fishing knifes

[fishon]

I lost my fishing knife while fishing last week and was looking for a new one but there are lots of choices to pick from and was what wondering what you guys would recommend. Thanks

[First Bite]

Last year I lost my trusted Buck knife at the river and decided to shop around for a new one. After looking at several knives I chose an (AFCK) Advanced folding combat knife and really like it a lot. I use it for more then just fishing. The link is www.lagger-pro.com/afck.htm

Mark

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: First Cast ]

[bait boy]

Knives are a personal choice for grip feel and usage. I'm one of those people that has a filet knife and thats all I will use it for for fear that someone will start hacking at stuff with my good knife. If ya need to cut bait you use it, or get a bait knife as well. youre gonna be ticked when your buddy starts hacking with it and you can't get it to filet a wet sock.

Treat your good knife well and always keep it razor sharp.

That said I am a big fan of useing the right tool for the job. In a perfect world I would have a few different knives to use. An 8-10" With a stiff blade and rugged back (something you could use a mallet on to go through bone it necessary) and that same blade length with a flexible skinny blade for running the contours of the bones.

I use Dexter Russel Sani safe white handle.
If for no other reason than I used to work in a meat packaging place and all the knives were that kind. and the guides use'em and sturgeon paul uses them also.

There are lots of good knives to choose from pick your grip style and blade flex according to how you filet or steak (or hack for that matter [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] )

One other tip: buy a quality sharpening steel and learn how to use it (if you don't already)

[HT Buzzo]

I have an antique wood handle filet knife with a nice limber blade which works great in the boat for herring and fish cleaning if I need it. Also have an assortment of other tools, oyster knife, two scissors, clippers, and lead pliers. If you are just looking for a knife to clean fish with, a hunting knife works pretty well for cutting through backbones and such, and they usually don't require as much sharpening.
The key is each time I get home, I deal with my fish, then I clean my tools. They never wait until the next day- secret learned living at the coast. I have a sharpening stone because it seems to be much more effective at keeping an edge than a steel, and if you have a blade that is really dulled you can grind it right down with the stone whereas the steel can take awhile. I often use a hook sharpener on the water in a pinch, too. The next thing I use is a rust preventative like liquid wrench or household anti-rust oil. Do this each time you get back faithfully and your tools will last quite awhile.
HT

[Pitch Pocket]

On the subject of steels. I bought a diamond "steel" at Portland Cutlery. It is the shape of a regular steel but has a fine diamond surface. $25 and it is the best sharpening tool I've ever found. It's pretty agressive compared to an aligning steel, but with a light hand it is easy to get a razor edge on even "dullish" blades. They make a smaller one (6") that I'm getting for the boat as the 12" model is a little hard to store. I've used it to sharpen hooks too. It works better than a file and seems to hold the point better. Along with my Chefs Choice 3 grit sharpener, dull knives are a thing of the past.

[Threemuch]

I use Dexter Russel knives exclusively. I have a Sani-Safe 10" fillet knife. I have a carbon steel 10" fillet knife. I have a 3" serrated Great White Edge bait/line knife on the strap of my bibs.

These are all cheap knives, but high quality and good steel. The carbon steel knife is superior to the sani safe knife, but carbon steel rusts, and the edge must be touched up for every use.

I buy all my knives through Seattle Marine online.

[Osprey]

For my fileting needs I use one of the cheap rapala wood handle knifes,I like the soft steel and it sharpens quick.
for my other fish cleaning needs I have a Schrader(Uncle Henry) coho with a metal handle with a gut spoon.

Any one check out Cutco's Filet knife,they make quality stuff......Os