Best Fillet Knives for Fishing
Craving for a fish means dreaming about a nicely cleaned, perfectly cooked, and seasoned food that is not only nutritious but also delicious.
Cooking fish is an easy yet tricky job. One tool that is important for a nice flavourful fish is a fillet knife. So in this article, I am telling you about the best fillet knives for fishing.
If you want your fish to have all the fresh flavours, then do not grab a chef knife for filleting it. A fillet knife separates the flesh of the fish from the bones and the skin without wasting any of the meat and helps retain maximum flavour.
Filleting a fish is not a piece of cake, so you should have a fillet knife as it is specific for this task.
Top Best Fillet Knives for fishing
For finding the best fillet knives for fishing, you don’t have to go through a gazillion of knives. Here I have selected the top 10 best fillet knives. They all are amazing, and you can choose whichever suits you the best.
1. Dexter Narrow Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø Stain-free high carbon steel blade
Ø Polypropylene handle
Ø NSF Certified
Ø Size: 8-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Dexter Russell
Who does not like a high-performance knife that is also pocket friendly? The Dexter Narrow Fillet knife is a high-quality knife that is also affordable.
The blade of this best fillet knife for the money is made up of high carbon steel, which is exceptionally sharp. It is also resistant to rust and corrosion, so this fillet knife will be your partner in the kitchen for a long, long time.
With a semi-stiff blade that is also flexible, you can easily separate the skin and fillet your fish with perfection, just like you have in your favourite restaurant. To ease all your worries about resharpening the knife, the blade is hollow ground for prolonged edge retention and easy sharpening.
With an extremely sharp and flexible blade, an ergonomic handle is also essential in a fillet knife. The Dexter P94813 has a durable polypropylene handle. The handle is waterproof, so it provides a slip-free resistance.
With all these features and the price, buying this knife is a win-win situation for sure. This best fillet knife is safe for health as certified by NSF. You should definitely go for it.
2. American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø 110-volt electric fillet knife
Ø Titanium coated 420 stainless steel blade
Ø Professional series shielded 40mm motor
Ø Nylon mesh storage case
Ø Manufacturer: American Angler
Do you want to fillet the maximum number of fishes in a short time? Then let me introduce you to a knife, the American Angler pro electric fillet knife, which is designed to overcome all your concerns about an electric knife.
This knife is the best fastest fillet knife for cleaning fish because it has more torque. The motor is two times more powerful than other electric knives. This helps you cut through the toughest scales and bones. It is best for commercial use as the increased power enables you to process more and more fishes quickly.
The blade is made up of titanium-coated 420 stainless steel. The knife set comes with 5 blades so you can choose according to the size of your fish. The knife is also compatible with any blade made by American Angler.
A complaint that most people have with an electric knife is that it heats up very quickly. This best electric knife for cleaning fish is engineered in a way that allows air to flow. This lets you use it for a longer period of time without heating up the machine.
So with a powerful motor and amazing durability, this knife is rightly called the best fillet knife for fisherman. No matter if you want to buy it for home or use it professionally, you will never regret buying it.
3. Dalstrong Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø High Carbon German steel blade
Ø Ergonomic Black Pakkawood handle
Ø PerfectFit Dalstrong Sheath
Ø PLU leather outdoor leather travel sheath
Ø Size: 7-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Dalstrong
A brand that is becoming the number one choice of kitchen professionals is Dalstrong. The amazing craftsmanship and high-quality materials make it worth every penny. For Dalstrong, their customers are their family, and they want to provide maximum benefits to them.
The Gladiator series fillet knife by Dalstrong is versatile. It is designed for deboning, descaling, filleting, skinning, and trimming not only fish but also poultry. It comes with two covers, one for the drawer and the other for travelling.
This best fillet knife with sheath has a high carbon German steel blade. It is razor-sharp and polished to 14-16 per side, so you can fillet your fish with perfection. The flexible blade and lets you prepare your fish with more ease and efficiency.
The black Pakkawood handle gives this best fish fillet knife a classy look. It is laminated and polished, so it is effortless for you to clean and maintain its hygiene, a feature that is of utmost importance in a professional kitchen.
To ensure your safety, the fillet knife has a full tang. Also, the blade is held in place by three rivets on the handle. The knife gives you maximum hold while filleting. The tapered design allows you to reach every bone and joint easily.
The fillet knife by Dalstrong has a mirror-polished finger protective bolster and a second bolster at the end, which provides a counterbalance. Dalstrong provides a 100% money-back guarantee for this knife if you are not satisfied. This knife is designed for professionals. You will fall in love with it, for sure.
