Looking for a quality filleting knife that has good flex, excellent edge retention, and will probably last for years? We all love quality made products that are practical and durable. And when it comes to breaking down tenderloin into filets, you'll the need the best fish fillet knife.
Fillet knives are longer and thinner and are often synonymous with fish. They are made thinner because thick knives don't work well or isn't effective when working with fish skin and bones.
These knives are made flexible so that you can easily maneuver and puncture the skin of a fish with ease. The blades are extremely sharp with a fine pointy top. They aren't that hard to distinguish from traditional kitchen knives but picking the best fillet knife is not that easy.
You can't just randomly pick a knife. Since these are specialized cutting tools, they have special characteristic and features. Spend some time knowing about them and what makes them good for filleting.
Don't worry, if you don't have the patience to do the research on your own, we have done it for you. Simply pick the top choice in this list, because it's the single best option for the price.
You don't want anything fancier or expensive than this. The edge is sharp, and it is highly durable.
If you want to try out other options, or perhaps you would like to know how to choose a quality filleting knife, there is a small buyer's guide section at the end of this list.
That should help you know everything there is to know about buying a filleting knife.
Top 7 Fish Fillet Knife
Top 7 Knife Comparison
Rank | Product Name | Editors Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | By Morakniv | 9. 7 | |
2 |  | By Wüsthof | 9. 5 | |
3 |  | By ZWILLING J.A. Henckels | 9. 1 | |
4 |  | By Rapala | 8. 8 | |
5 |  | By By Dexter-Russell | 8. 6 | |
6 |  | by Rapala | 8. 2 | |
7 |  | By Dalstrong | 8. 0 |
My Top 7 Picks For Fish Fillet Knife
For inexpensive filler knife options, Dexter is the brand. Great quality and not overpriced. Dexter filler knives are industry standard. They lack in flair, but they get the job done. This inexpensive commercial quality knife works amazingly well, and you can easily sharpen it with a stone for the best effect. Furthermore, it's made in the USA.
If you want Dexter quality knife at an affordable price, this is the one to get. The hollow ground high-carbon steel blade is very sharp, stain-free. The re-sharpening process is easy and fast. On top of that, the edge maintenance is also very easy. The polypropylene handle is slip-resistant and durable.
The long blade shape is ideal for filleting and preparing fish. Not only is the blade length longer, but it is also more flexible compared to traditional boning knives. Which means you will be able to maneuver more easily along the ribs and backbone as well as under the fish skin.
The blade has a good spring to it. It's slightly less flexible than a credit card but has a lot more flex compared to a steak knife. Which also means that you can put some force behind it. Although the carbon steel blade is firm, it doesn't hold its edge very long. But you can easily maintain it.
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When your fishing trip becomes successful, you better enjoy it. Cleaning fish fast requires a top-of-the-line fillet knife, and Morakniv knows how to make one. With the sharp blade, you will be able to work on your fish quickly, easily, and efficiently. Even if your hands get wet, the rubber grip will give you a sturdy hold of the handle.
This fillet knife has a long blade made from Swedish stainless-steel. The blade is very flexible and firm at the same time. The handle features a safe rubber friction grip is made from TPU rubber, which reduces the risk of slipping when your hands are wet. You can work with this knife all year round.
It comes with Easyclean polymer sheath is dishwasher safe and easy to keep clean. There are two sizes available, 3.5-inch and 6.1-inch. It's a highly versatile knife, and you can work with most sizes of fish whether it's small or big. You won't lose control or comfort when working with this knife.
The stainless steel Sandvik 12C27 blade is razor-sharp, very durable and tough, and it is also corrosion resistant. If you are looking for filler knife to handle smaller panfish, this is the one. The handle is superb and doesn't absorb odors. Even if you have fish slime on your hands, you can easily maintain a steady grip.
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If you are on a budget, this is another popular low-cost option, and this time, it's from Victorinox. This knife is for precise control. Whether you are separating fish from the bone or doing poultry work, this is the ideal knife for the job. And it's from Victorinox so that you won't have any issue regarding blade quality or sharpness.
When it comes to flexibility, this is hands down the best fillet knife out there. No gimmicky components, only pure quality. If you clean a lot of fish, keep this knife by your side. It's a very sharp knife, has good flex and really well made. In fact, it is so good; it will probably last years until there is no blade left.
The edge is sharp, and when the need comes, you can easily sharpen it, and it will become like a new knife. For maximum edge retention and sharpness, Victorinox used premium carbon stainless-steel blades. The blade has a wider break point thanks to the depth and length of the conical ground. The blade is also ice tempered to prevent from going dull easily.
The blade features bolster-less edge to provide easy of sharpening. It can sustain sharpness for a long time, and because of this edge design, you can use the entire length of the blade. Finally, let's talk about the handle. It's their patented Fibrox handle which is slip-resistant, textured and designed for comfort and balance.
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This fillet knife from ZWILLING J.A. Henckels is one of their top-selling products to date. The Four Star series of knives are manufactured in Germany, hand-finished and honed by some of the most experienced craftsperson. It's truly an iconic knife that features long and slim high-carbon stainless steel blade. It's sharp, thin, flexible and has good ergonomics.
It's comfortable to hold thanks to its evenly balanced weight and handle design. From handleto bolster, it has a seamless design which increases comfort and control. You can easily use it for a long time without experiencing any sort of fatigue. The FRIODUR blade that they use to make their knife using a specially formulated steel combined with their patented ice-hardening method.
This combination makes their blades sharper and harder. These blades won't stain, and they are able to retain their blade sharpness for longer. Since these blades are crafted from a single-piece steel, they will last longer, have a good amount of flex, and have a good weight distribution.
