spydies for peace

[clovisc]

hey spyderbrothers...

as i posted on the off-topic thread, i just accepted an invitation into the US peace corps. i'll be volunteering in zambia for 2.5 years on a fisheries assignment... no internet, phone, electricity, or running water.

as a dedicated spyderco collector/fan, and as someone who anticipates having to use a knife pretty regularly -- very possibly for survival... i gotta decide... what spydies should i bring?!!

i'll definitely be bringing two LM multitools, a victorinox SAK, and a benchmade fecas offsider fixed knife as "beater."

here are some of the spydies i might consider bringing... (note that zambia has a rainy season, and it might be difficult to clean and optimally maintain my knives...):

atlantic salt PE
pacific salt SE
manix CE
chinook II CE
native PE
calypso jr SE
merlin SE
meerkat PE reverse S

(might also consider bringing a BM 921 switchback or BM monochrome... david boye folder... cheap sheffield stockman and hawkbill as beaters...)

so what do you think? if you could only bring a couple, what spydie(s) would you want at your side? which ones would you prefer to keep at home?

also -- any thoughts on what's the best way to get a couple knives into rural zambia, where the postal service is very unreliable, and letters take 4-6 weeks for delivery...?! i'm thinking the best strategy is to carefully, intelligently bring them along in my checked luggage... zip-tied shut and attached to the suitcase frame, possibly one or two in the pockets of pants. anyone with experience travelling in africa have any thoughts?

thanks guys!

-jason

[clovisc]

oh yea -- forgot to mention...

i might be willing to aquire a new spydie or two, for the trip... :D

for example, if i see that ZDP delica between now in september... :cool: :D

or the H1 hawkbill, which i'm SUPER psyched about, but which i doubt i'll see before i leave...

[Vincent]

Buy satellite phone.

I would buy that instantly. and a **** load of batterys and converters.


if I was going i would bring. Brita Filters. Lost of soaps and stuff.

as for knives.

manix, MIlitary, Benchmade 710 and I would buy a Strider,

Over 2.5 years, that is all i would need.




23.3 million people in Afirca have Aids, there are about 33.7 million in the world. jesus chirst man good luck, and where you are

Zambia
20% of adults have it


1,009,000 with children included




I have 1 tip dont get attached to any children.

Most of these kids have lost there parents and left to fend for themselves and only the elders of the community are left. Its pretty sad. But i relaly suggest you stay away or dont get attached

[The Deacon]

Regarding what to take. Of the ones you listed, I would certainly pack both the Salts, and either the Manix or Chinook, but not both. I lean towards the Manix, but that's purely personal taste. I would be inclined to leave the Meerkats at home as I am not sure how well the phantom lock handles gunk and moisture. If you want a small blade, I would seriously suggest finding an all stainless Cricket. Easy to flush out and can be disassembled if that ever becomes necessary.

Far as transporting them, you might want to drop Anthony Cheeseboro, who posts freqently on BladeForums an email. He's a college professor, and I recall him saying he has been to Africa several times doing research. He's also a full blown knifeknut, so can't imagine him having gone empty handed. :D

Regards
Paul

[Senate]

being far from everything take knives that don't require too much maintenance... means Salt line for lockbacks and linerlock or comp lock with "open backs". also I don't know what the policy of the Peace Crop regarding knives but since there's the word "Peace" in the name I don't know if a big scary folder is very recommended :)
good luck!

[Gerard Breuker]

Depending on laws and regulations I would first consider a large fixed knife and a small concealable fixed knife like a SPOT.
I think like the Deacon that the Salts and the Manix would be good choices but I would also consider a D'Allara or an Assist.

[G1ZM0]

My brother in law is currently in The Gambia. I know he took a folder and a multi tool but I'm not sure on the specifics. He said moisture is an issue and electronics don't last long.
One bit of information I've learned from him. Take lots of Duct Tape.

Good luck.

[i.v]

you need to travel light, theft is a common problem in such regions so i would first recommend not carrying what can't be on you at all times.
a multitool may prove priceless, i suggest a good robust multitool, vic\sog\wave. as for a folder, the salts would be best, i'd go with a pacific & maybe a salt1 for back up, as for a fixed blade, you need a tough one, a becker bk7 is what i'd probably want with me.

[greencobra]

Fixed blade? Check out the Busse line up. He's making some blades 1/4" thick.

Ya wanna know how the group over at the Busse site test em? Vinny stabs trees, these guys chop them down!

[Zeppelin]

I have a lot of respect for what you're doing, and I'll pray that you make it back and do some good work while you're there. No one has mentioned it yet, but I'd probably also take a sharpmaker, especially for the amount of time you'll be gone. Probably also want at least two good flashlights with several replacements of batteries.