I'm needing something new for pheasant, quail, and occasionally fish. Ideally a "bird & trout" knife to me would be fixed full tang with no more than a 3" blade. It should be easy to carry (sheath wise) and feel good in the palm of your hand. If it's a $100+ knife I probably won't be interested. Prefer to hear about a blade the average guy can afford and won't break bank if it ever gets lost. Any suggestions?

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Grohmann Bird and Trout Knife. My son and I have seconds of the larger, famed Canadian Belt Knife. Both purchased for less than $50. Simply the best deal in the knife world in my opinion. I just checked they don't currently have seconds of the bird and trout model so it's bumping $100.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Thanks 6518John. I had forgotten about Grohmann. You rarely see their knives down here unless they show up used. I have had held their Canadian Belt Knife before and remember how good it felt. That unique offset axis at the spine of the blade gives it added leverage when cutting or slicing.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I had a minute and checked and the street price is far better than the factory price. At online retailers the Bird and Trout looks to be in the $70-80 range.

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Possum—The other white meat!

A.G. Russell has some bird and trout blades
in the catalog. One that might fit is the
A.G. Russell Woodswalker. It's not called a
bird and trout knife but my son's worked very
well on a couple of grouse a few years ago.

Plus one on the Grohmann. I've got the #2 stainless trout and bird. Really nice . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Hess Knifeworks in Gladstone, MI makes some nice traditional-style bird and trout knives for under $100 you can find at the big online knife retailers.

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SWHF #448

I don't know how other people go about it, but the knives in above posts are to big for my taste. I am thinking you must be
just gutting the fish. I have a small 4" Rapala fillet knife that
works good on birds and fish. My old man carried one of those
bird Hunter pocket knives, with a gut hook to pull out the birds
innards. I have a Canadian Trapper that I have carried deer
hunting since my fist hunt, 1962. Knife still in fine shape but it
has been through 3 sheaths.

That Grohmann in the picture has a 3 1/2" cutting edge . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I don't know much about bird hunting, but have spent a lot of time on the trout streams here in WV. I add my voice with all of the other votes above for the Grohmann. Drm50, I have the Rapala also, and it is a fine knife as well. There for several years I used my Benchmade "automatic" with about a 3" blade, it was handy, clipped to the waders, a lanyard through the hole on the end, and opened with one hand. But it's more than $100.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I cleaned 75 rainbow trout this season with a basic Leatherman multi-tool. May not be the coolest tool but it is perfect for my needs. And less than $40 at Costco.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Plus one here too. I've got the Woodswalker with the Kydex neck sheath. Smaller than the Grohmann. Very nice blade . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I like the Rapala because it is light to carry and fairly cheap. Easy
to keep sharp. I have seen a line of Mora knives, Sweedish steel,
that are a little stiffer and wider bladed than Rapal filet knife. I
carry a Rapala in my fishing vest and hunting coat. They have a
little ceramic sharpener that will keep it sharp if you don't let it
get totally dull. I don't like stuff hanging on my belt if it's not
necessary.

How bout hitting the e-bay and finding a used old Camillus fixed or a California clip blade folder or new a Ka-bar bird and trout.

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Check out the Fin and Feather by Rapid River Knife Works. I have two of their products, and they are fantastic. Here is the url. Custom Knives - Hunting Knives - Fillet Knives - Custom Knife: Rapid River Knifeworks

I must be the odd man out, as I like my old and discontinued Buck 321. It's a folding knife with a slim 3 inch muskrat blade and a guthook. It fits nicely in my pocket and makes quick work of dove, quail, and the occasional grouse.

Case still makes a similar knife but with a 1/2 inch longer blade.

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Look for an old paring knife. Look for the Old Hickory brand like your Grandmother used. These are designed for detailed work like paring and peeling, so they'll be perfect for cleaning small game. Those old knives also have great steel in the blades, sharpen easily and are easy to get very sharp.

OT, that 312 is the knife my old man carried. He was bird hunting
nut. That knife is the only knife he carried for hunting. He even
gutted a deer with it once.

Unless you insist that your new knife be labeled a "bird and trout"
model or cost up around $100 I don't see how you could find a better
knife for your use than the Buck 102 Woodsman. A trim little fixed
blade knife with a 4" blade the 102 is one of the long enduring classic
models still made in the USA. It can be bought for 30 something with
the aluminum guard and black phenolic handle and 40 something with
the much more attractive brass guard and "cocobolo" wood handle.
When combined with their lifetime warranty the classic Buck knives
are unbeatable bargains in the US market.

I used to have a great fish knife but it slipped out of my teeth while chasing a big trout. Seriously though for fish, I have to agree with the Old Hickory paring knives. My wife and I have had the same one for 38 years. Sharpens great and hold an edge fairly well.
Peace,
Gordon

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better have that checked

This Anza is something you won't see everyday. I recently bought my son one for EDC. Anza calls it a bird and trout knife, but it is also a very tough little work and utility knife, and very comfortable in the hand. I have carried a similar, slightly smaller version for about thirty years. The blade is ground from a file. This is a stock photo, not mine.

