After looking through the “knife love” thread I am convinced this is a great place to seek advice on a knife design.
I am wanting a high quality trout and bird style knife.
I am not a knife expert or collector............yet.
I have looked and handled the Arno Bernard version of a trout and bird knife and really liked it.
I would like some other makers versions too llok at if you all would be generous enough to share your thoughts with me.

Thanks in advance for any input.

The single best-kept secret in the knife world are the “seconds” of the Canadian Belt Knife. I have looked at several and can not find a single imperfection.

They have some seconds of the Bird and Trout model. Best $50 you will ever spend.

Clearance: Final Sale Trout & Bird Knife

__________________
Possum—The other white meat!

Go prowl around Bladeforums. A lot of good manufacturers have bird and trout knives in their lineup. Bark River and JK Knives are a couple that pop readily to mind, but there are many others and plenty of small makers who can do a bird and trout knife to your specs.
You will see a lot of variety. As the old saw goes, there is more than one way to skin a trout.

__________________
Not in jail.

Randall Made Pathfinder , SWEET !
Sorry I don't have photo but it's my favorite general purpose fishing and small game hunting knife .
Randall does make a model called the Trout and Bird knife but I prefer the Pathfinder design better .
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Hi,

As a knife collector, historian, writer and dealer (not sure if I'm allowed to share my website?), I can say with confidence that there are a lot of really great knives and knife makers out there today. Your choice has never been better.

I won't recommend a specific knife or maker but rather suggest you get to a couple of good knife outlets and see what feels right in your hand. Over the years I have bought a knife (to use) only to find that eventually I leave them at home because they just don't feel right, rather like that shirt you bought that just doesn't quite fit.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Cheerio,

Roy

My "oldest" knife is my Randall Bird and Trout (Model 8) done birds and trout as well as several elk, many wild pigs and a few deer. Now it sits on a belt with my OM 41 Blackhawk, both with stags.

+1 on this. The Grohmann trout & bird knife is so well designed for what it was intended for–and it feels great in the hand. Many other knife manufacturers have tried to copy it, which also says a lot.

__________________
Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

My favorite knife of that style is one that I made 30 years ago. I bought a blank that was a handy size for most outdoor uses, made the handle out of a piece of elk polished and shaped, made the bolster and pommel from brass stock. Please ignore my amateurish scrimshaw that was my first attempt at it, I've become better over the years....

Attached Images

IMGP0411.jpg (107.7 KB, 73 views)

__________________
SWHF #595

There is not a single job one can’t preform with a knife that size other than hack through joints/bone (and you should us an axe for that anyway). Everyone loves the big knives, myself included, but for an actual, in the field, gutting and skinning critters and fish of all shapes and sizes, that is the perfect knife!

__________________
Possum—The other white meat!

You are correct and thank you. I don't even remember how many deer that knife has field dressed and skinned.
I made a much larger knife at the same time and carried both in a double sheath I made for them but the big knife was for show and the one shown did all the work.

__________________
SWHF #595

OP I wasn't trying to hijack your thread with a knife making side track.
I guess in my mind if you have a moderate amount of skill and get just a knife blank you can take the time to make your own.
When your done if you are careful in the making you will have a knife that you can proudly say "I made that" for years to come.

__________________
SWHF #595

Your observation holds true for more than just hunting and fishing.

__________________
Not in jail.

Highly recommend Bark River
Bark River Knives – Semi-Production Cutlery
You get a lot of knife for the money!
BTW I actually own several and could not be more pleased with the quality!

__________________
Regards
Paul

To reflect that excellent comment, the best all-around knife I have ever used. But get ready—it will cost you a whopping $8.95! You can buy a truck load of these for the price of one Randall.

I did not think about it, but this would make an excellent bird and trout knife too (or glove box, motorcycle, camping, ATV, Bentley or tractor knife).

Morakniv Basic 511 | Fixed Blade Knife | Black/Tan Green

__________________
Possum—The other white meat!

For a light weight knife how about the Marbles bird and trout knife:

MR80910 Marbles Bird and Trout Knife

Marbles has been making them since 1919

Or The Cold Steel version:

Cold Steel Bird & Trout Fixed Blade Knife (2.25" Bead Blast) 20BTJ - Blade HQ

Their sheath is a little tougher.

__________________
never get out of the boat

The Dexter Sani-Safe paring knife will serve. Made in USA, $3.99.
It’s the white one. Probably pushing the low end of what you can get away with. The Case peanut has some fans, too. Even smaller, but expensive by comparison.

Attached Images

AA86C100-8062-4268-BED1-9BA72DB98629.jpg (57.6 KB, 25 views)

__________________
Not in jail.

This is a Bird and File knife. The carved handle cost me $30 and the file cost $3 at the flea market.

If the knife won't cut your bird or trout you can at least file the bones into great toothpicks.



My bad. This is the picture that I should have posted. This is my modified Buck 105. I could not find a production knife with a straight spine and blade serrations so I did these modifications.

No offense taken at all. Legit suggestion, however I am a human wrecking ball with whe it comes to shaping metal.

Buck makes a 121 with thin steel that will fit your bill.OR find an old WesternL48LGB bird and trout knife off the bay or flea-market.

Attached Images

image.jpg (85.5 KB, 19 views)

Take a look at the Bark River knives. They all kinds and are excellent quality.

Bark River are good knives for the money. So are Columbia River Knife and Tool.

Knives of Alaska comes to mind:

Knives of Alaska: KOA Store

(c) 2020 Knives of Alaska

__________________
Come and take it!!

If you are looking at Arno Bernard, you are looking in a good place. My wife got me one of his drop point skinners for a gift last year. Hopefully this year I will put it to use.

Bark River is an excellent choice as well. I like their Canadian style blade. Their Bird and Trout looks very nice, but is sold out almost everywhere I looked.

The Buck 105 Pathfinder also works wonders. Mine has cleaned more game than all of my expensive knives I have acquired as an adult combined.

Attached Images

IMG_7199.jpg (114.7 KB, 19 views)

It might be low end, but it will get the job done for sure and it’s dishwasher safe. I really like the Dani safe line. Here is my butcher knife and large skinner. I think the OP would be well served with a Buck 105 Pathfinder. Check out this epic thread on blade forums. The Pathfinder Club - Members Only! | BladeForums.com.

If you want to start a knife collection start by buying every knife on this old add. Then add a 124, 212, and 117 You will be ready for anything outdoors.

Attached Images

	7AD679D5-AEDA-4122-BA17-D5F8F603EFE9.jpeg (25.2 KB, 22 views)
	12AC75C2-D541-4285-953A-E633F95DF58D.jpeg (123.7 KB, 27 views)
	D498998C-089F-49A2-B9A7-AE6A27DB94DD.jpg (105.3 KB, 18 views)

The paring knife is my first Sani-Safe. I have several Dexter-Russell Green River knives, wood-handled carbon steel butcher knives that make excellent camp knives as well. I also have an array of Ontario Old Hickory knives. These knives are all inexpensive, use good steel (1095 carbon steel), take and hold a good edge, and function well in a variety of roles. Many of the patterns derive from old English patterns which were sold here as trade knives in the 1830s.

These are fun knives to modify and customize. None of these is expensive, but the Sani Safe knives are cheaper still.

__________________
Not in jail.

I have a Buck #118 that works for me on ducks, geese, rabbits, squirrels, deer, quail and fish. I have wondered if some of the more expensive knives would hold an edge better than a Buck. Larry

I have owned a Buck 105 since the 1960's, and now own a 501 Squire, along with several more. The 501 is the right size for almost anything.

Have a blessed day,

Leon