With the adjustable Seven Step Fillet Knife, you'll get a narrow and flexible fillet blade of 420J2 high carbon stainless steel, notched to set firmly at half-inch stages from a short 5-1/2 inch cutting edge -- small enough for pan fish -- to a full-sized 9-inch blade for that fish you've only imagined. The construction is simple and not quite foolproof. Depress the locking lever in the back of the handle to lift the locking pin from the slot cut in the spine of the blade. Carefully adjust the blade length by manually shifting it in or out of the hard plastic handle. Make sure the locking pin seats solidly in the blade notch before resuming work.

Effectiveness will depend very much on the care you give this interesting knife. If you let filth accumulate in the handle, the lock won't be as reliable, and this style of construction will definitely take more time to clean than a fixed blade with solid components. The size and effectiveness of this new grip also doesn't quite match the Kershaw fixed blade solution, but considering the versatility of this knife, it's an acceptable trade-off.

The Kershaw Seven Step comes with a hard plastic ABS belt sheath built to hold the knife at its minimum length of 10-1/4 inches.

See the Dexter Russell Fillet Knife for a simple fixed blade style that's easier to clean.

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NIK KERSHAW one step ahead 7 b w when i grow up nik12 pic slv uk mca 1988 US $11.70   Auction Ends: 29d 23m

NIK KERSHAW one step ahead 12 3 trk dj promo b w 7 version and when i grow up US $13.41   Auction Ends: 28d 23h 49m

At 12 inches in overall length, this is about as much knife as you'll want to carry on your belt, and Kershaw does provide a hard plastic ABS sheath for that. Since the blade is a little light for anything more than filleting fish, you'll probably find it fits better in the tackle box, where the tough sheath protects the fine seven-inch cutting edge from harm. Ground and tempered for uniform flexibility, the knife's edge will need regular maintenance if you want it razor sharp. Pack a honing steel or whetstone in the tackle box and be prepared.

For slippery work like cleaning fish, the quality of the handle is as important as the blade. The co-polymer grip molded around the Kershaw fillet knife's tang provides a deep bolster in front and a smaller dropped heel in the rear to prevent slips in either direction. The wide oval of the palm section is ribbed for better traction and allows firm control of the knife, even when hands are cold and clumsy.

The knife cleans up easily and does resist corrosion well, but modern stainless steel is a compromise between edge-holding and rust resistance. After the fishing trip, clean and dry the knife and don't store it in the sheath where moisture could still be trapped.

See the Kershaw Fillet Knife with 9-inch blade if you need a strong but economical knife built for larger fish.

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Kershaw kai cutlery Clearwater Fillet Knife Model 1237 TF US $.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 2h 46m

Kershaw 7 Fillet Knife for Fishing or Hunting ClearWater 7 step US $30.00   Auction Ends: 2d 8h 57m

This version of the Kershaw fillet knife is 14-1/4 inches long with enough flexible, slender fillet blade to conveniently clean larger fish. The high carbon 420J2 stainless steel of this enclosed tang knife resists corrosion but will need some extra care, especially if you fish in saltwater. Take along a good honing steel or a whetstone.

The Kershaw's grip is sensibly designed without the bulkiness of some modern styles. The co-polymer handle includes enough ribbing for a secure grip, but the real security comes from the dropped heel and dropping bolster. The shape of this injection-molded grip keeps your hand from slipping to either front or back, and there's enough width for good twisting leverage. The molded design eliminates gaps which could become a sanitary issue, but the knife will need a thorough cleaning after use.

Storage may be the toughest thing a fisherman's fillet knife endures, and the hard plastic sheath supplied with the Kershaw knife is only a temporary solution. If you leave the knife in the sheath, in the bottom of your tackle box over winter, you may be disappointed when you pull it out in the spring. Clean it well before storing it in a dry location, and it should last for years.

For a fine fillet knife with a traditional build, see the Amber Bone Fillet Knife from Queen Cutlery.

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Kershaw kai cutlery Clearwater Fillet Knife Model 1237 TF US $.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 2h 46m

Kershaw 7 Fillet Knife for Fishing or Hunting ClearWater 7 step US $30.00   Auction Ends: 2d 8h 57m

Kershaw built the Skyline for people who need a dependable pocket utility blade, leaving out all the fancy stuff that looks pretty but breaks or weighs too much. At 2.3 ounces, you'll hardly notice this knife when it's clipped to the edge of your pocket. When a chore calls for a good cutter, the Skyline responds with a 3-1/8-inch-long hollow ground blade of Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel. A thumb stud on the blade helps with opening, but the better method involves pulling back on the flipper that projects from the spine of the closed knife. With the tip of your index finger, you can open and lock the blade in one easy motion without slipping your thumb across that sharp edge. Once open, the secure liner lock prevents any accidental closure and allows work with full pressure -- in safety. A deep finger choil adds to the grip the textured G-10 handle slabs provide. The "stonewashed" surface of the blade reduces glare without the military look of a tactical knife.

