Knife for Haiti Use ?

I

iyyob

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Dec 27, 2010
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My mother is taking a missionary trip to Haiti the second week of Feb so I got her some of my personal gear to supplement her given list. So here's where you guys come in. I'm not sure what knife I should send with her, it's out of my Izula, HEST or ESEE 3 or should I try to buy a new one for her ?

On a side note she's also going on another mission to Peru in a few months.
 
Hey man,

Do you know the laws over there. I have a buddy who hopes to be doing a couple years mission in India. They have some strange laws over there regarding knives. The last thing you want is to run wrong side of the law in a foreign country. Also, what kind of knife user is she?

God bless,
Adam

EDIT: Make sure it's a knife that you don't mind being: 1) Confiscated by TSA. 2) Stolen from her luggage. 3) Pick pocketed. 4) Taken as a bribe.
 
Out of the lineup you have though, I'd say the HEST. I've never been to Haiti so take that for what it's worth:D

A few $10 Mora knives would be nice also...I'm sure there will be some in her group and some locals who might need a nice knife.
 
What part of Haiti? Will she be more in the city area or out in country side? I have an uncle that freqeuntly travels to Haiti to work with missions.
 
Is she going to be carrying it on her everyday? In what areas will she be? For a do all blade the Izula is perfect! If you doubt it's capability go to the ESEE website and look at the photo's of it in action in the jungles of Peru. The 3 would be the perfect knife for her if it's not to large for her to carry around. It's longer blade makes it a much more capable knife than the Izula, but either one would be great for her.
 
What type of knife skills does your Mom have? Can she use a knife to build a shelter, a fire board, whittling and the like?

If you want to go with ESEE, I would suggest the Izula II so she could carry it in her pocket or on her belt all the time. If she's got mad bushcrafting skills, then maybe go with something a little bit bigger or the HEST with the survival stuff packed inside.

Frankly, I think the best thing would be a decent size Swiss Army knife--it's got lots of little gadgets you don't need to be a knife person to use, it's widely recognized in most countries in the world and is least likely to attract unwanted attention from cops, customs, etc. Plus, you're not out that much dough if it's taken or she decides to leave it there as a gift, something I tend to do.
 
What are all these references to "BK" with a number after it??? Is Burger King making knives now or something? Moose must own a Burger King--he's forever talking about their different products.
 
iyyob said:
My mother is taking a missionary trip to Haiti the second week of Feb so I got her some of my personal gear to supplement her given list. So here's where you guys come in. I'm not sure what knife I should send with her, it's out of my Izula, HEST or ESEE 3 or should I try to buy a new one for her ?

On a side note she's also going on another mission to Peru in a few months.
Click to expand...

Get her the HEST. Thats what it was made for. thats what i would carry.
 
I'd go with something inexpensive, something that can be given away to help someone there.
Unless she plans on survival scenarios, she won't need anything too heavy duty, would she?
Maybe something that doesnt' look like a weapon.
 
Whichever one you're most willing to part with.
I'd say buy her her own knife. You'll feel less pain if/when it goes away permanently.
 
I'd buy a bunch of the cheapest Mora or other Swedish bushcraft knives......she's going to probably want to give some away to people if they don't have anything. I know I wouldn't want my mom giving away (or having confiscated/given as a bribe) an ESEE. Also, with multiple cheapo Mora's she would be able to give one to some families if they are in need.

Or are you thinking a knife for protection? That's a whole other set of problems to think about...
 
Check out the Condor Basic Bushcraft as well, $25 or so for the 5" blade. Looks like a steakhouse knife, not very intimidating.
I knew someone that would take items to Cuba with intent on leaving them there. Your Mom could do the same with the knife. Or, she could get something that will last her, but could still get confiscated. Tough decision.
 
jeff would probably just tell her to pick up a cheap machete when she gets there. that and an izula would go nicely together, imho.
 
The Izula in either of its incarnations would serve her well,along with a good Swiss Army Knife.
 
Get her 3 Izula's with the kit. Stage them around her luggage, and various areas of her travel needs, that way if she loses a few, then she has a backup. TSA won't take them out of check in luggage, I have traveled alot of places, putting my steel in my checked bags, no issues.

The Izula is small enough to be concealed on her person, at all times, and cheap enough that if it gets lost or stolen, you're not out a ton.

If protection is you goal here, forget it, Haiti is rough, they are starving, and in the wake of a terrible natural disaster, still. She would have better luck trading an Izzy for a machete down there or bartering it for some 3rd party protection from a local. We done this in Jamaica when we worked in Kingston, I traded about 5 knives to gain the trust, friendship and loyalty of a few "fellows of questionable reputation", they walked with us everywhere and we never had any problems out of anyone. Plus they were good guys really, just known to be rough around the neighborhood. Everyone there carried a 'chete, and they didn't like us being there.

For utility, use, and size, a few Izulas would go along way to help Ma out. Get the kits, it comes with some basic gear, but good gear that she may use.

Moose
 
Were I going, a HEST would be in my pocket. If my mother was going...my mother wouldn't go. But, I'd figure an Izula would be handy for her to use cutting packages and such. Now if you figure she'll be invloved in running battles with bandits or might need to pry the hingepins off doors to escape the local juscal, then the HEST is for her. Plus, she'll never be unable to open a bottle of beer:D. In all seriousness, the Izula should be right for her and not draw any unwanted attention. Tell her thanks and to be careful for me. Take care.
 
If you want it to be an ESEE knife then I would go with the Izula, imo it will fit better in her hands. But like everyone is saying, if she was bribed into giving that knife up thats a little on the pricey side. You figure 1 Izula is $70 you could buy 7 Mora's for that. I run into people all the time who carry these mora's and they love them. And for the price of one Izula, you can buy a few mora's and let her take them. That way if she did give one up she still has a couple more.
 
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