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Name me old fashioned, however after I go fishing, my most important objective is to convey residence dinner. You probably have the identical objective, you’ll want a fillet knife to take fish from the water to the desk. You should buy easy fillet knives with wooden or plastic handles, to trendy, electrical fillet knives that make fast work of a restrict. Within the overwhelming sea of excellent fillet knives, it may be arduous to tug out the keepers from the culls. I made that job a little bit simpler by testing the very best fillet knives on contemporary and saltwater fish to see which finest suit your fish cleansing wants.
How We Selected The Finest Fillet Knives
For this take a look at, I turned each saltwater and freshwater fish piles into ready-for-the-table fillets. I examined blade flexibility, how every deal with felt throughout lengthy cleansing periods, and the gripping potential of every knife after they have been coated in fish slime. I even enlisted the assistance of some skilled fish cleansing buddies—together with a pair who do it for a residing—to get a number of opinions on the very best fillet knives and their general efficiency.
Finest Fillet Knives: Evaluations & Suggestions
Essentially the most highly effective knife on this checklist with a quick blade and wonderful flexibility.
Professionals
- Quick blade velocity
- Highly effective, probably the most torque of all knives examined
- Spare battery
- Glorious blade form and suppleness
Key Options
- Blade Size: 6 and seven ½ inch
- Rechargeable batteries
- Inner LED gentle
Rapala’s R12 HD is the latest and strongest within the Rapala line of cordless knives, and the moment response on the set off makes for fast work on crappie. A small LED gentle routinely comes on when the set off is pressed and makes it simple to wash in low gentle circumstances. And a backup set of blades means you’ll all the time have a pointy set readily available.
For this take a look at, I enlisted the assistance of Justin Creech, a Crappie USA Event Path competitor and frequent event champ. Creech spends a ton of time on the water and commonly brings residence a haul of crappie for the freezer. After making an attempt a number of knives, Creech went with the Rapala R12HD as his alternative. “I used to be impressed,” he mentioned. “Extra torque, sooner blade velocity, instantaneous response time on the set off. It is a nice knife. I’ve used an older mannequin from Rapala up to now, and that is head and shoulders above that one.”
Learn our Rapala R12 vs Bubba Lithium Fillet Knife assessment to see how the 2 high electrical fillet knives faired head-to-head.
Comes with 4 blade choices and two rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
Professionals
- Excessive torque motor
- 4 blade types to deal with any dimension fish
- Spare battery
- Speedy battery charging
Key Options
- Highly effective, brushless motor
- 4 blade choices
- Two rechargeable batteries and station
If you end up cleansing a variety of fish, this knife is a superb choice for you. With 4 blade selections from skinny and versatile to vast and stiff, this knife will deal with every thing from panfish to the most important saltwater quarry. Twin batteries and quick charging occasions imply you all the time have loads of energy readily available. The Bubba Professional is available in a tough carry and storage case that safely shops the knife and retains all batteries, chargers, and blades in a single place.
A robust motor, lengthy twine, and cozy grip.
Professionals
- 8-foot twine
- Snug grip
- Responsive set off
Cons
- Restricted to cleansing areas with energy retailers
Key Options
- Textured consolation grip
- Lengthy twine
- 8-inch stainless blade
- Lifetime guarantee
Should you usually pores and skin your fish the place energy is accessible, the Outdated Timer 110V Electrical Fillet Knife is a superb alternative. It contains a properly curved, versatile 8-inch blade that matches most fish cleansing wants and comes with an 8-foot twine for additional attain on the cleansing station. The knife has a patented lockable set off and comes with a self-draining carrying case to maintain the knife dry between fishing journeys.
Sturdy sufficient for giant saltwater fish, but versatile sufficient to wash smaller fish.
Professionals
- Blade can deal with small or giant fish
- Excellent grip form and texture
- Inbuilt sharpener on sheath
- Versatile blade
Cons
- Grip form is an acquired style
Key Options
- 8-inch non-corrosive blade
- HydroTread Grip
- Inbuilt sharpener on sheath
For this take a look at, I enlisted the assistance of Captain Doug Chason, a information primarily based out of Apalachicola, Florida, and Wade Patterson, knowledgeable fish cleaner at Lynn’s High quality Oyster seafood retailer in Apalachicola. Each have been instantly impressed with the Controller 8’s grip form and texture. “It took a minute to get used to the finger groove within the grip, however as soon as I did, it felt actually good,” Patterson mentioned. Captain Chason was additionally a fan of the simple to carry grip and mentioned that the blade left a smoother minimize of meat on some huge snapper he cleaned than different opponents. The ergonomic deal with on the Controller lets you preserve a agency grip regardless of how a lot fish slime and water construct up on the knife. Gerber claims the HydroTread texture on the grip truly sheds water and retains the deal with dry in the course of the cleansing session.
Versatile sufficient for finesse filleting, however has a stiffer base for more durable cleansing duties.
