Thank you gift ideas?

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04rubicon

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North of all the fuss
I have been invited to come hunting in South Africa with a group who lives there and hunts a few times a year. I’ll be paying my own way for the hunting etc but they are still being extremely generous, picking me up and hosting me and in offering me this opportunity. I don’t know them, it’s the cousin of a friend of mine but have spoken with them on the phone.

I have just under a year to get ready but I would like to bring gifts for the group to thank them for hosting me. I’d like to bring something hunting or outdoors related but ideally something uniquely Canadian. A knife is the obvious first thought I had but as far as Canadian we don’t have many options. That being said I carry a Grohmann trout and bird as my go to hunting knife but I’m not sure if it’s a blade everyone appreciates. I’d probably like to spend a little less than the cost of 4 Grohmann anyway.
I think it would be a fun thing to do and give them a souvenir of the time that took that strange Canadian fellow hunting.

Any ideas for a nice, thoughtful gift? Probably 3 or 4 guys in the group so would like to get something for each.

Thanks
 
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Make them some French toast with maple syrup one day for breakfast. Maybe a Grohmann #1 carbon steel knife (if that's in your budget) - Grohmann does deals on bulk purchases if you call them.

Of course there are better knives out there, but none are as iconic or quintessentially Canadian (except maybe an Ulu).
 
I think of Africa, I think of heat. I think of heat, I think of insulated water bottles, I really like the ones I have from Bottleworx. A Canadian company, although the bottles are probably not manufactured here but I love mine. I love the knife idea but they could probably use an insulated water bottle every day. In a perfect world, there would be a Canadian made multi tool, that would be great also.
 
My first thought was Grohmann as well. I've given those as gifts numerous times. They do offer seconds at a decent discount. You may have to call them for that maybe. I know they have a waiting list you can get on if you're after a certain model. I own a few seconds and I can't see a thing wrong with them. They also offer other shapes that might be considered more normal I guess.
 
Lots of custom builders (knives) in Canada, depends on what you want to spend. There are even small production shops doing smaller runs, this on comes to mind; https://northarmknives.com/product-category/outdoor-knives/

Not a Canadian company, but if you were looking to provide a great (hydration) option as a Canadian guest, I've come to really love the STANLEY line of goods. I think I have maybe 4-5 items between thermoses and thermal mugs/beer steins. https://ca.stanley1913.com/ Not inexpensive, but far less than YETI. This has been by my side nearly every day since I got it, I only use for ice water. Put about 3" of ice in it and there will still be ice 2 days later no matter where you keep it. https://ca.stanley1913.com/products/classic-easy-pour-growler-64-oz

Granted, I've never been to Africa but the inside of a buttoned-up old Subaru gets pretty hot in 30C+ temps. :)
 
I’d forget water bottles, in my opinion that’s corny trade show swag. Nobody will remember where those came from in two years after their kids forget them somewhere. Go with the knives, not a big expense in the grand scheme and more sentimental. I had North Arm knives here on the coast in BC make my whole crew specials, they do neat things and make great knives.

On the other side of the blade, are the guys and gals names.

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Knife with a bottle opener and a Polar Bear on it ($2 coin?), largest Carnivore on Earth, can swim 100 miles and would eat a lion for Breakfast.

Carl Rungius print/book.

Selous' "Recent Hunts in British North America".

O'Connor's "Big Game Animals of North America"
 
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Our outfitter had a strange request a few years back pre-Covid.
Ranch salad dressing!
We filled that one in spades with a dozen bottles of Kraft.
Also scotch being mentioned brings a smile.
The 2 bottles of toll free Glenlivit disappeared pretty quick on a 10 day hunt.
When one of the guys requested another bottle he was presented with a bottle of Old Granddad.
Still laugh remembering the “WTF is this??” response!!
 
My PH in Zimbabwe loved peanut M&Ms. We made sure to pick up a giant Costco-sized box of them before we headed over.

Of course, we also gave him a handmade knife from one of the "not many options" here in Canada. Also gave the Camp Manager a knife from the same maker.
 
a knife made in canada is the best you can do depending on your delays of course ... i will suggest with caribou antler for the handle but the creator himself may disagree ...

if they re living on a farm: the employees might like for the school and the kids a lot of items like papers and pens and books but i will suggest to check with your host on that.
 
Handshake and a thank you and a package of Players can go a long way in the right circumstances.
Sometimes not so much about the cost. More the thought.
Not suggesting you tip your guide or outfitter with a pack of smokes but it doesn’t hurt to have some around.
 
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