Western States Fish Gaff folder

[Meridian_Mike]

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?

[Mumbleypeg]

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

[Jeffinn]

Looking at the gaff hook in this picture, it shouldn’t be too difficult to create one;

Fishing knives with gaff hooks don’t come up all that often so it’d be cool if you could revive that one!
Jeff

[herbva]

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.

[zzyzzogeton]

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.

[FRJ]

I'm impressed that you're going t give it a try. Good luck with it.

I have one of those.

[Meridian_Mike]

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.

Thanks for the research on my knife!
That dates to earlier than I thought.

[Meridian_Mike]

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.

[Jeffinn]

Excellent repair Mike! Looks just like the original.
Jeff

[1967redrider]

Looks great, MM, excellent work!

[FRJ]

Nice job; new knife.

[glennbad]

Looks pretty factory from here!

[Reverand]

Great welding job!

[herbva]

Great repair Mike! I think that was a much better solution than trying to recreate that entire blade/gaff.

[Colonel26]

Way to go Mike! That’s a great fix! Good as new. Maybe better.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks everyone!
I doubt I will ever try to land a fish with it, so it's just "for lookin' at"...LOL.