fishing knives of quality?

tongueriver

tongueriver

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Awhile back, I did a search on fleabay for old fishing knives, and came up with quite a few, but it seemed to me that they were pretty much the shell bolster el cheapo variety up and down the line. Does anyone know what to look for in the way of more quality made ones? I am not put off by Delrin, but want to avoid celluloid and overall cheap construction, including the Colonial shell bolster types. I don't know how to tell by the descriptions, and most sellers don't know, either. Thanks, folks!
 
Outside of the (modern) large Toothpick pattern, I think the only way you'll find them is to look for vintage brands on fleabay, etc.

I think almost all of the old ones with solid scales will be celluloid. I've seen the Robeson, Western, and Sabre brands with solid-scaled handles, that I think were celluloid. LG4 also shows Hibbard (Hibbard & Spencer?) and Remingtons with no fish scaling blade.

I read somewhere that the Colonial & Imperial brands - with the hollow bolsters & scales - were so popular, because they were cheap and easily replaced if lost or no longer usable.

thx - cpr

ps - According to LG4, these were also called 'ticklers'. Page 214-215 shows several, that look to be solid-scaled versions.
 
tongueriver said:
Awhile back, I did a search on fleabay for old fishing knives, and came up with quite a few, but it seemed to me that they were pretty much the shell bolster el cheapo variety up and down the line. Does anyone know what to look for in the way of more quality made ones? I am not put off by Delrin, but want to avoid celluloid and overall cheap construction, including the Colonial shell bolster types. I don't know how to tell by the descriptions, and most sellers don't know, either. Thanks, folks!
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Look for Ulster and Western Boulder fish knives, you will get good steel, and solid handles. Hard to tell sometimes what was cell and what was some other composition.
 
Case still makes one in a couple scale colors/materials.

One of my first knives bought with my own money was a yellow Imperial fish knife, the toothpick shaped two blader with the scaler/bottle opener and knife blade. Took several months to scratch up enough $$$-probably only a couple bucks, but extravagant for a kid in my position back in the 70s. And I remember being really disappointed when I realized the scales and bolsters were cheap stamped sheet metal crimped onto the liners. Turned out to be a decent knife anyway, but it was an interesting lesson to have at that point in my life.
 
I got this one awhile back but see them up for auction every now and then. Remington did a run for Stren fishing line.
strenangler.jpg
 
Already mentioned but I agree....the old Western versions were solid, some had a hook sharpener on the handle as well.
 
You can still find a good many of the old Case 32095 pattern on eBay. Even the older, 'collectible' versions from 1965 and later can be had for pretty reasonable prices. Yellow Delrin scales w/the hook sharpener inset, solid bolsters, stainless blades and typical quality expected of Case knives. Case also makes a modern version of that knife (320094F SS pattern), also fine quality, but it's a bit smaller now (4-1/4" closed). I'm pretty sure you can find a few of these in other handle materials as well, such as bone ('image series' w/scrimshaw designs on the white bone handles) and orange G-10 (1020094F SS). See pics below for the yellow delrin and orange G-10 versions:

120.jpg


6205.jpg


BTW, Kabar's older versions of this style are pretty good quality too, comparable to the older Case. In my experience, it might be a little bit harder to find one of those that's still in good condition (the two or three I've collected have been pretty well used).
 
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tongueriver said:
Awhile back, I did a search on fleabay for old fishing knives, and came up with quite a few, but it seemed to me that they were pretty much the shell bolster el cheapo variety up and down the line. Does anyone know what to look for in the way of more quality made ones? I am not put off by Delrin, but want to avoid celluloid and overall cheap construction, including the Colonial shell bolster types. I don't know how to tell by the descriptions, and most sellers don't know, either. Thanks, folks!
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Are you looking to collect them or use them, TR????
 
I hope it's O.K. to post a couple of fishing oldies in this thread.
Here's a wood-handled one, with all the tools you might need, including a can piercer and bottle opener, and a real nice bone handled barlow style.
SchradeFish2.jpg
 
Thank you, Charlie; those are sweeties! As you know, Abercrombie and Fitch was one of the big New York City houses. Another one was Charles Daley. I have an 1890's fully engraved full sidelock double 10, Damascus, hammer gun, made in Prussia and marketed by Charles Daley. Those big houses carried some wonderful stuff.
 
tongueriver said:
Thank you, Charlie; those are sweeties! As you know, Abercrombie and Fitch was one of the big New York City houses...Those big houses carried some wonderful stuff.
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Here's mine (Case) from 1975-1976:

orig.jpg
 
Elliot, I always love to see that yellow! Here's another one, in "Staglon" Delrin, with a sheath that is probably more rare than the knife. I really like this knife, however.
209fish002.jpg
 
Nice knife, Elliott! Did you work at A&F for a brief time?
And what is that article behind your knife???
 
waynorth said:
Nice knife, Elliott! Did you work at A&F for a brief time?
And what is that article behind your knife???
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I worked there in 1975 & 1976 right up through the time they went Chapter 11.

8th floor, Camping & Mountaineering. (The knife was from the Fishing Dept. on the 9th floor.) :cool::thumbup:

The background is Steve Dick's book.
 
Charlie - what's the part on the back of pivot on the multi-blade in post 12? Lanyard hook . . . ?

thx - cpr
 
I'm not charlie:grumpy: but i'll chime in :D! That is a can/bottle opener.
I'll see if I can find a post with one open and link.

see post #4http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615091&highlight=opener
 
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6.0stroker said:
That is a can/bottle opener.
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Okay, that makes sense. I saw something like that years ago, (my childhood days) and I guess it was was bent or broke; the owner had a string through a hole in it as a lanyard. He said he drilled the hole himself, and that he was tired of losing his knife. Knowing him, there was more beer than fish, on his trips to the river. ;)

thx - cpr
 
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