Extended stay in a developing country?

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
3,164
If you had to stay in a developing country for 5 months or so, would you bring your best knives?

Would you consider the image you would present to the people?

Could tactical looking knives pose a problem?

Most developing countries are knife friendly but maybe too friendly?

I was thinking a Mora or two, instead of my F-1.
 
Id bring my bravo1, just cause its my goto blade. and for an extended period, Id want it over a mora. However Id also bring a few moras to use for food prep, and possable trading w/ locals or potential gifts to locals.
 
I would not worry to much,I mean yea,I would worry that I would lose my bk1(BK1 hard to replace,rc3 available) or it get stolen but in a developing country any knife has potetial to be stolen,but say you never got bothered or it ever left your site...5 months in a poor country with a mora... I would feel at home with the locals poor and wishing I was somewhere else with a better knife... Not knocking the mora but not my kinda blade...
 
If you had to stay in a developing country for 5 months or so, would you bring your best knives?
Depends on what I plan to do, if I extensively need the knife (outdoor expedition...) I would probably take my most suitable knife which ever it is. If not, I would consider the loss risk etc...

Would you consider the image you would present to the people?
Of course

Could tactical looking knives pose a problem?
Depends on the country you're heading to, but broadly speaking... it could probably.

Despite all that, an F1 doesn't look that tactical (no goofy serrations, not too pointy...), not too big, it doesn't look too valuable (no expensive handle material, so less risks to be stolen), so I guess it would be OK.

One side note is that some countries have written limitations about how thick a knife can be, so that could be a problem...
 
[QUOTE

One side note is that some countries have written limitations about how thick a knife can be, so that could be a problem...[/QUOTE]

:thumbup: great info.thanks for sharing,I did not know that !!!:D
 
My sister spent an extended period in South Africa. She said that they are very good at picking out Americans and often try to steal from them. Although with a big knife, maybe that would deter people. I would suggest getting a Mora or something, that is fairly decent, but very cheap.

If your going camping for 5 months, I would suggest some better blades. Have fun!
 
I've been working off-and-on overseas for the past 20 years.

If you are going to be living-in or visiting a developing nation, NEVER (did I say NEVER?) bring anything that you cannot afford to lose. As a sign of respect, you shouldn't be carrying anything that shows-off how rich or better-off you are to the locals. Remember that one of your knives may be the equivalent of a month-to-year salary equivalent to some people.

Sure, you can bring nice knives and other gear along, but you will probably create some sort of resentment form the locals so be careful how you appear. I don't think that an F1 will be that flashy though, and it may even be a nice present or trade item if you get befriended by someone.

You'd better learn the knife laws of the country(s) you plan on visiting, you definitely do not want to go to jail for any reason. I'd stay away from 'tactical' knives unless you will be working with military or police units.
 
Great responses.

Thanks for the comfirmation that F-1 is not too flashy.

Bring some Moras and SAKs as gifts.
 
I wouldn't take large flashy looking knives to a developing country, because it'll only cause resentment when you use it around people who would never be able to afford such a thing. When you're overseas, particularly in developing countries, friendly locals are often your best resource and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise good relations with them. Take a few Moras with you - if you need anything bigger, machetes and such are always available locally.
 
CWL said:
I've been working off-and-on overseas for the past 20 years.

If you are going to be living-in or visiting a developing nation, NEVER (did I say NEVER?) bring anything that you cannot afford to lose. As a sign of respect, you shouldn't be carrying anything that shows-off how rich or better-off you are to the locals. Remember that one of your knives may be the equivalent of a month-to-year salary equivalent to some people.

Sure, you can bring nice knives and other gear along, but you will probably create some sort of resentment form the locals so be careful how you appear. I don't think that an F1 will be that flashy though, and it may even be a nice present or trade item if you get befriended by someone.

You'd better learn the knife laws of the country(s) you plan on visiting, you definitely do not want to go to jail for any reason. I'd stay away from 'tactical' knives unless you will be working with military or police units.
Click to expand...


i agree with CWL...:thumbup:

i wouldn't take anything of significant value... you never know what can happen... it could get lost, stolen or consficated..i also think that in certain areas, tactical knives may pose a problem...

i would just take a SAK and a mora... any work on obtaining something else while i was there....:D well now that i think of it, an F-1 is a great knife and doesn't cost a lot of $$...:rolleyes:
 
My blade would never leave my side. I definatly think nothing too flashy. Your f1 will be fine. No 500.00 busse though....
 
Why bother to bring anything more than a pesonel pocket knife?

