Dexter Traditional 5-inch Fishing Knife and Leather Sheath

Dexter-Russell Traditional 5-inch Fishing Knife and Leather Sheath

This set pairs the Dexter-Russell Traditional 5-inch Fishing Knife with a Dexter-Russell leather sheath, giving anglers a compact working knife that rides safely on the belt or in a tackle bag. The knife follows the Russell Green River hunt and fish pattern and is built for the tasks that fall between casting and cooking: cutting bait and line, bleeding a catch and cleaning panfish and trout. The sheath protects the edge between uses and keeps the point covered in a crowded boat or bag.

The Knife

• High-carbon stainless steel blade: Dexter-Russell now makes its Traditional knives in high-carbon stainless steel rather than plain carbon steel. The blade takes a keen edge and is easy to restore on a stone or honing steel, and it resists rust considerably better than the carbon steel used in earlier versions of this knife. It is not rust-proof, however; the care notes in the Details tab explain how to protect it.


• Stiff blade: The blade does not flex, so it provides the leverage needed to cut heavy line and thick bait, bleed larger fish and handle general utility work where a flexible blade would bend.


• Pointed tip: The fine point pierces skin cleanly to start a cut, opens the belly of panfish and trout, and reaches into tight spaces.


• Traditional wood handle: The classic Green River handle profile gives a secure, familiar grip during rough work on deck or at the cleaning station.

The Sheath

• Heavy-duty leather: The leather resists punctures from the point and shields the edge from contact with tackle, tools and hard surfaces, so the knife needs sharpening less often.


• Open-top, friction-fit design: The knife slides in and out in one motion and is held in place by the snug fit of the leather, with no snap or strap to work with wet hands.

Choosing the Right Fishing Knife

The short, stiff blade suits utility work and smaller fish. To fillet larger fish, choose a longer, flexible blade from our fillet knives. Each item is also sold on its own: the Dexter Traditional 5-inch Fishing Knife and the Dexter-Russell Leather Knife Sheath.