I'm currently in the process of becoming an expatriot. I've decided to join a group of people buying a business and land in the Amazon Jungle. The group is purchasing land which will be used to produce plant for medicine food and house the community.
This is true off grid living, in the place I was at last Iquitos there are no roads, thus shipping even a small box is extremely expensive. In the permanent location the city is a six hour trek by foot and boat, thus everything I bring with me is essential to me.
On to knives; I have "two" already. The first is my EDC, it's a ZT0350BW. I plan to use it as my primary edge, I currently use it for everything that is clean and won't damage the edge. For utility, I carry a Leatherman Wave, I use it for everything dirty like drywall, box tape etc, and hard wire cutters for anything that might damage the blade.
The thing I need is a pathfinder blade. The knife must make short work of 4+ inch hardwoods and wayward sapplings. In addition it will need to be capable of carving a path through the jungle.
My first thought is a Kukri and I have looked at a few already. I would prefer a way to keep my hand off the blade, either a ringed grip like a traditional Kukri, or a hilt. I would also like a lanyard so a hole in the pommel is preferable. Also the Kukri must be heavy enough and with a distinct wide spine to mimic a hatchet as a wedge, and be able to be hit from behind.
The Ontario is attractive but I don't need the black coating, the condor heavy seems perfect except no way to keep hand off the blade in a thrust. I've been thinking of a custom, but this is needs to be a hardworking knife that will last multiple lifetimes For me to justify 400 or 500 dollars. I also want good steel, I'm not the best free stone sharpener, and I don't want to deal with a rolled edge every day. I'm willin to spend money but the Nepalese blades seem cheap and easily replaceable, which would be effective, if not for my location.
Other options are a GB wildlife hatchet and a machete, both are dangerous to carry without a pack but excel at their individual purposes. I really don't like machetes, very rarely do they have an effective sheath especially when you buy it in Peru. And the hatchet is really effective wedge but will not clear a path. Thus the Kukri, although any advice is appreciated.
This is true off grid living, in the place I was at last Iquitos there are no roads, thus shipping even a small box is extremely expensive. In the permanent location the city is a six hour trek by foot and boat, thus everything I bring with me is essential to me.
On to knives; I have "two" already. The first is my EDC, it's a ZT0350BW. I plan to use it as my primary edge, I currently use it for everything that is clean and won't damage the edge. For utility, I carry a Leatherman Wave, I use it for everything dirty like drywall, box tape etc, and hard wire cutters for anything that might damage the blade.
The thing I need is a pathfinder blade. The knife must make short work of 4+ inch hardwoods and wayward sapplings. In addition it will need to be capable of carving a path through the jungle.
My first thought is a Kukri and I have looked at a few already. I would prefer a way to keep my hand off the blade, either a ringed grip like a traditional Kukri, or a hilt. I would also like a lanyard so a hole in the pommel is preferable. Also the Kukri must be heavy enough and with a distinct wide spine to mimic a hatchet as a wedge, and be able to be hit from behind.
The Ontario is attractive but I don't need the black coating, the condor heavy seems perfect except no way to keep hand off the blade in a thrust. I've been thinking of a custom, but this is needs to be a hardworking knife that will last multiple lifetimes For me to justify 400 or 500 dollars. I also want good steel, I'm not the best free stone sharpener, and I don't want to deal with a rolled edge every day. I'm willin to spend money but the Nepalese blades seem cheap and easily replaceable, which would be effective, if not for my location.
Other options are a GB wildlife hatchet and a machete, both are dangerous to carry without a pack but excel at their individual purposes. I really don't like machetes, very rarely do they have an effective sheath especially when you buy it in Peru. And the hatchet is really effective wedge but will not clear a path. Thus the Kukri, although any advice is appreciated.
