looking for a small fishing knife (not a fillet knife).

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,215
I have a lot of knives. It's not often that I find an excuse to buy another, but I think I just did.
I fish streams and rivers a lot wearing waders and usually put an EDC folder in the chest pocket of my waders. This knife is used mostly to cut line (nail clippers don't work with braided lines) It works OK, but most of these knives are a bit too big for my purposes and I don't like getting fish slime on my EDCs. One of the biggest problems with putting a knife in this pocket is the flap doesn't close if the knife has very much handle sticking out past the clip (think about how the Military's clip is designed). A low rider clip would be really nice here. Stainless is important, super-steel is not. I'm thinking about going two routes:

Folder: something small and slim that can be closed with one hand. The clip should be a low-rider style.

Fixed: small knife with either a clip sheath or neck knife. I'm thinking about going with the Buck Hartsook, but it seems a bit too small. Are there any knives similar to the Hartsook but a bit bigger? Anyone used the Hartsook extensively and can tell me if it will work well for my purposes (I'm a bit worried that giant choil will catch the line). I have an Izula but it's carbon steel and the sheath makes it a bit difficult to reinsert the knife.
 
Delica? small, one hand opening. Maybe you won't like the lockback with your hands full though, No worries about VG10 in a wet enviroment really.
 
Dragonfly in VG-10? As noted already, no rust worries in freshwater. Plenty big for cutting line.
 
have you looked into titanium blades with a carbidized edge? i have a Titanium backpacker by Daniel Fairly (he has a forum here), and I bring it with me all the time when I go fishing.
 
I'd suggest a Spyderco Tasman Salt in yellow FRN. A one-hand-opening hawkbill blade is perfect for cutting lines & twine. You can get either plain edge or serrated. Light, comes with a clip, won't rust and bright enough to find if you drop it in shallow water. It will stand up to all your chores, not just cutting lines.

That Hartsook is way too small, I can see myself getting cut if I'm trying to cut a line out in the cold & wet.
 
How 'bout a Ladybug3 Hawkbill salt : Small,light, H-1 steel, Bright yellow so as to not lose it among the other fish paraphernalia, easy one hand opening,
or the regular blade Ladybug salt.
 
hi michael. obviously, many knives will perform the task you need. when i used to fish a bunch and cut a lot of line, i just used "cutters"...i.e. the plier type. i got mine at a hardware store for like $15. now, i didn't use braided line much and while i think these should work, i would recommend bringing a small section of your favorite braided line with you and find the one that works best.

the other thing i used to do for years was just to bring my SAK with the scissors and leave it open. i carried it dangling from a pocket. if you are worried it will fall off...just clip the o-ring on your SAK to a zinger...works great.

good luck.
 
I keep a pair of kiddy scissors dummy corded to my vest to trim braid.
BUT!
I totally understand your quest for a new knife :)

Take a look at Bob Dozier's knives.
His horizontal sheath works a treat on pack and wader straps.
My Personal Utility model is hard to leave home.
 
I agree with the the above suggestion re scissors as well, Some small Iris scissors or cuticle scissors work great as well....but this is a knife forum after all, so I understand the quest for a KNIFE. :-)
 
Moki makes some knives in VG10 and Aus8 that look like good, but expensive fishing knives. If you can drop a folder in a pocket, then you have lots of choices. For other fixed blades, you might consider the Fallkniven F2, or a less expensive Helle fishing knife.
If you want to go very inexpensive, then check the Mora fishing knives at Ragnar's site, or some other sites.
 
Something I use for fishing which is inexpensive and effective, a stainless Opinel 8 or the smaller size 7. You can screw a small eylet at the end/top and attach some thin cord and have it round your wrist. Can be kept open. At the end of the day, there's no liners, spring or pivot to get fouled up.

Thanks, Will
 
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