If you need something more, buy what you need from the local economy and just use what the locals use. When we went on our Costa Rica rain forest trip we just took our sak's, and by chance that is what the local guides carried in combination with small machete's of Tramontina and other brands. Our son John, who was in South Africa on buisness for his company for some months, bought an Okapi localy and it blended in with what the locals used.

Leave the fancy knives, watches, and other American luxury toys home and blend in with the local people. You'll make friends faster, and you may even have the experiance of finding out you don't need a 200 dollar blade to get by. Besides, when the locals see you using and getting by with the same stuff they use, there is alot more respect for you, and through the friendship that will develope, you'll see alot more of the real people and the local culture. And local friends wil keep you from being ripped off by those who think all Americans are rich. When John was in the the Phillipines for 6 months he rode a Honda motorscooter like many of the locals. When he went to have it serviced at a local mechanic, his phillipine friend followed him over to drop it off and give him a lift back to work. An argument took place when his friend saw what the guy was going to charge John, and it was almost double what it should have been. After alot of jabbering back and forth, the mechanic relented. On the way back to the office the friend told John the mechanic saw the high end watch on John's wrist, and told the native phillipino why not charge him more, he's rich and can afford it.

When you're not in the U.S. of A. anymore, blend it. Blend in.
 
I have been working all over South America for the past 15 years and never had a problem carrying a knife. Remember that most people in developing countires have no idea or concept of what we pay for our "good" knives, if you told everyone you met that your knife cost $500 then you may have a problem. The exception to this may be the Leatherman, they are quite desireable in South America and tend be double the highest price you would pay for one in USA or Canada (that being said, Leatherman's make great gifts for your South American friends!).

It reminds me of a time back in 1995 when I flew straight from the Amazon in southern Venezuela to the international airport in Caracas on a small chartered Cessna 206 after having spent over 100 days in the jungle, I had four knives on me when I got off the plane in the secure area, the officials chuckled, called me "Rambo", then told me to take them off and put them in my checked bag before checking in...no problem, but I sure felt silly....

That was back before I got into the higher end blades and mostly carried this along with a Leatherman Supertool, SAK, and a Spyderco Delica:

MH_4_lowres.jpg


nothing flashy about this one!

A "flashy" knife won't stay flashy for long if it's being used, but it's never a good idea to draw too much attention to yourself if you can help it (dirty it up a bit first!)
 
Last edited:
No flash Gray Man approach.
Have traveled with a Mora 2000, Erickson Clipper, Leatherman Super Tool Indispensable ! A AlMar SERE 2000 and a SAK the cork screw comes in handy and makes a nice gift. Take a Strong folder for going into town.
 
I bet there are some village knifemakers in some backwater countries that make a decent knife. That would be a really interesting addition to your collection.
 
Yeah, I forgot to mention that you should buy a few locally made knives if you get the chance. Amazing what somene can do with a truck spring and a coal fire.
 
I have visited Venezuela a couple of times do to my wife having family there, never brought any fancy knives, just used what was available over there. I have been to alot backwater areas over there to go fishing and each time I did take about 6 expensive rod and reel combos, and a bunch of great fishing lures. I did get alot of oohs and ahhs, but the natives were real friendly and I let all of them use my gear. I gave my guide a Lucky Craft Sammy, and a so so Shimano rod teamed up with a Shimano Curado. He almost almost cried! It feels great when you can do something like that for someone.
 
I am in China for an extended stay, at the moment in Guangzhou (Canton).
Leatherman multi tools are highly valued here. Mine was stolen right before I left the United States, and I replaced it with a Chinese version no name slippy multi tool. It actually is pretty good with better pliers than the Leatherman wave, although the blade steel is inferior. I brought a cheap pocket knife from home as well, with MADE IN CHINA emblazoned on it. I agree with many of the previous posters who said to "blend in" best as you can. It also gives you a chance to voice some admiration over the local products, which earns you a little face and respect as a person.
One of the Aussies I work with brought a few small Case sheath knives, carries them regularly and has had no problems in the two years he has been here (on and off for months at a time) He uses one for slicing food, and the other for general use. mostly he carries them in a small back pack. I have not asked what the local laws are.
I have not observed ANY Chinese carrying knives in public of any kind, and have seen cashiers open packages with their teeth.
I will ask a local what the knife laws are here, another previous suggestion by one of the posters.
Risking a high end knife is foolish, and it might deter you from seeking out a local knife maker who might be able to craft a surprisingly good knife you would otherwise never have experienced ( another nod to far wiser posters than I.).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top