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

[towserthemouser]

To cut the tail of the elephant. I do carry a folding knife, but the big one stays in the day pack and comes out for that specific purpose. Here are some examples over the years.

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Well played, sir.

 

[Datchew]

Use enough blade!

That's an absolutely incredible story.

 

[KCSafari]

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.

 

[ftrovato]

Just cuz. I always carry a knife (everyday) and end up using it several times a day...

 

[Datchew]

I have no interest in knife fighting dangerous animals ala Crocodile Dundee style.
I was planning on just my pocket folder and a multi-tool.

However, after seeing that guy stab a cape buffalo to death with a knife, I feel I need to bring my old ka-bar from my flight gear. It's been getting too cozy and soft in my truck center console and needs to get some travel again.
I guess i could strap it onto my R8 like a bayonet but.... nah.

Maybe some blood will finally help get the smell of saltwater and JP-5 to wash off.

 

[Happy Myles]

I grew up in hard scrabble, sagebrush and rimrock cattle country and began daily carrying a pocket knife as a small boy. Have maintained that habit to this day. Once at a large white tie and tails Beverly Hills charity function a man ran up to me asking if i had a pocket knife they desperately needed. I reached into my vest pocket and handed him a lovely little folder knife. He exulted, “ I knew you would! “. Old habits hang around. On safari I take a Leatherman tool and use the pliers more than the blade. Once in Mongolia we needed pliers to get our vehicle going with a sigh I handed the driver my Leatherman.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Use enough blade!

I think the buff was about to die anyway. A stab directly into the heart would not have dropped it that fast. But he did get it off his dad. If buff had expired on top of him that in itself could have been fatal. Why the hell didn't the client shoot? Some people want to hunt dangerous game for the thrill but when the shit hits the fan, they come apart at the seams. Natural born wimps trying to be big men.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

On guided hunts, I typically only carry my Leatherman. In August, I made a less than desirable shot on a gemsbok. We had to go back to the concession the next day to look for him. When we finally found him, somehow I was the only one that had a knife blade with me. That leatherman did work and did a fine job of removing the gemsbok head.

 

[deewayne2003]

Honey Badger folding knife clipped to my pocket.

For the tail cutting my PH had his buck knife that he wanted me to use his knife per his tradition.

 

[Hyena]

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

Agree 100%!!!!!!!
Also when cutting a chunk of biltong, it’s nice to know where and when the knife was last cleaned

 

[HankBuck]

I don't go to the office without a pocket knife, much less out into the bush.

Why would you not have one?
Always comes in handy.

@OxfordTheCat - agree and have carried a pocket knife since 3rd grade - including to school (1960s) and on airplanes (until 9/11)….feel naked without one. My Father always said “a most useful tool and you’ll use it everyday”. When hunting - always have 2 knives: one on my belt and smaller one in my pocket. If a Man goes out without his knife - he’s only half dressed !

 

[HankBuck]

Honey Badger folding knife clipped to my pocket.

For the tail cutting my PH had his buck knife that he wanted me to use his knife per his tradition.

@deewayne2003 - if the PH is paying the Trophy fee for my Elephant hunt - he can use his knife….otherwise the knife my Father gave me is cutting that tail off !

 

[JimP]

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.

 

[pilar]

Agree 100%!!!!!!!
Also when cutting a chunk of biltong, it’s nice to know where and when the knife was last cleaned

lol, sounds like my wife when i cut up her hamburger when we are driving and they don’t give her a plastic knife in the bag
She uses my knife almost as much as I do and ask to barrow it every day

 

[DillonG]

Besides opening a can of snuff

That’s what thumb nails were made to do.

 

[thi9elsp]

My mom bought Russell knives for my brothers and me back in 1976. I carry mine to Africa to remember her and made the first incision on my buffalo then stepped away as the team did the work. I will have it along this July and hope it gets used to remove an elephant tail.

 

[mdwest]

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My mom bought Russell knives for my brothers and me back in [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]][emoji6]. I carry mine to Africa to remember her and made the first incision on my buffalo then stepped away as the team did the work. I will have it along this July and hope it gets used to remove an elephant tail.

The AG Russell store front is just a few miles from the Univ of Arkansas where my youngest goes to school… I enjoy stopping in there when we go to visit her to peruse their wares…

 

[Altitude sickness]

I wear a knife in Church and the shower so of course when I’m in the field I carry at least one.

I take my cue from the Duke. I’ve have even carried a firearm in the shower

 

[Sika98k]

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.

These gifts of knives I have been assured of by a couple of PH’s are rapidly sold for cash. They then go drinking.

 

[KJE81]

I think I would feel "naked" without a hunting knife when hunting, so used to always wearing at least one since beeing a kid out on my first hunt with dad. If nothing else I guess it could be used to slice up some biltong