What is the best fillet knife?

pahl

pahl

Joined
Feb 23, 2002
Messages
1,088
What are some good fillet knives?

I'm sure there are a lot of custom ones and feel free to post about them, but I'm preaty sure they will be out of my price range.

I'm looking for something under $100. It needs to be flexable and atleast 6" long. It must also have a great handle. Some type of handle you can grip with wet hands.

I have had fillet knives with wooden handles and I don't think I would ever have one again.

The knife I have been using for the last couple weeks is a Buck 123. I really like the handle on this knife.

I would really like to find something like the Buck 123 in a vg-10 steel :)

I clean fish 3-4 day's a week so my fillet knife gets used often.
 
Originally posted by TheBadGuy
I would recomend you take a look at the Microtech Fillet Knife
Click to expand...

I just did a quick search on ebay for them. They are S30V, nice.

Have you used one? How much flex is there to the blade?

I had a yellow handle spyerco catcherman once. The blade on that did not have any flex to it :(
 
I have no complaints
(OK one complaint: fake stag)
about my Shrade/UH Steelhead fillet knife.
It flexes nicely, but not so much that you can't use the point. Stays reasonably sharp & comes back after a few licks on the stone.
And it is cheap enough to do some sanding on the handle scales if you are so inclined.
 
I have one of the Microtech fillet knives, and I recommend them. Blade is just barely flexible, which to me gives the knife more utility value than simply a fillet knife.
 
Danbo makes a good point.
You really only need a flexible blade to skin the fillets (IMHO). Some folks scale the fish first and leave the skin on.
With a little practice you can get the meat off the carcass with any knife. I used a Sharpfinger for years on Bluefish, Flounder & the occasional Striper.
 
This works amazing at filleting fish and removing scales :D



cs5000.jpg
 
Originally posted by crosman177
Rapala J. Martini FInland.

Nk-1.jpg

Or any of theyre other fileters.
Click to expand...

IMO this knife is a very poor design.

The handle is wood. The handle tapers towards the blade. The way the handle is designed there is nothing to keep your hand from sliding off the handle and towards the blade.

I was using one of these knives last year and had it slip in my hand. I cut myself just about to the bone.

I would never own such a knife again.

I should maybe add that my fillet knife is only used for cleaning fish and it does need to be a flexible blade. The fish I clean don't get scaled I remove the skin on all of them.

Thanks,
 
Phil wilson builds the finest fillet knife. I have one in S30V and it cuts like no other. Expensive yes, worth it YES!! I also had him make a utility knife in S30V and that too, is awesome. These were left on my boat in their sheaths over the winter, no staining, I'm impressed.

I keep several Dexter Russel fillet knives on my boat and they see most of the use. Inexpensive and they work. If you fish with other people a knife is going overboard, that's reason enough for the Dexters.

Win
 
I haven't used the Microtech Black Marlin yet, but it is pretty expensive. It may be worth it depending on the application. If you're cutting alot of big saltwater fish, the S30V is probably worth it. If smaller things are you're concern, I'd strongly reccomend the Knives of Alaska grayling. They make a bigger model now called the Coho. There is also a combo set of the two available, for less than $100. They have just enough flex, are easy to sharpen (AUS-8), and have a very comfortable handle. I used an Uncle Henry for years and thought it was a good fillet knife, and isn't terribly expensive. It also has a great warranty. In my younger days I used to work as a charter boat mate and then as a Captain so I've whacked countless bluefish, weakfish (sea trout) flounder and tuna. If I was doing that today, I'd pony up for the Microtech, since the "super stainless" nature of S30V would justify the cost. IMHO, for the "weekend warrior" either the Uncle Henry or the K of A knives would be the ticket. The handles on the Coho and Grayling are about a slip resistant as you can get.
 
I've never had any trouble with the Rapalas from Martinnii (except for the one my son ran through the dishwasher!). They do have a kraton-handled series, with a cast finger-guard, and the same blades as the wooden version.

The Browning Featherlite looks nice and usable, using AUS-8 blade steel and plastic/wood composite handles.

And the Knives of Alaska ones feel great in the hand and have nice flexible blades. Theonly thing I don't like about them is the serrations at the tip, probably could sharpen them off. The Greyling may be my next fillet knife, if anything ever happens to my good Martinnii.

That's all I can think of that I like in my price range. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top