My late grandfather's EDC folder

[Edalb]

Hello everyone,

Below are some pics of my late grandfather's OKAPI folder. This is the knife he carried on him for as long as I would remember him. My grandfather died in 1983. You hardly knew he was carrying a knife on him.

My grandfather, as I would remember, used it to butcher the chicken and he never complained that it didn't get the job done! The whole construction appears to be made from the same kind of steel. The blade is still sharp, as he left it. Apparently, the knife had been sharpened many times by him. When younger, I remember discovering in the basement a square looking light cream coloured stone. It was the stone that he used to sharpen the blade.

This morning I gave the whole knife a warm bath. It's not in very good shape... but it must have been a rather good looking folder in its youth.

Thanks for reading.

Best wishes,

Edalb

 

[delkhouri]

Sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I remember when my grandfathre passed i got a couple of his old case knives. One was new and the other was well used. I love to see a well used knife that is still sharp after all these years.

 

[338375]

Thats an interesting combination. One blade and a corkscrew.. Is that a release button under the bail? If so what's it for ?

 

[Edalb]

Thats an interesting combination. One blade and a corkscrew.. Is that a release button under the bail? If so what's it for ?

No, there aren't any release buttons on this folder. I am positive about that. As far as I can tell this is a lockback, but I won't bet on it. The locking mechanism doesn't work. Seems to work a bit for the corkscrew.

Best wishes,
Edalb

 

[mp510]

No, there aren't any release buttons on this folder. I am positive about that. As far as I can tell this is a lockback, but I won't bet on it. The locking mechanism doesn't work. Seems to work a bit for the corkscrew.

Best wishes,
Edalb

It very well could be a slip-joint. Is there a lot of resistance/ force that holds the blade open? If so, it is designed to not lock open.

Okapi makes decent quality working knives, that are generally value priced. Okapi manufactured knives in German until 1987, when they moved to South Africa. Many of the German knives were exported to Africa, so I guess the move makes sense from a business perspective. The managemnt remained the same.

I own a couple small Okapi slipjoints made recently (in the past few years) that were made under contract in Portugal. I also own one of their traditional African style Buffalo Skinner folders. There pretty cool products.

Your knife is only worth a couple dollars, but it has A LOT of SENTIMENTAL value. Make sure you never loose that knife.

 

[Edalb]

It very well could be a slip-joint. Is there a lot of resistance/ force that holds the blade open? If so, it is designed to not lock open.

It could be...I don't have a clear picture as to how the different locking/non-locking mechanisms work on a folder. I looked some info up but, given my little experience on the field, I wasn't able to discern what mechanism my grandfather's folder is using. Actually, right now, it isn't using any mechanism. As I previously stated, the only tention/resistance one could feel is the one coming from trying to open the corkscrew. As for the blade... caput.

Best wishes,
Edalb

 

[Dr. Mudd]

Edalb, I like your grandfather's old knife. It looks simple, sturdy, effective, and economical, all characteristics that I value in knives. I'm sure your grandfather is glad that you have his knife now. Be sure you keep it in your family. It might be nice for you to write down what you remember about your grandfather and his knife, and then keep that record with his knife.

 

[Seanski]

Edalb,

Thats a nice old knife! A real treasure and reminder of your Grandfather. I can't think of a nicer edc for chopping apples at the park or cutting old frayed shoelaces on their last legs or working loose a stubborn knot at a picnic. Pretty much what my knives have gotten used for in daily life. It may not be pretty but I would probably carry it around often because of it's past and sentimental value.

take care

 

[oldscrimmer]

Edalb, I like your grandfather's old knife. It looks simple, sturdy, effective, and economical, all characteristics that I value in knives. I'm sure your grandfather is glad that you have his knife now. Be sure you keep it in your family. It might be nice for you to write down what you remember about your grandfather and his knife, and then keep that record with his knife.

I would echo Dr. Mudd. My father's old Marbles is still in using shape and I just recently handed it down to my son who is 37 and crazy about knives. I never knew my grandfather but he did leave me a knife....it was knapped agate! I still have it among my personal treasures even though I didn't know him. One day my son will own it as well....I'm just not done looking at it yet!

 

[Unsub]

Thanks for sharing that. I really love my grandfather who is 90 now and has been an inspiration to me as to how a gentleman should behave. I gave him one of those nice but inexpensive made in china Buck mini slipjoints which he really liked and he gave me a old little folder that has a different opening than I have ever seen. It opens sideways like a book. I will take some pics soon.

There is a lot of chacter in that Okapi congrats.