Okapi Knives and Machetes authorised distributor South Africa

Okapi Knives & Machetes — Authorised Distributor South Africa

Authorised distributor of genuine Okapi knives and machetes — supplying the iconic 907E lock knife, folding knives, bush machetes and cane knives to agricultural, outdoor, industrial and retail customers across the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Garden Route. Est. 1902. Made in Africa.

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The History of Okapi — Est. 1902

Okapi has one of the most storied histories in South African tool manufacturing. Originally produced in 1902 in Solingen, Germany — the "City of Blades" — the Okapi knife was designed as a robust, affordable folding knife for export to colonial Africa. Named after the rare giraffe-like animal discovered in the Congo forests around the same time, the knife's distinctive ring-lock design and stabilised wood handle have remained virtually unchanged for over a century.

In the late 1980s production moved permanently to South Africa, where the trademark and tooling were acquired locally. In 2019, Lasher Tools — one of South Africa's leading hand tool manufacturers — acquired Okapi and continues manufacturing in South Africa, relaunching the brand in 2025 with an expanded range of pocket knives, folding knives, machetes and cane knives. Over 98% of raw materials are sourced locally. ISO 9001 certified.

The Okapi Legacy

1902

First produced in Solingen, Germany for export to colonial Africa

1989

Production moves to South Africa — trademark and tooling acquired locally

2019

Lasher Tools acquires Okapi — manufacturing continues in South Africa

2025

Brand relaunched with expanded range — "For Every Pocket and Palm"

Made in Africa · ISO 9001 · 98% Local Raw Materials

Okapi knives are engineered for Africa's toughest conditions — built from hardened carbon steel (C 1075) or premium stainless steel (SS N690), with stabilised wood or glass-filled nylon handles. Whether used in agriculture, forestry, the bush, or for everyday carry, Okapi knives are trusted across Southern Africa for their rugged build, sharp edge retention and affordability. The 907E lock knife is arguably the most iconic pocket knife in South African history — carried by trackers, farmers, fishermen, and yes, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones.

Pocket Knives

The Icon · Est. 1902 · Carbon Steel · Ring-Lock

907E Lock Knife — FG02560

The original and iconic Okapi. The banana-shaped ring-lock folding knife that has been carried across Africa for over a century. Carbon steel blade with stabilised veneer wood handle and signature moon & star inlay.

Blade: 100mm · Handle: 140mm · Total: 240mm · Steel: C 1075 carbon steel · HRC 56–58 · Sharpening: 30° one-sided

Modern Range · SS N690 Stainless Steel · 5 Handle Colours

Folding Knives — FG02576 to FG02580

The modern Okapi folding knife range — same trusted design, upgraded to premium SS N690 stainless steel blades with glass-filled nylon (GFN) handles. Available in five handle colours: Wood · Olive Green · Forest Green · Okapi Orange · Tactical Black.

Blade: 105mm · Handle: 140mm · Total: 245mm · Steel: SS N690 · HRC 58–60 · Sharpening: 30° one-sided

Uniquely South African · SS N690 · Stabilised Wood Handle

Biltong Knife & Biltong & Beer Knife — FG02585 / FG02590

Designed for the quintessentially South African task of slicing biltong — razor-sharp SS N690 stainless steel blade, stabilised wood handle. The Biltong & Beer Knife adds a bottle opener to the spine. A perfect gifting knife.

Blade: 75mm · Handle: 114mm · Total: 189mm · Steel: SS N690 · HRC 58–60

Bush Knives & Machetes

The Okapi machete range covers every bush, agricultural and forestry cutting application. All machetes are available in Tactical Black and Okapi Orange handle colours, and come with a matching sheath. Carbon steel blades, hardened and tempered for Africa's toughest conditions.

O-Tanto Machete

FG02108 (Black) · FG02085 (Orange)

Japanese-style tanto point for piercing and slashing. Length: 505mm · Width: 80mm · Weight: 0.597kg. Sheaths: FG02088 / FG02101.

Bowie Machete

FG02109 (Black) · FG02086 (Orange)

Classic bowie clip-point profile. Length: 500mm · Width: 80mm · Weight: 0.535kg. Sheaths: FG02089 / FG02102.

Jungle Machete

FG02110 (Black) · FG02087 (Orange)

Long-reach jungle clearing blade. Length: 595mm · Width: 95mm · Weight: 0.795kg. Sheaths: FG02090 / FG02103.

Kukri Machete

FG02111 (Black) · FG02099 (Orange)

Forward-curving Nepalese-style kukri blade for maximum chopping force. Length: 490mm · Width: 100mm · Weight: 0.585kg. Sheaths: FG02091 / FG02104.

Latin Machete 18"

FG02112 (Black) · FG02107 (Orange)

Classic straight-back Latin machete. Length: 645mm · Width: 90mm · Weight: 0.63kg. Sheaths: FG02092 / FG02105.

D-Ring Machete 18"

FG02113 (Black) · FG02100 (Orange)

D-ring guard for secure grip in agricultural and forestry work. Length: 640mm · Width: 90mm · Weight: 0.678kg. Sheaths: FG02093 / FG02106.

Cane Knives — Agricultural Range

The Okapi cane knife range is purpose-built for the South African sugar cane, fruit and agricultural industries. Available in a range of blade profiles to suit different cutting styles and crop types — right and left-handed variants available on most models.

Long Handle Cane Knives (1021 Series)

5 blade profiles available in right and left-handed versions. Blade length: 280mm · Handle height: 530mm · Blade thickness: 1.6mm. FG02054 through FG02072.

All Round Cane Knives (1041 Series)

5 blade profiles for general agricultural cutting — right and left-handed versions. Blade length: 380–400mm · Blade thickness: 1.6mm. FG02073 through FG02083.

Bulk & Trade Supply — Free Display Box with 25+ Knives

Orbit Industrial supplies Okapi knives and machetes in bulk to retailers, co-operatives, agricultural supply stores, hardware stores and industrial operations. Order any multiple of 25 knives and receive a free branded Okapi display box. MOQ of 5 per SKU. Trade and reseller pricing available. Contact us for a quotation and account application.

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Genuine Okapi Knives — South Africa

Orbit Industrial Supplies is an authorised Okapi distributor serving the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Garden Route. The Okapi knife is arguably the most iconic South African pocket knife — a product of more than 120 years of history, trusted across the country's agricultural, forestry, outdoor and working communities. As an authorised distributor, every Okapi knife sold by Orbit Industrial is 100% genuine, sourced directly through the official Okapi / Lasher Tools distribution channel.

The Okapi range covers pocket knives, folding knives, biltong knives, machetes and agricultural cane knives — for everyday carry, bush and outdoor use, professional agricultural applications and retail. All Okapi knives are manufactured in South Africa to ISO 9001 standards, using predominantly locally sourced raw materials including C 1075 carbon steel and SS N690 stainless steel blades.

For bulk, trade and retail pricing on the full Okapi range, contact Orbit Industrial directly. Request a quote →

Orbit Industrial Supplies is an authorised Okapi distributor — supplying the complete genuine Okapi knife and machete range to agricultural, outdoor, industrial, retail and trade customers across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Garden Route and Gauteng. Bulk and trade pricing available.

Okapi Knives and Machetes