ESLife

How to Fillet a Fish

Knowing what to do after you catch a fish is an important part of angling. To be a true angler you have to be able to prepare your catch. Learning to Filet your fish is a must for most anglers.

Easy Steps to Fillet a Fish

I catch mostly fresh water fish. The fish I filet most are crappie. I may fillet a Bass from time to time but I usually release the Bass I catch. I do love large blue gill, shell crackers and crappie. My favorite fish to eat is a walleye. We don't have walleye here in Alabama but we do have sauger which is related to the walleye. We catch sauger here in in winter and the stay deep. They are great eating.

There is an urban myth that you loose a lot of the meat by filleting. This is not true. You will lose a little but not much and having no bones in your fish makes up for the small loss.

Keep your fish fresh. If you don't have a live well or a fish basket you can keep your fish on ice. This will keep them fresh till you are ready to clean them. You can filet a fish right out of the live well but my experience has been that they filet better after they have been iced down. The knife seems to flow through the meat easier on an iced down fish.

I Always use a filet knife. Filet knives are thin sleek blades made to cut through fish. Any other knife will be to thick and cumbersome. You will end up butchering the meat. I like a Kershaw filet knife. They are great knives and reasonable priced. You can find a nice Kershaw for around $15.00

Kershaw Filet Knife

There are anglers out there that use an electric knife. I guess I am a little old fashioned but my experience has been that a filet knife gives a much better filet than the electric knife.

Fillet Knife easy fish fillet Keep your knife sharp. A dull blade is useless when filleting. If your blade is stainless make sure you run it on a steel or ceramic before you use it. People like stainless blades because stainless is rust resistant. The downside to stainless is that stainless does not keep an edge like a carbon blade. So with a stainless blade run it down your steel orceramic before each fish. That will keep it sharp and able to do the job.

It takes a certain amount of touch to fillet a fish but with a little practice you will be filleting as a pro. After all we are not talking about brain surgery here.

To skin or not to skin, I like the skin on most freshwater game fish. Catfish I skin with needle nose pliers. If you decide to keep the skin you will need to scale your fish before filleting. I have found that a metal spoon makes one of the best fish scalers you'll find. You can spend lots of money on fish scalers but none of them store bought scalers will outperform the common kitchen spoon. If you decide to skin your fish I have found that running your blade between the meat and the skin after you have your filet is the easiest and fastest way to remove the skin.

Here are a few pointers when filleting. To really get a good idea on technique take yourself to you tube and watch a few videos on filleting a fish. After you read our suggestions. The suggestions will make a lot more sense after viewing a few videos.

1. Make a deep cut just behind the gills (about halfway through the thickness of the fish).
2. Cut a slit a few inches in length along the top of the fish (the dorsal side). (There is a slightly different technique for y-bone fish like northern pike or muskees.)
3. Using the tip of the knife, separate the flesh from the bones. The fish should open up just like a book.
4. When completely open, finish cutting away the fillet by moving the knife along the spine of the book.

After you are done with your fish you can be good to earth by recycling. The leftover fish parts make great chum, great catfish bait and great fertilizer.

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Posted by ES Team on 30 December, 2014 fishing, hobbies, how-to | 0 comments | Read more →

Columbus Day

My Italian friends love Columbus day. This day celebrates the great contributions that the Italian people brought to the new world.

My Native American friends do not celebrate Columbus day. For them Columbus day represents the beginning of the end of their culture that was replaced by the White Europeans.

As for me I am somewhat of an armchair historian. As an armchair historian I wanted to take an opportunity to set straight two urban legends about Columbus that are believed to be true but are only myths that have endured through time.

First of all it is widely believed that European society at the time of Columbus thought the world was flat and Columbus proved the world was round. We are taught in history that Columbus wanted to take on this great voyage to prove the world was round. This is a fallacy. By the 1490's people of learning knew that the world was round. Sailors new that they were not going to fall of an imaginary edge. The world had been proven round by several people over the last thousand years before Columbus. This was not in debate. Columbus wanted fame and wealth. That was the bottom line. He was much like the Rock Star of the 1490's.

The second history blunder is Columbus's so called affair with the Spanish Queen. Never happened but it makes a great romantic story. We love the love. The love angle may take off a little of the roughness off the edges. Columbus was a product of his time. He was what he was. He brought riches of never seen before proportions to Spain. Because of Columbus Spain changed and became a world super power. But Columbus bought this wealth at the cost of the Native Tribes. Do a little research and we learn that Columbus was not a nice guy. He was a smart guy. He took a gamble that was a huge risk and it paid off well. His accomplishments are many. He was an amazing guy, but he was not a nice guy.

These are only a couple the myths of Columbus that we accept as fact. There are many more. But I digress....

