I won this Imperial Diamond Edge 856DE fish knife on eBay for a $10.50 bid plus $4.00 shipping for a total cost of $14.50.  I wanted it because I have a small but growing collection of fish knives.  This would make number five and I did not have a Diamond Edge

First the good news.  The knife is a good solid knife.  There is no wobble or play in the blades.  They have good snap on closing.  There are no nicks in the blades and they are not worn down.  The handles and bolsters are tight with no movement.  The handles have no cracks or major damage.

This is a quote from the eBay listing.

CONDITION VERY GOOD CRACK FREE BUCKHORN HANDLES AND WOBBLE FREE BLADES WITH SNAP

EXCELLENT FOR ANY COLLECTION

First let us condider CONDITION VERY GOOD.

Three of the bolsters are shiny but one has significant rust.  Also notice the rust in the notch in the bottom of the main blade just above the bolster.

The main blade has obviously been ground or buffed to remove rust.  There is still rust in the nail notch and the etching on the blade has been nearly obliterated.  The patent numbers on the back of the tang have been completely removed.

Next CRACK FREE BUCKHORN HANDLES.

I do not believe the handles are "buckhorn" or antler or bone.  On close examination the handles appear to be as stated in this quote from Orvet's Blades & Customs website in their listing of one of these knives.  Obviously the bolsters are not but the scales appear to be as stated.

HANDLES:   -Handles & bolsters are a one-piece steel shell covered with black & brown sheet

I believe this knife has been reworked or maybe put together from parts.  One thing that makes me think this is the condition of the scaler blade compared to the main blade.  The scaler blade is bright and shiny with no rust or patina and no buffing  marks.  Also the nail notch is clean and shiny like the rest of the blade.  I have seen on knives that I have that when a blade is cleaned of corrosion and rust, the nail notch usually isn't.  I can not believe that with the condition of the main blade as bad as it obviously was, the scaler blade would have remained practically mint.

Last but not least is it EXCELLENT FOR ANY COLLECTION?

I will put it in my collection unless and until I acquire a better example but I do not consider it excellent for a collection.  I probably did not get hurt at $14.50 because mechanically it is a good solid knife.  If I do acquire a more collectible example it would make a good user.  But I am glad I didn't pay more.

I would be happy to hear others opinions on the knife.