Professionals
- Stainless, versatile blade
- Simply to sharpen
- Glorious grip
Cons
- A bit an excessive amount of flex for actually giant fish
Key Options
- Stainless 7.5-inch blade
- Versatile however sturdy blade
- Overmolded Okay-Texture rubberized grip
This Kershaw 7.5-inch Slender Fillet knife is my alternative for a dwell effectively filled with crappie or a stringer filled with trout. The chrome steel blade is difficult sufficient to carry an edge however resharpens simply, and it’s versatile sufficient to each take away meat from the bone, then slide simply between the fillet and pores and skin. Probably the greatest options on this knife is the over molded Okay-Texture rubberized grip. Whereas it’s agency sufficient to hold onto, the mushy grip makes it simple to grip the knife in even in the course of the messiest fish cleansing circumstances. The knife additionally comes with a slide on blade protector to maintain the sting sharp and stop undesirable cuts.
A slim design that’s simple to wash.
Professionals
- Folding type takes up little house
- Straightforward to wash
- Slim design
Cons
- Deal with can get filled with scales and fish slime throughout a cleansing session
Key Options
- 6-inch folding blade
- HydroTread Grip
- Slim design for straightforward packability
When house is at a premium, a great folding fillet knife is the best way to go. The Gerber Controller 6-inch folder takes up lower than 7 inches of house when folded into the deal with. Fold it out and lock the 6-inch stainless blade into place, and you’ve got a full dimension knife able to most fish cleansing wants. With the identical HydroTread grip materials as Gerber’s different fillet knives, this one is simple to carry throughout cleansing, and the mirror polished blade options Gerber’s SaltRx expertise to maintain it wanting nice in both salt or freshwater circumstances.
Learn Subsequent: Find out how to Fillet a Trout
Encompasses a non-slip, rubberized deal with that homes any of the 4 blades.
Professionals
- A number of blade types
- Excellent non-slip grip
- Helpful, puncture resistant carrying case
Cons
- Blade locks aren’t simple to make use of with slick palms
Key Options
- Non-slip grip
- 4 blade types and shapes
- Helpful carrying case with detachable lining for straightforward cleansing
Should you commonly end up fishing for panfish one week and the most important saltwater fish the following, the Bubba Multi Flex equipment is a superb choice for you. It presents blade choices that vary from slim and versatile to heavy obligation. There’s even a 9 inch serrated blade for heavy obligation slicing chores. Merely squeeze the simple blade launch tabs on both aspect of the deal with to take away and exchange the blades. Whereas the simple blade launch tabs are handy, they’re more durable to make use of when your palms are coated in slime or water. This equipment additionally features a useful carrying case that contains a detachable tray for straightforward cleansing and magnetic inserts to carry the blades in place.
Packs simply and has a razor-sharp edge.
Professionals
- Light-weight, full dimension knife
- Manufacturing facility sharp
- Lovely craftsmanship
Cons
- Locking ring may be powerful to twist after cleansing fish
Key Options
- Weighs simply 2.5 ounces
- 6-inch stainless blade
- Rock-solid locking ring
The light-weight Opinel No. 15 folder contains a six-inch, pretty stiff chrome steel blade and a light-weight picket grip. The folding knife locks open or closed with the twist of the built-in locking ring.
At simply 2.5 ounces, this Opinel #15 folder is ideal for journeys the place you want a light-weight fillet knife. The knife contains a slim deal with and a six-inch, chrome steel razor sharp blade that locks within the open place with a easy twist of the locking ring on the high of the grip. In addition to the sunshine weight and out-of-the-box sharpness, this knife is aesthetically pleasing to have a look at and has a pleasant curve within the picket deal with.
Three knives that may deal with something.
Professionals
- Three knife sizes for numerous fish cleansing wants
- Laborious carrying case
- Non-slip, snug grips
- Out of doors Edge Lifetime Assure
Cons
- Laborious to get knives out and in of the case at occasions
Key Options
- Double-tempered blades for superior flex
- Rubberized TPR handles
- Contains 2-stage carbide/ceramic sharpener
The Out of doors Edge Reelflex Pack is one other equipment that’s excellent for many who fish for a number of species frequently. All three knives have rubberized TPR handles that guarantee a strong grip in any circumstances, and the equipment is available in a folding arduous case that accommodates a 2-stage carbide/ceramic sharpener that makes holding a eager edge a breeze. The case additionally options stamped-in rulers in each commonplace and metric items to verify your catch is authorized. In addition to cleansing fish, these knives are alos nice for common recreation cleansing. We took the set on a current hog hunt and used them virtually completely to wash and break down a number of pigs.
A confirmed knife that received’t break the financial institution.
