JimC Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 (edited) It was plastic, very light, when you squeezed in would rachet up one notch at a time, then easy to release. Haven't been able to find anything like it. Tried CTC, Pro Bass (on 400), and a couple of small tackle shops. Those wire, spring loaded ones are crap, imho. My buddy loved that thing, and had it a long time. he forgot where he got it (gift? or purchase?) Left it in my rubber net after dealing with a very large Pike last spring ... I didn't see it ... washed the net out ... well you get the idea. I felt bad. Any help to source a replacement would sure be appreciated. Edited January 8, 2011 by JimC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 It was plastic, very light, when you squeezed in would rachet up one notch at a time, then easy to release. Haven't been able to find anything like it. Tried CTC, Pro Bass (on 400), and a couple of small tackle shops. Those wire, spring loaded ones are crap, imho. My buddy loved that thing, and had it a long time. he forgot where he got it (gift? or purchase?) Left it in my rubber net after dealing with a very large Pike last spring ... I didn't see it ... washed the net out ... well you get the idea. I felt bad. Any help to source a replacement would sure be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUSTER Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 surgical clamps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 looks like a hemostat to me... not a jaw spreader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 that's what I like about this forum ... everybody's a Comedian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 that's what I like about this forum ... everybody's a Comedian! He's right. It doesnt look like a jaw spreader. Looks like surgical pliers or a hemostat. Try looking online a BPS. http://www.psfishing.com/jaw-spreader.html thats a jaw spreader. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Look again guys. As the "loops" are brought closer together the tips spread apart. The "ratchet" part is the perpendicular piece near the loops. My brother used to have a pair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTHM Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 My brother used to have a pair. And then he got married..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Look again guys. As the "loops" are brought closer together the tips spread apart. The "ratchet" part is the perpendicular piece near the loops. My brother used to have a pair. Exactly ... they may look like something else, but trust me, they were the best darn jaw spreaders ever. Too bad your 'bro' lost his too. Paul - thanks for the tip; however, that type of jaw spreader although effective, is pretty unforgiving, imho ... especially for a younger fish you plan to release. Still a better option (for the fish) than just ripping the hook out of a Pike's throat, on such occasions when it's a deep (hook) set. So please keep me in mind guys n gals ... in your travels, if you find a retailer that carries a jaw-spreader like the one pictured, please PM me or use: [email protected] Thanks. Edited January 9, 2011 by JimC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 My brother thinks he still has his, he's looking. They may have been Normark or Berkley and they may have come "free" with a fishin' magazine subscription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Trying to add a BIGGER pic here to show more clearly how this tool works. edit: well that sucked ... obviously I am no expert at editing pictures. That one should have shown larger. oh well. Edited January 9, 2011 by JimC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dondorfish Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Trying to add a BIGGER pic here to show more clearly how this tool works. edit: well that sucked ... obviously I am no expert at editing pictures. That one should have shown larger. oh well. Just "click" on the picture in your post - it comes up on a new page almost life size. Tracker (Don) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Just "click" on the picture in your post - it comes up on a new page almost life size. Tracker (Don) thanks, Don; however, for whatever reason, when I click on the thumbnail nothing happens. Now it (the first pic) DID expand once, but now I can't get it to repeat. gotta be something in my settings I guess, or the browser (Firefox). I dunno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dondorfish Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 thanks, Don; however, for whatever reason, when I click on the thumbnail nothing happens. Now it (the first pic) DID expand once, but now I can't get it to repeat. gotta be something in my settings I guess, or the browser (Firefox). I dunno. Must be - mine opens to the full width of the 22 inch screen. I will keep my eyes open for them in the tackle shops down my way (Niagara). Tracker (Don) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alumacraft Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Hey Jim these are the same as you had I believe.They are a great pair of spreaders for small too medium sized Pike/Muskies. Closed Half way opened Fully opened Jim the only thing I can tell you about these spreaders is what's written on the side.It says "The Grabber a Fishing Tool" and a " U.S. Patent NO. 261546 ". There is nothing else written on them. Jim I've had these for 10-15 years so I do not remember where I purchased them. I lost mine for a couple of days while shore fishing for Pike a few years back and I was bummed out, so I know how you feel.Luckly I found them. As for replacing them all I can say is goodluck I have been searching for years to buy a couple of backup pairs. If you do find some let me know I would like a couple more pairs. Goodluck in your search Rob Edited January 9, 2011 by Alumacraft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Could you check that patent number again Rob? 261546 is a 1888 patent for a hyrdrocarbon generator. If I can find if the patent is still in force, or not in force.. might be something worth making a mould for at the plant. Edited January 9, 2011 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I got the same result as you Wayne whenn I searched the USPTO.. seems there is no exact match for that patent number.. but what I was able to find was this... http://www.trademarkia.com/the-grabber-73290912.html However I cannot find anything on Grabco. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Hey Jim these are the same as you had I believe.They are a great pair of spreaders for small too medium sized Pike/Muskies. Closed Half way opened Fully opened Jim the only thing I can tell you about these spreaders is what's written on the side.It says "The Grabber a Fishing Tool" and a " U.S. Patent NO. 261546 ". There is nothing else written on them. Jim I've had these for 10-15 years so I do not remember where I purchased them. I lost mine for a couple of days while shore fishing for Pike a few years back and I was bummed out, so I know how you feel.Luckly I found them. As for replacing them all I can say is goodluck I have been searching for years to buy a couple of backup pairs. If you do find some let me know I would like a couple more pairs. Goodluck in your search Rob Yup, that's it alright. thanks for the info, and the Great pictures; but it doesn't look good for me to find a replacement. Grabco, Inc went belly-up according to this >>> http://california.14thstory.com/grabco-inc.html Only chance is probably at a flea market, but you never know. Guess there will be a few of us now, checking our sources. Everybody likes a challenge, right. As for my technical problems getting the thumbnail to open, it works for me using Internet Explorer (but not Firefox) ... haven't tried Chrome yet on the ol laptop, but it will probably work there too. Thanks for everyone's input. Hopefully, some of these will turn up, or someone else will get the specs and start making them again. Maybe we'll see'em on Dragon's Den. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Grabco's President R W Smalley Agent FA Smalley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alumacraft Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Irish I double checked the patent # and that's what written #261546. Irish if you do happen too mold and make some let me know I'll take a couple of pairs. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted January 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Irish I double checked the patent # and that's what written #261546. Irish if you do happen too mold and make some let me know I'll take a couple of pairs. Rob I would definitely be interested as well. hmmmm ... sounds like a business opportunity might be evolving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyejigger Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 i also had these many moons ago, had got it at the sportsmen's show way back when,..... you know, when it was good, loved them but a cousin dropped them overboard, never seen them sold since Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Make them open a bit more too Wayne (if you make some). Nice and wide so a big fish can't crush them down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Wayne, if you do think about making these, put me down for 6. That way I can give them out as presents for our annual Muskoka Pike Opener in May to the boys. They look like a pretty decent fishing tool. I think with just the sales from OFC'ers, it would be worth someone's time and effort. Also, if whomever gets Muskies Canada on board....... It could be a fun way to make some extra cashola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farsider Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 I am not so sure about Muskies Canada. These look way too small for Musky and for most Pike as well. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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