Cut Like a Pro: The Best Fillet Knife for Efficient and Precise Slicing

April 27, 2023
7 mins read
Photo by cottonbro studio

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This article showcases our top picks for the Best Fillet Knife. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below). We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.

Rapala 4″ Fish’n Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Steven Zhang from Lure Me fish

I would highly recommend the Rapala Fish ‘N Fillet Knife with Sheath as the best fillet knife on the market. The blade of this knife is made of high-quality Swedish stainless steel, which is progressively tapered and full-tang. The classic birch handle provides a secure and comfortable grip, while the safety notch secures the tang to the brass ferrule. The genuine leather sheath not only keeps the knife safe and secure but also doubles as a single-stage sharpener. This makes it a great option for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, as well as for processing game fish.

KastKing Fillet Knife and Bait Knife

This product was recommended by Mark Joseph from Parental Queries

The KastKing Bait Knife and Fillet Knife is a professional-grade fillet knife designed for the most demanding anglers. Its 7-inch blade is made from high-quality stainless steel, giving it superior edge retention, strength, and corrosion resistance. It also features a comfortable, rubberized handle for added grip and control and a unique thumb stud with jimping to make opening the blade easy and safe. The KastKing Bait Knife and Fillet Knife make cleaning your catch fast and effortless while providing superior performance every time.

Kershaw Clearwater 7’’ Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by David Reid from VEM Tooling

We love that this fish filleting knife was created in the USA; it’s a great first point of pride. Moreover, remember that the blade of this knife is 7 inches long and does not come in any other size. Furthermore, the blade is crafted from 420J2 stainless steel, a specific type of Japanese stainless steel renowned for being incredibly strong and rust-resistant, which is another outstanding feature of this knife. You can use this knife in salty environments with complete confidence because of the special steel employed. The blade is tough and sharp enough to handle any fish you can throw.

Rhinoreto Fish Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

The ergonomic rubber handle on the Rhinoreto Fish Fillet Knife is just one of the many features that set it apart from a premium fish fillet knife. This rubber handle is comfortable to grasp for extended periods of time and also features a non-slip design to ensure your safety. The blade is constructed of standard stainless steel, which is good for rust and corrosion resistance; in fact, stainless steel is one of the few materials you want to use for saltwater applications.

Calamus Fishing Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

If you’re in the market for a high-quality 7-inch knife for filleting and deboning fish, consider the Calamus Fishing Fillet Knife. Amazingly, this knife is also available in a shorter length of 9 inches (and two more sizes, though these aren’t fish filleting knives per se). G4116 German stainless steel, like one of the other blades we examined today, is one of the most rust- and corrosion-resistant steel varieties available.

PLUSINNO Fishing Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Irene Graham from Spylix

The interesting thing about the PLUSINNO Fishing Fillet Knife is that it has three different blade lengths: 7-inch, 6-inch, and 5-inch. What we like about this blade is that it is crafted from 5CR13 stainless steel, a specific kind of stainless steel recognized for being exceptionally robust, durable, and rust and corrosion-resistant. When dealing with saltwater and corrosion, this is one of the best stainless steel used for such an application.

Hammer Stahl 7-Inch Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Emily from Hammer Stahl

A thin, flexible blade that allows for ease and precision while filleting fish. The narrow blade moves cleanly along bones and evenly slices along the skin, removing it effortlessly from the flesh.

Cuda 6-Piece Fish Fillet Knife Set

This product was recommended by Jennifer Curtis from She Cooks She Eats

The Cuda 6-Piece Fish Fillet Knife Set with Sharpener is a great set for any angler. This set includes five fillet knives, a sharpener and a storage case. The knives feature razor-sharp stainless steel blades that are ideal for skinning and filleting fresh or saltwater fish. The ergonomic polypropylene handles provide a secure and comfortable grip while the full-tang construction ensures lasting durability. The included sharpener is designed to quickly and easily sharpen the knives in the set. The set comes with a convenient storage case to keep your knives organized and protected.

Rapala Fish n Fillet Superflex Knife

This product was recommended by Jennifer Curtis from She Cooks She Eats

Raphael Fish and Fillet Superflex Knife is a great choice for filleting and skinning fish. It features a high-quality stainless steel blade that is flexible enough to maneuver around bones and skin, yet strong enough to get through tough tasks. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold and the blade is razor-sharp, making it ideal for professional chefs and amateur cooks alike. With its superior quality and performance, the Raphael Fish and Fillet Superflex Knife is a must-have for any kitchen.

Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Fish Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

This filet knife has a very thin blade, allowing it to easily work through all types of meat. In addition, the long and narrow stainless steel blade features precision-edge technology that promises 30% more sharpness and twice the edge retention than other competitors. As a result, this long-lasting knife will stay sharp even with frequent use.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Zwilling J.A Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

These knives are known to be heavy-duty and resilient, which means they won’t chip when working around tough cuts of meat or doing any other work. These filet knives are not only strong but also sharp and designed to be completely balanced for easy maneuvering.

Shun Classic Gokujo Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM Medical

These knives are known for being lightweight, and they are ideal for filleting fish. This knife features a 6-inch curved blade designed to separate the flesh from bone with quiet precision. The shorter blade makes it easier to control, and the thin tip makes it easy to maneuver over small bones.

Mercer Culinary M23860 Millennia Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Kyle Jones from Craft Wood Fired Catering

The blade of this knife is made from a high carbon, stain-resistant Japanese steel for superior performance and long edge retention. It is also ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue and provide a secure grip while filleting. Its narrow blade shape allows for precise cuts, and its scalloped edge prevents sticking during cutting. The handle is also textured to ensure a comfortable grip and reduce slipping while in use. This knife is an excellent choice for any home or professional kitchen due to its excellent design and craftsmanship.

Kiwi Knife Cook Utility Knives

This product was recommended by Michelin Bib from Ayara Thai

Whenever I teach a cooking class, someone always asks what knife they should buy for Thai cooking. This is what I use and always recommend for ANY cooking. Kiwi are Thai-made, light durable, and versatile chef knives with wooden handles that can do it all. They stay sharp for a long time and are as easy to handle as they are to sharpen—plus the price point cannot be beaten.

Wusthof Classic 7-inch Flexible Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Nely Mihaylova from Scooter Guide

This knife is made in Germany with high-carbon stainless steel, and features a very sharp, flexible blade that is perfect for filleting fish and other meats. Its handle is made from a durable synthetic material and is designed to provide a secure grip, even when the handle is wet.

Shun Classic 7-inch Flexible Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Daniel Foley from Daniel Foley SEO

This knife is made in Japan with high-quality VG-MAX steel, and features a very sharp, flexible blade that is perfect for filleting fish and other meats. Its handle is made from Pakkawood, a blend of hardwood and resin, it is waterproof, and also provides a secure grip.

Global G-80 – 7.5-inch Flexible Fish Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Alice Hall from Rowen Homes

This knife is made in Japan with high-quality stainless steel and features a very sharp, flexible blade that is perfect for filleting fish and other meats. The handle is made of stainless steel and has a lightweight design that provides a comfortable grip, and good balance for slicing.

Dexter Russell Sani-Safe 8-Inch Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Alex Constantinou from The Fitness Circle

This knife is made with a high-carbon steel blade that is both flexible and durable. The handle is made from a textured polymer material that is easy to grip, and is NSF-approved for sanitation, meaning it is a good option for use in a commercial kitchen.

Dalstrong Delta Wolf 6 Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Abby W. Pollen from Dalstrong

This knife is every fisherman’s favorite for a few reasons: the flex and dexterity of the blade makes it easy to get a clean fillet every time; the loop on the butt of the handle means you can strap it to a key float so you don’t accidentally lose it in the chuck; and the titanium nitride coating keeps it from rusting or dulling, even in salty environments. Plus, this series supports the Wounded Warriors Project.

Dexter Dextreme 6 Fillet Knife

This product was recommended by Brady Fraser from The Wild Provides

My favorite knife for bluegills or any other panfish is, hands-down, the Dexter Dextreme 6-inch fillet knife. The 6-inch length and medium flex are perfect for control on small fish, and these knives are razor-sharp out of the box. The biggest advantage of Dexter knives is incredible edge retention and durability (they’re the go-to for commercial fish processors), and you can fillet as many bluegills as you can catch without even needing a touch-up. Touch-ups with a honing steel will keep them razor-sharp for dozens (if not hundreds) of fish cleaning sessions, and they sharpen up fairly easily when necessary, too. They’re absolute workhorses, and there’s a reason commercial fish processors use Dexter.

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