4. Mercer Culinary Forged Boning Knife
Key Features
Ø High carbon forged steel from Soligen, Germany
Ø Ergonomic Santoprene handle
Ø NSF Certified
Ø Size: 6-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Mercer Culinary
Mercer Culinary is ruling the world of cutlery for decades now. They are known for making high-quality knives at affordable prices.
The blade of Mercer Culinary Genesis forged boning knife is made up of high carbon forged steel from Soligen, Germany. It is stain, rust, and corrosion-resistant. The precision forged construction adds more to its strength and makes it durable.
To prolong the edge retention, the edge is taper ground, which also makes filleting more efficient. So you don’t have to worry about resharpening it again and again.
The fillet knife for fish by Mercer Culinary has a Santoprene handle. It is resistant to oil and stains hence provide a nice and comfortable grip. The bolster makes the overall balance of the fillet knife perfect.
This best fillet knife for the money is easy to clean. NSF certified it as it meets NSF criteria of safety, quality, and performance. Mercer Culinary provides a limited lifetime warranty for it.
All in all, if you are on a budget and want a fillet knife from a reliable brand, then you should go for Mercer Culinary. You will never ever regret buying it.
5. Shun Classic Boning and Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø VG-MAX steel blade
Ø Ergonomic D-shaped Pakkawood handle
Ø Limited Lifetime Warranty
Ø Size: 6-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Shun
Who doesn’t love a Japanese knife? Although expensive, if you own one, you will never want to work with any other knife other than it. Shun knives are the epitome of beauty and performance.
Shun knives are made in the Seki City of Japan. What is unique about Shun knives is that they are traditionally handcrafted, involving over 100 steps. Traditional craftsmanship is given a modern touch with the state of the art technology.
The blade of this best Japanese fillet knife for cleaning fish is made up of VG-MAX steel, which is regarded as a high-quality material due to its edge retention. It is razor-sharp, so you can fillet your fish effortlessly.
This Japanese fillet knife is meant to perform because of its narrow 6-inch blade that can reach the edge of the bone. Also, the extremely sharp blade performs maximally as it removes the skin of the fish efficiently.
The handle of this good fillet knife for fish is made up of ebony Pakkawood. The D shaped handle is so beautiful and gives a comfortable grip. The balance between the blade and the handle gives you full control while filleting and skinning.
You just have to spend once on this knife as it is made durable by the heat treatment. The heating and cooling the blade brings out the best properties in it. Due to this process, the blade becomes finer-grained, so it is much stronger and harder and has a long-lasting edge.
6. Bubba 7 Inch Fillet Fishing Knife
Key Features
Ø High carbon stainless steel blade
Ø Ergonomic slip-resistant handle
Ø Blade length: 7-inch
Ø Size: 13-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Big Rock Sports
Bubba knives are known for their unique design and slip-resistant grip. The 13-inch knife looks very different from other knives due to its creatively designed handle. It is perfect for outdoor use as it is durable. The sporty knife can withstand saltwater conditions hence ideal for both salt and freshwater fishes.
The blade is crafted from high carbon stainless steel and merged with titanium. It is hence corrosion and rust-resistant. Bubba tapered flex fillet knife is known for being extremely sharp. The extra-sharp tip cuts through the scales like a breeze.
The blade of this sharpest fillet knife is narrow and tapered that efficiently separates meat from the bone. The semi-flexible blade helps you cut through meat easily, making it the best fillet knife for tuna.
This best fillet knife for saltwater fish has a great handle that gives a unique look to it. The handle is slip-resistant, so you can have clean and nice fillets. It features safety guards for protection from the blade and spines of fish.
The knife with all these features is also affordable. So this knife is excellent for someone who wants to use it outdoors for filleting large fishes as the 13-inch flexible knife removes the bone from the fish like a pro.
7. KastKing Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø G4116 German stainless steel blade
Ø Polymer grip, slip-resistant handle
Ø Protective knife sheath
Ø Size: 9-inch
Ø Manufacturer: KastKing
KastKing fillet knife is designed, keeping in mind the needs of fishermen. It is perfect for outdoor use as it is durable. Use it once, and you will fall in love with it.
The blade is made up of G4116 German stainless steel, which is razor-sharp. The knife is flexible enough to follow the natural contours of the fish. You can debone and fillet not only small fishes but also tough meats like that of tuna. The beautiful black blade retains its edge for a prolonged period of time.
The handle of this best fillet knife for tuna is slip-resistant and provides a comfortable, super polymer grip. It ensures safety and comfort while you fillet your fish. The handle also cleans up easily.
The fillet knife for fish by KastKing comes with a lightweight, durable sheath for blade protection during travelling. The sheath also ensures safety by locking the handle in position. It has open slits for drainage of water, so the knife remains dry.
