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

[HankBuck]

It's as the saying goes, I rather have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

Like Hank, I have had a knife with me ever since I was in first grade at the age of 6 except for now on planes where it is in my checked bag. It is the first thing that goes into my pocket when I change the pants that I am wearing.

@JimP - Yep….I’m so use to having one and it’s gotten so bad that when I fly anywhere and Don’t check my luggage - first stop after landing is a Walmart and I buy a ‘cheap one’ to carry wherever I am.

 

[CamoManJ]

Besides feeling naked without a knife on me at all times…I used my Kershaw Leek Ken Onion knife for digging out bullets for performance inspections. (I also gifted the same knife to my PH)

 

[HookMeUpII]

Very helpful for cutting your sandwich at lunch.

 

[BGGMKLR]

I have only found one type of blade to he helpful.
A small sterile scalpel....for digging various and sundry thorns and stickers out of yourself if necessary.

 

[JimP]

I have only found one type of blade to he helpful.
A small sterile scalpel....for digging various and sundry thorns and stickers out of yourself if necessary.

You mean that you don't use the same knife and blade that you used to clean fish and game along with digging something out of a tree?

 

[rookhawk]

You mean that you don't use the same knife and blade that you used to clean fish and game along with digging something out of a tree?

All jokes aside @JimP I actually do what you suggest. I use a scandi grind bushcraft knife that is razor sharp for about everything from butchering game to working as a pry bar. You can get away with that if your knife is carbon steel, extra thick, and wicked sharp. Every other knife design gets into specialization that creates limitation.

 

[JimP]

All jokes aside @JimP I actually do what you suggest. I use a scandi grind bushcraft knife that is razor sharp for about everything from butchering game to working as a pry bar. You can get away with that if your knife is carbon steel, extra thick, and wicked sharp. Every other knife design gets into specialization that creates limitation.

My Buck pocket knife with a 3" blade has done all that and more. Years ago when I had filled my tag I'd take my larger folder off of my belt and just pack my small Buck and a Leatheran, quite often someone would need to use a knife and I'd just hand them that Buck. I always kept it to a razor edge and would touch it up after using it.

 

[BGGMKLR]

All jokes aside @JimP I actually do what you suggest. I use a scandi grind bushcraft knife that is razor sharp for about everything from butchering game to working as a pry bar. You can get away with that if your knife is carbon steel, extra thick, and wicked sharp. Every other knife design gets into specialization that creates limitation.

You're braver than me.
I've stuck my knives in too many Bears and hogs to ever even consider using them for self- surgery.

Cheers
Spike

 

[Duke1966]

Typically we cut the throat of the animal so it can bleed out. You don’t want all that blood retained in the meat. But I agree, there is no reason to carry a “safari knife” when you hunt for a trophy. Makes a great gift for the trackers and skinners tho.

You can't "bleed out" an animal that's dead.. We used to butcher a lot of animals on the farm growing up and the only time that we would bleed out is when my dad wanted blood sausage. In that case we'd stick the hog rather than shoot him. It was my job to try to catch all the blood in a bucket. Ahh childhood memories...
There was never any difference in taste between the ones that were shot and the ones that where stuck (bled out).

 

[rookhawk]

You're braver than me.
I've stuck my knives in too many Bears and hogs to ever even consider using them for self- surgery.

Cheers
Spike

Ought to is different than did. My two favorite knives I've done horrible things to and they keep coming back from the gates of hell. The factory made ESEE RB3 with a Scandi grind (MSRP $130ish) and one of Garry's "Von Gruff" Safari Bushcraft knives. (MSRP $300ish)

I suck at sharpening knives but a scandi bevel I can strop to a razor easily and I can keep it sharp using the suede side of my belt while on safari.

As to dying of infection from a dirty blade during ad hoc surgery, that's a different problem altogether. My general policy is to do horrible things to myself in third world conditions provided that I'll sort it out in a first world hospital two weeks later when symptoms (consequences?) start to manifest.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’ve had thorns ride in me for two weeks, after that you’d dig it out with a lawnmower blade if it would do the job.
Before self surgery I always give the utensil a pass with a lighter to kill off the big stuff.

 

[thriller]

Yeah I mean I guess you could not carry one but I carry one everywhere. You don’t have to be Crocodile Dundee to carry a knife.

