Quality Fillet Knife

[romertrain]

I'm looking to purchase a quality fillet knife - not only for walleye, but for salmon too. Therefore, it would need to have atleast a 10" blade.

I already have a rapala fillet knife which is ok - but I'm looking to take a step up. I hear that you get what you pay for.

Just wondering what you have and how you like it.

thanks........romertrain

[shadowman]

i have the american angler electric fillet knife and it works fine for me, i do know that there are quite a few guys here that like an electric knife, so that may be an option for you.

[wallydog1]

look at getting a good electric knife.I would not use any thing else.make's filleting a hole lot better.american angler is the one I have and I love it.

[wallydog1]

shadowman,we were on the same page.beat me to the punch.

[Phil T.]

Check Gerber's website for their expensive knives. I have an old "Coho" model that's been excellent. I think it cost about as much as their good hunting knives even back when I bought it.
I say check their website because I've only seen cheap knives from Gerber in the mail order catalogs recently.

[IA Fisherman]

Look into Leech Lake knives, they are the best I have come across and am glad I bought one.

[nemio]

Shadowman is right, never leave home without it!

[vetspet(ind)]

i have owned numerous mr.twisters and an american angler...not the real good one...the black one w/o contoured handle....none lasted me longer than a yr...the american angler only lasted a few months...a guy on wc mentioned the slim grip black&decker...i bought two for 10 dollars each...that was three yrs ago...i'm down to my second knife...so no complaints and the price is right...got mine at ace hardware....i fillet lots of salmon...lots of panfish (which i'm sure are more wear&tear on the knife...steve...

[REW]

Over the years, I have owned quite a few different knives. Some have worked well, and some have been less than satisfactory.

I have used several different electric knives as well, and generally they will cut fish just fine. However, most of the electric knives in the less than $30 price range are rather short lived. These knives simply have a tough time cutting through some of the bones that we ask them to cut.

Of the different knives, perhaps the best ones have been the Buck, the Cutco, and recently the Wusthof Dreizack.

These three knives all have excellent steel, and really hold an edge well. Because the steel is so hard - it takes an excellent sharpner to get a razor edge on these knives. But, once the edge is in place - the edge holds very well.

The Buck knives sell for about $25 - and represent an excellent value.
The Cutco - "fishermans friend" is a unique knife. It has a removable blade, that extends from 7-10 inches. It is nice to have the precise control of a short knife for the smaller fish; but still have the ability to clean the big salmon. Also, on this knife is a line cutter, a sharpening stone, and a fish holder. These "accessories are fuctional, but a bit cheesy." However, the quality of the knife is top notch - as are the rest of the cutco line of knives. I believe that the current selling price of this knife is in the mid $50 range.

I was aware of the Wustohf line of knives from some of my professional resturantier friends. These knives are some of the finest knives made any where. I have had a few occasions to use these knives and have been extremely impressed with the balance, quality of steel - perfect match of knife to application etc. I was checking E-bay one day, and found one of these fillet knives in an overall length of 14 inches; with an 8 1/2 inch blade. This blade is the perfect size for cleaning salmon. When I checked the price on this knife at some fine knife stores; it was listed at $99. I was able to get the bid on e-bay for $35. Without a doubt; it is the finest fillet knife that I have ever used.

Incidentally, I was at a surplus store - last summer, and I found a bucket with imported fillet knives in them. They were selling for $.99 each. Actually, they have a razor sharp blade, and are actually one of the best knives I have ever used for slicing tomatoes. This knife is just right for cutting tomatoes, just the right amount of tooth, but the blade is much too flexible for doing a decent job of cleaning fish.

One of the other posters mention the leech lake fillet knives. They are made of very excellent steel. They also really hold an edge. Although I have sharpened many of them, and they do a very good job of cleaning fish; I favor a different blade shape. I personally favor a knife with a wider blade - that has just a "bit" of give - that is not too tapered - except for about the last two or three inches of the blade. I find that the wider blade - that is not too flexible, allows me to more quickly clean fish. The wider blade allows me to hold the fillet in place as I am doing the cleaning.

Although - I have cleaning lots of fish with an electric knife - I have generally gone back to a conventional knife. I find little difference in time - between using a conventional knife and an electric knife, and I belive that I can get a bit more meat off a fish, with a regular knife. Also, to do a better job, and keep the knife from getting dull - I typically don't cut bones with my fillet knife. I simply prefer to cut around the bones, as I fillet - to do a one step process - with no dull knives, and no rib bones to clean out afterwards.

Take care - and may your knives stay sharp.

REW

[rebs]

I have several filet knives and my favorite is the Shimano that comes with a sharpener for it
I only slide the balde a few times through the sharpener that came with it and it stays like a razor

I think the secret is in the sharpener that comes with it. it is set for the angle that the blade was sharpened at originally and keeps that angle

rebs

[wheels]

A guy in Edgemont, SD named Tom Covel custom makes fillet knives. He makes an excellent knife in my opinion. They aren't free, but you do get what you pay for.

If your interested his number is (605) 662-7128


"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!"

