The 5 Best Fillet Knives For Your Kitchen
By: Olivia Taylor
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The 5 Best Fillet Knives
Have you been looking for the best fillet knife for your cleaning your fish?
Traditional steak knives and boning knives can be used to debone meat or chicken, however they can bend or warp after a while. In addition, filleting fish with the wrong knife can reduce sharpness, cause damage to them and waste a lot of your time.
Once you select the right fillet knife for removing bones and skin, you’ll find the fillet knife to be an essential kitchen gadget. We have done our homework and reviewed the best fillet knives on the market. Let’s get started!
The Top 5 Best Fillet Knives
1. Bubba Flex Curved Fillet Knife
Looking for something that is high quality? The Bubba brand of fillet knives deliver with their iconic red non-slip handle and razor sharp stainless steel blade.
Bubba is a company that originated in California and started with saltwater knives, but now include freshwater. Their knives provide high quality durability and excellent performance.
The knife has a razor sharp twelve inch blade that you to easily pierce and remove meat without waste. Meanwhile, there are safe guards that protect you not only from the blade but from the spines of fish. In addition, it comes with a synthetic sheath with a belt loop for a hands free carrying experience.
Pros
– The blade is Ti-Nitride coated so it won’t rust
– The blade is super thin, which makes it an excellent knife for fishing
– Gripping is easy with the non-slip grip that allows for complete control
– Ideal for saltwater or freshwater fish
Cons
– This is a flexible knife and the quality is good but the twelve inch knife might be too big for smaller fish
– The knife is very sharp, but will need to be sharpened
– The knife is pretty big, but very easy to control
Product Details
Manufacturer: Bubba Blade Knives by BTI Tool
Quantity: 1 piece
Blade Length: 12 inches
Summary: With the Bubba 12 inch Flex Fillet Knife, you can easily remove meat and fish from the bone. The extra sharp blade is made from stainless steel and coated with Ti-Nitride so it won’t rust. As a result, it will remain sharp and durable for a long time.
The red handle provides a solid and secure grip. Safety guards are there for protection from the blade and even from the fish your filleting. Overall, a great knife at a great price.
2. Rapala Fish n Fillet Knife
Rapala is well known for being in the fishing knife business for over fifty years. The Rapala Fish n Fillet Knife is offered in the less common nine inch blade. As a result, it is extremely flexible, and very sharp.
It comes with a leather sheath with a safety belt loop that will allow you to always have your knife right by your side. This knife set comes with the nine inch fillet knife, a genuine leather sheath, and a single stage sharpener. This knife definitely makes a great gift for the fisherman in your life.
Pros
– The manufacturer of this knife has been making knives for over 50 years
– Very sharp blade, with just the right amount of flexibility
– The birch handle is light and fits well in your hand
– This knife comes in four different size blades
Cons
– The handle is a little bit smaller than expected
– It is not dishwasher safe, but can be quickly cleaned by rinsing it
-This knife is priced slightly higher than comparable knives, but the quality is worth it
Product Details
Manufacturer: Rapala
Quantity: 1 piece
Blade Length: 9 inches
Summary: If you’re looking for a fillet knife that is high quality craftsmanship, and over fifty years of making fillet knives, the Rapala Fish n Fillet Knife is your knife.
The has a nine inch blade made of Swedish stainless steel. The handle is made of varnished birch. As a result, it is stain resistant, strong and sharp.
3. Bubba Electric Fillet Knife
Bubba knives are designed by fishermen for fishermen and electric fillet knives are included in that. This knife has a non-slip grip handle, and tapered carbon stainless steel blade that is coated with Ti-Nitride. Not only does this electric fillet knife come with a seven inch flex blade, it also comes with a nine inch flex blade, a nine inch stiff blade, and a twelve inch stiff blade. So it’s like getting four knives for the price of one.
The Bubba Electric Fillet Knife has an eight-foot cord, safety lock and trigger guard for ultimate protection. In addition, it comes with carrying case, which allows you to keep your blades, clean and safe.
