The Grayling by Von Gruff

[Mekaniks]

A couple weeks ago I started communicating with Garry @Von Gruff about building a smaller fish knife. Something with a little lighter blade than his "bird and trout" and a slightly larger handle with a finger notch similar to his "Fisherman"

We settled on a 4"x1/2" blade of NitroV Stainless Steel.

After me sending some examples of what I was thinking, and Garry drawing the patterns and changing it while I drove him crazy.... (Garry is far more patient than most)
we finally came up with the "Grayling" which seemed fitting since its really more trout than bird

I wanted a front bolster and rear pommel with some good wood in the handle. Garry offered up some really nice spalted buckeye wood that he had on hand.

I wanted a deep set sheath to keep the knife secure on the river. (I have a heck of a time loosing knives) Garry had the idea to install the lanyard tube and lanyard to help retrieve it from the case.

The whole process was ALOT of fun and its really cool to get to help design a knife that will be put to use.

Garry already has the Grayling listed on his Von Gruff Knives web page here- 449204406

The knife has shipped from NZ today and I can hardly wait to get it bloody this summer!

Here is a pic....

 

[Tundra Tiger]

That is freaking GORGEOUS!

 

[Chukar]

I'm digging the cut of you jib.

Great looking knife!

 

[Cervus elaphus]

A couple weeks ago I started communicating with Garry @Von Gruff about building a smaller fish knife. Something with a little lighter blade than his "bird and trout" and a slightly larger handle with a finger notch similar to his "Fisherman"

We settled on a 4"x1/2" blade of NitroV Stainless Steel.

After me sending some examples of what I was thinking, and Garry drawing the patterns and changing it while I drove him crazy.... (Garry is far more patient than most)
we finally came up with the "Grayling" which seemed fitting since its really more trout than bird

I wanted a front bolster and rear pommel with some good wood in the handle. Garry offered up some really nice spalted buckeye wood that he had on hand.

I wanted a deep set sheath to keep the knife secure on the river. (I have a heck of a time loosing knives) Garry had the idea to install the lanyard tube and lanyard to help retrieve it from the case.

The whole process was ALOT of fun and its really cool to get to help design a knife that will be put to use.

Garry already has the Grayling listed on his Von Gruff Knives web page here- 449204406

The knife has shipped from NZ today and I can hardly wait to get it bloody this summer!

Here is a pic....


View attachment 399034

Bit of a coincidence but I did a study of the Grayling fish in New Zealand and how it disappeared. Back in the 60's I swear I caught one while trout fishing in North Canterbury, it was so different from a trout that I distinctively remember it, the scales, the forked tail. Reported the catch to fisheries science in Wellington but never heard back from there. Could they still exist in some remote river system? I reckon they could. The knife has a good pedigree.

 

[AZDAVE]

Gary makes some great knives. Please show a picture of the sheath and I can relate to misplacing knives river side.

 

[Shootist43]

The style reminds me of the 4" wood handled Rapala that I use for pan-fish, but it is a lot prettier for a fact.

 

[Mekaniks]

Gary makes some great knives. Please show a picture of the sheath and I can relate to misplacing knives river side.

Here it is in the case

 

[Mekaniks]

Bit of a coincidence but I did a study of the Grayling fish in New Zealand and how it disappeared. Back in the 60's I swear I caught one while trout fishing in North Canterbury, it was so different from a trout that I distinctively remember it, the scales, the forked tail. Reported the catch to fisheries science in Wellington but never heard back from there. Could they still exist in some remote river system? I reckon they could. The knife has a good pedigree.

If it had the "bird wing fin" it was a grayling

 

[BourbonTrail]

Fitting name for your knife. Great design.

I will have to remember this next time I need a new fishing knife (think my current one might have a boating accident )

 

[gillettehunter]

Greta looking knife. Should do the job for a long time!
Bruce

 

[Tundra Tiger]

The refuge I work for... we have some phenomenal grayling on many of the rivers. I take HS kids out for a summer float camp. We routinely catch 20+ inch grayling. Here's one caught by my oldest daughter a few years back; it was just shy of 20 but was her first fish on a fly rod.

 

[Bullthrower338]

@Von Gruff PM inbound

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A couple weeks ago I started communicating with Garry @Von Gruff about building a smaller fish knife. Something with a little lighter blade than his "bird and trout" and a slightly larger handle with a finger notch similar to his "Fisherman"

We settled on a 4"x1/2" blade of NitroV Stainless Steel.

After me sending some examples of what I was thinking, and Garry drawing the patterns and changing it while I drove him crazy.... (Garry is far more patient than most)
we finally came up with the "Grayling" which seemed fitting since its really more trout than bird

I wanted a front bolster and rear pommel with some good wood in the handle. Garry offered up some really nice spalted buckeye wood that he had on hand.

I wanted a deep set sheath to keep the knife secure on the river. (I have a heck of a time loosing knives) Garry had the idea to install the lanyard tube and lanyard to help retrieve it from the case.

The whole process was ALOT of fun and its really cool to get to help design a knife that will be put to use.

Garry already has the Grayling listed on his Von Gruff Knives web page here- 449204406

The knife has shipped from NZ today and I can hardly wait to get it bloody this summer!

Here is a pic....


View attachment 399034

@Mekaniks
Looking at the size and the description it would also make a great boneing knife for small deer like fallow.
I have a similar thing from marttinni, wrong spelling, that I use for that purpose. Ideal for getting the back straps off and breaking down the hind quarters.
Bob

 

[Ravensview]

Beautifull knife and sheath, does the blade flex

 

[Cervus elaphus]

If it had the "bird wing fin" it was a grayling

View attachment 399073

The tail head and scales looked like that but I don't remember the big fin. The river I was fishing was known to have had Grayling earlier in the century.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

The tail head and scales looked like that but I don't remember the big fin. The river I was fishing was known to have had Grayling earlier in the century.

Did it by chance resemble this?

 

[CAustin]

Good looking knife

 

[Cervus elaphus]

Did it by chance resemble this? View attachment 399099

pretty close although the colouration was more bronze

 

[Cervus elaphus]

Did it by chance resemble this? View attachment 399099

This a pic of the NZ Grayling (Prototroctes oxyrhynchus)

 

[Tra3]

Nice knife! His work is wonderful.

Might I suggest a large bobber attachment at the end of that rope?