What's a good knife I can bring to Costa Rica?

C

Canon 5D Mark II

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Apr 29, 2010
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I'm going to Costa Rica this summer and I'm going to the rain forest / jungle area of Costa Rica. I want to carry a knife with me that's under 4" inches long. (It's going to be check-in with my luggage) I'm just thinking what's a good sharp knife I can bring with me? It has to be a folding knife. I know NOTHING about knives and I registered to this forum just to get some recommendations from you pro's here. So it has to be a folding knife due to legal reasons and under 4" long. I want a good one that will last long not the cheap ones. I saw on ebay they got some really nice knives for like under $10. They look realllly wicked but I'm just wondering if they are sharp, like the MTech looks really hot :cool:. Anyway what should I look for when buying knives? I heard Colt, S&W, and Buck are good brands, any suggestions? thanks in advance knife collectors! :D
 
DO NOT get an MTECh. There are several in my house (9 yr old son) we buy them at an indian reservation on trips to Oregon. Just kind of a hobby thing to do. They are cheap for a reason. Look into Kershaw/Benchmade/Spyderco/Buck. Just pick one you like you cant go wrong. Gerber paraframe comes to mind also...good luck!
 
Canon 5D Mark II said:
I'm going to Costa Rica this summer and I'm going to the rain forest / jungle area of Costa Rica. I want to carry a knife with me that's under 4" inches long. (It's going to be check-in with my luggage) I'm just thinking what's a good sharp knife I can bring with me? It has to be a folding knife. I know NOTHING about knives and I registered to this forum just to get some recommendations from you pro's here. So it has to be a folding knife due to legal reasons and under 4" long. I want a good one that will last long not the cheap ones. I saw on ebay they got some really nice knives for like under $10. They look realllly wicked but I'm just wondering if they are sharp, like the MTech looks really hot :cool:. Anyway what should I look for when buying knives? I heard Colt, S&W, and Buck are good brands, any suggestions? thanks in advance knife collectors! :D
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Welcome to Bladeforums!

1. What do you plan on using the knife for?
Specific needs define the right knife.

Food preparation?
General utility?
Cutting your way through the jungle?

2. Why do you think legal reasons require a folder under 4" long?
Every jurisdiction has its own rules.

3. A $10 M-Tech might not be worth owning.
Of the brands you mentioned, Buck IS good.

An inexpensive Swiss Army Knife, on the other hand, "can do!" Take a look at a One-hand Trekker.

4. Enjoy your trip! My brother lives in Costa Rica part of the year. :)
 
Canon 5D Mark II said:
I want a good one that will last long not the cheap ones. I saw on ebay they got some really nice knives for like under $10.
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What exactly is your definition of 'good' and what kind of price range are you working with? You may find that there are a lot of people on this forum that would argue against any $10 blade being called "good" but then again, it all depends on what you intend to use it for
 
Buck is a good brand. For $10 I'm not sure what to recomend. I think for $20 you can get a CRKT drifter(Which I've heard good things about) but no knife will stay sharp forever and in your price range there's probably not a knife that will stay sharp more than a week depending on how much you use it. You might want to look at getting a knife and some kind of guided sharpening system. Mtechs are crap and some are even dangerous so be careful.
 
i think i would try to get a delica in. this knife will handle most minor tasks & is hi quality.spyderco makes these & you will not be sorry about the quality. welcome to the forum, a cool knife place. 10$ wo'nt get you much knife but if budget is restricted try the flea markets for a used knife.
 
10 dollars will get you NOTHING, spend 50 and get a buck vantage pro with s30v, if i were you id plan on spending around 100-200 dollars, a spyderco military sounds like your best bet
 
Get a Sebenza, you won't be disappointed!

Alright, on a more serious note, I wouldn't necessarily limit myself to folders if I was going to spend an extensive amount of time in the rainforest jungle area. Farmhands and such down there pack machetes and you'll even see those sold in the markets/gift shops.


But 10-20$ can still get you something decent.
For fixed blades, get a Mora. For folders, an Opinel or a small SAK (Swiss Army Knife) will do. It won't hurt much either if you somehow manage to lose those.