No matter what your feelings are towards Columbus we all have to agree on the fact that he was a vital figure in history. He opened the way to the New World for all Europeans. This was a tremendous change for all cultures that were involved, whether it be for good or for ill.

Posted by ES Team on 29 December, 2014 history, holidays | 0 comments | Read more →

Pictures and history of Guntersville, Alabama

Extremely-Sharp Knives and Swords is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. We live in a beautiful, unique place that is steeped in Southern Culture. Guntersville is located in a valley off Sand Mountain, on the Tennessee River. In the 1930's the Guntersville Dam was built by the Army Corp of Engineers and the Tennessee Valley Authority making Guntersville Lake one of the larger man made lakes. The Guntersville Dam has three turbines that provides most of the electricity to Marshall county and the surrounding counties.

We at Extremely-Sharp want to share our hometown and our culture on our Extremely-Sharp Life page from time to time. This is the beginning, of what I hope will be many posts, describing life here in Guntersville.

Today I thought I would start by posting a few pictures from downtown Guntersville.

Guntersville, AL Post Office

This is the old Post Office. The old Post Office was replaced by a brand spankin new Post Office that was opened a couple of years ago. The old Post Office was built in the 30's and is one of our classier landmarks.

Guntersville, AL Downtown

Here is view of downtown Guntersville.

Guntersville, AL The Glover

The Glover is our Oldest Hotel. Designed for the wealthy, The Glover has not been a Hotel for many years. It has had a series of over halls and has housed mostly restaurants but has been a crafts mall at one time.

Guntersville, AL Court House

Across from the Glover you can see our court house. This is where I go to pay my car registration. The Court House is the Hub of Guntersville Bureaucracy.

Guntersville, AL First United Methodist Church

Last stop for today is the First United Methodist Church which is one of the oldest Church's in Guntersville.

This is where we live. A nice small town that has it's own unique personality wrapped in southern charm.

Posted by ES Team on 28 December, 2014 ES family, history | 0 comments | Read more →

October Adopt A Shelter Month

My family loves our pets. We have two cats and two dogs at the Extremely-Sharp household.

Unfortunately, not all dogs and cats have the good life. We all know there are way to many dogs and cats and not enough people to take care of them. When I lived in the country I got drop offs almost every week. I know first hand how important it is to take responsibility for our animals. All our animals at ES Knives are spayed and neutered because we do not need any propagating animals.

This month is Adopt a Shelter month. My wife and I help out with several shelters in the area. Shelters provide a much needed service and help animals find the right homes for loving adoptions.

We have both no kill and kill shelters in our area. There is a lot of controversy with kill shelters. I know we don't like killing animals but the problem is that all the non kill shelters I know of in Alabama are full. There are just to many dogs and cats and not enough people to adopt. That is the sad fact.

I have no answer to the problem of to many cats and dogs. We can't let them run around. It is cruel to the animals. They starve, they get sick and carry disease. They cause property damage and sometimes will attack people. This is a huge problem.

The only answer I know that works is responsibility. If you don't want your pet find a good home for them. Don't just drop them off somewhere in the country. I understand that most people that drop off animals believe that they may find a good home. It just does not happen.

If you don't want the responsibility of puppies and kittens have your animals neutered and spayed. Spaying and neutering has an initial expense but those unwanted puppies and kitties are much more expensive in the long run.

So as October winds down, remember those shelters. Maybe a little donation or maybe a little volunteer work to help them out. Visit one and bring home a great addition to the family. There are always unwanted Dogs and Cats that need a good home.

All of our animals at ES Knives are rescued in one way or another.

We have Tucker who was found by a friend running wild with four other dogs on a busy four lane road in Huntsville, Alabama. Tucker came to us at around a year old. He has been apart of the family for around a year and a half. He has told me repeatedly that he is very happy with the new Gig.

Adopter a Shelter Month

Next we have louie. Louie came to us around 4 years ago. He was 5 weeks old and just wandered up to our back porch. We never found anyone to claim him. My daughter fell in love with him and the rest is history. Louie was named after the Character Robert Di Nero played in "Angel Heart" Louis Cypher, aka Lucifer.

October Adopt a Shelter

Time for the cats. The first up is Bast. Bast is black and Bast comes with an attitude. Bast came from a local shelter located at our vets office. She has been with us around 5 years. Bast was named after the Egyptian Cat Goddess Bast.

Adopt a Shelter Month

Last but not least is our newest addition, Tom. Tom is a tomcat that just showed up one day. He has been around for about 6 months. My wife keeps telling me that he is not our cat, that he's just visiting. I see him every day and we feed him. I'm thinking he's our cat.

