Knife for my wife's son. Church building in Costa Rica

Talesin

Talesin

Joined
May 23, 2011
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139
Hi guys. I've been scratching my head on a knife to get for my wife's son. He has an upcoming trip to Costa Rica to rebuild a church there.

I'm looking for a fixed blade, preferably full tang, 4-6 inch blades for about 50-75 dollars. He doesn't know how to sharpen, but I am willing to bet that he can find someone in the village to sharpen his knife for him. I am thinking that he might need a stainless steel since this is tropical country, but I am open to suggestions from those others who would know better.

Thanks in advance guys.
 
If you don't care if he looks tactical the Cold Steel SRK is around $70.00 but it's a tad big. Something a little less tactical is their master hunter for around the same price. I personally would look into the ESEE 4. It's a little more but well worth it, all he will need to do is add a touch of oil from time to time. Even if he forgets it's got a great coating on the blade.
 
+1 on the ESEE 3 or 4
Brilliant value for money and really useful sizes.

It sounds like a fun experience.......:)

Steven
 
I get down to Nicaragua a couple times a year with our church and have been on a building trip or two. I always just carry a SAK Huntsman or Camper, and occasionally may tote a smaller multitool along as well. Next month I'm going down and will be taking a Camper and probably an old Leatherman PSTII. Those will do anything I need to do. If I were to tote a knife like you described I'd get a Buck 119 at Walmart, use it on the trip and then probably gift it to someone down there. Another option would be a Mora. I taken some Mora Clippers and SAKs both down just to give away. Knives are very appreciated. No one down there ever has one, although the folks in the rural areas generally have a machete.

I don't know about Costa Rica, but in Nicaragua as well as Mexico I've always been hesitant to wear anything in a sheath. If one of the local gendarmes sees it and wants it, he'll take it whether it is legal for you to have or not-and may also hit you up for a bribe as well. A pocketable knife or tool will generally fly under the radar.

You might think hard about the multitool. They can come in handy especially when the rattletrap bus the group has hired needs a repair out in the boonies.

Also think about a decent small flashlight the boy can keep on him. This is almost an essential at times. Something like an old Mini-Maglite will work, and again will make a nice gift for someone down there when the group comes home.

BTW, if he can, get your wife's boy to bring you back a machete in his checked luggage. Last trip I picked up a nice Imacasa at the local market for a little less than $8.00 US.
 
+1 for the ESEE 3 or 4...but I think u should really consider a Leatherman since he's going there to rebuild a church and he might need a multitool.
Maybe u could go for a LM and add a cheaper fixed blade (Mora stainless). And if u have some extra to spend, a flashlight could be a very useful item if he's going to stay in rural areas.

:cool:
 
BK2 for a single tough fixed blade, it isn't stainless though. You could also go with a stainless mora clipper paired with a SAK and that should cover him. In fact whatever fixed blade you get give him a SAK as well.
 
Could even go smaller with an Izula 2 for pocket carry along with SAK/multitool. The izulas are plenty tough and work bigger than they should. I like the mora idea in case it's lost/stolen...I think finding how how much he'll stick out with a bigger knife would be helpful.

Can't go wrong with esee 3/4 like folks have said too..
 
Church building eh?

How about the Cold Steel Espada. It reminds me off the inquisition. No one escapes the inquisition!

Lol I kid.. How about a fallkniven F1
 
If it was me I would take a leatherman kick (lighter muti tool), an EDC flashlight, and a folding knife like a swiss army knife or opinel or case for edc. As for a fixed blade I would use it for cutting food and keep it were I’m staying or in my pack, my choice there would be first maybe buy one when I get there or I would take one, like a cheap old hickory, or mundial, I would take a 6-8 in boning knife and a victorinox paring knife a edge guard can easily be made from cardboard and duct tape, and for sharping get him a accusharp (pull through sharpener).
PS. I have never been but this is what I would take if I was going.
 
Get him something Mora-esque. He'll be using a machete a plenty down there for most of the work. That way if he loses it or someone steals it he won't curse the world.
 
A stainless Mora clipper and a Swiss army knife like maybe the Adventurer or Camper would keep you under $50 for the combo and would probably provide for all your knifing needs in this scenario.

If you really want a stainless fixed blade for around $50, perhaps the Buck 119, Woodsman, or Pathfinder. They've been around for years and are very decent for the price range.
 
RPN has already suggested an Izula 2 and I'll second that. To me, a small pocketable FB is far easier to use than a folder that I have to open and close. Plus, I don't have any worries about pivot tension, loose screws, etc. I carry an Izula 2 as a work knife in an Adirondack pocket sheath from KSF. It's a perfect fit and everything disappears in my RFP. I can even carry other items in that pocket and know that the knife won't get damaged or keep me from reaching them.
 
Here is another vote for the Buck 119. Great knife for many chores, and it is easily replaced if it "grew legs" down there.

John
 
Thanks guys. You have given me an awful lot to think about. I especially like what 6thtexas had to say in his suggestions. Those are things I didn't think about. I carry all those things you describe on a daily basis, but it has become so routine that I don't think about it anymore.

I did just get myself a SS Mora Clipper, maybe I'll give that to him. I can get a Leatherman Kick or something for pretty cheap, and a decent flashlight too. I'm still up in the air about the Izula or the ESEE 4.

Thanks for the heads up on asking him to get me a machete down there. I had considered asking him to pick me up a local piece of hardware.
 
I agree witht he comment about not wearing a fixed blade openly.

Good multitool and a inexpensive, but quality folder. Those Kabar Dozier folders are like 20 bux and will also be an appreciated gift to the new friends he's gonna make during the trip. SAK folders are appreciated universally also.

Our church team takes many, many multi-tools and SAK's as gifts for thier hosts. They are much appreciated.
 
Get him a Victorinox one-hand opening Trekker or a Leatherman Wave and then give him $30.00 to get himself a short blade machette or short blade knife when he gets to Costa Rica.
 
I would spend 50-60 on any of the larger BUCK fixed blades and also get him the mini mag light as others mentioned (larger mag light is a nice self defense weapon also). I keep both in my car. Also ensure he has enough batteries for the trip since he will be in a rural area. For that price- if he looses either or wants to gift them to someone- I'm sure they would be truly happy to receive a good USA made classic. Hope he has some time to enjoy himself there as well- Costa Rica is a beautiful country... If he is not familiar with espanol- I would make sure he also brings some sort of english-spanish dictionary.
 
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