Franco
AH veteran
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2023
- Messages
- 228
- Reaction score
- 868
- Location
- Napa Valley California
- Media
- 30
- Member of
- DSC, SCI
- Hunted
- Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia
On the contrary, you should continue to ask questions - the more controversial the better. Who could have imagined the range of answers and the degree to which certain individuals would consider a knife as pretentious.Rookhawk-I have received more than my fair share of answers, the way the subject has transcended and continue to evolve I need to think twice before posing another question..![]()
Your question was, "What is the purpose of carrying a knife out in a safari?"
The operational answer would be, the same as any other place - to cut something should the need arise.
As you state, the subject morphed rapidly to a more philosophical, "What is the point of carrying a knife out on safari?"
While the questions approach from different perspectives, the answer remains the same - to cut something should the need arise; only now the question becomes - do you want to use your knife or one belonging to someone else?
It was at this point in your thread where the focus on draining the swamp gave way to being up to one's ass in alligators.
This is a forum, comprised of hunters - of various ages, experiences, backgrounds, etc, be they professional or amateur they share a common passion for hunting and their opinions are as many as their number. Pose a question and you get fact, opinion, or a combination of both.
You asked a question which generated a lot of opinions.
Not to be left out, here's mine:
If you don't want to carry one - don't
If you can't think of a reason to need one - don't bring one
If you're comfortable asking to borrow one - borrow one
Your post mentioned weight, if the weight of a small knife on your belt is make it or break it - put it in your pack and let one of the guys carry it.
If your rifle gets too heavy - let one of the guys carry it. Personally, I NEVER let someone carry my primary rifle, they carry my backup but I never go empty handed.
Yes - I carry a knife, several to be precise. I carry at least one Arno Bernard on my belt and a folding knife in my pocket. In my bag, I have 2 Arno Bernard skinning knives and a swiss army knife. I also keep a small sharpening stone in my bag.
If you like - PM me and I'll give you a list of everything I carry in my bag. Or, post the question on the forum and see what kind of a response you get - could be fun, and informative.
Do the skinners hold a position of status - yes. Are the skinners equipped with good quality knives - not always. Do the skinners appreciate the assistance of a hunter who spent time breaking beef in his uncle's butcher shop, when it's dark, there's several cape buffalo on the ground, and we're trying to get as much as we can loaded into makoros (canoes) and get the hell out of there before the lions show up - do I need to give you the answer?
Most of the time, I simply loan my skinning knives to the skinners, and sit back and enjoy a cigar.
I can't imagine having to ask to borrow a knife to cut the tails off any of the elephants I've taken, or for any other purpose for that matter.
What you choose to carry or not carry rests solely with you, and extends to more than just a knife.