Professionals
- Price range pleasant
- Wax completed birch grip fills the hand effectively
Cons
- Picket deal with can get a little bit slick when coated in fish slime
Key Options
- Low value
- Premium Scandinavian chrome steel
- Blade size: 6 inches
- Wax-finished birch deal with
- Real leather-based sheath and bonus SH1 sharpener
I’d be keen to guess the coordinates to my favourite fishing gap that the Rapala Fish ‘n Fillet has cleaned extra fish up to now 50 years than simply about each different model of fillet knife mixed. It’s cheap and obtainable just about in every single place on the planet that fishing gear is bought. Most significantly, the Finlander is a superb knife. The wax-finished birch deal with is simple to grip, and the hand-sharpened 6-inch stainless blade has loads of flex for any fish cleansing job. The knife comes with a leather-based stealth and a SH1 pull via sharpener to maintain your knife protected and sharp always.
All You Actually Want: Dexter Russel 7-inch Fillet Knife
Picture by Scott Einsmann
Professionals
- Comes sharp and straightforward to resharpen
- Simply the correct amount of flex
- Nice worth
Key Options
- Blade Size: 7-inches
- Made in USA
- Worth: $13
- Plastic grip
My dad was a sushi chef and I’ve filleted 1000’s of fish hauled from contemporary and saltwater. These experiences has taught me that I don’t like a fillet knife that’s too versatile and I choose one which’s simple to sharpen over edge retention. I’ve owned costly fillet knives and loads of crappy ones. The Dexter Russel is truthfully simply nearly as good as any costly knife and leagues higher than different low cost choices. It’s all you want in a fillet knife and nothing extra.
The blade flexes, however isn’t so versatile that you simply free management. It’s sturdy sufficient which you can push via bones and skinny sufficient to simply take away pores and skin. It comes very sharp out of the field and the metal’s high-carbon content material makes it simple to resharpen. For $13 you get a USA-made knife that’s virtually excellent. To me, it’s a no brainer. — Scott Einsmann, gear editor
Learn Subsequent: Finest Knife Sharpeners
Issues to Take into account When Shopping for a Fillet Knife
Electrical or Conventional?
The primary profit of electrical knives is that they clear fish rapidly and don’t require resharpening as typically as conventional fillet knives do. Should you’re cleansing a big haul of fish—particularly panfish like bluegill, perch, or crappie—an electrical knife will prevent time and vitality. Nevertheless, loads of fishermen and girls keep on with conventional fillet knives as a result of they are typically lighter, take up minimal house, and are simple to resharpen.
Should you’re solely cleansing a couple of fish at a time a low value fastened blade is perhaps the selection for you. Conventional blades must be touched up on a sharpening rod each few fish, however they provide skilled fish cleaners extra really feel and finesse. That really feel is particularly helpful for fileting fish with delicate flesh. They’re additionally inexpensive and weigh lower than electrical fashions.
Single Blade or Equipment?
Should you sometimes clear one sort of fish frequently, a single bladed knife could be a sensible choice. However, for those who change backwards and forwards from panfish to giant catfish, you may like the choice of various blade sizes and stiffness ranges. Positive, you should buy a number of knives in numerous types, however a great equipment with interchangeable blades makes switching backwards and forwards simple. And also you don’t need to get used to a number of grip types and surfaces once you change blades.
Grip Types
One of the best blade on the planet received’t do you any good if the grip doesn’t suit your hand effectively. Should you can, see how a knife feels in your hand earlier than shopping for it. Grip dimension and form makes a distinction throughout lengthy cleansing periods when your hand begins to tire. Search for one which feels good in your hand and has a form or texture that may preserve it firmly in your grip when issues get coated in fish slime.
FAQs
Positive, you need to use any knife to wash a fish. I’ve cleaned fish with every thing from a small pen knife to a heavy butcher knife, however like several job, it’s rather more environment friendly for those who use the appropriate instruments. Not like pocket or kitchen knives, a great fillet knife has a versatile blade that lets you comply with intently alongside the spine to take away as a lot of the fillet as doable with little or no waste.
Sharpening a knife is a two-stage course of. The entire knives I examined have been razor sharp out of the field, and to maintain this edge, you possibly can run a honing rod over the blade earlier than or after every use. A move or two over a honing metal or ceramic rod retains the sting sharp. Like every blade, a boring fillet knife is worse than ineffective, it’s harmful. As soon as the sting lastly does put on down, you possibly can restore it with a great sharpener. Whether or not you utilize a stone, diamond, or a belt system, an important factor to recollect when sharpening a knife is to keep up a constant angle on each side of the blade. Transfer from a rough abrasive floor to progressively finer grits till you get your required edge
The price of fillet knives that I examined ranged from $16 to greater than $200. Elements like blade dimension, metal composition, and deal with materials issue into value. After all, cordless electrical fashions value greater than fastened blades because of battery value and electrical parts. Consider a great fillet knife as an funding. With correct care, a great fillet knife will final for years and spending a bit extra up entrance for a top quality blade will repay over time.
Learn Subsequent: Find out how to Sharpen a Knife
Ultimate Ideas on the Finest Fillet Knives
One of the best fillet knives have come a good distance up to now few years. With higher expertise and supplies in each electrical and conventional fillet knives, any of the blades on this checklist would make a fantastic choice relying in your wants. Should you can, get your palms on a couple of of those choices before you purchase one, and see which one feels finest to you.
