New Fishing Knives Suggestions

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shandrydan1

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Feb 16, 2011
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Ok everybody, back again for some more advice.

I'm looking for a good fixed blade and a folder for fishing this year. Something I can use whether I'm wading in a river or stream or in the boat. I am on a budget so dont want to spend a huge amount.

For a fixed blade I have a fillet knife but want something else i can use for more general tasks. I have a Spyderco Bill Moran FB01 I was considering using for this so maybe some opinions on this knife for this specific job would be great. Or if you think I should go another direction I'm welcome to suggestions.

For a folder, not too particular about this b/c a new folder is a new folder...a fun new experience.

Thanks in advance!
 
Mora makes some filet knives that won't break the bank. If you want a more general purpose fixed blade, they have those with thicker, none specialized filet blades. Stick with stainless steel.

As far as a folder, KA-BAR has some Dozier folders that can be had for around $20. With the setup you are looking for, you can probably spend no more than $40 and have some pretty decent knives.
 
I've read so much about Mora knives and for some reason I totally forgot about them when I was looking this weekend. I will take a look at some of them and could easily get a couple of them.

As for the Dozier, have you had any experience with them?
 
If you like scandi knives, the Iisakki-Järvenpää Sekäettä has a fillet blade and a smaller, piggybacked utility blade.
 
When I'm out fishing, I carry a cheap fixed fillet knife in my tackle box that is only used for filleting, and a Spyderco Military clipped on for everything else. Seems to be a perfect combo for me.
 
Actually like the Mora knives design for some reason. Right now I'm looking at a Clipper and one of their Companion/All Around knives, both in stainless. The only thing for me is I've never owned a knife with a scandi grind so not very sure about maintenance.

After taking another look at the Doziers as well I think it would make a good choice as well. Now just gotta figure out whether or not to get the small or large one lol. So many choices.
 
Well I was just given a Buck Bantam Camo that I will probably be using for my folder by a good friend of mine. Its a pretty solid knife and fairly lightweight and to me it feels really good in hand.

Now back to the debate over which Mora(s) to get....
 
I have the large Dozier folder. It's a good one, but if I were to do it again I'd go with the smaller size. You can't beat KA-BAR. The larger Dozier arrived a lot nicer and sharper than I would have thought. Pictures did it no justice. Fit and finish left a little wanting, but for the price I have zero complaints.

As for the Mora's... Yeah. Have fun picking. Obviously, you're going to want stainless for fishing. The HighQ looks like a good one. The 546 will be my next Mora. I have the 511 and like it a lot, but I want something stainless. It doesn't get any simpler. As for maintenance, the scandi grind is reputed to be the easiest edge to maintain. You just lay it flat on a stone and away you go. I've messed with mine quite a bit to the point where I think I need to reprofile the whole thing... or I can just buy some more.
 
The Mora clipper is an excellent fishing knife. I usually just clip it to my front pocket. It cuts fishing line just by touching it. Trimming the tag line has never been easier. As for a pocket knife a Leatherman Wave or Charge are great tools. Pliers , knife, and a diamond file for sharpening hooks. I even filed the eyeglass screwdriver down to a sharp point for busting the paint out of jigheads. I have a Charge and its just about the perfect fishing tool.

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I love to fly fish ( even more than reading this forum!) and I have found the Mora #440 Sports knife to be an ideal fishing knife. Its stainless steel with a blade of about 3 3/4" long which I have found to be ideal for my fishing needs. It has a slightly flared double finger guard which I like if my hands are wet and it has a pre-drilled lanyard hole. The other great thing about this knife, besides the price :), is the sheath! It has a snap keeper and is very secure which is important when climbing around streams and rivers and it fits wide belts, like wading belts. You can get it in a bunch of different high visibility colors. I have several and I have mixed and matched the black and yellow versions, and they are very visible. I don't think you could wrong with this one. Check them out at Ragweed Forge.
 
I use the Fallkniven F2, which has a fillet shaped blade, but thicker VG-10, more like a boning knife. I find it a good all around knife, keeps a keen edge, and also does the finer details of fish prep. It might be over your price range. If so, the buck Gamut's and Silver Creek lines are great for the price.
 
Look at the Spyderco line of "Salt" knives. These are made with H1 steel which doesn't contain carbon and therefore won't rust. Really, they won't rust.

They come in a variety of sizes and blade shapes including hawkbill, and plain or serrated edges.
 
Right now the Fallkniven is gonna be out of the price range. But I have a couple of them on my "to buy" list. I've also got a plain edged Salt on my list. There are so many knives I want. Guess I'm hooked...

For a fixed blade I've got 3 of the Mora knives I am probably going to get within the next week or so. A #440, an MG Companion, and a #946.

I also have a Leatherman as well I will be taking with me.
 
As I said in my earlier post, I think you'll really like the Mora #440 for fishing. I've never been very impressed with the plastic sheaths that come with most Mora models, however the sheath for the #440 is very secure and it will fit wide belts which "seals the deal" for me as fishing knife. Of course, the other Moras you ordered are also great! :thumbup:
 
Havent ordered them yet but as soon as the paycheck comes in I will have some on the way.

Also, if I pick up the kydex sheath for it, what are thoughts on a SOG Seal Pup Elite? I know its probably a good bit overkill but I was given one yesterday and I was trying to decide what to do with it.
 
I have the Seal Pup Elite as well and it used to be my my primary fixed blade on backpacking trips. However it has long since been replaced with my ESEE 3 and an ESEE 4, a BK2, a Fallkniven F1 and an S1, a TOPS Tom Brown Scout, a Mora 2000 and a Mora Bushcraft Force, a couple of Helles (you get the idea....... the longer you are on this forum, the more your addiction becomes hopeless) It now sits in a drawer. Its an okay knife, but their are a bunch of better ones out there!:) Since you've got the knife, go ahead and get the Kydex sheath, its a good sheath.
 
I definitely know what you mean. There are so many things out there I want to add to my collection.

Speaking of the ESEE 4, how would you rate it for fishing? Really wanting one of these for my next purchase in a month or so.
 
For the kind of fly fishing I do I prefer a light, stainless steel blade that I don't have to worry about from a maintenance standpoint. I am usually fishing small to medium size creeks and rivers in the Sierras, wading in and out of the water, so light with a reasonable blade length is what I'm looking for. The ESEE 4 is an awesome knife for backpacking, bushcraft and general camping, but too heavy and bulky for my fishing adventures. It's also carbon steel, so rust can be an issue if you don't keep it dry. Plus if I accidentally drop my Mora #440 in a deep pool, no big deal. If I drop my ESEE, tears would flow :(
I also use my Mora for striped bass in the California Delta in my boat. It's a great boat knife! Also extremely sharp and easy to sharpen, another plus for me.
 
I have a small Mora Rapala fillet knife, has worked great for me. I've also used the Clipper, and Allround, with no issues.
 
Check out the new BUCK line of filet knives. Blue handles. They even have a folding filet knife.
 
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