Pros
– It has a non-slip handle that allows you to maintain constant control
– Excellent storage case, that store each blade individually
– It comes with four different blades, stiff and flex
Cons
– It is more expensive than other boning knives we reviewed but well worth the cost
– Because it is electric, it may not be suitable for all situations
Product Details
Manufacturer: Bubba
Quantity: 1 motor, 4 blades, 1 storage case
Blade Length: seven inch flex, nine inch flex, nine inch stiff, twelve inch stiff
Summary: You will surely impress your fellow fisherman when you pull out your Bubba Electric Fillet Knife out of its storage case. This electric fillet knife features four blades: a nine inch flex blade, a nine inch stiff blade, and a twelve inch stiff blade.
The blade is made of stainless steel. As a result, it won’t stain, rust or corrode. Whether you are catching and filleting small or large fish, this knife has the right blade to get the job done.
4. American Angler Fillet Knife
If you plan on cleaning a lot of fish you’re going to want an electric knife that will last. This electric fillet knife comes with a two year limited warranty.
The American Angler Knife has plenty of power and is very easy to operate. The blade is curved and ends with a pointed tip. As a result, it allows you to easily work around bones and joints quickly. This knife will not disappoint.
Pros
– It has a very sharp, strong and flexible blade
– The blade is really thin, which helps debone and fillet quickly
– Great quality for a moderate price, and comes with a two year limited warranty
Cons
– It is a bit expensive, but worth the investment if you plan to clean a lot of fish
– The blade isn’t a pointed as we had expected
– The handle can get a little warm after using it for a while
Product Details
Manufacturer: American Angler
Quantity: 1 piece
Blade Length: eight inches
Summary: If you’re looking for a knife that can filet and de-bone, the American Angler Fillet Knife should be your pick. It has an ultra thin blade that allows you to quickly de-bone, fillet or trim your catch of the day. Since the blade is curved, it allows you to easily work around bones and joints.
5. Serious Catch Fillet Knife w/ Leather Belt Knife Sleeve
A lot of thought went into the was design of this knife. It is great to take on your fishing and or hunting trips. It has a seven inch blade that is perfect for filleting fish and a handle that is comfortable and safe to use.
The blade is made of stainless steel and can be sharpened and polished with the Japanese Honbazuke Method. It includes a sheath that is made to store, and protect your fillet knife.
Pros
– This knife is stiff yet bendable enough to get the job done
– The handle is well balanced, comfortable, and allows for great control
– Great for cleaning fish as well as trimming fat off meat like brisket.
Cons
– This knife is great for meat, chicken and fish but doesn’t work well on vegetables
– It is expensive compared to the other knives we reviewed
– The sheath is a little loose, but looks great and allow you to attach is to your tactical belt
Product Details
Manufacturer: The Serious Catch
Quantity: 1 piece
Blade Length: seven inches
Summary: The Serious Catch Fillet Knife w/ Leather Belt Knife Sleeve is sharp so it gets the job done, and is easy to clean. The handle is designed for comfort and can be used by fisherman, chefs and home cooks. The Serious Catch Fillet Knife w/ Leather Belt Knife Sleeve is definitely worth the money!
What is a Fillet Knife and Why Do You Need One?
We love kitchen tools and gadgets and fillet knives are no exception. A fillet knife isn’t just for cleaning fish. It can can be used with fish, meat and poultry.
Fillet knives are designed with thin, sharp blades that are or extremely flexible. Fillet knives are easy to clean because their blades are stainless steel.
While most fillet knives are not dishwasher safe, however you can easily clean them with warm water. Many fillet knives come with their own sharpener, which makes sharpening them really easy.
Like with most kitchen gadgets, you can use them for more than their intended use. Fillet knives are no exception. They can be used for the following kitchen tasks:
- Filleting Fish: Fillet knives are designed to clean fish. The flexible and strength allow a fillet knife to remove gills, organs, and cut away bones. Fillet knives come in many sizes. As a result, you can easily clean any type of fish.
- Cutting Chicken: Fillet knives can be used to thinly slice chicken. They can also be used to butterfly and remove fat from chicken.
- Cut and Decorate Vegetables: Fillet knives can used to cut vegetables in fancy ways to create intricate designs. These vegetables can be used to garnish dishes and add a professional touch to your meals.
- Meat Slicing: Fillet knives can be use to trim excess fat off of meat. In addition, fillet knives can be used to cut meat in thin slices.
What Is the Difference Between a Fillet Knife and Boning Knife?
