Filet knives.

[never too sharp]

So, I added another hobby to the list. I picked up a couple rod/reel combos and a handful of lures. Next stop, a decent filet knife. With my knife interest having it's roots in the kitchen, I am leaning toward one of these beauties:
Wustof:


Global:


However, I am not opposed to dropping LESS coin on a filet knife. Ebbtide posted one of his in a thread from '05 that looks nice, but I can't seem to find any relevant info on it.
Iisakki:


The Rapala's/Maartini's they sell at walmart will undoubtedly make it into my tacklebox soon(like my next trip there), as will one or more of the Kershaw offerings because I'm a nut for all things Kershaw, but I would like some advice from some of you seasoned fishermen and salty dogs.

So please, show me your trusty rusty filet knife and tell me why you love it, or why you don't.

Any advice on the sport would be appreciated, really, because I am a TOTAL beginner, I haven't even wet a line yet. You know, favorite lures, rigs and resources and how to avoid sea monsters. My first trip will be to Star Lake in the Adirondacks. It is stocked with rainbow, brown and lake trout. What seasonings should I bring along for trout, anyway?

 

[scarysharp]

I cant help you with the fresh water fish, but I can tell you as an ol' salty dog you might want to look into the Dexter-Russell line of fillet and bait knives :thumbup:.

Great egro's and good blade

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

I have a Rapala and it does the job fine for me. It's cheap and takes a great edge, doesn't hold it very long, but will fillet up 10 fish before it needs touchups.
As for fishing, go to your local tackle shop and talk with the people there, you can learn a lot of "secrets" to fishing from your locals since they probably know the lake inside and out.

 

[pilote]

i use a rapala (off the rack at walmart) and it works just fine. some pulls on a handheld sharpener and it's ready to go again. now if i filleted for a living i'd buy something more robust, but i don't so the rapala in the tackle box is ok...

 

[never too sharp]

As for fishing, go to your local tackle shop and talk with the people there, you can learn a lot of "secrets" to fishing from your locals since they probably know the lake inside and out.

I was lucky to run into a clerk at Walmart who was "obsessed", as he put it, with fishing. He showed me a picture of the bass he caught that he said holds the county record. He also knew what kind of fish I would be fishing for in Star Lake, which is four hours away. I'll have to keep my eye out for him next time I go to that store. Do you think it would be inappropriate if I asked his schedule?

So the smart money is on the Rapala's? I sure would like another Global...

 

[goatariba]

why not go custom? i have a custom on its way from a maker on here and i can't wait!

 

[Pete1977]

I would have to second Dexter-Russell or Victorinox/Forschner(?) for a fillet knife but it depends on what you are fishing for. for large robust fish I would suggest a stiffer blade like a boning knife. On the party boat we used 1375-1378 Dexter hi-carbon and on every commercial fishing boat there has been a hi-carbon or sani-safe dexter.

for smaller fish, or flat fish I like a more flexible, thinner knife. the rapala fillet knives work well for this.

I have filleted hundreds of fish a day when I worked on the charter boats and the dexters and victorinoxes usually just needed touch ups on a steel from time to time. (unless you were cutting sharks).

The dexter and victorinox knives are low priced so you won't sweat it if it goes overboard.

pete

 

[Dag-nabit]

Fallkniven F2
Bark River Canadian Sportsman or Canadian Sportsman II
Frost/Mora

Are all great choices, I own one of each (with the exception of the Canadian Sportsman, I have the CS II)

Each is an excellent knife in it's own right. But as you mentioned, a $10.00 Rapala will still get the job done.

Kevin

 

[udtjim]

I really like the 7 inch Rapala fillet knives, I have used some rally top notch knives but they didn't offer much over the less expensive Rapala.

 

[Guyon]

Rapala or Dexter Russell or Victorinox.

All under $30. All great knives for the money.

 

[defaultuser]

why not go custom?

Yes - why not go custom? Here's my handmade fillet knife - I used it quite a lot last week on many walleyes:

Here's the "set" with the Nessmuk knife:

1/16 CPM-S30V blade, flat grind, 8" blade lenght, cocobolo handle.

Oh, and a pic of last week walleyes (with a pike hidden under the pile) :

Any advice on the sport would be appreciated, really, because I am a TOTAL beginner, I haven't even wet a line yet.

Get a book/read forums on the different techniques (casting, trolling, fishing knot, bait, fish species, filleting, cooking). Try to go with an experienced buddy that know the lake/river you plan to fish and the species; you will learn A LOT in a very short amount of time. After you learned the basics, you will be able to experiment different things yourself and develop your own "strategies".

