Nowadays, there are so many tools on the market that make our everyday life so much easier including cooking. Filleting knife has been invented by a Japanese cook and has since become a very popular tool in the kitchens and amongst chefs.
What do you need to know when shopping for a fillet knife?
Nowadays, there are so many options of durable and balanced fillet knife on the market that choosing one can become a nightmare especially for an individual who has not bought fillet knives before.
To help ease the process, think about what size fillet knife you need as most fillet knives are between five to about 12 inches in length.
To decide on what type of blade length you need, think about what type of fish you usually catch, buy and fillet.
For smaller fish types such as Cod a five to seven inch blade will do the trick, however, for bigger fish such as Tuna and Salmon you might want to buy longer fillet knives that are usually sold between nine to 12 inches long.
Secondly, think about the type of blade you would like to purchase as most filleting knives are normally made from stainless steel or carbon coated stainless steel.
Table of Contents
- What do you need to know when shopping for a fillet knife?
- Comparison of 9 Best Fillet Knife in 2019
- Top 9 Best Fillet Knife Reviews in 2019
- #1. Wusthof Classic 7 inch Fileting Knife
- #2. Elk Ridge ER-028 Fillet Knife with 12.25-inch Stainless Steel Blade
- #3. Gerber Gator Fillet Knife with 7.5 inches Stainless Steel Blade
- #4. Havalon Baracuta Edge Pro Fillet Knife with Titatium Coated Layer
- #5. Rapala Fish Filleting Super Knife
- #6. Schrade Steelhead Knife with Leather Sheath
- #7. Kershaw Clearwater 9 inch High-Performance Fileting Knife
- #8. Columbia River Knife and Tool Compact Folding Fillet Knife
- #9. Ka-Bar 9 inch Fish Filleting Knife
- Conclusion
- Relevant Resources
Comparison of 9 Best Fillet Knife in 2019
| Image | Brand of Fillet Knife | Features | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Wusthof |
| Check Price |
 | Elk Ridge |
| Check Price |
 | Gerber |
| Check Price |
 | Havalon |
| Check Price |
 | Rapala |
| Check Price |
 | Scharde |
| Check Price |
 | Kershaw |
| Check Price |
 | Columbia River |
| Check Price |
 | Ka-Bar |
| Check Price |
Top 9 Best Fillet Knife Reviews in 2019
#1. Wusthof Classic 7 inch Fileting Knife
Wusthof Classic 7 inch long filleting knife is great for home and professional use plus customers have reported that the knife makes precise cuts and can be used to perfectly fillet all sorts of knife.
Moreover, the handle is made from anti-slip material that helps keep the knife balanced plus the handle is ergonomically designed contributing to the overall comfortable experience.
Furthermore, this filleting knife is beautiful and will look pretty sitting on your kitchen countertop.
However, do not forget to regularly sharpen it with a special knife sharpener and to always clean the knife manually as well as keep it dry at all times.
- Sturdy and balanced
- Nice design
- Made in Japan
- Sharp precision blade
- 7-inch durable blade
- Some orders knives have arrived damaged
- Manufacturer does not give any warranty
- Fairly expensive compared to other similar knives
- Very sharp and can cause potential harm to newbies
Also Read: Best Manual Knife Sharpener – The Ultimate Buying Guide
#2. Elk Ridge ER-028 Fillet Knife with 12.25-inch Stainless Steel Blade
Elk Ridge ER028 is a beautiful and sleek knife with carbon coated stainless steel and anti-slip handle.
Professional chefs have reported the Elk Ridge knife to be sturdy in hand and very balanced during slicing, mincing and chopping.
The knife is easy to clean under the running water with a little dish soap however never use harsh chemical and always dry it with a clean knife.
When not in use, the knife can be stored in the sheath so as to avoid scratches and possible scuffs plus the blade has been reported to keep its shine throughout the years without rusting or corroding.
The Elk Ridge filleting knife is very eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. The knife has a classic look which makes it easy to grasp and use.
Also, the stainless steel blade stays sharp for long periods and requires only seldom sharpening.
The blade has a 18-degree sharpening angle making it among the sharpest knives right out of the box.
