What is the purpose of carrying a knife out in a safari..

[HankBuck]

Thats right !

It's not about whether or not you should have a knife on your belt or in your pocket when hunting in Africa, but rather what kind of knife you should carry during the hunt.

Like other members, I am of the opinion that a folding, practical knife makes nowadays more sense than one with a long, fixed blade. The latter is certainly part of the cliché of the great African hunter as some imagine it, but not the current reality of hunting in Africa. Some clients but need the appropriate outfit and, among other accessories, this also includes a long knife on their belt.

Grand Veneur, you’re correct in that good quality folding knives are very versatile and can perform most all Knife Duties. However, a fixed blade knife is generally stronger and when working at times with one hand (holding something, hands bloody etc.. ) Can pull out a fixed blade with one hand —No need to open or close and also put away single handed. It’s a minor thing but I sometimes find it convenient. Regarding blade length, 4” to 5” seems to cover everything unless its for camping/survival and then a 6” - 7” might be a better general purpose tool —- (fighting off a Lion, hand to hand Combat, constructing a Log Cabin…..and other things I’m NOT capable of doing !!)

 

[Woodcarver]

I've been surprised by the number who said they didn't carry a knife. Haven't been to the the Dark Continent yet, but I can't imagine being in the field, on any continent, without a knife, even if the plan is to not use it to skin or gut an animal. Knives are a basic tool, just like binos, or toilet paper. I don't go afield without them even if it's just a hike, with or without a rifle. If I'm dressed, I've got a knife on me, since about the 3rd or 4th grade. In the field, at least two.

 

[AZDAVE]

Have carried a pocket knife or small folder every day of my life since I was 7 years old and my great uncle gave me a barlow and taught me how to sharpen knives.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Dave, I remember having many cheap knives as a kid. Then I got a new boyscout knife while in the Cub Scouts. And dreamed of someday owning a real Barlow.

 

[HankBuck]

I've been surprised by the number who said they didn't carry a knife. Haven't been to the the Dark Continent yet, but I can't imagine being in the field, on any continent, without a knife, even if the plan is to not use it to skin or gut an animal. Knives are a basic tool, just like binos, or toilet paper. I don't go afield without them even if it's just a hike, with or without a rifle. If I'm dressed, I've got a knife on me, since about the 3rd or 4th grade. In the field, at least two.

Woodcarver, if you have a knife - you don’t need Toilet Paper….cut off your shirttail !

 

[HankBuck]

Dave, I remember having many cheap knives as a kid. Then I got a new boyscout knife while in the Cub Scouts. And dreamed of someday owning a real Barlow.

Altitude, I also remember getting a Cub Scout pocket knife in 3rd grade——that was a Big Deal to a young Boy and a prized possession. I also carried one of my Dad’s pocket knives to school in 3rd grade with “strict orders” to Never take it out and show anyone or play with it….it was a tool and I felt “grown up & trusted” to be allowed to carry it.

 

[mdwest]

It has been rare that I have ever needed my knife for anything while hunting in Africa…

But I ALWAYS have a knife on my belt and a multi-tool in my pack..

Far better to have and not need.. than to need and not have…

 

[rookhawk]

What I've gathered is that there are two general groups of people out there, those that have shame and those that don't have shame. The knife is a symptom of something bigger.

I would be ashamed if I'm dressed in business formal attire (charity event, board meeting, funeral, wedding) if I did not have a clean handkerchief to hand to a lady in need.

I would be ashamed if I was at a business meeting about to sign a contract and I needed to borrow a pen.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt and ask to borrow the guide's binoculars.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt of any sort and fail to have a knife on me. This very thing happened to me on a kids hunt a month ago and I was knifeless and feeling mighty pathetic.

The same lack of propriety can be said for showing up without a button down shirt, tie, and jacket at a country club. Or showing up for a driven hunt without tweeds or a trachten. Or showing up to meet your date's parents for the first time on a motorcycle. Or not having a jack and jumper cables in your truck and being unable to use them properly when someone is broke down.

In general, shame is supposed to wash over a man with the constant fear that he is useless in a given situation or inappropriate in a given situation. Try not to be useless or inappropriate.

 

[Randy F]

What I've gathered is that there are two general groups of people out there, those that have shame and those that don't have shame. The knife is a symptom of something bigger.

I would be ashamed if I'm dressed in business formal attire (charity event, board meeting, funeral, wedding) if I did not have a clean handkerchief to hand to a lady in need.

I would be ashamed if I was at a business meeting about to sign a contract and I needed to borrow a pen.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt and ask to borrow the guide's binoculars.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt of any sort and fail to have a knife on me. This very thing happened to me on a kids hunt a month ago and I was knifeless and feeling mighty pathetic.

The same lack of propriety can be said for showing up without a button down shirt, tie, and jacket at a country club. Or showing up for a driven hunt without tweeds or a trachten. Or showing up to meet your date's parents for the first time on a motorcycle. Or not having a jack and jumper cables in your truck and being unable to use them properly when someone is broke down.

In general, shame is supposed to wash over a man with the constant fear that he is useless in a given situation or inappropriate in a given situation. Try not to be useless or inappropriate.

Well I maybe f’d up on the whole motorcycle thing…but her Mom sure got a kick out of the joyride.

