Traditional Navajas,Okapis,and Pattadas?

[lonestar1979]

Is anyone actually edc carrying these knives,could you post some pics of it.How are Okapi knives for actual use compared to Cold steel Kudu and Eland?I carry Kudu once in a while when do not want to use my more expensive knives,and it does everything with no problems,and thinner blade than most knives helps with cutting.

 

[Jack Black]

The Okapis are a lot better than the Cold Steel Kudu in my opinion. I don't carry mine very often, but the carbon steel is decent :thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

Here's a Sardinian knife I got from Fausto some years ago. It's a regular in my daily carry rotation, and I love this knife. Nice full flat grind blade slices and dices great, and the friction folder function is smooth and easy to deal with.

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[brownshoe]

Is anyone actually edc carrying these knives,could you post some pics of it.How are Okapi knives for actual use compared to Cold steel Kudu and Eland?I carry Kudu once in a while when do not want to use my more expensive knives,and it does everything with no problems,and thinner blade than most knives helps with cutting.

I could never find an Okapi in decent enough shape to put in my pocket; problems were numerous, but the biggest was the edge.

 

[screened porch]

The okapi and kudu are both too big for my pocket.
Surprised as I am to be disagreeing with Jack, I think the kudu is a much better knife. My okapi's blade is so crudely formed it looks like I made it. My kudu is of stronger and tougher materials, put together better.

 

[shecky]

I think the Kudu is overall a better knife than your average Okapi. If you must have carbon steel, or some gen-u-wine rustic mojo, then the Okapi is your only choice. But that 4116 stainless is pretty good, and f&f is better than you can expect any knife less than $30 to be.

I don't carry the Okapi or Kudu very often, simply because they are really much larger than I generally prefer. I can't imagine carrying the now discontinued Eland.

Italian manufacturer Antonini makes some rustic traditional knives that I think are pretty usable. They are simply made, with stainless blades that somehow work pretty well for me. I do carry this one a bit, about the same size as a Sodbuster Jr, and think it's a nice edc user.

 

[lonestar1979]

I was thinking about getting Okapi,but will see, I like cold steels krupp steel on budget line,its pretty good and it doesnt rust ,its probably better than steel on Okapi.How is edge holding on these Antonini stainless blades?I am thinking of getting couple of traditional Navajas from Spain,clip point or single edge dagger style,from Joker or JJ Martinez.Got bored of modern tactical knives,which I have about 100 and do not use or really like about 90% of them.

 

[shecky]

It's not like you'll be out much if you buy a Kudu. I don't know where one gets an Okapi at a reasonable price anymore. They shouldn't sell for more than a Kudu, because they just are not really worth that much, and they traditionally were very inexpensive items.

I think Antonini's stainless is reasonable for edc. I've had really good luck with it, and it sharpens beautifully. The knives they make are rustic, though, which seems appropriate on their traditionals. I think their pattadas are friction folders. The caltagirone I carry is a slipjoint.

 

[brownshoe]

I think the Kudu is overall a better knife than your average Okapi. If you must have carbon steel, or some gen-u-wine rustic mojo, then the Okapi is your only choice. But that 4116 stainless is pretty good, and f&f is better than you can expect any knife less than $30 to be...

Fit and finish on a Douk Douk and a Mercator is much better and they are less than $30.