October Adopt Animal Shelter Month

Posted by ES Team on 27 December, 2014 ES family | 0 comments | Read more →

Stainless Steel and Carbon Blades: What's the Difference?

By Isabella Woods

There are many reasons why you need good quality knives, whether it be in your kitchen, workplace or for a crafting hobby. The array of different blade types out there can be completely overwhelming and it can be hard to work out which type is best and which will suit your needs most appropriately. The two most common and popular types of blade are stainless steel and carbon blades, but what’s the difference? Which one should you choose?

The physical difference between the blades

Before analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each type of blade, it’s important to know exactly what a stainless steel blade is and what a carbon blade is. Both stainless steel and carbon blades are in fact composed of steel and other metals but their makeup is slightly different. Carbon blades tend to be made mainly of steel solely composed of iron and carbon whereas stainless steel blades are made of steel which is composed of iron and chromium, along with a very small quantity of carbon. This is the basic difference between the two types of blades but this doesn’t tell you which one may be best for your requirements. There are a few other differences between the two types of blade that we can discuss in more detail.

Stainless steel blades

Let’s look at stainless steel blades. The main feature and 'pro' of choosing stainless steel blades is the ease of maintenance. Obviously, all steel can rust but stainless steel is much less likely to when kept in normal conditions and maintained well. Equally, because stainless steel blades are less likely to rust they have increased longevity in any environment! You may find that good quality stainless steel blades will cost more than carbon blades of the same quality.

The big downfall with stainless steel blades is their hard, rigid nature which can make them difficult to sharpen effectively. Some of the more exclusive and famous brands of chef’s knife use stainless steel blades for all of their products as they claim they remain extremely sharp with fantastic edge retention and in most instances, outperform carbon blades. There are many cheap, low quality stainless steels on the market which are no good for anything so try to avoid this at all costs.

Carbon blades

Now, let’s look at carbon blades. There are many great features to carbon blades which make them a popular choice for rough usage and instances where more durable blade is required. As well as being more durable and tougher than stainless steel, carbon blades are also easier to sharpen. The use of carbon blades is recommended due to their ability to achieve and maintain a good sharp edge over a long period of time. Carbon blades, however, contain no chromium which makes them extremely susceptible to corrosion and general rust.

Many of the manufacturers are aware of this and so apply a range of different coatings and sealants to their blades before selling them; however this is something you should be aware of. For ideal maintenance of a carbon blade, you need to keep them dry, away from all sources of moisture and oiled to combat any chance of rust. A carbon blade is ideal for a wide range of purposes, whether you need to cut some materials to construct a leather sofa bed or simply need to have a reliable knife on hand when required.

So which of these two blades is the one for you?

There you have it: a thorough outline of the differences between carbon and stainless steel blades. If you’re looking for a blade to do rough work, wood carving or hobbies which require a strong, durable blade, choose carbon. If you’re looking for a blade which is easy to use and easy to keep in top condition, choose stainless steel. With developments in the market you can also get a range of different blade types and preferred at the moment as high carbon stainless steel blades which combine the best bits of both of the different types. There's a whole world of blade options out there, so make sure you take a look at all of the possibilities before settling on your final choice of blade.

Posted by ES Team on 26 December, 2014 knife reviews | 0 comments | Read more →

A Fall Picture from Lake Guntersville

I live in a beautiful place. Here is a fall picture from Lake Guntersville.

Posted by ES Team on 25 December, 2014 ES family | 0 comments | Read more →

Knives and Common Conversation

I was sitting around the other day pondering a few things. I like knives. That's one of the reasons I sell knives… because I like them. Knives have been a big part of our society for a very long time. People have had relationships with knives for generations. I began to reflect on how knives have shaped our thoughts and conversations. I thought about old knife sayings that have become common phrases in every day life.

This is what I came up with:

To the hilt
It cuts both ways
Stabbed in the back
A dagger to the heart
Like a hot knife through butter
The plan was foiled
They crossed swords over
Double edged sword

After a little more thought I came up with firearm phrases that have become common.

This is what I came up with:

Lock, stock, and barrel
Keep your powder dry
I have my sights set on
A flash in the pan
When the smoke cleared
Going off half-cocked
The plan misfired
A shotgun approach to the problem
A loose cannon

These are short lists. I am sure there are many, many more. Knives and firearms are a big part of our history. They have helped shape our communities and the way we express ourselves. I love knives.

Posted by ES Team on 24 December, 2014 history | 0 comments | Read more →

Thank you - Veterans Day 2011

Veterans Day 2011:

In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those that risk their lives today so that we may live in freedom, we thank you for your service, bravery and hard work. Freedom isn’t free.