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Not in jail.

Buck used to make a nice little dedicated bird and trout knife. I don't recall the model--117, maybe? Cold Steel had some in their catalog too, though I haven't looked for a long time.

But both the four-inch Rapala filet knife and the Old Hickory parer are excellent, inexpensive, versatile knives for fish and small game. You could easily make a sheath for the Old Hickory. Or have one made, given how inexpensive the knife is.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thanks guys. These have all been great suggestions. I may have to get two or three knives now, just to try some of the ones mentioned. I was on the flea bay last night and saw this small caper by Hen & Rooster. It's close to what I had in mind. I've never owned one of their knives but the scales and sheath look to be decently made for the price. Might give them a try.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

It's a little longer than what you want, but it's hard to beat a Buck 102 for the price. 4" blade, well balanced, under $50.

Buck 102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Hunting Knife 4 420HC SS Clip Point

I use an old (1930's era) Camillus penknife for both birds and trout.

I also carry it every day.

You want only a three-inch bldE, which is too small for SOME usEs.

In thT SIZE, i'D PROBABLY gET THE FALLKNIVEN wm-1. sEE IT O N THEiR SITE, WWW.FALLKNIVEN.COM. I Use MINE FOR SMALL TASKS, AN IT'S VRY EFFCTIVE. bUT i'D NEVER CARRY IT AS A GENERAL BIRD AND TROUT KNIFE.

mY FAVORITES THT I've USED IN THAT ROLE ARE A RANDALL mODEL 7 WITH FIVE-INCH BLADE AND THE PUMA hUNTER'S PAL,WHICH HAS A FOUR-INCH BLADE. sOME OF ThE real STAG HANDLES MAKE iT A REALLY NICE KNIFE.

bOTH ARE BEYOND YOUR PRICE RANGE. I'm JUST A KNIFE NUT.

I LIKE BUCK'S mDEL 105 IN A RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE TRaIL KnIFE OR SOME PREFER THEIR LITTLE mODEL 102. I HAD ONE, BUT iT WAS TOO SMALL FOR ALL I WANTED TO USE IT FOR AND THE HANDLE WAS TOO PETITE FOR MY HANDS.

CAPS LOK CAME ON WHILE I TYPED LOOKING AT THE KEY BOARD. hAPPENS. jUST DEAL WITH IT. I THNK THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. sorry ABOUT THE BIG LETTERS. if I GET CARELESS,THS SOETIMES HAPPENS.
No time to edit. Figure it out.

Oh: you can just get a Victorinox paring knife and make a sheath for it. I'm serious.

Remember, some trout, especially big steelhead and lake trout, have fairly deep bodies. A knife ideal for birds may not be long enough for them. A Fillet knife is a separate matter.

I just checked Fallkniven's site. It's been redesigned and several new Pro models are offered. Be sure to look for the little flag symbols at the top and click on the Union Jack for the English version. Unless you read Swedish, of course. PRICES ARE IN SWEDISH CROWNS/KRONER, NOT IN US DOLLARS.

Discontinued by Buck but their Model 107 is a sweet little knife with a 3.5 cutting edge. I found mine on the secondary market and carry it all the time fishing or bird hunting. The Buck 102 is also nice knife and still in production, but I prefer the older ones.

If a full tang is the style you like then I guess that will give you pride of ownership, but other wise, why a full tang? I like a heavy stiff knife to cut through a salmon's spine but even that does not require a full tang.

I have not cleaned trout in recent years. While I do not remember them being as slimy as salmon, the one feature I insist on a salmon knife having is a hand guard. Workers cleaning salmon on ships wear chain mail gloves for good reason. I had to learn the hard way.

Bucks have been mentioned repeatedly. They are popular and a good value. My favorite fixed blade Buck is their 5" Model 121. It is made from thinner stock than all the other Buck fixed blades so it is easier to sharpen and makes a better paring knife. It is what Buck markets as a fishing knife but it exceeds your desired blade length by 2". The only approximately 3" fixed blade Buck knife that I know of is their Model 116 Capper. Although they have hand guards, like most Bucks the 116 and 121 have smooth handles that would get slippery with your hands covered with fish slime. Also like most Bucks they do not have the full tang you want.

I like the Case Model 523 3.25" blade Pheasant knife I recently purchased used through eBay for about $65. Its blade is thin so it makes a good paring knife. It has a small hand guard and its stag handle provides a natural non slip surface. For a fishing knife those two features make a lot more sense to me than a full tang. They come with a full flap leather sheath.

I have only one knife that meets all your listed requirements. It is a Bear MGC 6 1/2" over all length Model 596 Skinner that was made long enough ago for an affordable knife to have its India stag. Bear has since reorganized into Bear and Sons. They never were polished like Case knives but at least they still are made in the USA. I've seen quite a few exactly like mine sell through eBay for around $35 in as new condition with their original full flap leather sheath. It would take patience to spot one but they are well within your budget and have full tangs.

Bark River Bird and Trout!!!!!!!