 

[rookhawk]

Well I maybe f’d up on the whole motorcycle thing…but her Mom sure got a kick out of the joyride.

I'm a highschool dropout and I married an Ivy grad...there was little margin for error when meeting the parents.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Admittedly I’m a knife guy… I can’t tell you how many times in my over 4 decades of work life that a box or package has come into the office/boardroom that needed opening with everyone staring at each other for a solution. I slip out my Ken Onion ZT 350S(I’ve been carrying this one for 10 years) and easily open the box. I look at the other people and ask them why they weren’t prepared? Maybe it’s an age thing or where you came from but I was always taught to have a knife on me at all times.

A knife will never fail you!

HH

 

[HankBuck]

What I've gathered is that there are two general groups of people out there, those that have shame and those that don't have shame. The knife is a symptom of something bigger.

I would be ashamed if I'm dressed in business formal attire (charity event, board meeting, funeral, wedding) if I did not have a clean handkerchief to hand to a lady in need.

I would be ashamed if I was at a business meeting about to sign a contract and I needed to borrow a pen.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt and ask to borrow the guide's binoculars.

I would be ashamed to be on a hunt of any sort and fail to have a knife on me. This very thing happened to me on a kids hunt a month ago and I was knifeless and feeling mighty pathetic.

The same lack of propriety can be said for showing up without a button down shirt, tie, and jacket at a country club. Or showing up for a driven hunt without tweeds or a trachten. Or showing up to meet your date's parents for the first time on a motorcycle. Or not having a jack and jumper cables in your truck and being unable to use them properly when someone is broke down.

In general, shame is supposed to wash over a man with the constant fear that he is useless in a given situation or inappropriate in a given situation. Try not to be useless or inappropriate.

ROOKHAWK - well stated, a Man without a knife is useless

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Admittedly I’m a knife guy… I can’t tell you how many times in my over 4 decades of work life that a box or package has come into the office/boardroom that needed opening with everyone staring at each other for a solution. I slip out my Ken Onion ZT 350S(I’ve been carrying this one for 10 years) and easily open the box. I look at the other people and ask them why they weren’t prepared? Maybe it’s an age thing or where you came from but I was always taught to have a knife on me at all times.

A knife will never fail you!

HH

I easily open boxes with a key. And carrying keys is essential. Personally, I can't stand to have a lot of nonessential stuff in my pockets. I don't even carry a wallet anymore. Haven't for maybe twenty years. Why should I? Everything is done with cards these days. Wallets are just good for collecting useless detritus. This is all I need for ID and transactions. It goes in a front pants pocket, not poking me in the butt every time I sit down.

And no, I don't carry hankies either. Kleenex at home and in the car can handle any booger issues. Keys, card holder, and phone are all I need to have in my pockets. Oh ... I do often have a small comb in my back pants pocket but it is becoming less essential every day. Sigh!

I see way too many guys who wear Leatherman on their belts just to project a tough guy image that they are somehow mechanically inclined. Two of them I can think of right now can't figure out how to change oil in their cars. I can overhaul a car engine but don't see the need to advertise it.

 

[SStomcat]

ROOKHAWK - well stated, a Man without a knife is useless

As the OP I need to correct you on something, I question/clarification was never about not carrying a knife in the bush but whether a small utility pocket knife should suffice over a large sheath knife.

 

[SStomcat]

Far better to have and not need.. than to need and not have…

I like it...

 

[SStomcat]

Soumya Sarkar, If you need to save weight - take off your underwear

I like your innovative ways of thinking, try to be in the bush on a hot summer day without one and report back..

 

[rookhawk]

As the OP I need to correct you on something, I question/clarification was never about not carrying a knife in the bush but whether a small utility pocket knife should suffice over a large sheath knife.

Understood. Folding knives are more fragile, but they are functional. You can use what pleases you, but I prefer a reasonable 3-4" fixed blade single bevel.

 

[mdwest]

I like your innovative ways of thinking, try to be in the bush on a hot summer day without one and report back..

Ive carried both at different times..

I prefer a basic 4" fixed blade that has a general purpose design to it (can do anything reasonably well.. but really doesnt excel at any one particular task)..

But there is nothing wrong with a well built folder... I pretty much clip one of about a half dozen different 3-4" folders in my pocket every time I leave the house (Ive got a variety of benchmade, spyderco, etc quality knives that would serve me equally well in Africa as they do at home)..

 

[SStomcat]

Understood. Folding knives are more fragile, but they are functional. You can use what pleases you, but I prefer a reasonable 3-4" fixed blade single bevel.

Agreed, you added another dimension "single bevel" why so?

 

[rookhawk]

Ive carried both at different times..

I prefer a basic 4" fixed blade that has a general purpose design to it (can do anything reasonably well.. but really doesnt excel at any one particular task)..

But there is nothing wrong with a well built folder... I pretty much clip one of about a half dozen different 3-4" folders in my pocket every time I leave the house (Ive got a variety of benchmade, spyderco, etc quality knives that would serve me equally well in Africa as they do at home)..

I did a safari knife shootout article about 5-10 years go. In the shootout of a LOT of knives, the best production knife of all of them was the fixed blade ESEE-RB3 Camplore. I carried that knife thereafter for about 7 years, only upgrading thereafter to a custom made VonGruff bushcraft hunter for superior looks and better steel.