A fillet knife is a crucial tool when you decide to process the fish you caught. Here are the best ones on the market.Disclaimer:?All products in this guide are independently researched by our team. We only recommend products we believe in and never get paid for the reviews. Learn more about our review process?.?A lot of people think they can use any kitchen knife to get the job done. However, if you invest a bit of money in a quality fish knife you will have a lot more fun in the kitchen. And you will honor the exceptional produce laying in front of you.Quick advice: If you’re looking for a shortcut and want our top pick right away, go for the . If you’re often filleting fish outdoors, go for the .What sets a filleting knife apart from a conventional one is primarily its blade. A filleting knife’s blade is more flexible and lightweight enabling you to separate the flesh from the bone with ease.In this article we will give you an overview of the best filet knives on the market. We will also tell you what to look for in a quality knife and answer all the questions you might have before making your purchase.There are a few things to pay attention before you purchase. Most of all you want a quality knife that will last you a long time. That knife will be cheaper on the long run. We’ll now take a look at the best fillet knives on the market. Afterwards, we’ll explain some of the basics that you should know about filet knives. Jump to the knowledge section here.
You should consider a number of factors concerning the filleting knife’s blade.Disclaimer: The Wading List is reader-supported: If you click one of the links and end up purchasing a product we might earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. We only recommend products for purchase that we tested and believe in. Thanks for your support!Key features:– 9″ blade, 15″ overall length– Comes with a sheathThe Bubba 9 Inch Flex is our top choice when it comes to the best grip. The trigger grip where the handle meets the blade adds another level of security. The blade is highly flexible and allows you to make very precise cuts. We found the Bubba’s blade to stay sharp even after filleting multiple big fish over a span of several weeks.I particularly liked the extra sharp tip of the Bubba 9 Inch Flex that makes starting the cut a piece of cake. The Bubba is also a great choice if you want to take your knife to the water. It features a lanyard hole at the end of the handle and comes with a synthetic sheath for easy transport.My Verdict: Fantastic all-around fish knife that is well equipped and thought through. Due to its outdoorsy design not the first choice for the kitchen.
Key features:– No sheath included– Lifetime warrantySwiss brand Victorinox is best known for their iconic pocket knifes. But they also produce high-end fillet knives as the proves. At less than $30 it is a great entry-level product.The handle is made from fibrox, ensure a safe grip due to its textured surface. Made in Switzerland the Victorinox comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.My Verdict: Great entry-level product. Take special care when cleaning the transition from blade to handle.Key features:– 7″ blade– Leather sheath provides great protection and transportabilityGerman manufacturer Wüsthof has been making knives for two centuries. The is an expression of their long-standing knowledge. The tapered single piece high carbon steel ensures precise cuts.
Used by professional chefs around the world, the brings a high-end feel and performance to your kitchen. The black leather sheath enables you to safely take the knife along on a trip if needed.My Verdict: High-end German-made fish product that raises the bar. Delicate blade to be handled with care.Key features:– Forged from a single piece of steel– Wooden handle is for traditionalistsZwilling has a long tradition of high quality kitchen knives: The is no exception to this rule. Its stainless steel blade is incredibly flexible. The knife is forged from a single piece of steel making it incredibly durable and long lasting.The is available in multiple variations. If you’re a traditionalist, we recommend the version with the wooden handle. It comes as a 7″ or 8″ depending on your personal preference. We found the 8″ version to be a great choice if you tend to fillet bigger fish often as it makes handling larger fillets a little easier.My Verdict: Elegant design with beautiful transition from blade to handle. Trusted by professionals and amateur chefs around the globe.Key features:– Ideal choice for frequent filleting– Powerful electric engine helps cut multiple fish with easeThe is a fantastic option if you are looking for a corded knife. None of the other products offers the flexibility and versatility of the .The features four removable blades that come in different lengths and degrees of stiffness – two more flexible blades and two stiffer ones. The great feature of the is the fact that all of these blades can be stored in the case that comes with the knife. The also comes with a very grippy and ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to fillet several fish in a row. A safety lock and trigger guard place an extra on security.My Verdict: The Bubba Electric is the best electric filet knife out there in our eyes. If you are often filleting multiple fish, there’s no better choice.Key features:– Soft handle provides exceptional feel– Comes with sheath and sharpenerThe is the right choice if you are looking for a knife to put into your tackle box. The stainless steel blade by Martiini Finland is known to be rock solid.The soft-grip handle gives you great control, especially when you are filleting outdoors and your hands might be a little wet. The comes with a black sheath and a sharpener to keep the blade sharp at all times.My Verdict: Best fish filet knife for everyday (outdoor) use. Not the one you would add to your kitchen equipment.Key features:– Made from a single piece of steel including the handle– Easiest to clean in the testThe is one for the purist. Made from one piece of stainless steel it is incredibly flexible making it a joy to use. The one piece design also makes cleaning it a piece of cake.The dimple features of the are meant to ensure a safe grip. It comes down to personal taste. Some people prefer a rubber or wooden handle. They also contribute to the knife’s low weight of only 0.55lbs (0.25 kg). The double-beveled edge ensures that both right- and left-handers