Photos Bird and Trout! Let's See 'Em!

[Horsewright]

I love this thread.

Fantastic knife, love the blade coloration.

In the "non-binding 2020 forum knife" thread, there was brief mention of a bird and trout pattern, and I have to admit my heart got racing a few beats faster at the notion. I think the smaller bird and trout knives are just about the perfect fixed blade knife for most of what I do in the wilderness, big game hunting aside. I see no need for a 4"+ fixed blade for what I do while camping, hiking, walking for birds or fly fishing, and for the heavier stuff, I'll have an axe or hatchet close by.

Thanks, clay coated as part of heat treat. The lower part of the blade is 64RC and the higher part that was under the clay during heat treat is softer. The way I finish the blade produces what I call a working hamon. Clay on a blade prior to heat treat:

After heat treat but prior to finishing:

All done:

 

[Frailer]

I haven’t hunted birds for almost 40 years, but I was a big fan of the little Mora 2/0 as an all-purpose knife while fishing. The only downside to the knife for me was its positively abysmal sheath. A few years ago I found this very well-made neck sheath on eBay, and while I’m not a fan of neck knives in general, this one works exceptionally well. It keeps the knife readily accessible regardless of what I’m wearing or what position I happen to be in, and the knife comes out and drops back in with ease. My son-in-law—who was a much more avid fisherman than I—admired it, so I gave it to him. Sadly, it came back into my possession when he was taken from us much too soon a little over a year ago, and I haven’t had the heart to put it back to use.



A perennial favorite of mine is the humble Victorinox paring knife. I remove an inch or so from the handle, which allows them to ride easily in a front pocket. IMHO there’s nothing handier for cleaning panfish or squirrels.

 

[Duckdog]

Getting ready for a rabbit (I know, not B&T) hunt today, then came the rain.

- Stuart

 

[dcpritch]

... I haven’t had the heart to put it back to use.

I just grieved when I read this. So sorry for your loss, and I hope at some point you are able to take comfort in using a tool that was cherished by your son in law.

 

[K Williams]

J.W. Bensinger bird & trout. Forged 52100, tiger maple scales.

 

[hornetguy]

Even though this one wasn't advertised as such, I think it fits on the larger end of a bird and trout kind of knife. Western cutlery, 648B, 3" blade. Although, truth be told, most of my trout have been cleaned using whatever pocket slipjoint I was carrying.. usually a Case mini trapper.

 

[KnifeRep]

All from my Dad's collection

1978 Case Small Game Knife

Case M5F from 1976 and an older French fishing traditional with fish hook knot tying bill in INOX stainless, that's my Great Grandfather's fishing license from 1969

 

[CVamberbonehead]

All from my Dad's collection

1978 Case Small Game Knife

Case M5F from 1976 and an older French fishing traditional with fish hook knot tying bill in INOX stainless, that's my Great Grandfather's fishing license from 1969

Fantastic photos! That is a lot of history in these pictures, as well as some neat old knives.

 

[eisman]

I have wanted a David Boye etched knife for a long time. Decades. Finally found the one:

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

All from my Dad's collection

1978 Case Small Game Knife

Case M5F from 1976 and an older French fishing traditional with fish hook knot tying bill in INOX stainless, that's my Great Grandfather's fishing license from 1969

I'm digging the real cane fly rods! But then I always was a "fishing first" hobby junkie.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I'd say this little Buck 160 smidgen is a B&T ( the sheath was quick, gotta make another one )

 

[tongueriver]

delete

 

[Scott Hanson]

Here is a 4" blade Bird & Trout style knife I just finished up a while back and shipped to the customer. AEB-L blade satin finish heat treat with sub zero quench to HRc-62. Handle is whitetail crown with compresssed leather G10, micarta and brass spacers.

 

[Duckdog]

I'd say this little Buck 160 smidgen is a B&T ( the sheath was quick, gotta make another one )

Both are very nice. The little Buck is slick.
- Stuart

 

[mitch4ging]

Here is a 4" blade Bird & Trout style knife I just finished up a while back and shipped to the customer. AEB-L blade satin finish heat treat with sub zero quench to HRc-62. Handle is whitetail crown with compresssed leather G10, micarta and brass spacers.View attachment 1352502

More incredible work, Scott, both the knife and sheath!

 

[Horsewright]

Great knife and sheath Scott!


Couple of recents in this flavor:

 

[tongueriver]

delete

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Great knife and sheath Scott!


Couple of recents in this flavor:

Dave,
Why do you always insist on trying to convert a post about knives into a post of fine art???

 

[KnifeRep]

I'm digging the real cane fly rods! But then I always was a "fishing first" hobby junkie.

If one truly loves cane rods and uses them they are both a passion and a curse for they become delicate over time and exposure to the elements and will snap at the most inopportune time, when you have one hooked with a fighting fish on the end. Notice the end sections on both the fly rods above are “split” and have been repaired, one shortened; also, note the heavy casting rod is “wrapped” to prevent being “split.” All of my family owned ones are ”split” in someway because they were tools and used often by my Grandfather and Great Grandfather, the men pictured above, and eventually my Dad, I have never used them.

When my Grandfather passed in ‘67 my Dad took over his tackle, he fished with the cane rods of his Dad and Grandfather, both accomplished sports fishermen of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. In the late ‘60’s, early ‘70 my older brother and I joined him, along with our Mom, on week long camping and fishing trips, I remember distinctly in ‘74 my father “split” one on an outing in Downeyville, CA (EVC, Clampers Unite! https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-clampers-history-20171110-htmlstory.html), it saddened him and soured the trip; alas, over the next two years he would sadly repeat the experience twice eventually retiring the family's cane rods for fiberglass ones in 1976.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

If one truly loves cane rods and uses them they are both a passion and a curse for they become delicate over time and exposure to the elements and will snap at the most inopportune time, when you have one hooked with a fighting fish on the end. Notice the end sections on both the fly rods above are “split” and have been repaired, one shortened; also, note the heavy casting rod is “wrapped” to prevent being “split.” All of my family owned ones are ”split” in someway because they were tools and used often by my Grandfather and Great Grandfather, the men pictured above, and eventually my Dad, I have never used them.

When my Grandfather passed in ‘67 my Dad took over his tackle, he fished with the cane rods of his Dad and Grandfather, both accomplished sports fishermen of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. In the late ‘60’s, early ‘70 my older brother and I joined him, along with our Mom, on week long camping and fishing trips, I remember distinctly in ‘74 my father “split” one on an outing in Downeyville, CA (EVC, Clampers Unite!), it saddened him and soured the trip; over the next two years he would sadly repeat the experience twice eventually retiring the family's cane rods for fiberglass ones in 1976.

Like so many things, cane rods are not without their drawbacks. Splitting as you mentioned. They also require a lot more care and maintenance. But then again, I've had graphite rods snap on the cast several times as well. Sometimes in the middle of a tournament. There are craftsmen who can repair cane rods. Graphite, they are either shorter and stiffer than before and have the guides repositioned or just toss it in the trash. Just like carbon steel having advantages over stainless steel for a knife, there are certain advantages to fishing with a classic - if only for the spirituality of it, reconnecting with the past. But then, I have a lot of past to reconnect to. lol