Need some advice!

[cfoster2003]

I use my knives for a variety of tasks. Honestly Im not doing "hard" work with them, most of the time cutting some rope or twine. Also whittling in my spare time. So I think I can safely narrow it down to something stainless, maybe not all that long when closed; I dont really want a lot of bulk in my pocket. I want it to look nice and something I would be proud to keep in the family.

Flip-flop? I flip-flop on knives more than politicians in October!

I think that's one of the cautionary concerns I have. I've been burned spending a lot on a knife (and bikes and skis and ...) only to find that it doesn't get used and I end up with "buyer's remorse". It happens less now as I understand my own preferences better but it took a good deal of experimentation, trial and errors. I also find that my day to day choices still shift, but not too far at this point.

There are a few basic patterns that perennially come to top in this forum:
+ The stockman
+ The 2 blade jack (in lots of variations)
+ The peanut (a jack but worth naming separately)
+ The sodbuster
+ The single blade lock back
+ The SAK/camper

There are certainly others, but these seem to me to be perennial favorites. I would think that if you got any of these and provided that it's a decent match to your cutting needs, there's a good chance of the knife staying in your continued use pile.

Perhaps you could describe more what you want to use a knife for? There's a huge difference between a peanut and a big lock back or between a multi-function SAK and a simpler 1 blade sod buster. The more you describe your cutting needs, the more targeted advice you can get from the group (as opposed to litany of "I bought an X and dig it" posts).

Regarding steels, I would lean towards stainless for where you are for exactly the reasons you mention.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

What do the locals carry? Okapi knives, butcher knives, handmade cutlery? I'm guessing you know how dry it is, when the rainy season comes in, etc. Will you be out in the bush, in the city? I'm guessing that this knife will need to be easily sharpened, so 1095 or 440C are great choices, 1095 probably the better of the two. I would go with something like the Farm and Field tool that Paul mentioned. Nice stag or bone handles might be more trouble than it's worth. If you lose your knife, the orange scales of the FF tool will make it easier to spot, but I'm just thinking of delrin, instead of any other natural material, like wood or bone etc. Also, you may find that you want to give it away to someone over there, or trade it to a local craftsman or friend, instead of bringing it back home as a memento of your trip.

Remember, I have never been out of the mid Atlantic. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio are the only states that I've visited. The closest I've come to traveling internationally is going a little offshore on the head fishing boat out of Ocean City MD. My knowledge of Africa comes from watching Hatari, reading National Geographic and watching the Lion King.

I always thought it was strange that Darth Vader voiced a lion in that cartoon. :foot::yawn:

I know you want a slipjoint, but maybe a multi blade knife, like a SAK, and a fixed blade would be your best bet. I would want a multi blade slipjoint. Of the pics and video I have seen, Kenya is an absolutely beautiful area, but it can still be dangerous. A SAK and Mora, or SAK and Buck Woodsman, may be the right tools for the job. Treat yourself when you get back home.

Okay, last edit, I promise. Different country/area, but I just see Colonel Patterson from The Ghost and the Darkness/Man Eaters of Tsavo, a Sheffield knife in his pocket probably, building a bridge. He might've taken a SAK from today, over his Sheffield or Solingen knife.

 

[pinnah]

I find that width is as important as length to minimize pocket issues (NB: I carry larger lockers so I'm not too bothered by pocket weight or size). A couple of general options in the normal to smaller lengths. All available in stainless. Note, I'm not pushing any of these brands. More interested in narrowing down the basic style that interests you so you can get more targetted advice.

Small lockbacks like the Buck 503

The peanut (this one with scissors)

The Canoe

The stockman

The sodbuster

Anything you can say about other knives you've owned and why you are moving to traditionals would also help.

 

[cfoster2003]

Really enjoyed this post, hahaha. Yes, Darth is the voice for Mufassa. I hear ya, I have an SAK, I love and carry it everywhere. I dont really NEED this knife, its more of a want for a momento to keep in the family. Thats an interesting point you made as well about it contracting/expanding. I was looking at those older Remington Bullet Knives, I like the Bush Pilot. I can get into one for around 50 bucks on ebay and the handles are not real stag.

What do the locals carry? Okapi knives, butcher knives, handmade cutlery? I'm guessing you know how dry it is, when the rainy season comes in, etc. Will you be out in the bush, in the city? I'm guessing that this knife will need to be easily sharpened, so 1095 or 440C are great choices, 1095 probably the better of the two. I would go with something like the Farm and Field tool that Paul mentioned. Nice stag or bone handles might be more trouble than it's worth. If you lose your knife, the orange scales of the FF tool will make it easier to spot, but I'm just thinking of delrin, instead of any other natural material, like wood or bone etc. Also, you may find that you want to give it away to someone over there, or trade it to a local craftsman or friend, instead of bringing it back home as a memento of your trip.

Remember, I have never been out of the mid Atlantic. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio are the only states that I've visited. The closest I've come to traveling internationally is going a little offshore on the head fishing boat out of Ocean City MD. My knowledge of Africa comes from watching Hatari, reading National Geographic and watching the Lion King.

I always thought it was strange that Darth Vader voiced a lion in that cartoon. :foot::yawn:

I know you want a slipjoint, but maybe a multi blade knife, like a SAK, and a fixed blade would be your best bet. I would want a multi blade slipjoint. You're not playing around out there, this is the real deal. You are in a beautiful but very deadly area. You may want a GEC with all your heart, but maybe a SAK and Mora, or SAK and Buck Woodsman, are the right tools for the job.

 

[kamagong]

What do you like/want? Size? Blade shape? Handle materials? You need to narrow the field a bit before people can make useful recommendations.

If you want a well-made American knife built by proud craftsmen, your instincts are spot on with GEC. Assuming you like the designs, you might want to take a closer look at the #23 Pioneer or #73 Scout. Both patterns are based off earlier Remington designs. Stag will be a little over your budget, but if that's what you want you might as well spring for it now instead of kicking yourself later.

They're really good knives. I got a Scout last year and it's kicked "nicer" knives out of my pocket.

- Christian

 

[Will Power]

The 26 Watch Pocket would not make a good choice. Interesting knife, yes. Well made, yes, but as P noted it's tough to open and close, its also very short broad Clip blade has limitations too.

I's suggest a 73 as others have. This knife is a good size but not too massive, credible and useful too. Lot of handle options, I've got a couple of linerlocks in 73 and they're totally reliable (they have the backspring AND liner lock, very safe)

You might consider an 85 Jack too, the 53 or maybe the forthcoming 81 pattern. This will be 4.25" closed I think, single spring with 2 blades. At first it comes as a Muskrat but it's certain there will be other blade options by April.

 

[mnblade]

I wanted a traditional knife that I can give my kids some day that I used in Africa, I wanted a quality piece. Im NOT saying those less expensive knives arent quality by any means. In my mind, looking at the options GEC offers some "heirloom quality" knives. I will be using it every day, so it will be scuffed up and beat around, but thats part of the beauty IMHO.

I think $100 for this is entirely reasonable. If it were me, I'd look for a GEC #48 two-blade trapper. Nice, pocketable size, but still meaty enough to handle most any job you could throw at it. Good luck with your quest, and let us know what you decide on.

-- Mark

 

[cfoster2003]

Thanks all. Ive started looking at the GEC's that use stainless, given my environment is very humid and I often times find myself miles and miles from civilization for days on end. So far Ive only found a few. I love the trapper design, I think its probably for my usage the most bang for my buck.