Gaff knives seemed to be around from 1920s-1950s. I don't think they were ever really popular. The hooks often bent because people tried to land fish that were too large or feisty for its weight limit. At least three American Companies made them, Kinfolk, Western (Dox), Adn Imperial. The Imperial that I saw was on a Toothpick frame. This one was made in Solingen, Germany