Knife for Haiti Use ?

ok guys i think imma order her a few Izulas from TKC or somthing, only thing im wondering is the color, i know it may not seem like much, but a simple color may deter someone from wanting it or seeing it as threatening, example my one of my ARs is pink red and black. girls like to shoot it guys lol @ it, i have another AR thats alot more basic and just black but the girls dont wanna touch it and the guys usually think its cooler. at 1st my brother thought the red one was a toy. with that said mabe i'll get her Izulas in orange, pink, black ? mabe the black one will stay hidden in her bag ? any ideas before i complete my order ?
 
iyyob said:
ok guys i think imma order her a few Izulas from TKC or somthing, only thing im wondering is the color, i know it may not seem like much, but a simple color may deter someone from wanting it or seeing it as threatening, example my one of my ARs is pink red and black. girls like to shoot it guys lol @ it, i have another AR thats alot more basic and just black but the girls dont wanna touch it and the guys usually think its cooler. at 1st my brother thought the red one was a toy. with that said mabe i'll get her Izulas in orange, pink, black ? mabe the black one will stay hidden in her bag ? any ideas before i complete my order ?
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I think that is a valid question/concern to have. Some people may think a certain color knife looks more threatening than another. A good example is how my girlfriend thinks that the pink izula is 'cute'.
 
Honestly, pink is a very "disarming" color. Case in point with your AR's. Same with my daughter and her knife. She sees her pink Izzy and will grab it up no problem. She won't touch any of my other knives, most are shiny with black handles. Looks like a knife. I would honestly say a couple of pink ones, and maybe an OD or DT. Black no.

Moose
 
I'm headed to Haiti myself at the end of February with a mission team. I haven't been to Haiti yet but have done quite a bit of work in third world areas. In my experience a large blade isn't just overkill, but may cause problems. Law enforcement is often very subjective and you don't want to attract attention.

Also an expensive blade probably isn't a good idea. As has been mentioned it may "disappear" from luggage or get confiscated at by a customs agent who like the look of it. I will probably leave the ESEE's at home. If the $$ for an Izula is disposable it might not be a bad choice, but with the knowledge that it might not come home.

A decent pocket knife should be plenty. The work being done right now is rubble removal. A shovel and bucket will be most of what she will use. Be sure she puts it in the checked luggage!
 
i bought the Izula in orange, but those are only available from one vendor. i wanted them for backup "pack knives" so the orange was the ideal color.

+1 on a SAK, not one that's too bulky, perhaps a OHT.

if she takes a dozen Moras, the only problem is they'll never go far enough. (she could take a dozen dozen and they still wouldn't go far) the stainless ones may last longer down there.

don't know if your Izula is wrapped or has scales, but an Izula 2 would probably more comfortable for ther than a standard Izzy. the 3 would probably be a good choice too.

nothing wrong with taking the HEST (it's certainly a hostile environment), but now that the Rowen made versions are out of production and the new ones will be made by Tops, i'd want to hang on to that.
 
I plan on wrapping the izzys w/ some Glow/Reflective paracord. The more I think about it the more 2 izzys kits would be better that one hest and it's about the same price
 
Ok just made my Oder from knifeworks, I added a LED hat/headband light as well it's made for tracking a bloodtrail but I think it will work lol
 
Sounds like you made a good choice. I hope you went with the pink, I agree with the above poster that it is a rather disarming color. Did you also consider the SAK? It can be a very handy thing to have along with a fixed blade.
 
I'd try to neck carry an Izula for a backup knife once over there on a chain or necklace that would be inconspicuous as well as maybe something cheap like a Mora for food prep and other daily duties.
A cheap Machete would be nice as well for all other cutting needs. ;)
 
I've been to Haiti a couple of times and have several friends who have lived there/currently live there for years. A few thoughts.

I have had a kid in Port-au-Prince dive through an open window in a moving suburban to try and and steal a spyderco delica that was clipped to my shorts. Two of his buddies were beating on the back glass windows to try and grab our bags.
Point--- Anything of any type of value makes you a target and it will be even worse now.

If your mom is white she will automatically be considered rich and therefore suspect. If she's carrying around a Junglas she will draw unwanted attention to herself.
Point--- Anything weapon like needs to be extremely discreet.

Do not expect local Haitians to think through any situation with the same logic or reasoning an American would apply. Hence just because in America a pink izula might be less "threatening" don't assume that is how a Haitian will see it.

Don't assume that because you're there to help, native Haitians will look past certain stereotypes or anger towards outsiders.

In my experience Haitian customs is as random as the person inspecting your stuff. If it looks like something that they might want and it could be in any way considered a "suspect" item it's a crapshoot.

Now with that said I'm not trying to paint a horrific picture of Haitians. I've been there and my own mom has been there on medical mission trips herself before the earthquakes.

My advice is be smart, be discreet, advise your mom to always stay within a group of Americans tell her to NEVER go off alone in a city or village. If things start feeling weird get to help quickly.

If she is going to take a knife have her take a folder, small multitool with a easy to access blade and/or an Izula. I would not take a large fixed blade. In my opinion you're then making her more of a target for a variety of reasons.
 
TLRs comments are the very best I have read anywhere!
I would suggest the Izula (first one) in desert tan and try to get a desert tan neck sheath & use the same color cord. If used with a similar colour TShirt you reduce the contrasts and be less obvious.
Try to blend in - wear a local hat ( or a bandana if blond)
Good luck and God Bless
 
I have a family friend that just got back from there, and will soon return. I gave her a Gerber Vector ($10.00 from SMKW) it did everything she needed. I would lean away from the expensive knives that would possibly draw attention to her. I think a multitool would also be a good idea, if you go with the Izzy I would keep it concealed until I needed it.
 
The hest is a hostile environment survival tool. Last I checked Haiti is a pretty hostile place. So the hest would probably be best, and it is pretty easy to conceal around your neck or on your hip. Make sure you put plenty of bribe money in the handle just in case.
 
I got the Izulas in yesterday, I wrapped the orange one with some glow in the dark Paracord and the Tan one in multicam paracord. Just need the pink one and she will be g2g
 
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