Happy fishing!

 

[elkins45]

I've been using a blue handled Frosts fillet knife for the last 5-6 of years and it does OK. It also sees annual usage as a boning knife for deer. I generally need to touch it up after a whole deer, but that's OK performance for an occasional use blade to me.

 

[zach2556]

I have a rapala that I purchased for around 10 dollars. I don't see the need to have a really expensive fillet knife. It wont be used as an EDC knife so you don't need a real expensive well made knife, if you clean it, sharpen it, take care of it, a 10 dollar knife will be fine.

 

[Jpalmer1988]

I'd suggest looking into the Knives of Alaska line of fillet knives.

 

[Ebbtide]

I think that little IJ fillet knife is discontinued.
The Rapala knives are good.
I have an old Uncle Henry "Steelhead" that did me perfectly well before the internet.
Helle makes a nice one and Ragnar sells the bare blades if you want to DIY.
Helle

A different Helle blade that I put the handle on

If you want to go top shelf Bob Dozier makes a nice fillet knife too.

Not much of a trout fisher but...
As far a lures, Rapalas, Daredevel spoons and Mepps spinners are good for trout.
Use a quality ball bearing swivel with the last two.
Don't forget the good old garden worm under a bobber as well

I wouldn't fillet anything that isn't measured in pounds.
In our house, if it fits on the BBQ grill whole, it gets cooked whole.

I also believe that you can fillet the meat off a fish with any knife.
It may take a little longer but it can be done.
The fillet knife really shines when you cut the skin off the fillets.

 

[DoctaD]

Yes - why not go custom? Here's my handmade fillet knife - I used it quite a lot last week on many walleyes:

Here's the "set" with the Nessmuk knife:

1/16 CPM-S30V blade, flat grind, 8" blade lenght, cocobolo handle.

Oh, and a pic of last week walleyes (with a pike hidden under the pile) :

Get a book/read forums on the different techniques (casting, trolling, fishing knot, bait, fish species, filleting, cooking). Try to go with an experienced buddy that know the lake/river you plan to fish and the species; you will learn A LOT in a very short amount of time. After you learned the basics, you will be able to experiment different things yourself and develop your own "strategies".

Happy fishing!

Did YOU make those knives? They are beautiful! I love the fillet knife. Does the handle get slippery with blood/slime covered hands?
I would love to get a nice fillet knife for my Bro-in-Law who is obsessed with fishing (esp. Redfish, Speckled Trout, flounder, etc.). The Redfish can be particularly tough on a blade. He tends to use an electric knife for the Reds.

 

[defaultuser]

Did YOU make those knives? They are beautiful! I love the fillet knife. Does the handle get slippery with blood/slime covered hands?

Hey Docta! Thanks for the good comments - As a matter of fact, yes, I made those. I don't have the Nessmuk anymore but I still have the fishing one. Yes, it does get slippery so I have to be carefull and have to wash my hands and knife handle from time to time (every 5 fish or so). I really like S30V for this application - edge holding is pretty good, and rust is a non-issue (even after the 30th fish ).

You're welcome to contact me for your BIL; I have an identical blade almost ready for HT so maybe we can work something out.

 

[Ebbtide]

One hand for the fish, one hand for the knife.
Then you don't have to worry about slippery handles and hands.
Works for me

 

[DoctaD]

One hand for the fish, one hand for the knife.
Then you don't have to worry about slippery handles and hands.
Works for me

Somehow, when cleaning an ice chest full of specks, I can't keep my hands free of slime, blood and ice water. I've yet to cut my self, but when I'm tired, hungry, and the mosquitos are annoying me, the risk increases, and a well textured or shaped grip is welcome. It is particularly risky when cleaning both slimy fish likes specks, interspersed with tough scaled fish like Redfish.
An anti-cut glove might help.

 

[Ebbtide]

Nothing wrong with a textured grip.
The stagalon on the UH Steelhead works well.
I grew up with a wood handled Dexter Russell, as did most my age. That or a Rapala. When that's all you have, you learn to work with what you got.
It's not that hard, just takes some getting used to.
Only slows you down a little

My dad taught me early on about the clean hand, dirty hand concept.
Works for painting too.
Same thing when you egg & bread crumb the fillets. One hand for the egg and the other for the bread crumbs, this way you don't get your fingers full of coating that should be on the fish

More than one way to do anything.
I'm just sayin that it works for me.

Mostly Bluefish here:

These will all get the job done

IJ (Stainless)
Dozier (D2)
Uncle Henry Steelhead (stainless)
Murphy Knife Co (carbon)