Fixed blade for Central America

rye_a

rye_a

Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
874
I'm heading to the jungles and beaches of Belize and Guatemala with my family next month, and am trying to decide which knife I should bring (after checking knife laws, of course). I plan to carry whatever I choose horizontally with a Tek-Lok either in the front of or back of my waist. I am down to two options, and would appreciate the community's thoughts on which is best suited to the task.

My first option is the Bastinelli RED V2
  • Overall Length:8.625"
  • Blade Length:4.00"
  • Blade Thickness:0.12"
  • Blade Material:Bohler N690Co
  • Blade Style:Tanto
  • Blade Grind:Flat
  • Finish:Black
  • Edge Type Plain
  • Handle Length:4.625"
  • Handle Thickness:0.50"
  • Handle Material:G-10
  • Color:Black
  • Weight:4.26 oz.
Bastinelli-RED-V2-Black-G-10-Black-BAS04V2-BHQ-39083-jr.jpg

My second choice is the venerable Spyderco Aqua Salt:
  • Overall Length:9.33"
  • Blade Length:4.69"
  • Cutting Edge:4.38"
  • Blade Thickness:0.12"
  • Blade Material:H1
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Blade Grind:Hollow
  • Finish:Black
  • Edge Type Plain
  • Handle Length:4.55"
  • Handle Thickness:0.70"
  • Handle Material:FRN
  • Color:Black
  • Weight:4.48 oz.
spyderco-fb23pbbk-cm.jpg
 
Everything from day-to day food prep, etc, to self defense in the event something goes completely sideways. I normally wouldn't worry much about the latter, but with kids (13 and 11 year old daughters and a 9 y/o son) and a wife to look after I don't want to be empty-handed. If someone wants our stuff they can have it, but if we are put in physical danger that is another matter. I wouldn't be diving or anything with it, but would probably carry it on jungle treks, wandering around remote ruins, etc.

In terms of the size of the knife, I am fairly big at 6'4" and a fit 220 lbs.
 
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rye_a said:
Everything from day-to day food prep, etc, to self defense in the event something goes completely sideways. I normally wouldn't worry much about the latter, but with kids (13 and 11 year old daughters and a 9 y/o son) and a wife to look after I don't want to be empty-handed. If someone wants our stuff they can have it, but if we are put in physical danger that is another matter. I wouldn't be diving or anything with it, but would probably carry it on jungle treks, wandering around remote ruins, etc.

In terms of the size of the knife, I am fairly big at 6'4" and a fit 220 lbs.
Click to expand...

Check out the Spyderco Street Bowie too.

9_543674.jpg
 
marcinek said:
I'd just pick up a machete and a kitchen knife when I get there.
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This is always a decent idea. If anything goes sideways you could always go "I don't know, I'm a tourist, and I bought these as gifts". Years ago on a Ex-Pat board, this question came up, and the advice was to move as far away from tactical looking as you could, because in their experience, it always singled you out for more questioning during spot checks.

The Spyderco also wins in this regard, it's very mellow looking.
 
tltt said:
This is always a decent idea. If anything goes sideways you could always go "I don't know, I'm a tourist, and I bought these as gifts". Years ago on a Ex-Pat board, this question came up, and the advice was to move as far away from tactical looking as you could, because in their experience, it always singled you out for more questioning during spot checks.

The Spyderco also wins in this regard, it's very mellow looking.
Click to expand...

I just get the feeling that coming into these countries with 4-5 inch fixed blade, and walking around with it, especially when it is not "native" is got problems written all over. Seems to be looking for trouble. Sticking out like a sore thumb foreigner toting a weapon around. I wouldn't.

Whereas, a 14 inch Tram, might not even get a second look or thought. Add a SAK and I think you'd be beuno.
 
marcinek said:
I just get the feeling that coming into these countries with 4-5 inch fixed blade, and walking around with it, especially when it is not "native" is got problems written all over. Seems to be looking for trouble. Sticking out like a sore thumb foreigner toting a weapon around. I wouldn't.

Whereas, a 14 inch Tram, might not even get a second look or thought. Add a SAK and I think you'd be beuno.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. The word, I believe, is ‘blend’.
 
Agreed. Wearing it horizontally across my front or back With a untucked T-shirt should make it basically invisible.
 
I wouldn't pick anything in H1 if you plan on cutting anything more than once with it....Go with the Spyderco Street Bowie like Lapedog suggested....it will STAY sharp.
 
