Headed to Costa Rica - Knife suggestions welcomed

M

Mark Schmitt

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
340
I'm off to Costa Rica and would like to take the most capable folder or, better yet, fixed blade I can. I will be in cities 50% of the time and in the jungle 50% of the time.

I did the 'Costa Rica' knife laws search on the forum and there is not much there re: legality- any input would be appreciated on this issue as well.

The two most consistent things I hear/read are: "Don't take anything with you that you can't leave behind" and "no folders that look like weapons".

My thoughts right now: SAK Swisschamp, Leatherman Wave, Spyderco Manix (maybe a Bark River Aurora?).

Anyone out there with some experience? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Mark
 
In the markets there you can buy yourself a machete. They come in all shapes and sizes. Be sure to buy a decorative sheath and put it away to use a a wall hanger when you get home. They also have many types of knives if you do not want to take one of your prizes. You won't feel bad if you get it confiscated or have to throw it away. Most of the market knives need sharpening so you might take a stone or diamond block.
 
I go to Peru fairly often. I carry a SAK, a Leatherman, and buy a larger knife there. When I come home, I leave them with family members.
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have pretty much settled on the SAK/Leatherman. Any specifics on the EDC folder?

I am still thinking Spyderco Mini Manix or Paramilitary. Neither one looks very scary (by my standards anyway), stainless (I'll be fishing and diving much of the time and usually keep my EDC clipped to my dive gear or swim trunks), and I can do the padlock through the Spyderco hole trick to discourage theft while the knife is in my luggage.

To be clear, my intent is to stay within the law and local custom. Ideally I would bring my normal EDC but don't want to risk confiscation (official or unofficial) of a knife that pricey or hard to replace.

Any more votes on a specific folder? Spyderco Salt maybe?

Thanks,
Mark
 
fudo said:
I go to Peru fairly often. I carry a SAK, a Leatherman, and buy a larger knife there. When I come home, I leave them with family members.
Click to expand...

I am currently in Peru. Great place. I EDC some nice knives here, with no problems whatsoever. It's just a matter of exercising common sense.

I suggest a Paramilitary, plus a Leatherman Tool, and a locally bought machete while in the jungle.
 
If you're going to be diving, swimming, and fishing with the knife clipped on, then you're dead on... get a Salt with the yellow handle. The Mini Manix or Paramilitary, while being stain resistant, will still rust if you forget to clean them VERY thoroughly after being in salt water. The Salt will not rust. Also, in my eyes, the Salts with yellow handles look less "weapony", which is another goal.

From what I've read (I have no experience in this), when you visit places where people have to use large knives as part of their daily routine, it's pretty easy to buy large knives. So, my recommendation would be to take a SAK and a Salt (spending less than $100), then pick up a machete while you're down there.
 
It looks like strictly speaking knives/weapons are prohibited for you in the same way a pistol would be: http://www.costaricalaw.com/faqs/faq_21.php
However, knives/tools are allowed. :rolleyes:
And it looks like the knives/ weapons law is never prosecuted.

My wife's from Costa Rica, so I've been there a bit.

I always buy a new small or medium sized machette with a handmade leather sheath, all for about $20, when I get there each time I go. It's good for the bush and opeing coconuts which are plentifull. A stall in the Mercado Central (Central Market) is a good source, as well as many Ferraterias (Hardware stores). I like the Costa Rica brand Coroneta, but others are good as well. They don't come sharpened so you'll have to sharpening it yourself. I like a diamond file (try Harbour Freight for that) and last time I used a Lanskey with course diamond hones. It worked great, and my machette was so sharp it impressed the natives, but took a while tp sharpen. Last trip, I also brought a mini-griptilan ans a Helle mora knife in a Survival Systems sheath, both of which worked well and I left them with my in-laws.

I carried the mini-griptillian in San Jose and was glad to have it. I had heard there was a folding blade length restriction, but I don't think that is the case. I think I might carry my AFCK next time (or a folder slightly larger than the mini-grip). I saw a kid get mugged at knife point from across the street once on the last trip. You've got to watch yourself there now.

Here's the mini-gritillian at work there:

P8090032.jpg


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372132&highlight=costa+rica

When hiking, I carried the Helle 4" fixed that I had a nice kydex sheath with techloc made by survival systems, in upsidedown carry attached to my pack strap. About a week after we left, my Father-in-law used the Helle to hold to burglers that he caught in the neighbors cabin at knife point until the cops got there. He said the cops just let them go.

Here's a pic of the Corneta brand Costa Rica Machete that I got, with the handmade leather sheath. They are quite common. I sharpened it with my Lanskey (with an additional Xtra Course diamond hone):

Corneta.jpg


There's a pic of my father-in-law and myself at the link above.

Open lots of coconuts, enjoy the strange fruit and food, but watch you stuff and your back.
 
My advice is to live like the natives....buy a knife when you get there from a local shop.
 
Hi Mark

I don't know how I miss this tread! I hope is not too late for a reply. :)

In the city, if you carry the SAK or the Leatherman you will not have any problem. As a local, I carry a Paramilitary or a Presidio without troubles, but I don't recommend the Manix for you... You will be an outsider with a big knife and that maybe can cause you a problem, don't worth the risk...

In the jungle, you can carry what you want, enjoy it! Forget the Aurora and get here a Machete. The machete, the Manix and a Multitool will work great. ;)

Have a good time here!


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
I'd go with a vic farmer (alox tough...saw, rides well in a pocket) and a 12 inch ontario machete.. is large enogh to handle chores but small enough that it can be tossed into or lashed to a pack unnoticed...that's my ncombo when headed into the woods the vic in my pocket and the ontario lashed to the bottom of my buttpack sandwhiched between it and my rolled up jacket virtuall unnoticeable yet not concealed and easily accessible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top