Recommendation? Best Folding Knife for Filleting Fish and EDC??

I think the a fixed blade is the way to go as well. As mentioned, the Spyderco Waterway is an excellent, even though it's above your price range.

IMO, when outdoors, camping, etc, a folding knife should be your backup, and small task knife. That can be anything. I prefer a small, (relatively) inexpensive folder for that, like an SAK, or a slipjoint. Things get lost in the woods, and I'd rather lose a $35 SAK than one of my $100+ folders.
 
sgt1372 said:
Well, there is the CRKT "field strip" family of knives (that currently numbers 11, see) which you can completely strip apart for cleaning or the completely sealed MUDD (manual or auto) that you could use that could solve this problem BUT their blade shapes are not ideal for filleting fish and none of these knives cost less than $80 (which was the OP's price limit).

However, there are alot of other folders that cost less than $80 that could be used to fillet fish (not ideally shaped but good enough to get the job done) and as an EDC. I've recommended one and there certainly are others.

Frankly, I think that the complaints about how difficult it is to maintain a folder for fishing use is overstated. Really, all you have to do is wash the knife in a steam, in the ocean, in the river, in the lake or in a bucket (or under running) water. Most stainless steels available (even 8Cr13MoV and AUS8/VG10) will NOT rust overnight.

Wipe/shake it dry (and leave it in the sun, if available to dry it out further) or blow it out w/compressed air (which isn't hard to do if you carry a DC compressor or have a tank of compressed CO2, as many offroaders use; I've got both). Even just spraying some WD40 into the pivot after washing would help reduce the likelihood of corrosion. Just follow up w/further cleaning/lubing when you get home.

OBTW, my father (who was an avid fisherman) used a fishing folder (w/a blade and scaler) for YEARS w/o any problem and he never did near what I've suggest to clean and maintain it. I inherited this folder (which is now at least 50 years old) and I still use it to clean fish at home. It hasn't rusted yet.
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I can't argue that many fishermans use folders, after all it depends of the type of fishing too. But filleting fish would be almost impossible to do with any folder. And as stated, I wouldn't use that knife as EDC.

As for dirt and maintenance, I don't think it's overstated. For example, I use lot of squid and salted sardines for bait, and on summer sun their residues harden that much in matter of minutes, that on the end of the day I have to use a retractable cutter to clean it off the blade. I don't know how would I remove it from the inside of the folder.

The thing is, if OP wants a folder, it will do the job, eventually, but it isn't right tool for the task.
 
If I were you I'd stick with the Mora. My feeling is that you likely do not filet fish every day and when you do, it would be a couple fish at a time. So, carrying a specific filet knife is a waste. You can easily do these chores with the Mora. But some ideas for you anyway...

You could just get a thin Victorinox kitchen paring knife (~$10) and keep it with you and decide if you prefer a folder or fixed for the other stuff you might do. I would choose a folder you like. You wouldn't need the Mora then. I prefer a SAK especially since I might have to mess with the reel occasionally. If you prefer another folder, get what you like.

The Vic One handed Trekker would be useful. There are other Vic models that will have both a plain edge blade, and a blade with their fine serrations. I would keep the larger SAK in a pouch, in a vest or whatever bag you carry with you. I am thinking the saw blade would be quite useful for you at times.

Added: On the odor issue, people make a bigger deal about it than I feel is merited. If you use a folder for "stinky jobs", consider just having two folders; one clean and the other occasionally stinky.
 
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Fixed blade for sure, I do believe that Mora makes a thinner model that could be a good EDC.
A folder as a back up.
 
scott.livesey said:
Check local laws. A folder with a blade over 4" is illegal in most cities and counties here in North Carolina.
scott
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Is it illegal if it is your pocket? What about on a belt sheath? Is it considered concealed if it clipped to your pocket? I know that could be up to whims of the police officer if you are stopped and asked.
 
cbach8tw said:
Is it illegal if it is your pocket? What about on a belt sheath? Is it considered concealed if it clipped to your pocket? I know that could be up to whims of the police officer if you are stopped and asked.
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I have no idea of the actual redaction of the law in north Carolina, BUT in Spain seems to go pretty much the same way. Our law states that any folder:
- With a blade bigger than 100mm
- Automatic

Is an ilegal item. Cannot be possesed and therefore cannot be carried in any instances. At all. Never ever.

Mikel
 
The stainless Opinel Efille (slimline) 15 is a fantastic filleting knife with it's long 6" thin flexible blade.
 
A Cold Steel Canadian belt knife is an amazingly versatile shape and super inexpensive.

It could be a great "bird and trout" shape.

Of course, still not great for skinning (as it's not flexible), but there is a point on it that could allow you to get around the ribcage .

It's "like" a Mora, but bore belly on it and a rediculously sharp edge and fine hollow grind that would be somewhat better than a scandi for this type of work.
 
Not a fisherman, but my dad gave me a a folding fishing knife when I was about 10-12 years old. It had a long thin straight edged blade and a long thin scaling tool. Slip joint.
Based on that knife, perhaps the Spyderco Endura or Cold Steel Broken Skull would work well as fillet knives, and edc in your price range.​
 
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