The difference between a fillet knife and boning knife is the thickness of the blade and your intended use. A fillet knife is designed to remove skin and bones from fish. The blade of a fillet knife is thinner and more flexible than a boning knife. Fillet knives are ideal for fish because the blade is thinner and allows for more precision.
A boning knife is designed to remove bones from meat, skin from larger cuts of meat, chicken and even fish. Boning knife blades are thicker than regular kitchen knives.
What size fish fillet knife is best?
Choosing the best fillet knife is easy. Figure out what type fish you will be catching then pick a knife based on that . A fillet knife should be two inches longer than the fish you’re working with.
Fillet knives are sold in lengths ranging from six inches to twelve inches. Smaller fish like trout and perch can be filleted with six inch knives. Medium size fish like catfish and salmon should be filleted with eight inch knives. Larger fish like like halibut and tuna should be filleted with twelve inch knives. Choose your fish then choose your knife.
2 Types of Fillet Knives
There are generally only two types of filleting knife: Scandinavian style and Japanese style. This refers to the type of blade and its flexibility. You should choose a blade type based on how you will be using the knife. Lets take a look at each type of.
Scandinavian Flexible Blade
Scandinavian blades are flexible and have a pointed end. Blades that move and bend are flexible blades. They are usually smaller in size and range between five and seven inches. They provide control through their flexibility and have a grind on both side of the knife. As a result, flexible blades work well when filleting fish.
Japanese Stiff Blade
Japanese stiff blades offer less flexibility. They are usually long, less flexible than Scandinavian blades. However, they are very sharp since they only have a grind on one side.
3 Benefits of Using a Fillet Knife
There are many benefits of using a fillet knife and making our life easier is one of the main ones, but let’s take a look at the ways to use a fillet knife.
1. Fillet knives can be used to remove skin from a fish fillet faster than a regular knife.
2. When used with fish, you can cut more meat and leave less waste.
3. The blade is thinner, which makes it flexible, which make the entire filleting process much quicker
4 Things to Look for In A Fillet Knife
Knowing exactly what to look for when buying a fillet knife is going to make the process a lot easier. You may have several questions about what makes a fillet knife more advantageous than another. So, let’s take a look at the three most important things to look for in a good fillet knife.
1. Blade Thickness
A fillet knife must be flexible, and the thickness of the blade will determine its flexibility. It will be easier to remove skin and work around bones with a flexible knife. Typically, the shorter the blade, the thinner and more flexible it will be. A good fillet knife will be flexible.
Fillet knife blades are designed to be very thin. They are typically 2.5–3.5 mm at the spine. The spine of the knife is the top part of the blade, opposite of the knife cutting edge. This allows the knife to bend, flex and maintain an edge. If the fillet knife was too thick, it would not bend when you need is to remove skin and work around bones.
2. Handle Design
Since fillet knives are often used around water, a handle with a solid, non-slip grip is important. Handles are made with wood, plastic or rubber. Another important feature of a fillet knife handle is the shape. They are often long with a teardrop shape, with a safety notch at the base. This safety feature helps stop the user’s hand from accidently sliding into the blade.
3. Bevel
A bevel is the part of the blade that has been ground to form the knife’s edge. The bevel on a fillet knife is longer that other types of knives. To get a razor sharp edge, a bevel is usually between twelve and seventeen degrees.
In order to get a razor sharp edge, the knife will become flexible. However, a long bevel is what makes a fillet knife have the ability to move over and around gills, ribs and back bones when filleting fish.
What is an electric fillet knife?
An electric fillet knife is similar to a regular fillet knife except it us mounted and uses an electronically powered handle. An electric fillet knife will allow you to cut faster than a traditional fillet knife. Electric fillet knives are commonly found in commercial settings where a lot of fish need to be filleted. However, electric fillet knives are sold and often used with fishermen.
Electric fillet knives come in two types: corded or cordless. Cordless electric fillet knives are convenient; however, they do require batteries. If you plan on filleting a lot of fish, an electric fillet knife will definitely save you time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best knife for cutting up fish is a fillet knife. Your needs and wallet will be the biggest factor. As always with kitchen gadgets, buy the best quality within your budget. Each knife reviewed has its own set of pros and cons, let us know in the comments which fillet knife you decided to go for.