can use the knife. Made in Japan.My Verdict: Beautiful, one piece design. Extreme flexibility. Some people perceive the steel handle as not slip-resistant enoughKey features:– Extreme versatility and portability– Great choice for saltwaterThe is our absolute favorite when it comes to versatility. You not only get a high quality filet knife but a folding cutting board with it. The knife itself is foldable as well can can hence comfortably be carried around by attaching it to your belt for example.The comes in a neoprene storage case, perfect for travelling. Thanks to its titanium coated blade, the is also ready to be used in saltwater environments. To round off this great set, the Toadfish’s cutting board has an integrated sharpener. The is dishwasher safe.My Verdict: Fantastic versatility. A knife, cutting board and sharpener in one set. Great value for money ratio.Key features:– Wooden handle provides classic feel– Extreme sharpness out of the boxThe is a fantastic knife if you are looking for a medium-priced product that portrays premium quality. Made from German High Carbon steel, the Hammer Stahl has a beautiful one-piece design.The PakkaWood handle of the adds to the premium aspiration. Measured by laser, the Hammer Stahl blade is sharpened to a 20 degree bevel angle for superior cutting performance.My Verdict: Our mid price-range favorit with a premium approach. Nice traditional look with the combination of Pakkawood and steel in the handle.Key features:– Most ergonomic grip of all knives tested– Integrated sharpenerIf you are a fan of saltwater species and love to fillet them on the boat or dock, make sure to check out the . Available in two sizes (6″ and 8″) this knife ticks all the boxes of a great saltwater filet knife with an increased degree of corrosion resistance.The grip of the features an ergonomic shape that makes sure you don’t slip even when applying increased pressure as is often necessary when filleting strong saltwater species. The plastic sheath that comes with the knife makes sure your product is safe for travels or when stowed on your boat. A great feature of the is the integrated sharpener that makes sure your knife stays sharp no matter how often you use it.My Verdict: Excellent choice for the saltwater fly angler due to its features specifically aimed at stronger species.Last update on 2023-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising APIIn order to make precise cuts it is essential that the blade is sharp at all times. Funnily enough a sharper blade is also less dangerous than a blunt blade because the cuts can be performed more easily. If you feel insecure using razor sharp blades consider getting a filleting glove. Here are a couple of filleting gloves you can’t go wrong with:Last update on 2023-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising APIBlade retention is another crucial factor. It defines a knife’s ability to stay sharp over a certain amount of time. A quality one should stay sharp for a while. But over time you will eventually have to sharpen your knife using a knife sharpener. In the following paragraphs we want to give you an overview of the best knife sharpeners on the market and different options for filet knife sharpeners.Knife sharpening tools come in different forms and sizes. We picked some of the best options and will tell you about their details here.The is a great entry level knife sharpener for only a little more than $10. The best thing about it is its versatility. This fish knife sharpener allows you to sharpen all kinds of knives, ranging from ceramic knives, to steel knives and scissors.All you have to do is place the blade in the respective slot of the and pull the knife towards you a few times. Simple as that. The sharpening will be automatically correct. A great tool for the not so experienced sharpener.The our favorite when it comes to versatility. It can virtually sharpen any knife out there. The best thing about it is the fact that you can even sharpen serrated blades using the . Unless most knife sharpeners, this filet knife sharpening tool uses tungsten carbide as the material of choice for the sharpening process. This guarantees a long life for your tools.The makes sharpening a piece of cake. All you have to do is draw your weapon of choice through the sharpener and your blades will be as new. Comes in a variety of colors to easily blend into any kitchen surrounding.The is a great fish filet knife sharpener if you are looking for a tool to take with you on your adventures. Yet, you’ll need to know or learn the basics of knife sharpening in order to use the properly. Don’t worry though, it’s no rocket science.The diamond plates that always ensure a sharp blade after using it. This sharpener easily fits into luggage due to its very slim silhouette. Great for the outdoor lover.Video: Courtesy of Fishing Long IslandThere are three characteristics that a quality filet knife blade has to fulfil: it needs to be thin, strong and yet flexible. A high quality steel (often made in Japan or made in Germany) ensures a thin and sharp blade.Another aspect you should pay attention to is the handle. Some filleting knives are made from one piece of steel, others have handles made of plastic or wood. An ergonomic shape of the handle will ensure a tight fit and safe cutting.The price range of filleting knives is big. You can get started with around $25 and spend several hundred dollars if you want to. It comes down to taste and exclusivity in the end. You should look for a guarantee as fillet knives can break despite being flexible. Quality manufacturers often offer a lifetime guarantee.Taking care of your knife is easy. Clean and dry it after every use. Store in a dry place and prevent it from dropping. Don’t use it for other purposes than filleting, it will get blunt faster. Do not put a quality knife in the dishwasher. Water and some soap is enough – dry it with a towel.As you can see from our test, fillet knives come in all sorts of makes, forms and shapes. You might be looking for a different type of filet knife if you are looking for one to use on a trip or outdoors.You might be looking for a high-end knife to use in your kitchen on special occasions. No matter which one you choose in the end, all the knives in our test promise quality and longevity.Disclaimer: If you click on one of the links in this article and end up purchasing a product we earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you!