Looking for a folder to bring with me when I go fishing?

J

John_94

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Apr 27, 2020
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Weird question, I know but I don’t like carrying fixed blades and usually keep my fillet knife at home.
So is there a folder I can bring with me so I can quickly clean a trout and throw it in my cooler? I Was hoping for something in H1 or LC200N or anything that won’t rust, Trying to keep it under 100. Was looking at the Spyderco salt series, just not sure.
I wouldn’t mind a fixed blade if it was smaller like an esee izula or something
 
Spyderco Siren, it's expensive but exactly what you are looking for. LC200N.

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Sounds like the Spyderco Salts would be perfect for your needs w/FRN scales, H1 blades and a price less than $100. I had 2 that I never used and sold them both for less than $100.

The Siren "might" be better but it's new and untested and will cost you more than $100 if you can find it; it was just released and difficult to find in stock anywhere right now.
 
jideta said:
I wouldn't use a folder to clean fish unless I had to.
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Yea I know a lot of people have the clean up, but I don’t mind it, takes 5 minutes out of my day. But since you said that, can you recommend a small fixed blade about the size of the izula?
 
353 said:
Spyderco Siren, it's expensive but exactly what you are looking for. LC200N.

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That definitely could be what I’m looking for. Maybe I’ll wait for a used one to come around the secondary market. Thanks !
 
sgt1372 said:
Sounds like the Spyderco Salts would be perfect for your needs w/FRN scales, H1 blades and a price less than $100. I had 2 that I never used and sold them both for less than $100.

The Siren "might" be better but it's new and untested and will cost you more than $100 if you can find it; it was just released and difficult to find in stock anywhere right now.
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True. I’ll have to look around for one !
 
sgt1372 said:
Sounds like the Spyderco Salts would be perfect for your needs w/FRN scales, H1 blades and a price less than $100. I had 2 that I never used and sold them both for less than $100.

The Siren "might" be better but it's new and untested and will cost you more than $100 if you can find it; it was just released and difficult to find in stock anywhere right now.
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Completely agree. The Siren IS expensive, and it also is quite a large folder compared to e.g. a Delica.

I have been very pleased with my Salt 2 from Spyderco. If you do some googling you'll hear about H1 beeing a soft steel and that you need to get the serrated model if it is to be any good edge retention wise. I have the plain edge and have used it quite a bit and I think you have to REALLY beat on it to notice any weakness in the H1 steel in the PE configuration.

It's a great little folder and also a very nice EDC knife IMO.

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something inexpensive, that wont hurt to much if it is lost. from experience, blurple pm2 overboard in 20 ft of water. :(
 
353 said:
Completely agree. The Siren IS expensive, and it also is quite a large folder compared to e.g. a Delica.

I have been very pleased with my Salt 2 from Spyderco. If you do some googling you'll hear about H1 beeing a soft steel and that you need to get the serrated model if it is to be any good edge retention wise. I have the plain edge and have used it quite a bit and I think you have to REALLY beat on it to notice any weakness in the H1 steel in the PE configuration.

It's a great little folder and also a very nice EDC knife IMO.

RxYhC1z.jpg
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That is what I would choose, this one or one of the other H1 Salt series.

I use a SAK by the way, but I seldom clean a trout since I'm a catch & release guy. It really depends on what you like and how many fish you normally have to deal with.
 
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Given a choice I would not use a folder for fish cleaning.
G. Sakai who makes all of Spyderco's Seki knives, has a line of "for fishing" H1 steel
fixed blades called Sabi Knives, which come in a wide range of sizes.

 
If you clean trout on the stream/river like I do. It is mainly a gill and gut. Then you can fillet at home with a proper filet knife. I’m sure the reason you want to do this is to keep your trout fresh without having to carry a filet knife.

To be honest, any stainless blade will do. A Spyderco H1 is nice, but even a SAK or Benchmade Grip will work. You need a fine point to field dress, so some blade shapes like the Bugout aren’t ideal but will work. Use whatever you like to carry that is stainless and you’ll be fine. I can’t tell you how many trout I’ve field dressed with a SAK or Buck Hunter. For Saltwater, an H1 Salt Spyderco is gouth bot beat.
 
Maybe a Buck 231 folding knife. The steel, 420J2 is not great, sharpens easy and requires sharpening often to maintain a razor edge. But it is cheap and other knives in this series are fixed blades from 4 to 6 in.
 
John_94 said:
Yea I know a lot of people have the clean up, but I don’t mind it, takes 5 minutes out of my day. But since you said that, can you recommend a small fixed blade about the size of the izula?
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I just found out about a line of knives from Dexter Russell called Sani Safe. Around 10-15 bucks a pop. Perfect for a fast gut job.
Or if you want, tons of B&T (bird and trout) fixed blades out there in your price range.
 
Leatherman Skeletool is my first choice, and I am not a big leatherman fan.

It can remove hooks, put a reel back together, clean a fish and remove bottle caps when fish are not biting. I like fancy knives but it is the go to tool for the job.
 
I'd say spyderco salt is a great option but I have a buck 220 silver creek which has served its purpose well and its an actual folding filet knife
 
This is my fishing knife. I think everyone in our little fishing group uses a stainless steel Mora of some sort.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Morakniv-Fishing-Comfort-Filet-090--28116

The cork one floats.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Morakniv-Floating-Serrated-Knife--91454

If you are dead set on a folder. SS blade and handle and a great price.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--RUIKE-P801-Frame-Lock-Knife--60856

Plenty of room in the budget for a Mora + the folder and still have money for beer (or root beer).
 
When I go fishing I have a Spyderco dragonfly salt on one of those retractable lines connected to my fishing vest, but it’s more for general purpose use. If you needed the extra length, something like a Salt II would help.
The siren is a great knife, but there is no way you’re getting that for close to $100, especially not now when it’s in such high demand.
 
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