It is the best fillet knife for the money as it is a high-performance knife at an affordable price. It will be your partner for a long, long time.
8. Rada Cutlery Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø T420 high carbon stainless steel blade
Ø Hollow edge for balance
Ø Rubber handle with textured finger points
Ø Blade Length: 7-1/8-inch
Ø Size: 12-1/4-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Rada Cutlery
Rada Cutlery is known for its premium quality craftsmanship. They make knives exclusively for fishermen, keeping in mind all their concerns and needs.
The blade is made up of T420 high carbon stainless steel. It is rust-resistant hence easy for you to maintain. The blade is hand sharpened and flexible enough to remove skin and separate meat from the bone. The hollow edge of the blade makes the knife balanced, and you can fillet fishes more quickly and easily.
The rubber handle is one of the specialities of the Rada Cutlery fillet knife. It has textured finger points for a comfortable grip. The rubber handle provides a slip-resistant grip to you. The balance of the knife is amazing. You can work for a long time with it without feeling any wrist pain or discomfort.
This best lightweight fillet knife for cleaning fish is affordable. You can get all these amazing features in a high-end fillet knife too. But why waste money when you can get a high-quality knife at an affordable price.
9. Rapala Electric Fillet Knife
Key Features
Ø Stainless steel blade
Ø Heavy-duty motor
Ø 110V power
Ø 8-foot power cord
Ø Size: 7-1/2 inch
Ø Manufacturer: Rapala
An electric fillet knife is no less than a blessing. After a tiring day of fishing, you can quickly fillet your fish using an electric fillet knife. Rapala is known for making the best fishing products. Their electric fillet knife is the best hands down. Want to know more about it? Then keep on reading.
This best electric fillet knife for cleaning fish is heavy-duty. The manufacturer claims that it has twice the speed and thrice the power of an ordinary electric knife. It can cut through the bones of the fish very quickly like a breeze.
This electric fillet knife has reciprocating blades that move back and forth to give clean fillets. The 7.5 inches blade can cut through large fishes like salmon, trout, and walleye. It is flexible enough to remove the skin easily. The blade is dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean them.
The best fillet knife for flounder is very comfortable to hold. You will have an excellent powerful grip with it. The size of the knife is perfect for travelling. It has an eight-foot long power cord that is perfect for outdoor activities.
The airflow body design does not let the motor heat up, so you can easily work with it for a long time. The motor is long-lasting and sturdy. With all these fantastic features, the knife is also pocket friendly.
10. Rhinoreto Fillet Knife Fishing
Key Features
Ø Stainless steel black coloured blade
Ø Rubber handle
Ø Vented lightweight sheath
Ø Size: 5-inch
Ø Manufacturer: Rhinoreto
It is often said that the first impression is the last, and this knife proves this. Its look describes its high performance.
The blade is made up of stainless steel and is black in colour. The speciality of this blade is that it has a sharp edge along with being rust and corrosion-resistant. The narrow tapered blade is flexible enough to move through the natural contours of fish. It is suitable for both; freshwater and saltwater fishes.
The special ultra-slick blades efficiently fillet every kind of meat. The non-stick coating of this best fillet knife for saltwater fish prevents sticking of the meat and gives you nice and clean slices.
The rubber handle of the Rhinoreto fillet knife for fishing provides a comfortable grip. I know how slippery it becomes while filleting a fish. Thanks to this slip-resistant handle, you can debone the fish effortlessly. To ensure safety, the finger guard extends 360 degrees around the handle for maximum protection
The fillet knife by Rhinoreto comes with a lightweight sheath. It is made from solid plastic and ported one end to another. This helps the blade air dry quickly, making it the best fillet knife with sheath.
The knife comes with a double-sided safe sharpener, which makes maintaining the edge very convenient. I can regard this knife as the best cutting edge knife for cleaning fish. It is a perfect gift for a fisherman or a chef.
Best Fillet knife for Cleaning Fish- Buyer’s Guide
When buying the best fillet knives for fishing, you have to keep certain things in mind. Here are some features that you should never overlook while buying a good fillet knife for fish.
Blade
It goes without saying that a blade is the most essential feature that one should consider while buying a knife. A fillet knife has to be extremely sharp. It is important because you want to have nice and clean fillets of your fish.
Fillet knives are mostly made from stainless steel. It is resistant to rust and corrosion. The blade is also extremely sharp and also retains it for a pretty long time. Japanese knives have a thinner and harder blade, made from a single piece of high carbon steel. Other than that, you can also go for carbon steel as they have prolonged edge retention, but they are not rust-resistant.