Veterans Day

Posted by ES Team on 23 December, 2014 ES family, holidays | 0 comments | Read more →

The 6 Types of Knife Collectors

I have been selling knives for over 20 years now. In that time I have met a lot of knife collectors. It took me a few years to understand that there are different types of collectors. I know what you’re thinking, not the sharpest tool in the shed. I blame that on genetics.

Me, I just love blades. They all have a story to tell. They all have a history. Some knives and swords are pieces of art. The way they are made, the care that the crafts person puts into them makes them something to behold.

Some knives are just knives. I sell a lot of throwing knives that many would consider low end. So what's their story? I look at lower end knives as a stepping stone to better knives. Lower end throwing knives give a beginner something to throw. Maybe they are not ready to make that investment into a high quality throwing knife. Once they get their knife and start to throw their interest is pushed farther into the envelope. Now they want something more. Low end knives are Kinda like a gateway drug.

Back to the point of my story. I just assumed that people collected knifes. It took me a while to realize not everybody had the same interest when it came to collecting. Over the years I have been able to start recognizing and classifying the different types of collectors. So far this is what I have come up with.

First of all you have the guy that just likes to buy knives. I use guy as a reference (because I run into few lady knife collectors). There is no rhyme or reason to his buying habits he just buys what he likes and he likes everything. This is the guy that usually puts his knives in the closet and take them out every once in a while to impress his friends, his family and maybe that special lady. This is where most collectors start before specializing.

The next guy is the history buff. He likes to collect history. He wants to own a part of history. History collectors buy authentic pieces and replicas. For many history collectors replicas work as well as the authentic piece and are less expensive. These knives are usually displayed and are rarely used.

The Antique Collector may be considered a version of the history collector. The antique collector loves old blades. Replicas do not work in this category. The blades must be authentic.

The Brand name collector collects a certain manufacture. I know guys that collect Case knives. Myself, I like old Queen Cutlery. There is a version of this collector that may collect a knife designer like Gil Hibben, Mel Pardue or Ernest Emerson. These guys may have knives from different manufacturers but they are designed by the same craftsman.

The Custom Knife Collector is the guy that buys one of kind knives from individual knife craftsmen. If you fall in this category you may have to get a second job. These knives do not come cheap. These knives are often made with custom forged steel, exotic handles, and precision craftsmanship. These knives are usually considered works of art.

There are guys the love the mechanism of the knife, the design of a knife. I call these guys The Mechanic Collector. These knives are usually strange and exotic. These guys look for different metals, odd opening systems, and different designs.

The Knife type collector collects certain types of knives. This elite collector may collect bowie knives. I sell a lot of knives to movie buffs. I had a friend that collected hawkbill knives, nothing but hawkbills.

The Knife Modifier can't leave well enough alone. This fellow buys a knife and has to modify it in some way. Handles are the most common practice of this collector. I have a friend that buys knives and inlays turquoise in the handles. He makes beautiful knives.

Now if you appreciate a good knife, buy it, bring it home and use it you are known as The Knife User. Imagine a collector that uses his knives. Don't laugh it happens more than you think. This guy buys different knives for different purposes and enjoys the action of a great tool to do a great job.

Now of course most of us blade lovers fall into more than one of these categories and this is just a small list. I myself have knives from all of these categories. But this list could be a good starting point helping the collector and his focus.

Posted by ES Team on 22 December, 2014 hobbies | 0 comments | Read more →

Hunting For Arrowheads

I had a great Thanksgiving. My son and daughter in law came into town to share Thanksgiving Dinner. The family got together at my Mom and Dad's. My brother came into town. This Thanksgiving was extra special because it was my Granddaughter's first Thanksgiving.

For Thanksgiving dinner, my Dad and I, deep fried a turkey and a ham. Cooking meat is man's works.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, while the women folk were enjoying Black Friday, my son and I decided to go and look for arrowheads at an old spot we have not visited for several years. This spot in particular is an old Indian trail by the lake that few people know about.

Since our last visit to our spot we have had serious tornado damage in our local area. Last April we had a record 299 Tornadoes sited and touched down here in Alabama. You probably heard about it in the news. We were declared a disaster area. A tornado went through my back yard and jumped over the house. My home suffered some damage, the tornado took out a shed, but we were grateful that all our lives were spared. No human damage is the most important thing in surviving a weather crisis.

Back to the story….. My son and I drove to the trail and we got a huge shock. Our peaceful trail had been turned into a disaster area. Now we are both familiar with backpacking and survival so disaster area or not we set off on our mission. It was tough. We did a lot of climbing. I am a tough one arm son of a gun but it was hard for me. All in all we were out a couple hours hiked a mile or so and found no arrowheads.

We spent most of our time climbing over trees. The amount of downed trees were amazing. The best part was getting to spend some one on one time with my son. We have not been able to spend time with each other lately.

The Real One Arm Don