Knife for Africa - Help a Noob Please!

My final suggestions are to get a windup radio so that you can save on batteries and do not bring a USA cell phone to Africa, they don't work there. Get a local cell phone so that you can get in quick contact with your folks back home. Also seek out a cyber cafe as soon as you can. Of course take a first aid kit and some water purification tablets in case of emergency. Finally, malaria is endemic in the extreme where you are going, take your medicine, and take it religiously. Clean up all scratches quickly with antiseptic, you do not want an infection.
 
Another .02:

I have a friend that's in Africa now and has done missionary work over there for a total of about 6 years in her life. She gave me a knife from there that is what is considered a "common everyday work knife", it's basically a 4 inch fixed blade.

If I were going in your place, for $80.00 I'd considered these:

1. 1 or 2 (carry one stash the other in case you lose the other) Swedish Mora fixed blades, about 10.00 each, and dang near indestructible but light and easy to carry.

2. A Victorinox Tinker or Fieldmaster Swiss Army Knife. 19.99 to 25.00.

3. DMT folding sharpener. 10.00


One thing that can't be stressed enough, ANY knife that is fancy or flashy is GOING to get stolen if you blink for a second.

Any thing she doens't nail down goes fast.

I would not bother shipping or carrying a Machete over with you, they are everywhere over there, and cheap and easy to find.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
My final suggestions are to get a windup radio so that you can save on batteries and do not bring a USA cell phone to Africa, they don't work there. Get a local cell phone so that you can get in quick contact with your folks back home. Also seek out a cyber cafe as soon as you can. Of course take a first aid kit and some water purification tablets in case of emergency. Finally, malaria is endemic in the extreme where you are going, take your medicine, and take it religiously. Clean up all scratches quickly with antiseptic, you do not want an infection.
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If you are travelling out of range of regular celphones and if you've got the bucks, rent or buy a satellite phone. It is worth it!

Not to mention if you are carrying medical insurance that includes evacuation, it won't do you a bit of good if you can't contact anyone to get you out of there.
 
I do understand that machetes are very easy to find, but the quality of knives in much of Africa tends to be fairly low. A knifenut would probably appreciate the higher quality of an Ontario knife company machete and they are cheap. The one change I would make is that it would make more sense to take just one smaller machete with a 12-14" blade, not two and defintely no 18" blade. That type of knife would be better procured once at the destination.

The other thing I would suggest is that I just came from a local gun show and I picked up a Benchmade Mini TSEK at a very nice price. It has a pretty thin 440C blade that is very sharp. This seems llike a good knife for rain forest conditions because 440C is pretty inexepensive, it sharpens easily, and it is very corrosion resistant. This and the Centofante III are two really inexpensive pocket knives that are just a touch over 3" that would be great for fruit peeling and other daily chores.
 
Although years ago, I lived in north and west africa for about six years. I can't stress enough that if it isn't clenched in your sweaty fist it will probably disappear. I agree with the posters that recommend getting several inexpensive blades rather than one good one. Losing/getting stolen is LIKELY so you'll want replacements. I work in the horticulture field myself and I use my multi-tool everyday. Get a basic leatherman with a belt pouch and a few inexpensive folders. I envy your upcoming adventure, Africa is an amazing place!!
 
i'd recommend a used (not that hard to find) dozier k1 or one of his other general utility concepts. oh, and sleep with it. ;)
 
Wow, you are getting some really fantastic advice from some real veterans who have been there and done that. I am impressed with the power of this forum.

Another idea. Since stuff seems to walk away quick in Africa, and a fixed blade may be a good thing. Maybe a neck knife. A small fixed blade you can wear under your shirt. This knife hangs upside down in a small sheath suspended by a ballchain, leather, whatever, necklace. It is always with you. Another low profile fb option might be a horizontal belt sheath carried in the small of the back. Maybe I just jumped out of your price range, and maybe this is not a good idea but this forum is determined to get you off to a good start.
 
bell said:
Wow, you are getting some really fantastic advice from some real veterans who have been there and done that. I am impressed with the power of this forum.

Another idea. Since stuff seems to walk away quick in Africa, and a fixed blade may be a good thing. Maybe a neck knife. A small fixed blade you can wear under your shirt. This knife hangs upside down in a small sheath suspended by a ballchain, leather, whatever, necklace. It is always with you. Another low profile fb option might be a horizontal belt sheath carried in the small of the back. Maybe I just jumped out of your price range, and maybe this is not a good idea but this forum is determined to get you off to a good start.
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It's just a thought!! :D I put my TAK-1 in the small of my back and most don't know it is there including me sometimes.
 
how about Gerber Clip-lock Rivermaster as your fixed blad? It is a very inexpensive fixed blade and designed for harsh environments.
 
Wow! What an incredible number of suggestions! Thank you to everyone who has posted. To answer a couple of questions, I live in Canada (Victoria, BC). I am bringing a couple 1W Luxeon flashlights in addition to a combo led/halogen headlamp. I have a satellite phone as there are no land lines or cell networks. The sat phone will be used primarily for sending e-mail. I was given a multi powered shortwave/am/fm radio. It runs off batteries, mains power, solar or a hand crank.

Now to wade through the 25-30 individual knife recommendations!

Thanks again!
CAR Bound
 
>"So, I'm looking for a decent, tough knife in the $60-80 range. I prefer somewhere around a three inch blade. ..."

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Allow me to jump on the bandwagon of guys who are suggesting knives that don't fit your criteria! ;)

For $60-80 you can get an assortment of tough-ass used user knives on Ebay. Nothing all that fancy or modern or collectible, mind you, but damn good workers nonetheless. Look for used Buck 110s or 112s, used Schrade LB7s, used Gerber lockbacks (search with keywords "brass," and "award*" or "stone*" and you'll find a bunch of F1 lockbacks that were given as corporate awards -- great users). You can also find sheaths for any of the aforementioned knives. And don't forget Schrade Old Timers or Uncle Henrys. Even if you don't rely on any of these as your primary knife, they'd make for good backups -- or good gifts for the friends you make over there. Good luck!
 
Ya know, the more I think about this post the more I think maybe not bring much of anything with you. Aside from some very personel pocket knives like a sak or two. I think I'd just use what was there.

1. Anything out of the norm for over there will get stolen fast, or worse. You are going to a place that has way different values. I'd be very leary of having something that is a treasure worth killing for. To us it's just a knife, to someone over there it can be priceless. Same for any expencive watches ect...

2. Why bring a work knife to a place where everyone over the age of 12 has a panga? Use what they use. If an Okapi is a popular knife, carry one of them. Carry your good stuff when you get back.
 
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