Looking for a high quality fishing knife

D

DamianXVI

Joined
Jul 11, 2018
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8
The knives I have so far are:
ESEE-5 in 1095HC
ESEE-4HM in 1095HC
Mora Pro S
ESEE Izula in 440C Stainless
Helle Steinbit/Buck Silver Creek Folder for filleting - I have this aspect covered

I'm looking for a high quality fixed blade that can be exposed to water and isn't too obnoxious (knife and sheath). Edge retention is a priority, and while this knife will not be used too hard (save that for the ESEE's), I want a knife that will, along with basic fishing needs, also be useful for whittling/minor bush-crafting etc.

I would like the blade to be in the 3-4" range ideally.

So far I am looking at an Enzo Trapper 95 in Elmax and either a Fallkniven F1 or WM1 in laminated VG10.

I think a Scandi grind would be better for my intended usage, but really don't like the look of the knife compared to a flat grind...looks are not my biggest priority though.

Any thoughts/suggestions?
 
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If its salt water I'd go H1 in SE (Jumpmaster, Fishhunter, Aquasalt, Enuff) or LC200N (Mule in LC200N), if its freshwater any stainless that you like should work fine. M390 is very corrosion resistant as well so you could look Bradford Knives, Lionsteel M4, ect.
 
Thanks Michael. Of those Spydercos, the Enuff SE looks great, but the blade is a bit on the small side - I think it is too similar to the Izula to fill the niche I'm looking at.

Researching your other brands as I type this. :)
 
I am really liking the Lion Steel M4 in M390 (blade and sheath).

Being in Canada, the prices are as follows:

F1 Classic: $180.00
Enzo Trapper Elmax: ~$165.00 plus import duties est. @ $40.00 (but I'll have to pop the formed scales on and finish it...not a big deal but would rather not if possible)
LionSteel M4: $250.00

Anyone have opinions on whether the M4 is worth the extra $70.00 over the F1?
 
Yeah like the other guy said, Spyderco Salt series is the way to go for fishing/ salt/ utility needs.
 
Spyderco is coming out with a LC200N fixed blade for saltwater use. I think it is like 4.3 inch blade though, but the edge retention and ease of sharpening on that steel is very good. Corrosion resistance is extremely high too.
Real Steel Pointman is a great stainless knife
The Lion steels people above have mentioned in M390 would be great as well.
None of those have scandi grinds though.
 
It matters what kind of fish and salt water or fresh water. The Rapala fish n fillet knives are made by Marttiini in Finland. They're inexpensive and work well.
 
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To me a fishing knife is one you use when you fish... for fish.... But my impression is that your looking for something more of a small (~4") fixed blade that can be used while fishing but more for all around outdoor knife. Correct? That is the way I view the Falkniven F1. Many love it for a general use outdoors knife. There are so many choices as this is THE most purchased and carried size of fixed blade.
 
Another company to look at, that use a good steel and are out of BC is North Arms Knives, I've been meaning to pick up a filet knife from them. They use CPM-S35VN and have pretty good pricing.
 
22-rimfire said:
To me a fishing knife is one you use when you fish... for fish.... But my impression is that your looking for something more of a small (~4") fixed blade that can be used while fishing but more for all around outdoor knife. Correct? That is the way I view the Falkniven F1. Many love it for a general use outdoors knife. There are so many choices as this is THE most purchased and carried size of fixed blade.
Click to expand...

This is pretty spot on, and I keep coming back to the F1.

The Helle Helefisk seems like an awesome purpose built fishing knife, but definitely not for general outdoor stuff. Also I can't get over the fact that Mora and Helle use the same steel....

I try to like them because they seem like great utility knives, but most Spydercos just don't look right to me...personal preference.

Looked at the North Arms knives...they all seem pretty thin, but great quality. Any experience with them?

Regarding the Scandi grind, it initially bites way harder than a flat grind, which makes 90% of its use while fishing effortless. Why would you expect a flat grind to be preferable?
 
