Okapi Knife Fold Biltong Black SS in box

Overview

The Okapi Biltong Knife is a compact folding knife built in South Africa by Okapi, the company behind the ring-lock pocket knife that has been a fixture in South African toolboxes, farm bakkies and hunting bags since 1902. This Black edition pairs the brand's classic sheepfoot blade with a Glass Filled Nylon (GFN) handle in Tactical Black and a satin-finished Bohler N690 stainless steel blade, a mid-market Austrian steel chosen for its balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance rather than outright premium pricing.

Where Okapi's older traditional models used carbon steel that needed oiling to stay rust-free, this version swaps to N690 stainless, making it far more forgiving for the exact job it is built for: slicing dried biltong, boerewors or a block of cheese at the braai without a second thought about the blade staining or pitting afterwards. The handle still carries the brand's recognisable rotating ring-lock collar at the bolster, the same locking idea Okapi has used for over a century, now moulded into a modern polymer grip instead of the old nickel-silver bolsters.

At 189mm open and 75mm of blade, it sits in the same footprint as a typical EDC slip-joint, light enough to carry daily and inexpensive enough that most owners keep two: one in the vehicle cubby and a spare for the camping box.

Key Features

• N690 stainless steel blade holds a working edge through repeated biltong slicing sessions and wipes clean with a damp cloth instead of needing oiling after every use.
• Sheepfoot blade profile with a double-bevelled edge keeps the cutting edge straight and the spine flat, so the knife rocks cleanly through dense, dried meat without the tip catching.
• Okapi's signature ring-lock collar rotates to lock the blade open for safe use and unlocks with a twist before folding away, a simpler and more durable mechanism than a liner lock on a knife this price.
• Glass Filled Nylon handle shrugs off knocks, is unaffected by moisture, and will not warp or crack the way the brand's older wooden handles occasionally did after years outdoors.
• Pocket-friendly closed length means it rides flat in a jeans pocket or glovebox without printing or adding noticeable bulk.
• Comes packaged in its own box, making it a tidy, ready-to-gift item rather than a loose blister-packed blade.

Technical Specifications

Materials & Construction

The blade is cut from Bohler N690, an Austrian stainless alloy that sits a notch above basic 420-series steel and is common on mid-range European and South African factory folders. It takes a satin finish, holds an edge well through repeated slicing without chipping, and resists the kind of surface rust that plagued Okapi's older carbon-steel traditional knives. The handle scales are moulded Glass Filled Nylon rather than the wood or nickel-silver bolsters seen on heritage Okapi models, which keeps the knife lighter, waterproof and resistant to cracking if dropped on a concrete braai area or left in a hot vehicle.

In the Box

Each knife ships in its own branded box rather than a plain poly bag, so it arrives ready to hand over as a gift or stock on a shelf. The box contains the single folding knife only; there is no sheath, lanyard or sharpening stone included, consistent with Okapi's other Biltong Knife colour variants.

Care & Maintenance

Rinse the blade under water and dry it after cutting meat or fruit to stop juices drying into the ring-lock pivot. A drop of light oil on the pivot every few months keeps the rotating lock turning smoothly; the GFN handle itself needs no conditioning. Because the blade is stainless rather than Okapi's older carbon steel, routine oiling of the blade face is optional rather than essential, though a quick wipe with an oiled cloth before long-term storage is still good practice.

Brand Background

Okapi has been producing pocket knives in South Africa since 1902, and the brand's ring-lock folder is arguably the most recognisable South African-made knife, sold for generations through hardware stores, farm co-ops and outdoor retailers across the country. The Biltong Knife range updates that heritage shape with modern steels and polymer handles while keeping the lock mechanism and sheepfoot blade style that long-time users expect.

Who It's For

This suits anyone who wants a dedicated, inexpensive slicing knife for biltong, droewors and picnic food rather than a heavy-duty bushcraft tool. It is equally at home as a stocking-filler, braai companion or spare knife kept in a vehicle cubby, and its low price point makes it an easy knife to lose or lend without worry.

FAQ

Is the blade stainless or carbon steel? It is N690 stainless steel, not the carbon steel used on some older traditional Okapi models, so it resists rust with normal care.

Does it lock open? Yes, via Okapi's rotating ring-lock collar at the bolster rather than a liner or frame lock.

Does this version include a bottle opener? No, the plain Biltong Knife has a straight sheepfoot blade only; Okapi sells a separate Biltong and Beer variant with an integrated bottle opener at the blade tip.

Is it suitable for general EDC tasks beyond food? It will handle light cutting chores such as opening packaging or trimming cord, but its short, flat-ground blade is optimised for slicing rather than piercing or heavy-duty work.