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

[fourfive8]

Why carry a real hunting knife on safari... you ask? So you look like a real hunter of course. And that way you and possibly other hunters have something to talk about around the evening campfire.
All I carry is a small, lock back folding pocket knife... and it goes in my day pack and that stays in the cruiser.

 

[Major Bonkers]

Sir Samuel Barker, author of 'Wild Beasts and their Ways' - basically the originator of sport hunting safaris - had a Scottish broadsword cut down to an 18" blade which he used. That would look cool. He also had a two-bore (black powder) rifle which - from memory - his servants called 'Child of a cannon' and he called 'Baby'.

I'd be more interested to hear from the he-men who have actually used their Rambo knives against a - what? - lion/ buffalo/ elephant/ hippopotamus/ crocodile. By the time your enemy has got that close, your remaining time on Earth might be better spent making your peace with God rather than disputing the issue with His creation.

 

[skydiver386]

I have always carried a K-bar or other long bladed knife while hunting and trapping since my early teens. This knife was used to administer the coup de gra if the need ever arose. On a guided hunt, I think a Leatherman would always be a handy thing.

 

[375Fox]

A Leatherman or other multi tool can be really useful especially if a thorn punctures your boot. I’ve always found a small blade a lot more useful than a larger fixed blade knife. However, my PHs have finished bushpig, impala, and other smaller game with a knife rather than another bullet, so I’ve felt like I should be wearing one at times.

 

[Red Leg]

Besides opening a can of snuff or cutting a piece of biltong, I carry a knife because I can’t carry my pistol. A knife is much better than my ninja skills.

Exactly. I carry a knife in Africa because I can't carry a handgun. With a bit of training it can be extremely useful in an automobile, hotel room, or any other close quarters.

And as @AimSmall suggests, I might want to cut something.

Gary and I designed and he built me a knife exactly for that purpose.

 

[Altitude sickness]

If legal, I always carry a knife. because I’m embarrassed to ask another man to borrow his knife. Similar to asking someone else what time it is.

 

[K E Johnson]

One more use would be to cut the tail off my elephant with MY knife.

 

[VertigoBE]

I’ll carry a knife on safari when I risk having to cut a tail.

 

[375Fox]

I’ll carry a knife on safari when I risk having to cut a tail.

I guess I’m going to wear a knife this year. Pocket knife isn’t going to cut it this time.

 

[Tra3]

+1 on a leatherman, but it usually is in the truck. And it gets used.

I carry a small folding knife. It is useful for basic stuff, but I seldom have made any cut on an animal in Africa with it.

My daughter will weave bracelets with tail hair, a knife helps with that.
A knife is frequently useful for lunch in the bush, important things like cutting the crust off a sandwich for a discerning palate.

 

[Mekaniks]

I always carry a knife..... because its my utility tool...Never let a mechanic use your knife....

Anyway...
I have been carrying my Von Gruff EDC while hunting for a couple years now and find it perfect for that purpose....
Dispatched an impala behind the skull... opened a stubborn box of ammo...cut some 550 cord for a strap to pull the winch cable out on the backie....
This one has steel bolsters, rosewood handle and the AH logo on the sheath, before the big falling out.....

 

[Hillcountry63]

I’ve read this thread with amusement, specifically at the number of “outdoorsmen” who advise there’s no need to carry a knife. While we all have our opinions as to whether an edged weapon is needed, the documented facts are that many individuals have used them successfully in defense of life against four and two legged predators in absence of a firearm or after said weapon platform is empty/inoperable. You do you but don’t tell the rest of us what we don’t need.

 

[dobber]

I brought and carried my hunting knife for the same reason I do at home, I killed it I gutted it. While the trackers/skinners and PH will do it, I wanted the full experience

 

[WAB]

I carry a knife because I always carry a knife, Africa or not. It is very handy for any number of tasks, and those you hope you don’t need it for.

 

[Excessexpress]

When I read the title I thought; “In case I stumble upon a lovely piece of mahogany I could whittle into an alluring shape”, then I realised that my whittling skills are more tuned to whittling my bank account away, so there’s that.

I think the idea of taking one to leave behind is a great one.

 

[sureshot375]

I mostly use mine for cutting biltong.

Any small pocket knife is plenty.

Rifle, ammo, binos depending on terrain, pocket knife, small flashlight, phone, garmin in reach, individually packed wet wipes. That pretty much rounds out my hunting load out.

Everything else gets left in the truck. More recently I have been making sure someone in the hunting party is carrying a tourniquet or two.

 

[steve white]

I always carry a knife..... because its my utility tool...Never let a mechanic use your knife....

Anyway...
I have been carrying my Von Gruff EDC while hunting for a couple years now and find it perfect for that purpose....
Dispatched an impala behind the skull... opened a stubborn box of ammo...cut some 550 cord for a strap to pull the winch cable out on the backie....
This one has steel bolsters, rosewood handle and the AH logo on the sheath, before the big falling out.....

View attachment 585154

What steel does Von Gruff use, BTW?

 

[John the Electrician]

Everyone has their favorites but I carry one of these Gerber multi-tools (pliers 600) and a Schrade old timer pocket knife.

Multi-Plier 600 - Stainless, Bluntnose | Gerber

As the #1 selling multi-tool platform to the US military, the MP600 series has been to hell and back. Still inclusive of everything that makes the original great, this version of the tool features replaceable Tungsten Carbide wire cutters. Some situations require a little extra grit.

www.gerbergear.com

I carry that in the long nose version (I am still an electrician at heart) every where… all the time. It’s not uncommon for me to contemplate if the person(s) hosting the event will be offended by the Gerber tool and Murray Learher holster on my hip.

I barely made it past security at a Milwaukee Brewers game wearing it. My little guy stepped in between the wand and the multitool to hug me at just the right moment. Somehow I didn’t commit a heinous crime while attending the game.

John

 

[steve white]

Exactly. I carry a knife in Africa because I can't carry a handgun. With a bit of training it can be extremely useful in an automobile, hotel room, or any other close quarters.

And as @AimSmall suggests, I might want to cut something.

Gary and I designed and he built me a knife exactly for that purpose.

Well, I rescind a former statement that your knife put me in mind of a Puma Cougar...there are many differences to a more discerning eye, not the least of which is your great thumb rest. Great knife.

 

[Red Leg]

Well, I rescind a former statement that your knife put me in mind of a Puma Cougar...there are many differences to a more discerning eye, not the least of which is your great thumb rest. Great knife.

Yes, it dispenses with the awkward cross hilt of a bowie and is still very secure in the hand. The point is directly aligned with the center of the haft allowing for excellent direction of a strike and an easy power stroke.

It will also gut a deer.

He catalogues it on his site.