If you plan on visiting the bars though, last time I was in San Jose, bouncers would frisk people and try to confiscate anything that can be used as a weapon, including flashlights, let alone knives.
 
Canon 5D Mark II said:
I'm going to Costa Rica this summer and I'm going to the rain forest / jungle area of Costa Rica. I want to carry a knife with me that's under 4" inches long. (It's going to be check-in with my luggage) I'm just thinking what's a good sharp knife I can bring with me? It has to be a folding knife. I know NOTHING about knives and I registered to this forum just to get some recommendations from you pro's here. So it has to be a folding knife due to legal reasons and under 4" long. I want a good one that will last long not the cheap ones. I saw on ebay they got some really nice knives for like under $10. They look realllly wicked but I'm just wondering if they are sharp, like the MTech looks really hot :cool:. Anyway what should I look for when buying knives? I heard Colt, S&W, and Buck are good brands, any suggestions? thanks in advance knife collectors! :D
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The Buck Bucklite Max medium folder seems like a hidden gem of affordability.

But unless you're doing hardcore shelter building, I'd recommend a Victorinox Alox (aluminum handled) Pioneer, Soldier or Farmer. The Pioneer and Soldier are nearly identical (Pioneer has a lanyard ring), and the Farmer differs from the Pioneer only in that it adds a small saw.

The Alox Vics offer amazing craftsmanship for less than $30. Their blade geometry (full-flat grind) excels at most tasks, unlike the ubiquitous "hollow grinds" that bind up the blades in whatever medium you're cutting.

If you like traditional stuff -- check out an Opinel No. 8 or 9. Fantastic knives, also for well under $30.
 
If your gonna be trekking through a Costa Rica rainforest you should be looking at a fixed blade and a good folder for a backup. Getting lost in a rainforest without a good blade can mean life or death. If you have the money for a trip, you should have the money to potentially save your life.
 
Given the climate and salty air you'll experience in Costa Rica, I would probably look at the Spyderco Salt series of knives. They offer both fixed and folders that would be appropriate for your use. The H1 steel holds a good edge and is rust proof.

just my .02
Dan
 
If cheap Chinese folders will work for you, there are plenty in Costa Rica including autos. Any hardware store will offer a wide variety of machetes but few tourists go wondering through the jungle off a maintained park trail.

Try the public market in San Jose for inexpensive knives.
 
mm3 said:
If your gonna be trekking through a Costa Rica rainforest you should be looking at a fixed blade and a good folder for a backup. Getting lost in a rainforest without a good blade can mean life or death. If you have the money for a trip, you should have the money to potentially save your life.
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Have you been in a rainforest in Costa Rica? I am guessing not. I have, and it's not how you're imagining it. It's not jungle-like. There are roads to it, and most or all of the time he will be on trails. If he were to go off-trail and get lost, what he'd need is a map and compass or a cell phone.

P.S. What part of "So it has to be a folding knife due to legal reasons" is confusing?
 
Are you going to be trekking through the jungle, or just working/hanging out at a camp or village? I go to Nicaragua a couple times a year, but I'm generally not too far out in the boonies. I always take a SAK-either a Camper or a Huntsman. You can buy used ones very reasonably and they will serve you well. I'm taking some used ones I bought on my next trip to give out as gifts.

If you want something a bit bigger, you might check out the Vic One Hand Trekker as Esav recommended.
 
Swedge said:
Have you been in a rainforest in Costa Rica? I am guessing not. I have, and it's not how you're imagining it. It's not jungle-like. There are roads to it, and most or all of the time he will be on trails. If he were to go off-trail and get lost, what he'd need is a map and compass or a cell phone.

P.S. What part of "So it has to be a folding knife due to legal reasons" is confusing?
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That depends. The tourist designated zones will definitely have trails - or any other location that regularly sees visitors (i.e. Monteverde). But any protected or non-tourist areas (I'm assuming researchers, surveyors, or conservationists have access to those) probably won't.

Though being able to survive with a knife requires survival skills as much as it requires a knife.
 
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I carried a Benchmade Griptilian on my South American backpacking trip with a Leatherman tool. It was more than enough. Have a fun trip, I'm sure you'll love it!!
 
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