If you’re here just to find the best fillet knives and really can’t afford to take the time to read the excellent reviews and buying advice prepared by our researchers, this short paragraph will highlight all the vital information. We have collected plenty of information about different products for sale by checking out expert review sites and comparing the ratings and reviews in them with what actual owner feedback has to say. Out of all the products we have looked at, we believe the Rapala Lithium Ion is the best because of its ability to handle any filleting task with remarkable cordless convenience. Delivering up to 80 minutes of continuous runtime on a single charge, this electric cutting implement will operate without loss of power, providing consistent torque and speed from one fillet to another as the battery power wanes. This means the cuts you make remain consistent throughout to ensure the perfect presentation. The device also boasts a fast charge time of two hours so you can plug it in and it’s all ready to go after a couple of hours for another 80 minutes of endless filleting. Should the Rapala Lithium Ion run out of stock, we highly recommend the second best option in terms of quality and performance, the Buck Knives 0225BLS Silver Creek.
Comparison Table
Rapala Lithium Ion
This cordless fillet knife is able to produce 80 minutes of continuous runtime without requiring additional power. It features a fast charging time with less than two hours for a complete charge. This 7-inch knife will help you cut through fish like you would through butter. It’s praised for being highly efficient and usable.
Out of the three products reviewed, this ones comes with the most expensive price tag. Some customers claimed the product failed to work after a couple of uses or a couple of months.
This electric fillet knife will definitely become one of your trustworthy friends in need when you’re in the kitchen.
Buck Knives 220
It features a 6.5-inch blade ready to fillet all sorts of fishes in a matter of minutes.
The blade is made from high-quality stainless steel with titanium coating for an excellent corrosion resistance in time. It comes with a rubber anti-slip grip for easy handling and reducing fatigue during long filleting hours.
The knife doesn’t come with a carrying box, so you have to be careful when transporting it. The blade doesn’t always lock automatically, meaning it is potentially hazardous.
Lightweight, powerful, and compact, you can bring this fillet knife on all your fishing trips.
Rapala Presentation
This item sells for a very affordable price, making it a great addition if you love eating and preparing fish. The grey laminated handle comes equipped with a high-quality stainless steel blade. It comes with a genuine leather tooled sheath for easy transportation.
The size of the blade is only little over 6 inch, which may give you trouble when trying to fillet big fishes. It requires constant sharpening which is a time consuming operation.
If you only like to prepare fish occasionally, this Rapala fillet knife is the perfect aid in your kitchen.
A buying guide
Buying a fillet knife these days can be a rather daunting task. With the number of options available on the market, any buyer can end up feeling just a tad baffled. Fortunately for you, we’ve collected a lot of info regarding fillet knives in general and which features are the most esteemed ones by owners. Be sure to correlate your needs and requirements with the characteristics of the product you want to buy. What’s more, since research never hurt anyone, devote some time to reading several knives reviews.
Here’s what you should consider if you want to get the best value for the price.
Blade size
Most of the models we’ve come across have a blade size between four and nine inches. What does that mean and why are there different standard sizes? Well, you can’t use the same fillet knife for large fish as you would for target panfish. For example, the best size we’ve found for salmon is around nine inches. By contrast, crappie and bluegills require a six-inch blade.
Most people tend to believe that bigger is better. While we’re not keen on stating otherwise, the fact of the matter is that it’s hard and quite tedious to use such a long blade on such small fish. What’s more, you might even get hurt if you don’t pay enough attention. If you have no intention of purchasing a knife size for every type of fish you might cook at some point, we suggest considering a seven inch and a half blade. Technically, this is the kind of all-around knife that you can master both with small and with large fish.
Material
Another detail you should consider when browsing for a new fillet knife is the material it has been built with. While many manufacturers claim that their units are made of stainless steel, sometimes several factors are being left out on purpose. Besides, there are various kinds of stainless steel and some might be more durable compared to others. The safest bet you could make in this case is choose a reputable manufacturing brand. For one, a trusted company will back up its products with a warranty. Second, there will be more than enough customer reviews you’ll be able to consult before deciding on a certain model.
Handle
The handle of a fillet knife made in USA plays an important part when it comes to getting the right model. You wouldn’t want to run into any issue when you’re slicing up that salmon, would you? Plastic and rubber are becoming more and more popular nowadays, particularly since wood is considered somewhat unreliable. For one, it has the unfortunate feature of attracting and keeping particular fish smells. Depending on the circumstance, a wooden handle might get very slippery.
Choose a rubber or plastic model if you want to get a corrosive-resistant product that not only lasts through the years but also isn’t impossible to sanitize. If you’re somewhat more traditional and simply like the feel of a wooden handle, why not go for it instead?
Sharpening
Your fillet knife will lose sharpness over time. What’s to do, then? Instead of resorting to using all sorts of sharpeners that don’t do much and leave you feeling frustrated, we recommend choosing a model that comes with a hand-held sharpener to begin with. This sharpener is likely to have been manufactured by the same brand associated with the knife per se, which means that there’s a very high chance of them fitting together like puzzle pieces.
Electric versus manual
If you are no fan of using a fillet knife or find it somewhat more tedious and dangerous than normally, it might be a good idea to look for an electric option. Most of the models we have gone through come with a rechargeable battery, which means that you won’t have to perform any of the tasks inside your house. In fact, some of the modern units feature wall plugs and battery post clips.
Believe it or not, there are no downsides to choosing electric versus manual. Aside from the possibility where you’re left without any battery or other energy sources, an electric knife is easier to manipulate and considerably safer than its manual counterpart. Unless you’re really passionate about getting a little dirty after you’ve caught the fish, just choose this type, as it’s portable and meets all expectations you might have from a sturdy fillet knife. What’s more, we’ve seen that electric alternatives are becoming more and more affordable with every year that goes by.
