Western States Fish Gaff folder
- Meridian_Mike
- Posts: 4981
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Western States Fish Gaff folder
I have been looking around for an American made Fish Gaff folder ever since I saw Jeff repair that kabar.
SO.....
I happened up on this Western States knife with a broken gaff blade.
From the look of the blades (by the sellers pics) I really think the blades MIGHT be carbon steel.
SO, with that said, my plan is to repair the gaff blade by welding on a piece and finishing it down to be what I want it to look like.
Having a "WESTERN STATES" tang stamp dates it on back there a ways.
Here it is in the sellers "before" pics.....
. .
WELL.... even if I totally mess it up, the price was right. AND, if I succeed, then it will be a fun knife to display.
.
What do y'all think?
SO.....
I happened up on this Western States knife with a broken gaff blade.
From the look of the blades (by the sellers pics) I really think the blades MIGHT be carbon steel.
SO, with that said, my plan is to repair the gaff blade by welding on a piece and finishing it down to be what I want it to look like.
Having a "WESTERN STATES" tang stamp dates it on back there a ways.
Here it is in the sellers "before" pics.....
. .
WELL.... even if I totally mess it up, the price was right. AND, if I succeed, then it will be a fun knife to display.
.
What do y'all think?
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- Mumbleypeg
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 13466
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:28 am
- Location: Republic of Texas
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
I think it’s great Mike. If been wanting a DOX fish knife for years but for some reason never have picked one up (probably cuz I’m too cheap). Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.
Ken
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Looking at the gaff hook in this picture, it shouldn’t be too difficult to create one;
Jeff
Fishing knives with gaff hooks don’t come up all that often so it’d be cool if you could revive that one!Jeff
Hey … it’s a pocketknife for gosh sakes. I’m not selling the Mona Lisa….Bullitt4001
https://www.jfinamoreknives.com
http://www.secondlifeknives.com
https://www.jfinamoreknives.com
http://www.secondlifeknives.com
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Cool project! I can't wait to see how it turns out Mike. I must confess, I've never seen one of those in person.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
- zzyzzogeton
- Posts: 1725
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
- Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
The DOX fish knife, model # S319, with polished aluminum handles had a run from 1931 to 1941, maybe a little earlier. Not in the 1925 catalog pages, but present in the 1931. It was another victim of WW2, not brought back into production after the war.
The A319 had composition (aka celluloid) amber handles and the P319 had composition pearl handles.
The A319 had composition (aka celluloid) amber handles and the P319 had composition pearl handles.
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
I'm impressed that you're going t give it a try. Good luck with it.
I have one of those.
I have one of those.
Joe
- Meridian_Mike
- Posts: 4981
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Thanks for the research on my knife!zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 11:08 pm The DOX fish knife, model # S319, with polished aluminum handles had a run from 1931 to 1941, maybe a little earlier. Not in the 1925 catalog pages, but present in the 1931. It was another victim of WW2, not brought back into production after the war.
That dates to earlier than I thought.
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- Meridian_Mike
- Posts: 4981
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
When I first dug the gaff blade out, it was broken off just before the curve started.
Here is my answer to the broken gaff blade....
. .
I welded a piece on just past the straight part.
I don't think I want to land a fish of any size with it. I suppose I will use it a conversation piece.
Here is my answer to the broken gaff blade....
. .
I welded a piece on just past the straight part.
I don't think I want to land a fish of any size with it. I suppose I will use it a conversation piece.
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Excellent repair Mike! Looks just like the original.
Jeff
Jeff
Hey … it’s a pocketknife for gosh sakes. I’m not selling the Mona Lisa….Bullitt4001
https://www.jfinamoreknives.com
http://www.secondlifeknives.com
https://www.jfinamoreknives.com
http://www.secondlifeknives.com
- 1967redrider
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 16247
- Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Contact:
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Looks great, MM, excellent work!
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Looks pretty factory from here!
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Great welding job!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Great repair Mike! I think that was a much better solution than trying to recreate that entire blade/gaff.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Way to go Mike! That’s a great fix! Good as new. Maybe better.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
- Meridian_Mike
- Posts: 4981
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Re: Western States Fish Gaff folder
Thanks everyone!
I doubt I will ever try to land a fish with it, so it's just "for lookin' at"...LOL.
I doubt I will ever try to land a fish with it, so it's just "for lookin' at"...LOL.
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne