Information on new "Sportsman" style knives.

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DirkPitt

Joined
Apr 30, 2008
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Because they remind me of the knives of my youth, I am enamored of what it appears people call the sportsman style of fixed blade knife. I have gathered up quite a few of the older ones at sales, off ebay, and at garage sales. However, I am trying to find some of the new manufactured ones. I have the ones made by Great Eastern Cutlery, such as the H1012 and H10114, as well as the Tidioute #50 and #60. Are there any other Makers out there crafting this old style knife? I bought a Mooremaker Knife/Hatchet combo, which I really liked, but the knife was too heavy to really fit the style I am looking for. Let's face it, I'm basically talking about what used to be cheap knives. I lived in a small rural town and the knives I had were old Uticas, Imperials, and the like sold in hardware stores which were well within the range of a kid with good hay bale toting skills. I'm well aware that any new replicas of this old style won't be cheap, and that's OK since I still have the day job.

I would love to find a few more, I enjoy carrying them around the farm. I don't mind stainless, but I do prefer carbon steel since I like to patina them which pleases my eye.

Thanks for any help.
 
Hess Knives is a father and son from Michigan that worked for Marbles. The blades are made by GEC, actually. Very good knives. Look them up.
 
I'm familiar with the Hess knives, but I don't see anything on their website that resembles what I am looking for. It's a particular style. Flat scales, fairly thin blade, etc.

1012-hunter-burnt-stag.jpg
 
I'd like to find some new manufacture knives that look like this old Utica. I've paid my dues searching, and other than the GEC and Tidioutes I mentioned in my original post, I've come up with zip.

UTICA-SPORTSMAN-BONE-HANDLE-HUNTING-FIXED-BLADE-KNIFE-2.jpg
 
Queen has made a lot of that style fixed blade over the years and has a few in their current lineup.
 
I agree, the Queens are quite close...in fact close enough that I have both the Bear Head Hunter and the Canoe knife. Both are very sweet and I use them regularly. Still, they are not quite the "Sportsman" style that I was hoping someone other than GEC and Tidioute were making. However, I'm really glad you two suggested I hike over to the Queen site to take a more recent look since I really like that Fish Knife, and I had not seen it.

I'm still hoping that there might be some "Sportsmans" out there and someone can point them out to me. Possibly I didn't post this in the right place for the most traffic...I'm not sure. I'm not a frequent or adept forum user, I generally just read the posts. I appreciate everyone's help so far.

Oh, and bozack, I didn't say it above, but I actually have a couple Hess knives...my wife is a UP native. The style and quality of the ones I have is superb. They just aren't "quite" what I was after with this inquiry, but I do appreciate your response.
 
Well, hellsbells, I can't find anyone that has that Queen #57SB Fish Knife for sale. Anybody have a link to one for sale?

06cdcc8fe5b870ad7975b35a495b3add.jpg
 
I think it's something brand new from Queen. Yesterday was the first I have seen it.

I was also shocked to see that not a single knife on their Light Hunter page has a butt. They switched up the entire line and dropped every knife with an aluminum pommel! The canoe knife, for example, previously had a pommel. So did the deer knife. The fillet, skinner, and trout knife were the others.

:confused:

I wonder if they'll respond to an email asking why?
 
Bob W said:
I think it's something brand new from Queen. Yesterday was the first I have seen it.

I was also shocked to see that not a single knife on their Light Hunter page has a butt. They switched up the entire line and dropped every knife with an aluminum pommel! The canoe knife, for example, previously had a pommel. So did the deer knife. The fillet, skinner, and trout knife were the others.

:confused:

I wonder if they'll respond to an email asking why?
Click to expand...

I noticed that myself, my canoe has a pommel. I'm not sure if they will respond to a "why" email, but I may find out if they respond to a "where can I get a fish knife" email. :)
 
Don't know whether building one would interest you, but you might look into a kit knife. This is a Dexter-Russell Green River Works blade blank in 'high carbon' steel from one knifemaker's supplier; they mention it's referred to as a 'Fish Knife', BTW...

russell-4215-600_1.jpg


That old Utica pictured earlier is a neat knife; I've got one almost exactly like it, though no idea whether it was a Utica or not (no marks on it). No frills, very thin blade stock (that's a GOOD thing for slicing) and the guard is loose and rattles a bit; but it does harken back to an 'old school' sensibility. :thumbup:


David
 
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Boker's Argentina blades, they produced some over the years I believe. Arbolito line maybe? Also, Queen makes similar knives.
 
DirkPitt said:
I'd like to find some new manufacture knives that look like this old Utica. I've paid my dues searching, and other than the GEC and Tidioutes I mentioned in my original post, I've come up with zip.

UTICA-SPORTSMAN-BONE-HANDLE-HUNTING-FIXED-BLADE-KNIFE-2.jpg
Click to expand...

Very nice. You could also check with Mike Mann or Matt Liesnewski for a custom version.
 
According to a very prompt and pleasant email reply from K. Ryan Daniels, V.P. of sales for Queen the #57SB Fish knife has not yet been produced.

And you are right Bob, the trout knife is far more attractive with the pommel. Without it it looks like...well, a kitchen paring knife. I guess I better order one with a pommel while they are still available.
 
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I have been loving this style myself...the H10 and H20 from GEC are marvelous.
 
I agree with some of the above posters. Get in touch with a custom maker, something that simple shouldn't be too expensive.
 
I've also received a response from Mr. Daniels at Queen Cutlery. He explains the reasons for the loss of pommels as, "nothing more than giving the knife a new look," and that he likes them. :)

If we could all own a company to make exactly what we like. :D
 
I agree that a custom knife maker could easily make a copy of the style. However, my interest is really in production knives that follow the old "sportsman" style. I have a great many knives, new and old that follow the pattern, I was simply looking for more production knives that follow the style. A custom "sportsman" would indeed add anther knife to the pile, but really would not be worth the cost to me. I have numerous beautiful custom knives, which express the maker's skill and art and value them. I'd just like to find the current makers who honor the old style of my youth and support them with my patronage.

As for the pommels, I agree with Bob that the bird/trout simply looks better with the pommel. On the other hand, some of the bare handle styles are indeed attractive and look good without the pommel. I did search out a bird/trout with a pommel and ordered it in case it doesn't come back. Mr. Daniels offered to send me an email when the Fish knife completes production, and I accepted that offer, so hopefully one will come home to roost at some point.
 
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