a knife jeeps one in her jeep just in case. Her sharpening skills leave a lot to be desired! She will be traveling with a Christian organization working with orphanages and other projects! She will spend about 3 months in each country so she will definetly have an opportunity to get to see some of their culture! She has always had a wanderlust probably comes from being an Army Brat! Her situational awareness is pretty good and she is certified in Ref Cross First Aid and CPR! Her mom and I will worry but if she feels this led and called we will trust in prayer and try to equip her the best way possible.
 
popech47 said:
Thank you for all the recommendations She is very proficient with a knife jeeps one in her jeep just in case. Her sharpening skills leave a lot to be desired! She will be traveling with a Christian organization working with orphanages and other projects! She will spend about 3 months in each country so she will definetly have an opportunity to get to see some of their culture! She has always had a wanderlust probably comes from being an Army Brat! Her situational awareness is pretty good and she is certified in Ref Cross First Aid and CPR! Her mom and I will worry but if she feels this led and called we will trust in prayer and try to equip her the best way possible.
Click to expand...

If she needs anything while she is in SA, especially in Cape Town, then get in touch with me. If you want any info about SA drop me a line.

Cheers

Steven
 
As someone who spent several decades traveling (for work...not pleasure), I will vouch for the SAK as well. On another note, will she be traveling with a group on her mission trip? And is the group leader (at the least) a well-seasoned traveller? I ask because I agree with the former assessment of Haiti...it is not a place to travel lightly. I will add that El Salvador is a very dangerous place to travel as well. MS-13 (the gang known for its bloodthirstiness) controls a sizable part of the country, making it an incredibly dangerous country in which to travel.

Regards & God Bless to you and your daughter!
Ron
 
Following the thread and I believe those of faith should keep this family in prayer. My daughter is 26 and not going anywhere, but I would appreciate the extra prayers if she was. It does work! I'm sure she will be fine and enjoy the experience for what it has to offer her. She is way braver than I am. I won't even venture to the other side of town anymore!
 
Steven65 said:
If she needs anything while she is in SA, especially in Cape Town, then get in touch with me. If you want any info about SA drop me a line.

Cheers

Steven
Click to expand...

To ad to Steven

If she is in SA and in Johannesburg/Pretoria area and needs anything you can drop me a line. Will help where I can.


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Hi. I will join the chorus and say SAK in celidor red plastic scales.
They are known worldwide, they are not seen as aggressive or weapon-like, all the tools will be used. Especially scissors and can opener. A corkscrew with the eyeglass screwdriver is needed if she wears specs. I had a screw go in the Sahara. I used the tweezers to fix but it was not easy. The corkscrew helps with making friends with people who have wine. The alpine locking model in red is good, The locking civilian version of the newest soldier is also good but I would still say a non-locking huntsman or similar is best.
If it needs to be a weapon, it makes a good fist load, a spiked knuckle or, of course, a knife. I would add a small tough single AAA torch to it like an older thrunite or one of those watch button led types.

I regularly travel with a spydie resilience, a leatherman wave and a sak huntsman. The resilience does food and sometimes provides comfort in less-salibrius places. Though it's never had to come out. The leatherman I never use but when in NZ once I needed a pair of pliers badly. Fortunately I had a multitool with me but it's why I continue to carry one. I have rarely used it since.

The SAK lives in my pocket where ever I am, including home which is the UK. It's perfectly legal here as it across most of the world. I have been through a number of security checkpoints on the globe where it was either ignored or they asked me to bag it.

I do not recommend the boker at the moment, though I am carrying one as a trial. I have never needed a glass breaker or a dedicated safety cutter but I have needed a can opener including last Tuesday when cooking at a friend's, the small screw driver it too rounded. The corkscrew won't take the glasses screwdriver either which is very annoying! Blade shape is nice and I like the g10 scales. I would consider making some for my huntsman.

I wish your daughter all the best in her travels.

Btw flashlight. head torches are great, I always take one but at night they attract bugs in buggy places. The candle mode on older smaller maglites is much missed. They will still do that if modded to led.

And a travel plug of washbasins is essential.
 
Thank you for the well wishes and all prayers are gratefully acknowledged. My daughter is a free spirit and has a heart for the less fortunate her mother and I are so proud of her! I will be posting updates when we have them and make her include pictures of her "companion" that will keep in line with the traditional forum requirements.
 
Just a few thoughts here.

First, get her a book called The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin DeBecker and make sure she reads and understands it and practices the techniques in the book until doing so becomes automatic.

Second, get her a money belt and tell her to keep most of her money in the belt and to carry a dummy wallet with a few bills of the local currency to give up if she is accosted or the victim of a pickpocket.

Let her pick out the knife she'd like.

Don't forget to have her take some means of sharpening the knife and make certain she can use it effectively.

Hope she has a great and safe trip.

Cheers
 
Been real busy getting all the stuff ready for my daughter's big mission trip! Multiple fundraisers buying gear getting her to training camp been quite a ride! But in about 2 weeks her mom and I are taking her to Atlanta to catch her plane! The prayers and well wishes have truly been felt and I ask to please continue those for at least the next 9 months! She made her decision about the pocketknife and she really is attached to the custom TL 29 Glennbad made for me so away it goes. Told her to send me pictures of her trip and to if possible send pictures of her using that special piece of home. We are very proud of the journey she is taking and I will update the "porch" with any updates during this trip. Thanks for letting me ramble
 
Not my job to decide if some parts of this journey are wise or not, but I have travelled a lot, sometime in very poor countries, where even a SAK would look sheer luxury and sometime too attractive to some.
A well battered opinel will everywhere be considered as a simple tool, yet can possibly be given as a present or exchanged with the local product.
 
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