OP- If you're looking at the Aqua Salt, might also want to look at the Jumpmaster 2. Same H1 steel, and may or may not have a more useful blade/handle shape for you, but that's really just preference.

brandoak said:
I wouldn't pick anything in H1 if you plan on cutting anything more than once with it....Go with the Spyderco Street Bowie like Lapedog suggested....it will STAY sharp.
Click to expand...

Depends on whether it's serrated or not. Plain edge, I'd agree. Serrated H1 is pretty unbeatable.
 
Having owned and used the Aqua Salt, I strongly recommend it. Good sheath, good steel, good blade shape, good handle. Really, just excellent all around. Also, zero corrosion concerns - which is why I picked it up in the first place for EDC purposes in humid-swamp-butt Oklahoma. I could sweat on it all day, get hit by a sprinkler, get caught out in the rain - no worries about a rusty blade.
 
Something like a condor kephart would be good, its well under budget and pretty inconspicuous.
If you aren't worried about blending in then the spyderco street bowie that someone suggested about would be about prefect.
The spyderco is going to be lighter than pretty much everything else in its size range and its stainless.
One other option could be a bradford guardian 3.5, although it would be smaller than the others.

Edit: If it has to be between one of the two you listed I would get the spyderco, my pacific salt has been a great companion blade while hiking and fishing.
 
rye_a said:
Agreed. Wearing it horizontally across my front or back With a untucked T-shirt should make it basically invisible.
Click to expand...

You know the knife laws there? I don't care if the locals carry whatever, laws in many countries are selectively enforced. I was challenged twice in Thailand and that was 40 years ago. Once I had a government ID (at a military/police checkpoint) and the next time by a beat cop near a local market where I had just purchased a machete. I did speak the language, so I was able to explain why it was normal to carry a 12" blade around.

Get a cheap (not a bad) knife. And watch your step. A few weeks (months?) of jail time in these countries will make you regret things.
 
Never been to a jungle so not sure what to recommend but I would suggest spending an extra $14 or so and getting a Mora for the food prep. I don't like to use a camp knife for food prep too. If it gets lost or stolen, no great $ loss.
 
Eazy_tom said:
Something like a condor kephart would be good, its well under budget and pretty inconspicuous.
If you aren't worried about blending in then the spyderco street bowie that someone suggested about would be about prefect.
The spyderco is going to be lighter than pretty much everything else in its size range and its stainless.
One other option could be a bradford guardian 3.5, although it would be smaller than the others.

Edit: If it has to be between one of the two you listed I would get the spyderco, my pacific salt has been a great companion blade while hiking and fishing.
Click to expand...
Quite right. The Condor Kephart is a fine purchase after a bit of TLC. Don’t tell me otherwise.
 
You are right to be concerned. US State Dept has Guatemala ranked at their second highest threat level. "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" (the only higher level is "4: Do not travel").
https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...aveladvisories/guatemala-travel-advisory.html

Based on the what the State Dept is saying, no way in hell I'd take my family there. I am not trying to be a dick. Read up on it, it's not a good place to go.

This is just SOME of the warnings on the web site. They recommend hiring security escorts through the government there.

Crime: The crime threat level in Guatemala is critical. The Embassy has no reason to believe that U.S. citizens are being specifically targeted, although criminals in Guatemala may assume that U.S. citizens and their relatives have more money than average Guatemalans.

  • The number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens and other foreigners remains high and crimes occur even in areas of Guatemala City once considered safe, such as Zones 10, 14, 15, and 16.
  • The Guatemalan border with Mexico (and in particular the northwestern corner of Petén) is a high-risk area due to large scale drug and alien smuggling.
  • The border areas including the Sierra de Lacandon and Laguna del Tigre National Parks are among the most dangerous areas in Guatemala. The U.S. Embassy takes extra precautions when U.S. government personnel travel to the region.
  • Reports of sexual assault remain high. Support for victims of sexual assault is lacking.Theft, armed robbery, and carjacking are the most common crimes against U.S. citizens who visit Guatemala, and travelers have experienced carjackings and armed robberies upon leaving the airport. Victims have been killed when they resisted an attack or refused to give up money or valuables.
  • Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City. In a common scenario, an accomplice distracts the victim while an assailant slashes or simply steals a bag or backpack.
 
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