Fillet Knife suggestions?

I always liked Rapala ones. Cheap, but gets the job done. Someone gifted me a folding lockback one by Berkeley, I think. That thing sucked so bad it was demoted to cutting grass that threatens to eat my paver bricks. It had such a thick layer of rubber on the handle you couldn't feel back bones in fish (*snap*)
 
I have a 6" Buck Clearwater in 12c27 ( Blue handle).
Retired my Rapalas since I got it 3 years ago. Best one I've used yet. You can rinse it off while it's in the sheath also.
 
hiwa said:
I have a 6" Buck Clearwater in 12c27 ( Blue handle).
Retired my Rapalas since I got it 3 years ago. Best one I've used yet. You can rinse it off while it's in the sheath also.
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Thanks. I had a Rapala one once witht the wood handle and felt like I had to sharpen way to frequently.
 
I just came across this guy. I saw two fillet knives of his on another forum. He is likely here too.

DTknives.com
 
marchone said:
I just came across this guy. I saw two fillet knives of his on another forum. He is likely here too.

DTknives.com
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Just checked out some of his work but probably more than I'm wanting to spend on a fillet knife. I didn't find one but based on the prices of the other knives probably over budget. Thanks though.
 
BFISHES333 -

I use a Victorinox Fibrox filet knife. However I'm not fishing salt water so corrosion isn't an issue. I have a retired admiral friend who I gave a Spyderco Aqua Salt to for use when he takes his boat out of Mystic, CT for some ocean fishing. He says it is the best fishing knife he has ever had. Here are some videos that may be of interest. Tight lines!


 
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Flexible blades shine when taking the skin off of the cut fillet.
I've had a Schrade Steelhead in SS for decades that is hard to beat for a flexible bladed fillet.
I'd keep an eye out for one of those ;)
Also like my Murphy Knives carbon flexible fillet.

For a real meat eater, that doesn't flex, it is my Dozier fillet. Hands down. More than your budget but well worth saving up for. Keep an eye on the big purveyors to avoid the long wait at the shop.
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Bfishes333 said:
The Dexter shown in the first image and even the outdoor amgler (plastic sheath shown in second photo) have done pretty well just wanting something custom to my liking and of higher quality.
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Then select one of our custom makers here and get to work. You'll be so damned glad you did.

Years ago, my buddy had the same dilemma. He knew I was the "knife guy" in our group, and started showing me various fillet knives.

"I like this one's handle, but it needs....." This one's shape is perfect, it just doesn't flex enough....."

We scratched out a bunch of criteria, and I went home and contacted a custom maker from here on BFC. What came back was a magical tool that my buddy marveled over, and still does to this day. That maker was George Tichbourne. Sadly, he passed away before I could outfit the rest of my fishing buddies with his knives.

You have the drawing, you know your style. Now grab one of our craftsmen and make this thing happen. You'll love it.
 
Thanks for the reccomendations and photos everyone. I'm going to go with a knifemaker here just to get it figured out now. I'd still like to see pics of everyones favorites. Thanks
 
Also have a look at vintage G96 fillet knives, like the models 2020, 2030, 2050, 2078, etc.
Often found second hand or even brand new on E-Bay for very little money.
Although i sometimes have my doubts about the ergonomics of the often translucent blue handle shapes (very personal i know), the steel used in these blades is very hard and wear resistant and will take & hold a screaming sharp edge.
 
My favorites are the Morakniv Fishing Comfort and the Rapala Fish n Fillet Superflex. I also have a folding Buck silver creek 220 in my BOB that is good.

If you are looking for something more "Deluxe" I second the North Arm suggestion these are awesome performer.
 
Over the years, I've tried and owned many of the production fillet knives. Differing Dexter models, Forschner, Rapala, Case, Buck, Swibo, Old Hickory, etc. etc. etc. I have customs by different makers which do an excellent job and gifted several different makers to family members. Phil Wilson makes fantastic knives if you can get one. Landi on this forum makes nice knives, come very sharp. It's hard to have one fillet knife for all tasks. For steaking (kingfish and others) a heavier longer blade is better. Use my Microtech Black Marlin for that. For skinning, a longer less sharp blade with a small amount of flex works best.

For inexpensive knives, Swibo and the PG series Frost by Mora make pretty good knives. They offer different lengths, blade designs, and flex. They get screaming sharp and have decent handles. Don't hold an edge as well as some but that's what stone's, steels, and sharpeners are for. I use the Havalon Baracuta quite a bit for different fish. Allows for surgical precision when filleting. If you have a lot of fish to fillet you can do a quick blade changeout and keep going. They sell these with the intent of people changing the blades and throwing the old away after use. I've cleaned hundreds of fish with the same 2 blades. They re-sharpen quickly and easily back to scalpel level. I'm a nut for fillet and B&T knives. Always on the hunt for the "perfect" fillet knife. Guess I need to design what I want and have one of the good folks on this forum make it for me. That may be your best bet too.

Edit to add, the Frost's and Swibo's don't come with sheath's so that may be a consideration. You could probably buy all the PG series Frost's you would need (narrow or wide}for around $100.00. The handles are a bit large for the blades but good around water. Also the White River w/cork handle is nice though may be a bit more flex than you like.
 
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I've heard good things about Knives of Alaska's fillet knives. Never used one, though. Their Steelheader looks a lot like your drawing.
 
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