Anymore I only have low quality fishing knives. Lost too much expensive stuff at the bottom of ponds and rivers (mostly phones) to risk losing a good knife! Besides, going cheap means more money to spend on fishing gear.
 
I am a catch & release guy, so my "fishing knife" is precisely what Damian is looking for. I use clippers for line. Don't cut stakes to fish from the bank.... The cork screw on a SAK Spartan comes in handy for knots. I have a kayak knife.... stays on my PFD and seldom has every cut anything. (It's for emergencies.) So, if I'm fishing from my kayak, I will have another knife with me. Often it is just a SAK as I really don't cut much of anything serious. Camping.... different story and it's knife play time around the fire.

My F1 is nearly new to look at, but I have owned it for years. It has white Falkniven micarta handles on it and the knife is absolutely gorgeous. It was pricey for a F1. But I couldn't resist at the knife store (New Graham in VA). At one time, it was my most expensive factory knife.
 
DamianXVI said:
The knives I have so far are:
ESEE-5 in 1095HC
ESEE-4HM in 1095HC
Mora Pro S
ESEE Izula in 440C Stainless
Helle Steinbit/Buck Silver Creek Folder for filleting - I have this aspect covered

I'm looking for a high quality fixed blade that can be exposed to water and isn't too obnoxious (knife and sheath). Edge retention is a priority, and while this knife will not be used too hard (save that for the ESEE's), I want a knife that will, along with basic fishing needs, also be useful for whittling/minor bush-crafting etc.

I would like the blade to be in the 3-4" range ideally.

So far I am looking at an Enzo Trapper 95 in Elmax and either a Fallkniven F1 or WM1 in laminated VG10.

I think a Scandi grind would be better for my intended usage, but really don't like the look of the knife compared to a flat grind...looks are not my biggest priority though.

Any thoughts/suggestions?
Click to expand...
Someone else mentioned it but the Lionsteel m4 is great can be used for everything I need in the right size. I have three of them one for deer, another for everything else (I beat on it), and a third I haven't used. Lol I love m390 as a general steel. If you research it and like it i have an unused one I'd part with
 
I really like LionSteel's knives. They pay attention to the details. I have been waiting for a M6 which should have around a 5" blade if they ever get around to making that model.

Added: The Bark River Bobcat Hunter model would make a great fishing/outdoors knife with it's 3.5" blade in CPM 154. Great cutting steel but probably not something to abuse heavily. I'm still wanting to buy this one and waiting for KSF to open their store front to look at it.
 
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Fanglekai said:
It matters what kind of fish and salt water or fresh water. The Rapala fish n fillet knives are made by Marttiini in Finland. They're inexpensive and work well.
Click to expand...

This is my choice as a fillet knife. I actually prefer the 4" one as it is very small, does the job well. The rapala is a great for processing your fish to eat, but may not too handy for other things. At the risk of pissing he OP off, I have found that a multi-tool is about the handiest fishing compliment when actually fishing. I use the pliers for removing hooks often. Screw drivers are good for screwing with things (and on boats there is always something that gets loose). I pull out the blade on occasion for what that 'what the heck are you really going to use a knife on the boat for????' kind of deal... Cutting rope, maybe very occasionally. Little file is handy on sharpening hooks or grinding down barbs if you fish around one of those barbless areas. Rope work is a constant with boats and pliers do help with bound up knots on occasion. more so that cutting rope I find.

I have the spyderco Enuff serrated. Its an emergency knife that stays fixed to my PDF and replaced my long term worn ESEE-3 that occupied the same place. Both are great, but an emergency knife just sits there like decoration most of the time. I keep a smaller multi-tool, one of the leatherman ones (I don't find them sexy enough to even remember their names or model numbers), but I stick it in the front pocket of my PFD. In all honesty it is the handiest item to have while fishing.
 
Im glad Im not the only one that has 3 knives on me at one time that fit different purposes in an outdoors setting. My wife just doesnt get it. lol In addition I have a Bradford Guardian 3 thats great for edc and handles most tasks I throw at it.
 
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