Would appreciate any suggestions regarding folding knives which would be good for fishing. Need to clean fish, and use as a "priest", so sturdy handle a must. Sometimes fish in remote streams, where self-defense becomes a concern. Any thoughts about blade composition and type? Thanks.
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folders for fishing knives
- Thread starter rlcmd
- Start date
A "priest" is a thing you knock a fish in the head with to keep them from squirming around I think. I would recommend the Puma fish knife. It has a nice round weight on the end and you can also weigh your fish with the knife. I have one and I love it. I never use it, but its very cool. I don't know if they make them anymore, but you could try ebay or the wanted forums on BF. Hope you find a good fishing knife!
michael
michael
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- Apr 14, 1999
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Welcome to the forums!
My first thought when I read the subject was a Spyderco Catcherman. The only problem is the handle may not met your needs. Other then that it is quite a nice knife. I gave one to my uncle who is an avid fisherman. He has used one for a few seasons w/ great results. He carries it even when he could carry a fixed blade. Not to mention it has prompted him to purchase other knives from the Spyderco line. It also appears that it would be quite a slashing tool if the need arrives.
My first thought when I read the subject was a Spyderco Catcherman. The only problem is the handle may not met your needs. Other then that it is quite a nice knife. I gave one to my uncle who is an avid fisherman. He has used one for a few seasons w/ great results. He carries it even when he could carry a fixed blade. Not to mention it has prompted him to purchase other knives from the Spyderco line. It also appears that it would be quite a slashing tool if the need arrives.
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- Jul 29, 2000
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How about this knife. It can also be used to smash the head of the fish.
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- Apr 21, 2001
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If you're going to remote streams, why not carry a fixed blade? Legal restrictions? I've used a Catcherman and liked the blade, but folders can be tougher to clean after use on fish. With a fixed blade, you wouldn't have to worry about its fish conking ability either. Just an option to consider.
By the way, welcome to BladeForums!
By the way, welcome to BladeForums!
Buzzbait
Gold Member
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- Feb 25, 2001
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Hmmmmm......This is a tough one. I guess it depends on what kind of fish cleaning you want to do. If you're filleting the fish, a very thin blade like on a Spyderco Catherman is essential. Unfortunately, I can't think of a folding fillet knife that would be usable priest.
Now if you're simply gutting and cutting off the head of your fish, options begin to open up. First off is the venerable Buck 110. Those brass bolsters, mixed with the somewhat heavy weight, could do some damage to a fish's noggin. As far as self-defense goes, people have fought off bears with Buck 110s!!!
Personally, I'd do a fixed blade in the great outdoors. If you like carbon steel, a Marbles CampCraft would do all of what you need without breaking your budget. You have to watch for rust, but it's scary sharp, sharpens easily, and really holds an edge. The grind and blade thickness are just right for gutting fish, ans it has nice butt cap for crackin' skulls.
Something must be wrong with me. With all of the whizz-bang new fangled gadgets out there, my recommendations are probably the same as my dad would have gotten 40 years ago.
Now if you're simply gutting and cutting off the head of your fish, options begin to open up. First off is the venerable Buck 110. Those brass bolsters, mixed with the somewhat heavy weight, could do some damage to a fish's noggin. As far as self-defense goes, people have fought off bears with Buck 110s!!!
Personally, I'd do a fixed blade in the great outdoors. If you like carbon steel, a Marbles CampCraft would do all of what you need without breaking your budget. You have to watch for rust, but it's scary sharp, sharpens easily, and really holds an edge. The grind and blade thickness are just right for gutting fish, ans it has nice butt cap for crackin' skulls.
Something must be wrong with me. With all of the whizz-bang new fangled gadgets out there, my recommendations are probably the same as my dad would have gotten 40 years ago.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
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- 1,981
I'm puzzled by your reference to the potential need for self defense on remote streams. Are you talking bear? Fellow fishermen?
For either, I'd heartily recommend a firearm. Something like a Ruger .357 in a 6" barrel. Or bigger. Black bears rarely attack people, but they are a foe to be reckoned with. I once read a story about a circus where they were attempting to put together a lion/black bear act. Somehow, the two animals really got into it. When they somehow separated the two, the lion had to be put down and the bear was back in the act the next day.
For humans? Same same. A little 2.5" .38 or 9mm probably wouldn't pack it and has no range.
I've used a 3" closed jacknife to kill small trout.
For either, I'd heartily recommend a firearm. Something like a Ruger .357 in a 6" barrel. Or bigger. Black bears rarely attack people, but they are a foe to be reckoned with. I once read a story about a circus where they were attempting to put together a lion/black bear act. Somehow, the two animals really got into it. When they somehow separated the two, the lion had to be put down and the bear was back in the act the next day.
For humans? Same same. A little 2.5" .38 or 9mm probably wouldn't pack it and has no range.
I've used a 3" closed jacknife to kill small trout.
bandaidman
Basic Member
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- Feb 11, 2001
- Messages
- 1,149
I agree with carrying a fixed blade for fishing. I used a folder for years but folders get pretty gooked up with blood and guts and tend to develop an "aroma" even with cleaning.
I have used a series of small fixed blades and currently use a Neil Blackwood small hunter in a neck sheath. It is stellite so it won't rust, stays sharp forever, and since I usually fish wearing waders it is always handy (nothing worse than trying to reach inside your waders while trying to hold onto a fish!!). It has enough mass to function as a priest.
I usually "catch and release" so it is a moot point anyway, I just like to have a knife or two around .
I have used a series of small fixed blades and currently use a Neil Blackwood small hunter in a neck sheath. It is stellite so it won't rust, stays sharp forever, and since I usually fish wearing waders it is always handy (nothing worse than trying to reach inside your waders while trying to hold onto a fish!!). It has enough mass to function as a priest.
I usually "catch and release" so it is a moot point anyway, I just like to have a knife or two around
.Thanks for the suggestions. I found the brand of a knife I bought 20 years ago and enjoyed using for many years, an Eye Brand Sodbuster, and am going to start with one of their lockback folders. The Puma fishknife is interesting as well. A fixed blade for trips to remote areas sounds like a good idea.
A fishing knife can mean a lot of different things. Like Buzzbait said, it depends on what you are fishing for and how you have to clean your catch. Trout can be cleaned with darn near ANYTHING as long as it's sharp. Filleting and scaling are whole different matters and you would be better off with a fixed blade. The new Fallkniven F2 fisherman's knife looks pretty interesting.
NCBlades,
I agree, those Pumas are neat. Thanks to Thomas for posting a picture of one. I had one for years. The only thing is they're NOT a very good fishing knife. They have that "neat" factor though like a large Spyderco Diver's Probe does. They are available all over E-bay but the prices are WAY too high. If anybody's interested, you can get one for the bargain price of $69.00 at www.pumaknives.com, (George and Susan Held's website).
Bugs,
Funny you should mention about the bear whipping up on a lion. Naturalists agree that there are only two creatures on earth that are PERFECT killing machines. One's a Great White Shark and the other is a large bear!
NCBlades,
I agree, those Pumas are neat. Thanks to Thomas for posting a picture of one. I had one for years. The only thing is they're NOT a very good fishing knife. They have that "neat" factor though like a large Spyderco Diver's Probe does. They are available all over E-bay but the prices are WAY too high. If anybody's interested, you can get one for the bargain price of $69.00 at www.pumaknives.com, (George and Susan Held's website).
Bugs,
Funny you should mention about the bear whipping up on a lion. Naturalists agree that there are only two creatures on earth that are PERFECT killing machines. One's a Great White Shark and the other is a large bear!