Torx screws allow adjustment of bearing tension and even complete disassembly by owners, so as the knife wears, you can keep it in top condition. If age slows it down, a disassembly allows thorough cleaning and a return to easy action. With a handle length of 4-1/4 inches, it's enough knife to fit anyone's hand, offering enough hold for heavy slicing work. Like most pocket folders, it's not meant for prying -- the drop point blade is only 1/8 inch thick.

For a tactical product of similar size, see the Kershaw Black Storm with a recurve blade designed for strap cutting and other tough jobs.

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Kershaw Skyline Plain Edge Folding Knife Model 1760 NEW US $30.95   Auction Ends: 29d 1h 8m

KERSHAW Black G 10 Skyline FLIPPER Straight Knife 1760 US $39.16   Auction Ends: 26d 21h 49m

Not too many years ago, lockback knives were looked upon with suspicion, but it didn't take long for that idea to become standard on every knife large enough to mimic a fixed blade. Gentlemen's pocket knives like the Indian Ford didn't adopt the new idea until much later. The blade of the Indian Ford opens with the familiar thumb notch -- still one of the best opener concepts for the civilian pocket -- and locks into place with a strong frame lock. Press the notch at the base of the handle to release the blade. In design, the Kershaw Indian Ford still seems ahead of the trends with a look taken from the best new tactical builds. The appearance is clean and modern with satin-finished stainless steel handle components and inserts of traditional South American rosewood.

The Indian Ford's spear point blade of AUS 6A high carbon stainless steel doesn't match the quality of larger tactical blades, but the steel is certainly good enough for the light-duty work the 2-5/8 inch blade was designed to do. The blade style handles nearly every ordinary task well.

With no pocket clip, the 3-1/2 inch Indian Ford lays at the bottom of the pocket like a knife from a generation ago. It's comfortable to use and won't wear a hole in your pants, as some other modern knives are apt to do. The weight of 2.7 ounces isn't ultra-lite, but it's weight well spent on a well-built tool.

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KERSHAW Knives Indian Ford 3 1 2 Closed AUS 6A Black Carbon Inlay 2155CF US $31.82   Auction Ends: 5d 19h 36m

Kershaw Indian Ford ROSEWOOD Lockback Folder Plain 2155 US $21.95   Auction Ends: 15d 22h

Proper action will depend on keeping the mechanism clean. Thumb pressure on the knife's tang flips the blade past the resistance of the liner lock. Momentum should carry the blade into the open and locked position. Side pressure on the recessed liner lock tab releases the blade again for storage. A drop of oil on the bearing now and then and a regular cleaning should keep the knife working efficiently. Textured black G10 handle slabs guarantee a good handhold on the knife, and the shape of the handle includes both finger choil and dropped bolster. The design is sleek and convenient for the pocket.

Three-and-three-quarters inches long when closed, the Ener-G isn't a large knife and only packs a 2-13/16-inch blade. That's still enough for the usual assortment of everyday chores most people confront, as well as an occasional emergency. The hollow ground blade sharpens easily with ordinary whetstones or diamond hones -- the Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel takes a razor edge but will need a regular touch-up.

The 2.2-ounce Ener-G includes a strong stainless steel pocket clip for convenient carrying, and there's a lanyard hole in the handle in case you want to add a wrist loop. The Ener-G's conveniences make it a great knife for many tricky situations.

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Kershaw Ener G Lee Williams Folding Knife 1740 NEW US $50.95   Auction Ends: 21d 1h 13m

Kershaw Knife 1745 Ener G2 Grey G10 Lee Williams Unused US $50.95   Auction Ends: 27d 18h 12m

While the Kershaw Black Shallot provides much the same cutting action as the Storm, that knife depends on advanced styling. The Black Storm uses technology that's in plain sight and already familiar. The Storm's 410 stainless steel handle slabs and frame don't depend on shape alone for a good grip -- the textured Trac-Tek inserts won't slip, and the ribbed finger choil adds to the control. On the other plain stainless steel side of the handle, a pocket clip wide enough to slip easily over seams provides a secure but easily released carrying system. Even without the clip, it's a good size for the pocket. Overall length of the Black Storm is 4 inches, and the weight is only 4.2 ounces.

The Black Storm's three inch blade of Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel swings open with a push on either thumb stud and locks solidly with a strong frame lock. The lock mechanism keeps the blade in place in both closed and open positions. The shape of the Storm's powder-coated blade is one of the knife's best features. The slightly concave edge of the blade catches cordage and belts and presses the material against the cutting surface as the knife pulls back. The edge doesn't just slide across -- it pulls through the work. When it's kept razor sharp, it works as well as a serrated edge in top condition. The best news of all is that you can keep this plain-edged recurve blade razor-sharp yourself with ordinary sharpening systems.

