Knives of Alaska Coho vs Steelheader - owner opinions

Joined
Sep 29, 2012
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My first thread! Lots of reading but for the first time ever something I didn't find an answer to yet. For my birthday my wife is getting me a new fillet knife, either a KOA Coho or Steelheader (I've narrowed what I want down to those for the price, type of steel, and reputation).

I want a good stainless with decent carbon content for edge retention and under $50. The KOA fillet knives are 440C and really were the only stainless knives I could find under $50 that were not under 440 levels of carbon in the retail sector.

After looking at several online retailers it seems the Steelheader is a bit thicker and does not flex as much as the Coho in addition to the difference in the blade design. The Coho has great reviews all over the place and the Steelheader seems to have more negative or neutral reviews. I know someone here has both of these and can give me their thoughts after using both. The knife would be mainly used on Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Pike. I've not done a lot of filleting in my time and am not even sure if the longer blade of the Coho would work well for the smaller fish if the consensus is that the Coho has a superior design.

Any help/opinions appreciated!


If you want to see the items:
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/item.asp?id=105
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/item.asp?id=26
 
I have the steelheader I like it. It gets plenty of use.
A guided gift from my daughter, I chose it in preference to the coho primarily on aesthetics. I thought the coho had a curious sway back, a chunky looking handle, and a tip / point that looked to me to be less useful to my filleting style than the steel header. I have not handled the coho.
The steelheader does have a stiff blade but you get familiar with what you use.
I have other KOA knives and think they are good knives for their price.
I think either knife will serve you well.
 
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