Knife for travelling through North/Central/South America?

[Wabajack]

An Opinel OP8 and a sharpening plate from ragweed forge will serve him very well.

 

[Ming65]

I buy my knives locally and then give them away to the first needy looking local before I depart. I take nothing in and would expect to have it confiscated in customs. Somestimes you get lucky and they miss it.

I've taken to doing this as well. My adventure beat is SE Asia not south America but I think the changing attitudes to carrying blades worldwide is the same.

I think, for me, the days of international travelling with a knife are over. I recently did a short trip to Indonesia with day-pack only, no checked baggage and no blade Man I felt naked, but I got used to it.

If I travel with checked baggage again I'll take my swisstool spirit or the mini-leatherman. If I felt like I needed a knife for food prep etc I'd get a cheap cabon steel blade in the local flea market. They often sharpen up well and I just leave it behind when I leave.

 

[mitchshrader]

yup, a duo-sharp 8" double sided DMT diamond hone weighs 3 or 4 ounces and is < 3/8 thick. It would take all the work out of sharpening up some loocal cutlery. A good 6" boning knife, carbon steel, ain't like being knifeless..and for the pocket, a folder you can affordibly replace, like an opinel. Don't own what's worth stealing and they won't.

 

[6shooter]

I'll let him know about buying knives locally down there to save hassle, and get him a multitool. Seems to be the safest way to go, thanks guys.

 

[Toucan Oasis]

I see Mexico can be a problem. Are there any problems in Central America,

Not until you are in an impoverished area and whip out a $4,000 camera.
KISS applies to world travel.
Carry a few NEW crap knives, to give to old guys and buy old guys a beer in the bar.
The kids respect what they say.