 

[Mekaniks]

Besides feeling naked without a knife on me at all times…I used my Kershaw Leek Ken Onion knife for digging out bullets for performance inspections. (I also gifted the same knife to my PH)

View attachment 675994

Kershaw Leek is my EDC also

 

[Mekaniks]

Here is both of my current edc Kershaw Leek, The Snap-On I carry for work and the silver with the half serrated is my non work carry...

I don't carry either of them hunting....

 

[Vintageguy]

A small Leatherman can be quite an asset if you’re in need of its many tool options and if you’re a mile from the truck in thorn bush and have the misfortune of a thorn penetrating the sole of your boot, the needle nose pliers will make quick work of getting it out and save the extra damage prying with a blade can cause. I’ve only had this happen once but I was back on the track in 30 seconds.
I also carry my daily folding pocket knife too. However, some of these commenters have made good points for larger, handy knives. Next trip I’ll replace my gentleman’s pocket knife with my folding Boker automatic clip knife. Not a switch blade but easily brought to use one handed with a push of the button and slight flick. I keep it when on trail rides as it is safe folded but quick enough, big enough, and sharp enough to be useful in an emergency.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I would like to carry a knife everyday as well; however, this brings me to raise a gripe about men’s pant pockets. They have NOT evolved along side technology and modern day needs.

I cannot seem to comfortably fit a pocket knife with a pocket clip, a wallet with all of the necessary cards, many of which are now metal, the big electronic key for my car, and this giant ipad of a phone in two normal front pockets.

I cant safely keep any of it in my back pocket, and the front pockets are so shallow and narrow that I cant access my wallet if there is a knife in the pocket, and the knife cracks the glass on the phone if I keep those two in the pocket together. Meanwhile, I still am always offered a coin pocket in most pants which is pointless.

I am a Luddite at heart, and miss the days of rotary phones that stayed at home and a money clip with cash and a driver’s license.

I could comfortably carry a useful knife back then.

 

[BGGMKLR]

I would like to carry a knife everyday as well; however, this brings me to raise a gripe about men’s pant pockets. They have NOT evolved along side technology and modern day needs.

I cannot seem to comfortably fit a pocket knife with a pocket clip, a wallet with all of the necessary cards, many of which are now metal, the big electronic key for my car, and this giant ipad of a phone in two normal front pockets.

I cant safely keep any of it in my back pocket, and the front pockets are so shallow and narrow that I cant access my wallet if there is a knife in the pocket, and the knife cracks the glass on the phone if I keep those two in the pocket together. Meanwhile, I still am always offered a coin pocket in most pants which is pointless.

I am a Luddite at heart, and miss the days of rotary phones that stayed at home and a money clip with cash and a driver’s license.

I could comfortably carry a useful knife back then.

Too much stuff.. too small of pockets.
The clinical definition of 1st World problems amigo.
Best
Spike

 

[franzfmdavis]

Too much stuff.. too small of pockets.
The clinical definition of 1st World problems amigo.
Best
Spike

Yes. I recognize that, yet the 1st world frustration remains.

 

[daxter11]

I don't think its necessary lol most safari are guided ,Except you just want to look cool

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I would like to carry a knife everyday as well; however, this brings me to raise a gripe about men’s pant pockets. They have NOT evolved along side technology and modern day needs.

I cannot seem to comfortably fit a pocket knife with a pocket clip, a wallet with all of the necessary cards, many of which are now metal, the big electronic key for my car, and this giant ipad of a phone in two normal front pockets.

I cant safely keep any of it in my back pocket, and the front pockets are so shallow and narrow that I cant access my wallet if there is a knife in the pocket, and the knife cracks the glass on the phone if I keep those two in the pocket together. Meanwhile, I still am always offered a coin pocket in most pants which is pointless.

I am a Luddite at heart, and miss the days of rotary phones that stayed at home and a money clip with cash and a driver’s license.

I could comfortably carry a useful knife back then.

It is a problem. Not many options for pants/jeans with a lot of room for stuff. Phones are just too big these days. I have been wearing some casual pants lately that have a zippered pocket (barely noticeable) that is “underneath” the right front pocket and is full size. Very handy. Gives you three full size front pockets.

I sympathize with your thoughts on phones. If it weren’t for work I might have a flip phone like my dad. And if it weren’t for checking on/communicating with my family throughout the day I would be happy with a land line..