"Yeller" Handles

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Here are a few yellow knives
 
Posted this one in another thread but since it's my only yellow...hard to tell from this pic but it IS yellow-honest.

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sgbeskin said:
A.G.,
My late grandpa told me the same thing about those Yella handled toothpick/fishing knives. He was born in 1914, spent his whole life in southwest Mississippi/southeast Louisiana, said those "fishing" knives were barn dance knives. He said they were to be used just like a Saturday night special. He said one of my great uncles put an old Yella handled Kutmaster toothpick, that I have now, to use on a many a' Saturday night!!!! Crazy pattern.....
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right on.old timers in texas used to sew a pocket in boottop. we called them east dallas specials'
 
Before I got my Case sodbuster jr. (my first case) I really didn't like the traditional yellow scales, I almost loathed them. When I went to my local tractor supply to pick up my first Case I didn't want to spend much and the cheapest ones were a yellow sodbuster jr, a black sodbuster jr with the john deere logo and a really nice harvest orange/tangerine/sunburst peanut. I dont accually know what the scales were on the peanut.

There was also some Scharade stockmans and trappers in yellow, but it was the most ugly mustard yellow I have ever seen and I vowed to myself to never buy one.

Anyways the yellow soddie was $30, the john deere soddie was $35, and the peanut was $45. I told myself I would get the cheapest one this time until I got a good paycheck or until Christmas. I got the yellow sodbuster jr. shown here with some nice patina starting.

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Well now I LOVE the traditional yellow scales, and I've been eyeing a couple of yellow scaled peanuts, medium stockmans, and mini trappers on the internet, trying to decide which one I like best. I can't believe one knife completly changed my opinion on this.
 
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seniordep2010 said:
This is going to be the yellow scale discussion. Anyone else have a similar story, or just want to express their love for yeller scales? ;)
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And if the present thread ain't enough for you...check out this one...:cool:
 
Seeing this thread active again is a good excuse to post my two yeller handled knives.

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Yellow does perk a guy up. 4 1/8'' Front Pocket by Rick Menefee, been in my pocket every day since it came in.
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SunnyD's yellow bone sowbelly looks like a Moore Maker to me. Here's a MM sodbuster, and the bone and shield look identical.

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My dad and I used to go fishing up in Southern Colorado. For about 20 years or so, Dad used what I think was a Japanese made fishing knife. I think, based on recent searches I've done on the internet, it was a brand called 'Sabre'. Standard looking fishing knife, with the yellow scales and hook disgorger/scaler 2nd blade. It was somewhat distinctive in that it had a bail on it (most others I've seen don't have that). He cleaned a LOT of Rainbows & Browns over the years with that knife. Used a small file to sharpen it. I always admired that knife, but was never able to find one of my own exactly like it. Don't even know where he actually bought it. After he retired, he and my mom spent a lot of time up there after I'd moved away. It came to me as a real kick in the gut when he told me he'd accidentally left that knife somewhere along the river, after he'd finished cleaning some more fish. Probably set it down on a stump, or in the grass, and forgot to pick it up. Never found it when he'd realized it was missing. As 'cheap' as the thing probably was, it held the most value to me, sentimentally. I had hoped to one day inherit that knife. Still hurts when I think about it... :(
 
Obsessed with Edges,

I know of the 'Made in Japan - Sabre' brand you speak of. They had some good serviceable working steel in many of their knives. You may be able to get that very same or similar vintage make and model knife on the secondary market if you stay vigilant. Try an eBay search. It may take a little time but you may be surprised.

~ ~ ><> ~ ~

Vintage Imperial. I sharpen this knife with a fine grit miniature diamond hone that sits in my Tackle box. Same hone I use to sharpen my fish hooks with..

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The Sabre Yellow 5" Fish Knife is a 624. There are a couple of them out there on Ebay right now.
 
Ya know, all this talk and fine pics of yellow handles has me wondering; when did they start using yella handles?

I remember them being around as a kid in those years just after WW2, but were they around in the 30's?

Yellow celluloid?
 
jackknife said:
Ya know, all this talk and fine pics of yellow handles has me wondering; when did they start using yella handles?

I remember them being around as a kid in those years just after WW2, but were they around in the 30's?

Yellow celluloid?
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Thats a good question, Carl..

EDITED: Not Tested XX(1920-40) But rather Case XX(1940-64).

I can tell you that I had a Yellar composite scaled Case XX(1940-64) medium-large Stockman back about 15 years ago. But 1930's? Don't know off hand..

Let me dive into my new reference book and see if that question has an answer.. Or perhaps someone else can comment if it is known.


Anthony
 
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Sunnyd and thawk:

I've been watching a few of these on eBay. Actually, that's where I figured out that the Sabre 624 was the one he had (I think). I've periodically been searching for the yellow handled fishing knives on eBay (already bought a few of the Case and Kabar versions), and came across a listing for one of the Sabres and realized, "That's the one...". The other thing about that knife that was distinctive, besides the bail, it had fluting on the bolsters (a single groove close to the handle scale). Years ago, I'd examined his knife when he'd been sharpening it, and I remember how odd it seemed to me that I didn't recognize the brand on it, although I seem to remember the 'Japan' mark on it. Seemed like a solid knife, and it sharpened up nice (went through a trout like it was butter). Still seems strange to me that I'd never been able to find another one in any store, anywhere.
 
Paul 883215 said:
SunnyD,

That one nice looking sowbelly!!! How does it carry?
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I found its best carried in one of my belt sheaths on my right hip. Is a bit to heavy to pocket carry, IMO.

~ ~ ><> ~ ~

1975 Case Birdseye Stock knife shadow pattern..

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