Things to consider:
– Stainless steel blade, which can resist corrosion and prolonged use
– Flexible blades, so you will be able to safely cut, slice and filet different types of fish with minimal effort
– Comfortable handle that permits you to perform cuts at various angles without problems
– Optimal blade size which usually is directly linked to the size of fish you plan of filleting
Top Rated Fillet Knives in 2019
Rapala 066982
R
egardless of the filleting task that you need to complete, the top rated fillet knives reviews have noted that this is indeed one of the best choices that can be taken into account. One of the best things about this product is that it is being powered by lithium ion batteries. The latter is basically the one that is responsible for the provision of power that does not fluctuate, regardless of how long it is used. Once the battery is drained, you simply need to have it charged which takes less than 2 hours. It is also worth noting that it has an advanced airflow design that allows the product to function without making noise.
Pros
Rechargeable lithium-ion cordless fillet knif
e provides filleting capability even when miles away from an electrical outlet, thanks to the Rapala Lithium-ion knife’s 80 minutes of continuous run time, without a notable loss of power
Dual 7-inch reciprocating blades make short work of filleting jobs, while ensuring sharp and consistent cuts that can be done with precision
State-of-the-art Air Flow design ensures little to no build-up of heat, keeping the efficient and extra-quiet motor running like a well-oiled machine for years, with fail-proof torque and speed from making one fillet to another
Ergonomic grip reduces hand fatigue thanks to molded body that promotes easy and relaxed hold
Cons
Comes with no blade shield or
carry case
Buy from Amazon.com for ($74.99)
Buck 220 Silver Creek
In the best fillet knives reviews that have been published recently, this model has been praised by many people because of its folding design. With such, it is easy to bring it wherever you are going. Since the knife is foldable, you can be assured that the blade will not cause any danger. While the blade is made from stainless steel, it is coated with titanium, which is another way of making sure that it is built to be as durable as possible. It also has Buck’s Forever Warranty, which can be seen as a commitment of the manufacturer towards making sure of its highest quality.
Pros
Folding configuration ensures that the knife can be safely brought to the fishing or camping grounds with ease, requiring no knife sheath or blade guard
Sharpest edge ensured by manufacturer that created an extremely sharp blade and coating that with titanium nitride, all to harden the knife and protect its cutting surface
Knife stays sharp and true, delivering cuts of fine quality for more appetizing-looking fish dishes and preparations thanks to this versatile cutting tool, fitted with TPE rubber handles that are also of Glass Reinforced Polypropylene for no-slip grip
Constructed of 420J2 Stainless Steel with Titanium Coating, to ensure that the knife is of premium quality while being flexible
Cons
Knife can lose its edge rather quickly but gets easily sharpened to its original edge, still making this one of the best fillet knives for fish processing
Buy from Amazon.com for ($34.99)
Rapala Presentation
Among others, the combination of metal and wood is one thing that many people liked about this fillet knife. The blade of the knife is made from metal while the handle is from wood. The two materials complemented each other well, making the knife appealing. In terms of function, this fillet knife will surely not disappoint. One more thing that people lauded about this product is its full-tang design. The latter is basically the one that is responsible for the provision of additional leverage, making the knife easier to use in different applications.
Pros
Modern classic look achieved thanks to the updated Nordic design of the Rapala PRFGL6 Presentation Laminate-Handle Fillet Knife, one of the best fillet knives for fish processing that can be bought for the money
Teflon- or PTFE-coated blade ensures that the knife has a non-stick surface, is tolerant both to warm temperatures and rust due to water contact, resistant to chemical reactions with the fish juices and resilient to cracking, corrosion and stress (i.e., flexible)
Grey laminated handle looks and feels strong in the hand, giving a good firm grip that keeps the knife slip-free while in the hand
Concentrated cutting power from the progressive tapered blade from the tip to the tang, with leverage achieved from the tang structure
Cons
Button clasp on the leather sheath can be hard to snap on, ensuring that the knife stays secure inside
Buy from Amazon.com for ($23.99)
Kershaw 1259
Kershaw is one of the most popular brands within this product category and this specific model is one of their best offerings to their customers. For many, the brand name in itself is more than enough reason to consider this model above other alternatives that can be possibly taken into account. This knife has a weight of 3.8 ounces and length of 14.25 inches. Since it is compact, it will offer you with greater control of the unit, and hence, making filleting a much easier task to complete. Lastly, it is also made from materials that are meant to withstand the test of time.
Pros
Definitely an angler’s fillet knife thanks to its rugged design and extreme portability, giving avid fishermen the opportunity to fillet their prime catch as soon as it’s out of the water and caught on their hooks
Nine-inch blade made of high-quality 420J2 stainless steel, with co-polymer plastic handle, giving the fillet knife a total length of 14 ¼ inches and total weight of just 3.8 ounces
Comes with an ABS sheath in the package, so the knife is always safely tucked and ready for use any time
Cons
Holds its edge better and longer when professionally sharpened before every use, with frequent employment of a honing steel if possible
Buy from Amazon.com for ($10.64)
Products that are no longer available
Rapala Fish’n Fillet
This is another option that you should not forget to consider as you look for the best fillet knives in 2019. Based on the opinions that have been shared by the people who have used such in the past, this model is a good choice because of the soft grip handle that is integrated in its design. This leads into minimizing fatigue that is associated with its extended period of use. This makes it possible to provide the highest level of comfort. It is made from premium stainless steel that is excellent in strength, making it one of the most durable that you will ever find.