Fishing Knife

[will62]

Years ago in one of the local hardware stores on display was a Fisherman's Knife. The general shape was that of a toothpick but the second blade was a scaler and hook disgorger on the end. Last time I saw one was about 15 years ago in a neighbor's tackle box. Any idea who made such a knife, Imperial, maybe?? When I was a kid none of us ever bought one because the blade seemed to be on the thin side.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Imperial, Case, Western, Kabar (or 'Ka-bar'), Boker and many, many others all made versions of this style.

The thin blade on these is perfect for the assigned task (cleaning/gutting fish), and for many other uses as well. I like 'em, and have collected a few of the pattern.

 

[TheSharpStuff]

above x2, You can find all kinds of old imperials in yellow handles on ebay.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Here's an older thread (among many here on BF, if you search 'fish knives' or 'fishing knives') with some interesting examples:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/689509-fishing-knives-of-quality

 

[Rupestris]

Colonial made a lot of them with the stamped "shell" handles. They're probably the least expensive out there and there are plenty of them.
I'd opt for an Imperial for a low end fish knife and Case for the higher end and look for one with the hook sharpener instead of the shield. The Colonials I've come across have had very thin liners, were weak in the handles and had more blade play than I liked.

 

[mhawg]

For $1.99 I carried that pattern for many years in my youth.

 

[LKJW]

Love em. I agree about the colonials or AMERICAN imperials. The case ones are bigger. I have a bunch (in addition to being a knife nut, I am a fishing nut). Here's a few. Case on left and bottom.

The thin blade and scaler come in handy, but the hook disgorger is a real asset is you fish catch and release like me...works better than a stick with a notch cut in it. Saved many a breem's life. The brown one goes with me every time I go fishing.
The Imperial from Ireland are crap. I have one new in package and gave one new in package to a bud on here, but they are inferior to the US knives. Look aroundand you can get one for cheap.

 

[300Bucks]

 

[oilburner]

Case still makes one, google it! There is also a Ka-Bar up in the trade forums.

 

[jujigatame]

I made a thread about a Kabar T75 that found its way to me a few weeks ago if you want to see some pictures.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/896420

 

[Bigfattyt]

the yellow handled CASE with stainless steel, hook sharpener inset, and in a tin with a case lure is only $54 right now.

 

[knarfeng]

Imperial, Case, Western, Kabar (or 'Ka-bar'), Boker and many, many others all made versions of this style.

The thin blade on these is perfect for the assigned task (cleaning/gutting fish), and for many other uses as well. I like 'em, and have collected a few of the pattern.

+1. It used to be a common pattern.

 

[never too sharp]

I accidentally posted a question in the thread linked above. What is the purpose of the hole in the rear bolster of some of those old fishing knives?

 

[jujigatame]

That hole can be used as a hook straightener.