- Anti-rust resin coating
- High quality and very sharp
- Very affordable
- Easy to clean
- Needs to be frequently sharpened
- Hand wash only
- Users have to be careful as the knife is very sharp
#3. Gerber Gator Fillet Knife with 7.5 inches Stainless Steel Blade
Gerber Gator Fillet Knife will be perfect for filleting all sorts of fish, chicken and even meat.
For an cooking enthusiasts or a professional chef, this can become the go-to filleting knife.
Plus, it can be used to make precise cuts as well as to remove bones from flesh. Moreover, the knife edge is completely smooth but pointed thus allowing to dissect all types of food easily.
Plus, the edge is tapered thus very sharp and easy to maintain using regular knife sharpeners once in a while.
The stainless steel used in the manufacturing of this knife is medium weighted and contributes to the overall sturdiness and balance of the knife.
Chefs have reported this knife to be easy to use, grip without the usual tiredness that one will feel in the wrists and arms when filleting for a while.
Furthermore, the knife can be used to chop, slice, mince and dice vegetables and fruits too.
Also, the handle has a textured surface for extra safety and can hence be used with wet hands whenever needed.
- Made out of American stainless steel blade
- Full tang
- Good quality
- Textured handle for extra safety
- Can be used for vegetables, fruits, chicken and fish
- No warranty
- Long shipping
- Comes without a box for storage
- Made in China
- Available in one size only
Also Read: Best Pocket Knife Sharpener – A Guide to Buyers
#4. Havalon Baracuta Edge Pro Fillet Knife with Titatium Coated Layer
HavalonBaracuta Fillet Knife is considered to be the ultimate fillet knife in the circles of professional chefs around the world mainly for its superior quality and long span of service.
The knife can be used to cut smooth and very precise pieces of fish or meat fillets, in other words, you can use this knife for a very wide variety of tasks including for cutting chicken that has bones in it regardless of whether you a housewife or a professional restaurant chef.
The blade is very sharp right out of the packaging and can easily cut through ribs, bones and thick muscle layers thereby being a go to knife for cooking various dishes for lunch, dinner and even Japanese cuisine such as Sushi.
- Durable and shiny stainless steel blade
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Arrives very sharp right out of the packaging
- Available in several various lengths
- Not full tang blade
- Long shipping
- Poor customer support
#5. Rapala Fish Filleting Super Knife
Rapala Filleting Knives are specifically designed for filleting different sized fish hence you can find the knives in different sizes.
However, the blade is rather long and sharp therefor newbies should be very careful when handling this knife.
But remember, once you will get a hang of the knife it will become your best friend in the kitchen.
Moreover, its fairly cheap price can become a surprise for many customers as such similar knives cost much more on the market.
Plus, the knife is very easy to clean with many cleaning solutions and can be stored in the leather sheath that it comes with as this will protect it from obtaining scratches and scuffs.
The stainless blade has been slightly covered in thin layer of titanium for added blade strength and to prevent rust and corrosion from occurring.
As for the handle, it is made from textured rubber material that can withstand up to 100 degrees Celsius without melting so you don’t have to worry about placing the knife too close to the stove or oven.
Plus, this type of handle also makes the knife much more comfortable to grip and use even if your hands are wet.
- Textured plastic handle
- Durable blade
- Easy to clean
- Titanium coated blade for added strength and lifespan
- Easy to sharpen and maintain as per the instructions
- Pricey compared to other models
- Very sharp blade for newbies
- It will take some time to get used to the blade and its cutting technique
- No warranty
- No box for storage purposes
Also Read: Best Electric Knife Sharpener – Reviews and Top Picks
#6. Schrade Steelhead Knife with Leather Sheath
Schrade has been long known on the market of fillet knives, this German brand has established itself as the manufacturer of some of the best knives in the world including filleting knives.
Schrade Steelhead Knife is best used when you need to get clean fillets with precise cuts regardless of the fish size or type.
The blade has been designed from forged German stainless steel in order to give the user best possible control of the knife and especially the long shredded blade.
To help the knife resist corrosion and rust, Schrade has coated in with a very thin layer of carbon. This also makes the blade much more durable and stronger.
Moreover, you can clean the knife under running water just make sure to dry it with a clean rag afterwards.
Furthermore, many chefs prefer this type of knife because it has a plastic handle that does not absorb odors or bacteria with microbes.
