Fisherman's Knife?

Samael

Samael

Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
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OK, so everybody I know comes to me with their knife questions, but I don't fish (would sooner watch a game of golf), so I don't know what to tell my fisherman friends when they ask me to recommend a knife.

Based on what knowledge of fishing I do have, it's not like you're going to be cleaning the fish out there on the spot, so I would think that any good general-purpose knife would do a pretty decent job. But maybe I'm missing something here.

Help me out with this one, you gods of the fishing world.
 
How about a Kissing Crane Fisherman's Toothpick? It's a two-bladed folder that has a main, thin clip-point blade and a secondary fish-scaling blade. It's like a Case Medium Toothpick Fish Knife, but cheaper. I guess if the knife isn't going to be used for descaling, I'd just pick up an Opinel 7" Fish Fillet Folder.
 
I carry a Buck Bait Knife and a Leatherman Wave. Any quality multi-tool with needle nose pliers and scissors is fine. Folders collect a lot of crud if you are cutting bait. I recommend a small thin fixed blade. Stainless is a good option for saltwater. In freshwater I carry a spyderco clipped to my vest or waders along with a multi-tool. It seems you use it for trimming line, closing split shot and removing hooks from fish.
 
Recently purchased a Fallkniven F2 for the tackle box. I haven't had an opportunity to clean a fish with it yet (I'm a warm weather fisherman) but my expectation is that the knife will perform as well as my other Fallk's.

The F2 has a thicker blade (4.5 mm) than most fishing knives and I'm not sure if that will affect the filleting ability of the knife to any degree. The stout and sturdy blade should make for a good all round fishing / camping knife.

Sorry I'm not able to give a hands on account at this time, but still suggest giving the F2 consideration as a possible option.

Kevin
 
Leatherman wave is a great multitool for fishing. Or maybe a Stainless Mora, however that doesn't have pliers. Albeit, you could just add pliers, but why not just get the leatherman?
 
I'm not a fanatical fisherman by any means, but on the occasions when I do go out, I carry one of these:

Victorinox Fisherman
VICTORINOX_FISHERMAN.jpg


Case Fishing Knife
C120.jpg
 
Kershaw Blade Trader, if they don't already have a Leatherman Wave.
 
I like a skinning knife for fishing. Something similar to a sharp finger except with a friction sheath. No tall blades.
 
TheGame said:
Leatherman wave is a great multitool for fishing. Or maybe a Stainless Mora, however that doesn't have pliers. Albeit, you could just add pliers, but why not just get the leatherman?
Click to expand...

The Wave (along with Charge, Surge and Juice Xe6) also has a diamond file which is great for sharpening hooks.
 
I think you folks have pretty well convinced me that a multi-tool would be the way to go. I can see the pliers being really useful with hooks and such. You guys have been a lot of help - thanks!
 
most of the time you do gut the fish on the spot
you don't really need a different knife for fishing just get a good hook remover
 
Don't go with a multitool, they can be a pain to open if its cold and wet and you have a fish flopping around. I'll second the nail clippers solution, if you neatly want to trim braided line you need something like that. Something like a stainless mora clipper for a sturdier knife/bait knife and a fillet knife (rapala and mora are good) are what you want. Pliers are a must but stick to real fishing pliers, good ones with a long nose. And I wouldn't bother with folding knives, they'll do, but get dirty and you have to put everything down to open them. This probably doesnt help all that much, but it's not worth buying a multitool for fishing IMO when real pliers and a real knife are better and can be had for less.
Chris
 
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