Museum Archive: Vintage Kautzky Lazy Ike, 1/4oz Black fishing lure #1925

Black paint covers the entirety of this 3" (7.5cm) balsa wood body, giving this Kautzky Lazy Ike a stealthy, high-contrast appearance. Weighing in at 1/4oz (7.5g), this specimen carries the product code 1925 and remains a definitive example of mid-century American craftsmanship. The balsa construction provides significant buoyancy, paired with the iconic curved profile originally developed in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Examining the hardware, the two treble hooks are mounted via robust screw-eye hangers, while the line tie is positioned directly on the carved-out diving lip at the front. This lure is in 5/5 condition, showing a remarkably smooth and uniform finish from the rounded head to the tapered tail. The deep black pigment remains solid across the carved-in facial features and the length of the body.