If you’ve gifted knives to your trackers/skinners…

[Ryan]

My skinners in Namibia had a small collection of random pocket knives and a few basic Victorinox paring/kitchen (AKA Vicky") knives. They used the Vickys the most. They kept them all sharp on whetstone similar to a Norton India I have. The skinner I had in the East Cape had several similar to Vickys and he had a grinding wheel he sharped them on. I'm guessing using that he went through them relatively quickly. But that was his thing and his job. The last in the Limpopo used a replaceable blade utility knife for skinning everything including an entire buffalo. Blade got dull he replaced and moved on. They may or may not appreciate a knife, but keep it simple and expendable. But they will definitely appreciate cash.

 

[Luvthunt]

Candy, watches, hats, knives cigarettes and money. Varys from camp to camp. I try and talk with PH.

 

[375Fox]

This is a tough call
I don’t think All countries or camps are equal
My buddy and His wife were both disturbed by how badly the PH’s treated the camp staff and tracking team in Zimbabwe and gifted cash , clothing, cigarettes and some tungsten knife sharpener,
I bet RSA & Namibia staff get treated better than, Mozambican & Zimbabwean ( I don’t know?)
Mexico cigarettes, caps, cash , cattle ropping rope's , dental supplies are always coveted

Moraknifv, opinal, Dexter carbon steel knives top stainless steel as gifts imo

I’ve hunted in 5 African countries so far. What I’ve seen is the further you get from town generally the better the staff get treated. I’ve done two hunts in Zimbabwe. The staff there and especially trackers were treated with more respect for their skill than I’ve seen elsewhere. Namibia and Zambia staff were treated very well. Cameroon I felt staff were being used by management but treated with a lot of respect by PH. I enjoyed eastern cape, but felt Limpopo is where staff is most abused. There is still too much black white animosity lingering there in my opinion and carries into the camps. Surprisingly you don’t feel that in Zimbabwe. I could definitely see a stressed PH in a tough area on a low price hunt treating staff badly in any country though.

 

[Edster]

I had one of my tool reps give me a bag of these. Probably had a dozen of them. I noticed when we were in the skinning shed the guys were using utility knives to do the fine detail work on the skull when skinning. So utility blades were plentiful. The guys at two different camps loved them. I was their best friend for the next week