Okapi Knife Lock Wood SS M& S CS Box

The Okapi Lock 907E is the knife most South Africans picture the moment someone says the word 'Okapi'. It is a folding lock-knife with a stabilised wood handle, a carbon steel blade and the brand's signature moon-and-star insignia inlaid in stainless steel on the handle scale. Okapi has made this pattern, largely unchanged, since the design's Solingen origins in the 1800s, and it remains one of the best-selling pocket knives in Southern Africa precisely because it does one job -cutting- without fuss or a premium price tag.

What sets this model apart from a typical modern folder is the lock itself. Instead of a liner lock or a button release, the 907E uses a ring-and-spring ratchet lock: a steel ring sits proud of the spine, and lifting it while pressing down on the back of the blade releases the catch with the distinctive click that gave these knives their nickname of '3 star ratchet' among collectors. It is a mechanism that has barely changed in over a century, and it still locks up solidly enough for splitting biltong, skinning, or general bush and farm work.

This is the boxed, carded version of the knife, finished in natural wood with the stainless moon-and-star inlay and a carbon steel (CS) blade - the two materials referenced in the product name are the inlay (stainless steel) and the blade (carbon steel), not two competing blade options. It ships ready to gift or stock on a shelf, with the Okapi branding and moon-and-star motif visible through the packaging.

Key Features

• The 1075 (some batches 1055) high carbon steel blade takes an aggressive edge quickly on a stone or steel and is easy to restore in the field, at the cost of needing an occasional wipe-down to keep surface rust off.
• The ring-lock mechanism braces the blade solidly open under load and needs a deliberate two-handed action to close, which keeps the knife from folding back on your fingers during hard cutting.
• A stabilised, resin-impregnated wood handle resists the swelling and splitting that untreated timber suffers from in humid or wet conditions, while still giving a warmer grip than polymer or metal scales.
• The inlaid stainless steel moon-and-star emblem is set into the handle rather than printed, so it will not wear off with years of pocket carry.
• A slim, banana-curved profile keeps the closed knife flat and comfortable in a trouser or jacket pocket, and the light overall weight means you forget it is there until you need it.
• Boxed packaging protects the blade edge and inlay during transport and display, and makes the knife ready to present as a gift straight off the shelf.

Technical Specifications

Materials & Construction

The blade stock is a high carbon tool steel in the 1055-1075 family, chosen over stainless for the same reason old farm knives and machetes are: it sharpens fast with basic tools and the edge keeps biting after repeated touch-ups. The handle is built from two pieces of resin-impregnated wood pressed around a steel liner and the ring-lock spring, with the moon-and-star emblem set into the left scale as a separate stainless steel inlay rather than a stamped mark, so it survives decades of pocket wear.

Care & Maintenance

Because the blade is carbon steel, wipe it dry after wet use and put a light film of oil on it before long storage - a patina will develop with use and is cosmetic, not a defect, but left wet it will rust. Sharpen on a standard stone or rod following the existing single-sided bevel rather than re-profiling it, and keep the ring-lock pivot lightly oiled so the ratchet action stays crisp. The wood handle needs no treatment beyond an occasional wipe; being stabilised, it will not absorb moisture the way raw timber does.

Brand Background

Okapi traces back to Solingen, Germany, in the late 1800s, where the moon-and-star pattern was first made for export to German colonial markets in Africa. Production moved to South Africa in 1988 when the trademark and tooling were bought out, and the knives have been made there since on the same basic pattern. The brand built its reputation on being an affordable, no-nonsense working knife rather than a collector piece, and it is carried everywhere from farms to kitchens across the region.

Who It's For

This is the knife for someone who wants a traditional, inexpensive lock-knife for biltong, braai, fishing, farm chores or general EDC, and who likes the look of a wood handle over polymer or G10. It is not a tactical one-hand-opener and has no pocket clip, so buyers wanting fast deployment or stainless low-maintenance blades should look at a modern liner-lock folder instead. It also suits collectors building out an Okapi range, since the wood/M&S/carbon steel boxed version is the closest thing the brand has to its original, historic pattern.

FAQ

Is the blade stainless or carbon steel? The blade is high carbon steel; the stainless steel element is the inlaid moon-and-star emblem on the handle, not the blade.

How do you close it safely? Lift the ring at the back of the handle while pressing down on the spine of the blade with your other hand, then fold the handle down onto the blade - closing the blade into the handle the way you would on a normal folder can pinch your fingers.

Will the blade rust? It can develop surface oxidation or a patina if left wet, so dry it after use and oil it for storage; this does not affect the edge or strength.

Does it come with a sheath or pouch? This listing is for the boxed knife itself; Okapi sells separate pocket knife sheaths if you want a belt carry option.