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One of the things I like best about the Kershaw Black Shallot is what it doesn't have -- there are no thumb studs on this blade. The Black Shallot uses Ken Onion's patented one-handed opening system called Speed-Safe. A tab at the base of the blade projects above the handle when closed. Thumb pressure on the tab overcomes the initial locking resistance, freeing the blade. The spring-assisted mechanism then takes over, snapping the Shallot's blade open and locking it with a strong frame-lock. Keep it clean and it's the next best thing to an automatic knife. That's why there are no thumb studs on the blade to catch on the work and limit the use of the cutting edge. Not everyone would be bothered by that little inconvenience, but in the Black Shallot, it's not even there.

The Shallot's 3-1/2-inch blade comes in either plain-edge or combo-serrated styles. Both types use Sandvik 14C28N high carbon stainless steel, ground with a slightly recurved edge. Keep the plain-edged version sharp and that slight hook will grab and sever rope and harness straps -- as well as the serrated version -- and do cleaner work.

If you prefer a serrated knife for the rough jobs, the serrations on the combo-edged version of the Shallot are enough to make sense. There's only enough serration to make the option work well, leaving the rest of the blade clean-edged and useful. In the combo Shallot, all the teeth are in line and the same height, so there's little snagging or skipping.

Even with the 410 stainless steel handle components, the Shallot only weighs 4.2 ounces. A closed length of 4-3/8 inches and a removable stainless steel clip make it a perfect fit for any pocket, uniform or not.

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Kershaw Shallot Black Part Serrated Knife 1840CKTST New US $49.49   Auction Ends: 11d 21h 8m

NEW KERSHAW 1840CKT BLACK SHALLOT ASSISTED LOCK KNIFE KNIFE NEW IN BOX SALE US $48.99   Auction Ends: 4d 1h 14m

At only eight inches in overall length and 9.1 ounces in weight, the Ranger's unusual four-inch-long dagger blade of high carbon S30V stainless steel still looks like a heavy-duty fighting knife. Both blade and full tang are wider than most civilian knives of this type, and that extra steel contributes to the knife's rugged strength. Built for piercing as well as slashing, the compound curve of the plain cutting edge bites into rope or harness straps instead of sliding across. The cord-cutting notch is a little too close to the finger choil for convenient use. If you keep the blade sharp, you'll probably cut through any cord small enough to fit the notch before you even find it.

The dark tungsten DLC coating of the Ranger's non-reflective blade resists abrasion and adds to the steel's already good corrosion resistance. Ample handle slabs of textured OD green G-10 provide extra hand traction and excellent twisting leverage. The G-10 is easy to grip in all types of weather and through extreme temperature changes as well as resisting damage from most chemicals. For extra safety, string a wrist lanyard through the hole in the knife's heel.

Built with military rigging in mind, the Ranger's Zytel sheath meets MOLLE standards and adapts to many types of gear as well. Nothing fancy is required -- the sheath also fits nearly any ordinary belt, military or civilian.

See the CRKT Operator by Jim Hammond if you need a small knife of tactical quality with a slimmer build.

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Zero Tolerance ZT0301ST Strider Onion Knife Ranger Green Tiger StripeCombo Edge US $272.00   Auction Ends: 14d 21h

NEW 2011 ZERO TOLERANCE RANGER KNIFE EDGE 0121 US $191.00   Auction Ends: 2d 22h

The Kershaw Whiplash is a full tang fixed blade, but your first thought when you see it might be that it folds. In order to neatly store the parachute cord wrist loop in the handle, the finger choil cuts through two thirds of the knife's tang. Doubts about the strength of that notch place this knife in the cutting category, not the pry bar category. Consider it light duty, because the only way you'll know the strength of an individual Kershaw Whiplash is to break it.

As a light duty knife, it packs considerable clout into a light six ounces and a durable nylon belt sheath. Where knife retention is a real concern, that trick with the wrist lanyard could be very handy. One of the primary reasons for not using a lanyard is the likelihood of that loop being caught on brush or gear. If you're moving fast you may not even notice the tug. The cord on the Whiplash wraps neatly around the grip lengthwise, snapping into place with a lever lock. To release it, flip the lever open and let the retaining ring fall free. With practice, that might become a one-handed procedure, but don't count on it. You'll likely need both hands to put the wrist loop into use safely.

It's certainly a stouter knife than most climbers and ultra-light travelers usually carry with features useful for both types of user. The military-style blade of the 9-inch Kershaw Whiplash includes an anti-glare titanium nitride coating and deep ridges cut into the spine of the blade for extra thumb traction. Hardened to Rockwell 58-59, the cutting edge of the 8CR13 stainless steel blade holds a durable razor-sharp edge. Grip construction is solid enough, built with handle slabs of glass-filled nylon with high-friction textured surfaces. The Whiplash might be just the knife you need.

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Kershaw Whiplash Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath 4355 New US $29.99   Auction Ends: 17d 7h 44m

Kershaw Whiplash Sidewinder Fixed Blade w Sheath 4355 US $35.95   Auction Ends: 15d 3h 25m