A Few Fish Knives

[kootenay joe]

Three of these knives are from Sears and are about 8". Two are marked "High Carbon Steel/U.S.A." and the third has a "Sta-Sharp" etch along with "Fish And Camp Knife" on the handle. Almost certainly made by Camillus.
I assume these are intended for gutting fish not cutting fillets ?
Do you know if this style of fish knife was sold before WW II ?

The knife with the fish etched handle i think says "Kinfolks" ? /USA Stainless. 2 chisel grind edges and the third edge is a scaler/scaper.
Can you explain the intention behind this blade size & shape ? Is it a gutting knife ? maybe just for opening up the belly ? like on a production line in a fish plant ?
How old might it be ?

Next is an interesting unused knife just under 9". Checkered wood handle and the blade has a sharpened top to the clip end.
The blade is stamped "Universal Made In U.S.A." so i assume Landers Frary & Clark ?
I once read a post or article showing a knife very similar to this one and stating it had some significance in early 1900's but i have forgotten what. Very early Marbles design ??
Does this 'ring a bell' for anyone ?
Was this a commercial knife ? or intended for personal use ? Here the blade is longer and a bit flexible so for gutting and filleting ?
If you know something about any of these knives please post.
thanks, kj

[Dinadan]

Joe - I think the top three knives were bait knives, for cutting small fish into chunks or strips for bait. I had one similar to those once and if I recall correctly that is what it was sold as. Those do look like nice utilitarian knives, especially with the scaler on the back of the the blade.

[kootenay joe]

Bait knives. I don't fish, ya can't do it all. And i know zero about ocean fishing which i think is where you would be cutting up one fish to be bait for another fish.
Then likely the knife with fish on handle and short 'square' blade is also a bait cutting knife ?
kj

[tongueriver]

I like that LF&C the best, Roland. A number of cutleries made those, some with nice bone. I am too lazy to look it up, but one of our members posted a shocking magnificent collection of these knives here on AAPK maybe about one year ago, maybe two? I am not kidding; it was over the top. Somebody dredge that thread back up!

[bestgear]

That was me Cal, I have 9 different LF&C catalogs. I'll be home on Monday and will take a gander then.