Lastly, the manufactures has included a nice sheath for you to use as go to storage for this knife.
- Stylish handle and genuine leather sheath
- Nice clean cuts with accurate precision
- The blade does not scratch, scuff or absorb odours
- 30-day warranty
- The very long blade is not suitable for filleting small fish such as cod
- Though the brand is German, the knife is made in China
- The blade is much thinner than it used to be 20 years ago
#7. Kershaw Clearwater 9 inch High-Performance Fileting Knife
Kershaw Clearwater is a 9-inch fileting knife made of stainless steel and comes in a box with ABS sheath and a belt holster for easy storage and carriage.
Plus, the handle is covered in an anti-slip polymer rubber material to prevent the knife from slipping and causing potential cuts or more serious injuries.
The incorporated neon green accents can be used to identify the knife in dark marine conditions while shipping.
The manufacturer suggests customers use this knife to fillet Salmon, Snapper, Bass, Cod, Tuna and Catfish.
The knife does not corrode even in saltwater and can be used on fishing trips or for cooking at home.
- Great for filleting a wide variety of fish
- The nice sheath that can be carried on a belt
- Precise
- Lightweight
- Long shipping
- Comes without any warranty
- The sheath is made out of plastic
Also Read: Best Sharpening Stone – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
#8. Columbia River Knife and Tool Compact Folding Fillet Knife
The Columbia River Knife and Tool filleting knife is designed by fishermen for fishermen.
It has many innovative features so as to reduce the number of risks plus the blade is locked securely into the handle and does not wobble even when much force is applied.
The knife comes with a nylon sheath that can be used to store the knife when it is not needed.
Moreover, it can be cleaned easily and does not weight much hence you can carry it with you at all times.
- Reinforced nylon sheath
- Trustable manufacturer
- 2-month warranty
- Lightweight and balanced
- Customers have reported very thin blade
- Long shipping
- Available in one length only
#9. Ka-Bar 9 inch Fish Filleting Knife
A durable and functional 9-inch knife will make fish filleting a breeze plus, its 13.5-inch length will enable you to fillet even large fish.
Moreover, the blade is angled at 20 degrees and will dive in right into the flesh of the fish with great precision when little force will be applied to it.
- Affordable
- Long blade
- Angled at 20 degrees
- Backed in a nice box
- Hollow grind
- Not many customers liked the sheath
- Poor customer support
Remember that stainless steel is not made equal and a few are more long-lasting than others.
Moreover, if you will have a chance then test the blade to see how flexible it is especially if you are buying a short fillet knife.
Also, pay special attention to the handle of the knife and check to see if it is slippery as that might possess a potential risk of obtaining serious knife injuries. Always look to buy filleting knives that have a textured or better an anti-slip handle made out of silicone, rubber or special nylon material.
Furthermore, knife handles made out of untreated wood will eventually stink as they tend to absorb the smell and as if we all know that fish reeks after some time. Wooden handles are also not recommended because they become the best breeding ground for bacteria, microbes and possibly even viruses.
They are very hard to clean as untreated wood is very porous and it is virtually impossible to get right through to it to properly clean it.
Lastly, always check to see what type of sharpener the knife will need as some models require a specific model of knife sharpeners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to advise to thoroughly think about what fish you normally try to catch if you are a fisherman or what fish you regularly cook at home if you are not a fisherman.
Depending on the type and size of the wish that you normally work with, you can easily select and buy the best fish filleting knife for yourself.
The blade size will largely depend on what type of wish your often fillet, for instance, small fish such as cod will require relatively small but flexible blade as the fish tends to have an irregular spine.
Larger fish such as Salmon and Tuna will need a much longer blade but the flexibility will no longer be that important.
Moreover, if you intend on taking your filleting knife when you travel or go fishing then look to invest in a nice knife sheath too because it will protect your knife from scratches, scuffs and other undesirable marks that might compromise its quality.
The best sheaths for small and large filleting knives is the regular nylon or silicone ones as they can be occasionally tossed in the washing machine for a cleaning cycle.
Lastly, look to buy filleting knives that have at least a 30-day warranty window for just in case you will not like your new knife or if you will some significant flaws in its design that might affect the way it fillets fish (Source).
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