For a fillet knife, the blade needs to be resistant to corrosion. This is because saltwater fishes can destroy the blade very quickly.
Size
A good fillet knife for fish has a blade size from 4 to 7 inches. Now which size is best for you depends upon which type of fish you want to debone.
Small blades are best for small-sized fish as a big knife will not give you nice control. Blade size of around 6 to 7 inches is perfect for medium-sized fish. And for large fish, you want a knife that can reach the edge of the bone conveniently.
Flexibility
A fillet knife for fish has to have a flexible blade. This is because a fillet knife is used for skinning and filleting, and you cannot have a nice and clean fillet unless it can follow the natural contours of the fish.
Handle
The handle of your fillet knife should provide a comfortable grip. While filleting fish, your hands always get wet or sticky, and therefore your handle must be slip-resistant. Look for a handle that gives you full control over your knife. A rubber handle works quite well when it comes to slip resistance.
The overall balance of the knife should be perfect. A lightweight knife lets you work with it for hours, and you won’t feel any wrist pain or discomfort. Also, the handle of your fillet knife should be sturdy and durable.
Look for a knife that has a full bolster. A bolster is present between the handle and the blade and protects fingers while filleting.
Ease of use
With the ease of use, what I literally mean is that a knife that not only fillets a fish like a breeze but also is easy to maintain. If you are not up for hand washing your fillet knife, then choose a one that is dishwasher safe.
A knife that comes with a sheath is always preferred because you can always store it with ease. Sheaths are often designed in a way that your knife can get air dry in it. This feature is so important as it removes all the smells from your knife and also makes it convenient for you to travel.
Price
When you are spending money on something, you want it to last longer. This is why I recommend you to buy from trustworthy brands. The knives mentioned above are all from reliable brands, and they have excellent customer support.
If you are a beginner or someone who is on a budget, you can get a good fillet knife for fish for as low as $20. I have mentioned above knives that are budget-friendly yet are durable and extremely sharp. You can also have a knife over $100 if you are looking for something high end.
Electric knife
With an electric knife, you can fillet a large number of fishes in no time. It makes your work quick and easy. The following are the features you should look for in an electric knife. A powerful motor is the soul of an electric knife. Look for a motor that has good power and is durable.
You can have a cordless knife or a knife with a cord. If you are opting for an electric knife with a cord, the length of the cord should be sufficient enough to meet your requirements. The knife should have a safety feature as electric knives are a bit tricky to use.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some queries that people have about fillet knives for cleaning fish. I hope you find them useful.
What size fish fillet knife is the best?
A good fillet knife for fish should have a size of 4 to 7 inches. If you want to fillet a small fish, prefer small blades. For larger fishes like salmon, you would need a fillet knife of up to 12 inches.
What is a good filleting knife?
A good filleting knife has a long and narrow blade. The blade is tapered or curved to reach the end of the bones easily. A flexible knife is essential for filleting a fish as it can follow the natural contours of your fish. The handle of a good filleting knife should be slip-resistant. The knife should have an overall perfect balance and should be extremely sharp.
What is the difference between a fillet knife and a boning knife?
A fillet knife has a long narrow blade with a curved tip. It has a flexible blade. It is used to remove the skin from the fish and debone fish and also poultry.
A boning knife has a semi-rigid blade that is straight and slightly curved, having a pointed tip. It separates flesh from the bones of tough meat like lamb and beef.
What steel is the best for a fillet knife?
Fillet knives are made from stainless steel. The fillet knife has to be resistant to rust and corrosion. The stainless steel blades are also extremely sharp, which is very important for a fillet knife.
What angle do you sharpen a fillet knife?
An angle of 12 to 15 degrees is on a sharpening stone that is good enough for you to sharpen your knife. It is extremely important to maintain the tip of your fillet knife. A tip here for you for an extremely sharp blade is that first hit your edge on the stone and then the whole blade. Move the blade back and forth for around 15 to 16 times to have an extremely sharp fillet knife.
Can I wash the knife in a dishwasher?
Yes, you can wash the knife in a dishwasher, but this decreases the lifespan of your blade. Some knives mention if they are dishwasher safe or not. But even if your knife is dishwasher safe, it is recommended to hand wash them.
Final Thoughts
While searching the best fillet knives for fishing, just keep in mind all your requirements like what size you want, whether you want an electric knife or a manual.
Over here, I have mentioned the best reliable brands that you can trust blindly. My favourite knife among these is the KastKing Fillet Knife. It has all the features that I want in my fillet knife. It is also pocket friendly and has superior edge retention.
I hope by now you would have a choice, and if you still don’t, then go for an electric knife; it is almost always the right choice.
