For those who fish as a lot as I do you undoubtedly have a ridiculous quantity of filet knives in your endless assortment. If that’s the case, it in all probability additionally holds true that of the umpteen knives you could have within the drawer you probably proceed to achieve for a similar 1 or 2 each time it is advisable to clear fish. There’s a motive for that, good knives are generally exhausting to search out and even tougher to place down.
Just lately, I had the privilege to check out the brand new Water Assortment from Benchmade. WARNING…this stuff are SCARY sharp out of the field and keep that manner for fairly a while! Whereas fishing in Valdez for silver salmon final month I’m certain I gave a couple of of the previous timers one thing to speak about for some time with my “abilities” on the fish cleansing station. On the primary day we encountered an excellent push of fish with the in-coming tide, rapidly had our limits and have been off to wash up our bounty briefly order.
I broke out the model new, Fishcrafter, proper out of the field, and proceeded to chop by the spine on the primary three salmon I threw on the desk…..not on function. I’ve cleaned salmon earlier than, lots of salmon, however I seemed like an entire noob and was for certain getting the aspect eye from the gang on the cleansing station. I rapidly recovered and made brief work of the remaining fish, however man was I blown away by the sustained sharpness of the Fishcrafter! In all that week, I cleaned over 100 salmon, and I NEVER took that knife to a stone to the touch it up, it stayed sharp the whole time.
Along with the Fishcrafter we tried out the varied different blades for various functions all through the week. Beneath is a abstract of what was used and one of the best utility we discovered them to serve:
This was the work horse for the week, after knocking all of the salmon filets off I’d rapidly circle again and begin taking the rib bones out for that good completed, desk prepared filet. I do know, I do know…you possibly can simply filet salmon WITHOUT slicing the ribs out, however that is the way in which I used to be taught 100 years in the past, and you understand what they are saying about educating an previous canine new methods. The Fishcrafter is available in each a 9” and seven” configuration and can probably guess getting its personal drawer as I see this turning into my “EDC” to the fishing cleansing desk.
-Open Size: 13.94” or 11.89” relying on mannequin
-Blade Size: 9.05” or 7” relying on mannequin
-Blade Type: Trailing Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 2.84oz.
-MSRP: $260 for the 9” and $240 for the 7”
The Intersect is a good multi-purpose belt knife in all probability greatest suited to your slicing wants whereas within the means of fishing reasonably than afterwards on the fish cleansing station. We used this for something every thing from slicing bait, trimming sort out, bleeding fish and so forth. It comes with a pleasant compact sheath that makes it an excellent “fast to entry” slicing device. In a pinch this may very well be used to take the ribs out of filets, however I see this one as extra of a utility participant on the sector.
-Open Size: 6.55”
-Blade Size: 2.68”
-Blade Type: Drop-Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 2.36oz.
-MSRP: $200
One other utility sort device within the Water Assortment. We used this one very equally to how we used the Intersect. This one is a bit beefier for slicing larger bait, trimming heavier sort out and bleeding larger fish. Additionally comes with a tough molded sheath that sits properly on Grundens belt or different making for simple entry and fast use.
-Open Size: 9.44”
-Blade Size: 4.32”
-Blade Type: Sheepsfoot
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 5.38oz.
-MSRP: $250
The ultimate knife we used on our journey to Valdez was the EDC pocket carry. A pleasant addition to the lineup that may serve a mess of makes use of and is sweet at nearly every thing. This is available in two totally different sizes and is the one no-fixed blade folder within the assortment. Just like the Intersect and the Undercurrent it may be used as a utility device for any of your slicing wants whereas on the water or again on the dock.
-Open Size: 7.46”
-Blade Size: 3.21”
-Blade Type: Drop-Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 3.09oz.
-MSRP: $230
In abstract, Benchmade has put collectively a formidable assortment of Water cutlery to serve nearly any function you may consider whether or not you’re slicing rope or slicing gills. The Fishcrafter is the final word filet knife for bringing the ocean to the desk and the remainder of the lineup is on deck that will help you with all of the wants up till that time. For extra info on the Water Assortment from Benchmade head on over to their website and examine them out!
