Fishing Knife

[bigstancwsw]

Here is another knife from my collection. Made by Jowika Republic of Ireland, the blade is 95mm and scary sharp (too long for legal carry in the UK).The second blade is a fish descaler and hook remover with a bottle opener for your Guinness. Imitation mother of pearl scales with steel each end and a D-ring. Not a locking blade but secure once opened.

[knife7knut]

Those knives are a great buy.Great steel and easily re-sharpened.It's too bad the knife regulations are so archaic in England(any alot of other places as well).I have similar knives made in the USA by Colonial and Imperial;in fact my grandfather's knife is a Kamp King(Imperial)scout utility with the same color scales.

[jerryd6818]

A post here on AAPK in '09 by Owd Wullie. Willie, a Texas boy who now hangs his hat on a straight razor forum, stole it from the British Blades forum.

Quote:

"Jowika Stahwlarenfabrik Eugen Weber & Altenbach KG was the full name of this German mfr of low-end mass market cutlery. It began prior to 1928 under the name Kleinwefers; became Jowika some time prior to 1939.

Jowika opened a branch factory in Listowel, Ireland, in 1960, which was acquired by Imperial Schrade in 1978. Closed about a year and a half before Schrade closed."

[orvet]

Stan,
I believe your knife is a shell handled knife. Imperial made a lot of shell handled knives at the Listowel factory.
It is worth noting that the shell handle knives date back to about 1900 and they originated in Germany.
Richards of Sheffield also made shell handle knives.

In the 1930s when Imperial begin making shell handle knives in the United States they used excellent steel for the blades. That seems to be a common theme with any Imperial knife I have seen, including those made in Ireland. I am not surprised that your Jowika takes and holds a good edge. I have seen a lots of knives from the Listowel factory, and while they are inexpensive knives, made to reach a certain price point, all have had good steel, have been well made and have been good value for the price paid.

[bigstancwsw]

Thanks for the replies guys. I knew nothing about this knife or maker but now i am a little better informed.
It is a very well made knife and i doubt it has seen much use.

[MTURBO]

Seeing this brought back memories of a knife like this I had when I was kid. I think it was made by Imperial but it may have been Case..who knows. All I know for sure is that I dropped it in the river while fishing and never saw it again. I'm sure its still there.