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Fish Knives by Tobias Gibson on June 17, 2013

I'm not sure if there is a discussion already or not but show 'em if you got 'em. Let's see you fishing knives, as in the tools of the tackle box! (Folding, fixed, multi-tools, etc.)

Here's a few of my latest finds. What made them interesting is the bale.

Above knife is made by Sabre (Japan) It features yellow comp handles and is just over 5 inches closed. Below is another Japanese made knife. It features the infamous "cracked Ice" plastic pearl handles. I couldn't pass it up for $9 simply because of the scissors and the bale. It is 4 inches closed.

Both knives in a side by side comparison

Tags: Fish, Knives

4 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 1, 2015 at 23:44

These three fish knives are from Ireland. Top Imperial, middle Stag, bottom Jowika.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 2, 2015 at 7:32

Most excellent, Charles. Did you know that many of the knives from Ireland originated from the same factory in Listowel, Ireland. Jowika Stahlwarenfabrik Eugen Weber & Altenbach MG was the full name of the company. The original company was formed in Germany in the 1920s it used the TM Klienwefers but took the name Jowiika shortly before WWII. Jowika opened its factory in Listowel, Ireland in 1960.

Among American Companies that out sourced manufacturing to Jowika was Imperial and Camillus (Camco). Stag Ireland knives were also made in the Jowika factory. Among some of the better knives Imperial had produced there were some in their Diamond Edge line.

Strange when you think that your Imperial Fish knife was out sourced by an American Company to be built in Ireland by German manufacturing company!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 2, 2015 at 16:37

I knew some of that Tobias but not all. Thanks for the info.

BTW, I have a Diamond Edge fish knife also. Would the scales on this knife be celluloid?

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 2, 2015 at 16:39

Hard to tell. It looks like shell handles but normally those don't have rivets. Yet, Imperial did take a few extra steps with the DE line, even when it was an economy knife!

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 2, 2015 at 17:43

Let me check Charles, I may have a DE and have to check. Pretty sure they were celluloid, but as Tobias said maybe not all. Either way. I like the knife!

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 2, 2015 at 17:49

I may have posted this before, but this is the very first knife I bought over 50 years ago. I show the back side because the front fell off...a cow stepped on it ... but I am just so happy to have it!

Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on April 2, 2015 at 17:55

Nice examples of shells made in Ireland. I think the Jowika was built while the company was still owned by the German manufacturer. (note the elongated front bolster) The Imperial and Stag were built after Imperial-Schrade purchased the Listowel plant in the mid 70's. The Stag, Jowika and DE all have celluloid wraps. The Imperial has blow molded plastic covers that are attached to the metal shell and the entire assembly is attached to the liners with metal tabs. You should be able to see them down in the blade wells. The pins on the DE are fake, just stamped into the shells.

All just my humble opinion, of coarse.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 2, 2015 at 17:58

Charles I have DE's by imperial that are compostion (celluloid) but I also have Imperials that I thought for years WERE celluloid until one the shells fell off. I''ve found and easy way to sometimes check is to see if you can insert a razor between the bolster and what appears to be the handle. If the razor won't slip between the two it is most likely a shell. The next step it to see if you can run the razor between the liner and the handles and bolster. If it can slip between the liner and the handle/ bolsters but not between the handle and the bolster it is definitely a shell handle. Hope that all makes sense. Some day I'll make a video of the explanation.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 2, 2015 at 18:55

Thanks for the info guys! This, I think, is the most info I have seem on Jowika and sure makes it easier to understand the intertwining of those companies. Also the DE info!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 4, 2015 at 8:10

My Case Fish-Knife arrived, It's a beauty. (much nicer than the photos.) While I'm not a fan of Red Jigged Bone, this one could make me a fan! I also prefer a five inch fish knife but, again, this one could make me re-think my bias on the smaller patterns! Did I mention I'm als not crazy about Knife tins? Specialty packaging takes up more space than it warrants but then if I'm going to get lure with the tin then I guess the tin is okay!

Yep, I'm very happy. This one is a keeper! (But i doubt the lure will ever be in the water and the knife will never gut a fish!

disclaimer: No fish were harmed in the taking of these photos! (However I did snag the material I was using as a backdrop!)

Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on April 4, 2015 at 8:25

That's a thing of beauty, Tobias! Congrats!!

Does it bother you to store a knife in the partially open position? It always worries me that the backsprings will develop a memory and make the snap a bit weaker over time.

Permalink Reply by tim payne on April 4, 2015 at 8:30

Agree with you Toby, excellent addition my friend. And you got a dandy new red Crawfish pattern Rattle-Trap to fling at them bass too! Know them Big Mouths ought to be attracted to that pretty Case logo also.....

Tobias Gibson said:

My Case Fish-Knife arrived, It's a beauty. (much nicer than the photos.) While I'm not a fan of Red Jigged Bone, this one could make me a fan! I also prefer a five inch fish knife but, again, this one could make me re-think my bias on the smaller patterns! Did I mention I'm als not crazy about Knife tins? Specialty packaging takes up more space than it warrants but then if I'm going to get lure with the tin then I guess the tin is okay!

Yep, I'm very happy. This one is a keeper! (But i doubt the lure will ever be in the water and the knife will never gut a fish!

disclaimer: No fish were harmed in the taking of these photos! (However I did snag the material I was using as a backdrop!)