The fillet knife is good for filleting chicken or fish. It has a thin edge and features a curve near the bolster. With this knife, you can easily fillet some of the toughest fish with ease. The 7-inch blade can easily debone fish as well as making light work out of filleting fish. The ergonomic design gives you better control when you are cutting small fish.
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For cutlery, Rapala knives are the best. This fillet knife is fit for professional kitchen work and is able to provide maximum comfort and control while filleting. These are great knives, no doubt about that. Most anglers know this brand because they are great for filleting fish.
This knife is equipped with Rapala's flexible stainless-steel blade. The blade is very sharp and comes with a single-stage sharpener. It also comes with a black sheath to carry the knife with you on your fishing trips. The black sheath looks nice, and you can easily fit it on your belt. The Rapala soft grip knives are simple to sharpen and will last a long time if you take care of the blade.
The soft-grip handle has a molded textured layout. Since it's a non-slip handle, you can enjoy maximum control even when filleting fish with wet hands. This grip is soft and comfortable to hold. In slick situations, this handle is probably as good as any, and sometimes even better.
Blood, fat, fish slime, and/or water doesn't even affect the grip. The blade sharpens really well but goes out faster. However, because of its easy re-sharpening process, you don't have to worry about that too much. Finally, if you want a filler knife that is cheap, flexible, sharp, and has soft grips, this is the knife to get.
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This insane looking high-end fillet knife is from WUSTHOF. It's from their classic series, and if you have got cash to spare and want everything premium, this is the knife. It's insanely sharp. Even though they don't name it flexible, it is flexible. Every knife in the classic series features a full tang, full bolster with a traditional European handle.
Even though WÜSTHOF used high-carbon stainless-steel, the main reason why this blade has a good flex is that they made it thinner. Not only that, but it is also 20% sharper and has double the edge retention compared to their previous models. The blade is forged from a single block of carbon steel and then tempered to 58-degree HRC.
This German-made knife is ideal for deboning and filleting fish. The thin blade is not only flexible, but it is also long and narrow, which allows you to cut along the backbone of the fish smoothly. Removing fish skin has never been this much fun. On top of that, the blade is crafted in a way to resist corrosion. The knife also features a finger guard.
Finally, let's talk about the handle. It's a full tan, triple reverted handle made from synthetic polypropylene. The handle is able to resist discoloration, fading, heat, and impact. It fits perfectly, gives you maximum control, and one thing you will instantly notice is how evenly balanced the weight of the handle is. It's also very comfortable.
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If you don't know about DALSTRONG, it's one of those companies that is part of the new wave of rising Chinese manufacturers that really knows how to make quality fillet knives and slashing the price to head tilting levels. They have good customer support too. But how good is their fillet knife? Well, let's find out.
The knife has a nice feel to it. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel. It's a 7-inch blade that is thin, sharp and allows you to maneuver between skin and bone easily. The blade design ensures your filleting process becomes easier and more efficient. The blade has a good flex, which makes it ultra-maneuverable.
It has a 1.5mm thickness, which means there is some backbone to it, and you can put some force behind it without worrying about the blade snapping. The knife is full tang, crafted from high-carbon German steel and has a hand-polished edge which makes the knife look really good.
This fillet knife has a black pakkawood handle that gives the knife a premium look and quality feel. Once you hold it in your hand, you will feel like you are holding something expensive. The handle is triple-riveted and has a sturdy grip. It's comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver.
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Choosing the Best Fillet Knives | A Definitive Buyer's Guide
Choosing the best fish fillet knife isn't that hard. If you already own kitchen knives, you will probably know the basics of choosing one.
However, since filleting knives, in general, are slim, long, and flexible, there are some features you should look for before buying one.
Size
The first thing you should look for is the size. Choose a blade depending on how large the fish you usually fillet.
Most probably a 7-inch blade will be more than enough. If you want more precise control when cutting smaller fish, go with smaller knives.
Flex
Fillet knives have semi-hard blades, which means they are made to be flexible. However, that also means that they aren't that sturdy either.
There is a good balance between flexibility and durability, and only the top-tier knife manufacturers know how to maintain that sweet spot.
Blade Construction
High carbon stainless steel blades are preferable. Not only will they be more durable, but they will also have better edge retention and are able to retain their sharpness for a long time.
If you want the best knife for filleting fish, you should choose a knife that has a blade made from high-carbon stainless steel.
Handle
The blade isn't the only important part of a knife. You should also pay attention to the handle design. The ideal fillet knife should have a good ergonomic handle with a solid grip.
Since you will be filleting fish most of the time, your hands are bound to get wet and slimy. Having a good no-slip traction grip is crucial if you want proper control of your knife.
The handle design should be comfortable. Preferably a bolster-less or seamless handle will give you a good amount of comfort and control.
Top Fillet Knife Brands
When it comes to a fillet knife or any knife, the brand is important. Chefs and anglers still prefer manufacturers that have been in the industry for a long time because of their experience and craftsmanship of their knives.
Here are some of the most popular fillet knife manufacturer.
- Dexter-Russell
- Victorinox
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels
- Wusthof
- Rapala
There are others out there, but the knife that they make are absolutely the best.
Final Thoughts
You know how difficult it can get to fillet and clean a whole fish. I'm not talking about small ones; the large ones matter the most. And if you don't know how or don't have the right knife, it can be a nightmare.
But with proper technique and with the best fish fillet knife, the process becomes so much easier. There are a lot of good fillet knife brands out there like Victorinox, Dexter, Wusthof, Rapala, etc. All of them are great, but picking one comes down to personal preference. Hope you find what you were looking for in this fillet knives review.