Why would I want a sunfish?

Woodrow F Call

Woodrow F Call

Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
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I'm trying to figure out the elephant toe/sunfish. I understand it was kind of a sailors knife......it looks funny to me. Should I buy a Rough Rider and try it out (sure I should right?)?

What am I missing in this funny looking knife?
 
It's the great thing about Rough riders, you can try different pattern for almost nothing, and they're pretty great knives to boot. Sunfish and toenails are a handfull but fun and quite thin.


Best regards

Robin
 
Thanks, protourist! There were some glorious toes to behold in that thread.

Go for it Woodrow..The RR are quite nice actually

Here is a 10 spot Taylor made Hammer Brand Sleeveboard Whittler.

6778583007_e364a48213_b.jpg
 
My favorite and most frequently carried knife is a sunfish pattern by GEC. It is smaller than the Platts rope knife. I really want GEC whaler.
 
Now, now, I don't need to be encouraged to purchase a knife. I need to know more about using this particular style. You guys were spot on with the pen blade input. I got a knife with a pen blade and I found that it is indeed very useful. Now I want to know how do you find the sunfish useful.
 
It's a big heavy knife for hard cutting usage, not for delicate work. Uncomfortable to carry or hold (for me), I tried once RR but sold it a week after I got it. The pattern look is very appealing and if I would have tried one 3"-3.5" closed , but I can't find a sunfish this size that is not custom made.
Mike
 
I was one of the few voting 'Toenail/Sunfish' back when KOTM voting was active. I carry my Queen Toenail once a week or so. I'd shoot for a month if it won the vote. They are big knives, but I generally carry 4+" slipjoints anyway. I do find myself using the pen on it a lot more than I use the large spear.
 
I think the first time around they were popular with carpenters, and to some extent electricians. Who needs a chisel, if he's got a sunfish?
 
it would be great to see some sort of archival photos of these knives in use by the people they were designed for - e.g. seeing sailors cutting heavy rigging with one or something, I do find it hard to really imagine their application.
 
This is a pattern that has left me wondering "Why did they make those?" I can't personally see them fullfilling a real need for me, so, I'll probably not buy one unless it is to run a give away (I've done that a couple of times actually, just not sunfish).

Looks like you might be able to flip burgers or pancakes with it. It might make a good peanut butter spreader. But, I'm grasping for straws here.

Ed J
 
I met an old guy up here in the boonies who actually used one for many years. He was a barn builder and said he used his Toenail for cleaning up mortise and tenon joints and carving big wooden pins for the joints.

Best regards

Robin
 
I have ALWAYS wanted a sunfish.Even before I was into traditionals , I saw one on one of those cutlery corner shows that sell crap knives. I don't know what it is about them, they are just attractive to me. I will eventually work out a trade for one, or visit a flea market maybe...Just another one on the list;)
 
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