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Thanks for the suggestions on those knives k22fan. To answer your question I guess what I meant was that I preferred a fixed blade over a folding knife. Full tang to me is what I think of when I mention fixed blade. The folders I've used before for bird/fish were lock backs (Buck 110) or liner locks and they tend to get pretty dirty after a while inside the liners. Over time some of that gunk starts to build up in there and cause rust.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Queen Cutlery made a nice Bird and Trout knife. I like the amber stag bone series . You can find them on EBay,high quality knife made in Titusville Pa.

Some 30 years ago I bought my buddie & his wife a Queen
carving and steak knife set. They had faux stag handles. My
buddies wife frisk him after every use. She was afraid the steak
knives were going to end up in his hunting gear. They came in
nice fitted wood case. Queens were every bit as good as a Case.

Boker also makes one-93H I believe.

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Well done > well said

Don't overlook KA-BAR

KA-BAR Knives, Inc. - Hunting & Outdoor - Hardcore Lives. Hardcore Knives.

And if budget allows it perhaps a Hibben?

Hibben Knives

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Jorge

You use the past tense. Is Queen out of business? I've never seen one, but know they were admired by many.

Queen is alive and well selling knivers under several trade names including making some of the knives of the major companies. Queen's premium line is Schatt & Morgan. I own at least 2 Ka-Bar Club knives and a couple of Robeson folders that were made by Queen. I do not know for sure but only suspect SMKW owns the Robeson name and is special ordering them. My experience is Queen does indeed make good knives. The better ones are at the top end of my price range.

Edit to add:
Queen's D2 tool steel full tang Trout Knife is 6 1/4" overall. It might be the original poster's best choice. The first eBay store that popped up searching for it wants $88 for one with amber cut bone stag handle scales. There are however other things to consider. When he's drunk enough to be an expert on fighting Grizzlies with a knife one of my neighbors claims mountain men needed genuine stag handles for the larger bulls.

I have the Grohmann Mini Russell R340S. It's a folding version of their bird & trout knife. I love it. Very well made and carries easy in the pocket. Mine was well under $100.

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Been up since before breakfast

Frank-

Where are you? Adelaide? What are the knife laws like down there? Do you have to contend with city as well as state laws? Does Australia have national knife laws?

Thanks for the terrific pics. Good on 'ya!

Oh: what wood are the scales on that knife?

About an hour south of Adelaide. Not sure about any specific city or state laws other than the typical list of prohibited weapons on the SA Police web site, but I do know this one is fine here. Overall, it's not really an issue unless you get caught with a meth lab or something and they need some extra charges to tack on. (NOT anything I know from experience, just what I've heard on the news!) I've never had any issues with Mr. Lawman here.

I'm pretty sure the scales are rosewood.
Cheers

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Been up since before breakfast

One not mentioned that I like is the Kershaw Leek. All steel construction folder with the "assisted opening" action. It is easily a one handed knife. The blade is just under 3" and holds an edge wonderfully. Has a hole in the end that you can put a lanyard through for wading, etc, but comes with a pocket clip that works well. I've carried the same one for 8 years now and it handles every daily situation well, from opening mail, cutting cardboard boxes, slicing into a steak on the grill, dressing a trout,you name it. They list for around $70, but can be found many places for about $45.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

This one seems to fit all your requirements. You'd have to make the scales.

Fixed Blade Bird Knife Hardware Kit | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

Anything Bark River...
Bird & Trout | Bark River Knives

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Vote!
IamOneGunAwayFromHappy

I've vented and or cleaned many Quail, pheasant, Ducks and geese with my Case blue steel 3 bladed stockman. Go ahead and point out my farm boy upbringing. It's true and I'm proud. Also have field dressed perhaps a hundred deer with it too. Used my Custom D-2 on Elk.

Smoky mountain knives have the following Bird and Trout knives.
Search Results for “bird and trout” - Knife Country, USA

I looked at AG Russell, theirs starts at $495.

Here is a heat treated to 57-58 Stainless blank for 17.95

Put on some stag and it looks like the Russell.

Here is a 7.99 Marbles model
Marble's Bird & Trout Knife | Smoky Mountain Knife Works

I like this one, read the description on type of steel. Japanese AUS8A heat tread razor sharp steel.
Bird and Game by Cold Steel

I have some cold steel knives, no tanto blades. They are pretty tough. If I did not have a bunch of Case 3 bladed stockman knives this is the one I'd get.

Hands down I LOVE my AG Russel bird and trout knife. It won't break the bank. It hangs upside down on my fishing vest and it takes one hand (either) to get it in and out.

You can barely see it hanging behind the forceps on my left chest.

Note the shameless chance to show off a gorgeous male brown in winter spawn colors......

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Just bought a grohmann trout and bird after reading this. $71.49

this is about the 5th or 6th knife I've bought this year after reading knife threads.

Thanks for sharing that fantastic trout with us. Sometimes we get so detailed regarding our equipment that we forget why we do things like fish in the first place. Great memory you have there.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thanks! Headed to Colorado for the annual trip, leaving in two weeks.

The 107--that's the model number I couldn't remember. Nice little knife.

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Oh well, what the hell.