[InTheNet]

Forschner. Many sizes to choose from. Sharpen well. A lot of the charter captains I know use them. Rick H.

[Nancy]

I too, add the that Leech Lake knife is a good one, plus you can get it sharpened (if needed) every year.They are expensive, but certainly worth the money/investment.These knives are human made and inspected by human eyes. Not many knife companies can say that.

[205]

Geeze, I wish I had some FISH TO FILLET! :-)

[skillz]

These knives are the best thing ever!! Expensive though. A buddy of mine had one, life time warranty without EVER needing to be sharpened. I think they are around $90-100. It is funny, I was just thinking about these knives last weekend while cleaning a bunch of perch. They are awesome!!

skz

The best time to go fishing is whenever you can...

[Stevie B]

Hands down the best knife that I have ever used is the Schrade Old Timer knives. I have the 7 1/2" and the 6". Working at a lodge for a few summers we cleaned approx. 1000 fish each per summer. The old timer kept it's edge better than any other knife there. Buy the end of the summer I could usually fillet a walleye from whole to boneless in about 20 seconds.

Fish On.

[romertrain]

Wow! Just a shout out to say thanks for all the great responses here.

I definitely have something to go on.

.......romertrain

[pwrfshn]

"A guy in Edgemont, SD named Tom Covel custom makes fillet knives. He makes an excellent knife in my opinion. They aren't free, but you do get what you pay for.
If your interested his number is (605) 662-7128


"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!""



I have to second what Wheels said about this knife. I was fortunate enough to have been given one as a gift by a couple of good friends, but the knife is second to none. I use it on Walleye and Striper.

My preference for an electric is the Black and Decker EK 300. It is a workhorse and never lets me down.

Personal preference is Black and Decker for the initial cutting and the Covel for the artwork or smaller fish.

Good luck,

[Jigging 5]

Looking for fixed blade? Look at the Gerber brand. Great fillet knife.
Electric, I like the American Angler.

[TeeDub]

I love my Leech Lake knife! I especially like the sharpened, curved "back side" for slicing up from the underside of the scales when making the cut behind the gills and along the spine. Saves a lot of wear and tear on the main cutting edge. I've had mine for a few years, have filleted many an 'Eye, Perch and even a few Salmon with it and it's yet to require sharpening. Don Canney, the owner of Leech Lake knives is also a real pleasure to do business with.

Sounds like a commercial I know...... but it isn't. I'm just a plain old happy user! So happy I bought one for my son for his last birthday and he's now indebted to me for life. Ha!

[Poke-Eye]

Bought a Leach Lake knife back in the early 80's. One of the best investments I've ever made. Started out being made by Don Canney, (sp?), ex mayor of Cedar Rapids, in his basement as a hobby. Bought mine from him. Only other place I have seen them is at Bobbys in Vermillion Bay, Ont., but I'm sure they're available elsewhere. Don't know for sure if the "Mayor" is still with the company or not.
If anyone knows where else you can buy them could you let me know as I would like to get a couple for my two boys.

[spinner]

i have a american angler, used it several times then the gear box came unglued, took it apart and then put it back together and it seems to work ok, maybe a fluke.

[Phil T.]

The Wustoff Trident knives on our kitchen countertop have all been excellent. My Gerber filet and hunting knives are of equal quality.

[Big Sky]

My vote goes for Leech Lake knifes. I have 2. Here's their website.

www.leechlakeknife.com/

[fishinnut]

I like the Schrade but my favorite has been the Cutco. The variable blade length and non-slip rubber handle are great features.

[stewart]

I'll also toss in a good word for the cutco knife. Like REW said it looks so cheesy, but it's a great knife.

[Candrzoo]

I second that on the Old Timer. You can get them at Sears Hardware Stores

[Big Fish]

www.reedssports.com great knife

[Wild Bill]

I think one of the most important things to look for in a fillet knife is how it actually feels in your hand.I have had some cheap fillet knives that I liked alot because they just felt right IN MY HAND.Also I think that Rapala fillet knife you have has too flimsy of a blade.Personal preference plays a big role in fillet knives.I just like a knife to feel like it 'fits' my hand.That's the one I do the best job filleting with.

[Pitts]

Boy lots of good info here!! :)
I have probably fillet about 500 fish since winter started in MN (Fish Fry) and I have used a Leech Lake Knife but I do not like the sharpened backside because I cut my fingers on it all the time.
I have a simple insulation knife used by contractors for cutting insulation and looks like a boner only about a 9" blade with a bit thinner on the end.
It has a faily soft steel and is easy to sharpen.
I use a drag carbide sharpener on it and it is plenty sharp to fillet knicely.
2 strokes or so with the sharpener and I fillet 25 fish then 2 more strokes and I fillet 25 more no big deal simple and cheap and always sharp.

One other note BEWARE!! of immitation Leech Lake Knives :( I have heard they were not patented and somebody had 10,000 made overseas cheaply and flooded the market charging 1/2 what the originals go for.
They are cheap junk and are not worth 10$.


Pitts