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

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Belt, Leatherman, knife, flash light & ammo. When hunting probably use the Leatherman daily & the knife on occasion. Skinned a zebra stallion on a steep hillside in Zululand when my wife shot it just before dark. Could not get a vehicle anywhere near him & had to skin & quarter him out on the hillside. Me & one tracker & my youngest son. Knife sure came in handy there! Been using the same knife for years with a lovely warthog handle. Flashlight also put to use frequently. Far from stage props!


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As a knife maker, my opinion is obviously very biased. However, I became a knife maker because of my love of knives, which I got from my Oupa and my father when I was knee high to a grasshopper.

Here’s my take:

A knife is a tool. But some tools can be improvised, a rock for a hammer, a screw driver for a pry bar, etc. but when you need a knife, there is no substitute. Only a knife will do.

I in no way attach any manliness to carrying a knife. I believe even woman should carry them. My wife certainly does.

And one other thing, name a tool older than knives. Other than a rock, it’s possibly the oldest tool known to mankind.
 
When hunting with a PH, the tracker and skinner field dress the kill. I found real use though with a Leatherman, but also had a small pocket knife that I carry every day. When I hunt by myself I carry a Buck 110 folding knife. I've had it 54 years, cost me a whopping $20 at the Fort Bragg PX and field dressed and cut up many, many animals for the table. Only now did I splurge and order two hunting/skinning knives from Untamed Knives in Zimbabwe.
 
This is why you don't give your trackers and skinners knives. He is sharping it with sand and a stick. And that was more than adequate to field butcher an LDE.

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To split biltong ..only purpose.....I am old my teeth appreciate it...my dentist complains .. apparently handbags are expensive...I contribute little since I took a pocket knife......
 
Works did take some cheap plastic handle Finnish steel knives everyone loved them ...A gun store was closing 75 percent off etc .....were a few dollars each.... But good steel all that is required
Roger Cox said:
This is why you don't give your trackers and skinners knives. He is sharping it with sand and a stick. And that was more than adequate to field butcher an LDE.

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Odinsraven said:
Works did take some cheap plastic handle Finnish steel knives everyone loved them ...A gun store was closing 75 percent off etc .....were a few dollars each.... But good steel all that is required
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They seem to like and use cheap knives but definitely get the job done. Here are some of the fine knives used last year on my Giraffe in Zim.
 

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SStomcat said:
I'm planning a small utility knife instead of a trademark hunting knife that I see many of you carry when out hunting. Just want to go light and my philosophy is to carry as less of a load specially around the waist as possible. Already feeling the weight of my 12 pound double on long walks. Am I missing something, please educate me..
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I got back last week, used mine several times
 
I like nice knives, I carry a well built knife EVERY single day. A friend gave me a small Damascus and Bone sheath knife that he made. I used it to remove the tail from my first elephant. One of the greatest moments of my humble life and my friend was thrilled to see the pictures of his gift being used. Nuff said...
 
My civilian EDC includes 3 knives: a 4-5" fixed blade on belt (slip sheath at 1 o'clock), a folder clipped in pocket, and a multitool on belt at 9 o'clock.

I carry the same in the field, though with a 5-6" fixed blade. My Mad Dog Arizona Hunter has been with me all 5x to Africa, though I will probably retire it for something else.

Lyn Thompson of Cold Steel once gave me a Master Hunter to T&E for my book, which I enjoyed/praised in print but felt pressed to gift the head skinner who lusted over it. "This knife...is increasing my talents! " was his verdict. I now usually take an extra fixed blade over to Africa with the view of giving it to a skinner.

Regarding skinning, I've help to skin every one of my African animals. They are better at it than I am, and it's their job which I let them mostly do, but they seem to respect that I don't mind the gore of a skinning shed. I skin a bit, then retire to the lapa for drinks and conversation.
 
BTP-KennethWRoyce said:
My civilian EDC includes 3 knives: a 4-5" fixed blade on belt (slip sheath at 1 o'clock), a folder clipped in pocket, and a multitool on belt at 9 o'clock.

I carry the same in the field, though with a 5-6" fixed blade. My Mad Dog Arizona Hunter has been with me all 5x to Africa, though I will probably retire it for something else.

Lyn Thompson of Cold Steel once gave me a Master Hunter to T&E for my book, which I enjoyed/praised in print but felt pressed to gift the head skinner who lusted over it. "This knife...is increasing my talents! " was his verdict. I now usually take an extra fixed blade over to Africa with the view of giving it to a skinner.

Regarding skinning, I've help to skin every one of my African animals. They are better at it than I am, and it's their job which I let them mostly do, but they seem to respect that I don't mind the gore of a skinning shed. I skin a bit, then retire to the lapa for drinks and conversation.
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Hats off for getting in there. It is after all your animal your safari. I do get it that it’s there job but you paid for it so why not. I’ve carried the same knife that I brought when I was a kid. It’s coming with me and I’ll use it if Diana is kind.
 
I have quite a few hunting knives in my collection. My cousin made this one for me a few years ago and for that reason, I took it on my 2025 Safari. It helped dress every animal I killed.
This year I took my old favorite, a mid-80s Puma; it helped dress a couple of animals.
Even though I’m “technically” paying for them to do all processing, I find processing is part of the total experience. I even spent some time in the skinning shed. These guys are good.
Over the course of my lifetime of hunting, Africa is the only time I’ve ever had a guide and processors. It was an odd feeling, but I do admit, it was nice not to be spending hours processing after the kill.
 

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On a bowhunting forum. One of the longstanding members passed unexpectedly. So a member donated a very nice custom knife to become a “traveling” knife.

The owner asked members to submit what and where they were hunting throughout the next two years. a hunt schedule was built. When each member had completed their respective hunt.

It was their responsibility to ship it to the next member for their hunt.

I carried it on a buffalo hunt and had the skinner put a lot of blood on it.

Also a journal was sent with the knife. We each did entries during the hunt. When all the hunts were completed. The knife and journal was given to his family.
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That’s a great way to memorialize a hunter. Cheers to all who participated. :D Cheers:
 
I think I commented on this forum before but it just popped back up in my feed. I reiterate the ideas of I'd rather have a knife and not need it than as to need and not have. I use my field knife as a screwdriver, prybar and all manners of other things. A multitool could certainly fill the need as well. I just like knowing I have it should I need it. Much like a tourniquet, there is always one in my pack/hydration bladder where ever I may go and a couple in the truck.
 
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