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View Full Version : Good knife for cleaning and filetting fish


Tricky
07-23-2014, 02:23 PM
Last weekend I smoked some nice rainbow trout my kids and I had caught a few weeks ago (I vac-sealed and froze three for later). They were delicious, if I do say so myself!

I'd always cooked my fish whole (and then removed the bones before eating) rather than filleting them. But a couple of these 'bows were nice and big and I decided to try to filet them - I had never tried it before, but YouTube can teach you to do just about anything, right?

Well, my filleting attempt was not a very good one, but I have decided that it was my equipment that was to blame! So I'm now looking for a good filleting knife. I probably won't use it every week or even every month, but I'm the kind of person who likes to have the right tool for the right job (you should see my garage).

Anyone have a particular knife you like for fish? Bonus points if you actually use it for fish on a regular basis, but I welcome any experience or feedback!

Thanks,

Rich

ironmanerik
07-23-2014, 02:42 PM
http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/victorinox/40515/p1350077.aspx?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Victorinox-40515&utm_campaign=Boning-Knives&utm_source=googlepla&source=googleps&gclid=CKOp3eCX3L8CFWho7AodU00AeQ


I have had this knife for years, it has cleaned thousands of fish, from little sea bass to 100+ pound tuna.

Bludawg
07-23-2014, 02:51 PM
Rapalla available in the fishing section at Walfarts. easy to sharpen great edge holding properties.
I like the short one it is more versatile. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rapala-Fish-n-Fillet-Knife/21080961

legendaryhog
07-23-2014, 02:55 PM
I use the Wusthof Silver Point II 7" Fish Fillet Knife. Best one I have used, comes with a sheath that you can attach to your belt or just throw in your tackle box, totally worth 40 bucks.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1216102&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3 D747131%26type%3Dproduct&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-515468

Doog
07-23-2014, 03:20 PM
Rapalla available in the fishing section at Walfarts. easy to sharpen great edge holding properties.
I like the short one it is more versatile. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rapala-Fish-n-Fillet-Knife/21080961

What Bludawg said. I use mine all the time.

dadsr4
07-23-2014, 03:56 PM
Rapalla available in the fishing section at Walfarts. easy to sharpen great edge holding properties.
I like the short one it is more versatile. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rapala-Fish-n-Fillet-Knife/21080961
I've used mine for over 3 decades.

Thingfish
07-23-2014, 04:13 PM
It sort of depends on the type of fish you are cleaning. A rainbow trout would require a different knife than a 15 pound redfish.

dr13900
07-23-2014, 04:25 PM
Try the Cutco outdoorsman knife. Adjustable blade and holds an edge really well.

ssv3
07-23-2014, 04:33 PM
one more for Rapala

ebijack
07-23-2014, 04:46 PM
I have at least 10 fillet knifes not including the 6 or so electric. From the Chicago cutlery ones to lots of other brands, I find I mainly use the Rapala's from the 4 inch to the 9 inch. I just find for me the amount of flex and control is the best even though my 10 inch Chicago is required for some of the large walleye as the 9 inch just is a bit to short for my method of filleting.

JDM46
07-23-2014, 04:55 PM
Rapala.

mchar69
07-23-2014, 04:57 PM
A freezing cold fish
is the only way to fillet.
Throw your fish in ice cold slurry.
Otherwise, it's a butcher fest.

mchar69
07-23-2014, 05:02 PM
Oh, and my Dexters w/ white handles, 6" and 8" stiff, are cheap and good.

Teleking
07-23-2014, 06:00 PM
Schrade uncle henrey. Not really expensive, holds an edge, and super flexible.

Happy Hapgood
07-23-2014, 06:27 PM
Many good ones that are inexpensive. When I have a big mess of big Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Redfish or Specked Trout, I use an electric knife. Replacement blades are cheap. So is the motor unit for that matter. I have many fillet knifes and one is about as good as the other in the price ranges listed.

As mentioned, clean 'em after they've been on ice for awhile if you can and a real sharp blade makes it easy. A dull blade will waste a lot of meat.

ebijack
07-23-2014, 07:38 PM
How to Fillet a Walleye - YouTube

Randy3269
07-23-2014, 08:40 PM
I use the Wusthof Silver Point II 7" Fish Fillet Knife. Best one I have used, comes with a sheath that you can attach to your belt or just throw in your tackle box, totally worth 40 bucks.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1216102&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3 D747131%26type%3Dproduct&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-515468

I had also enjoy this knife. Holds an edge well and sharpens easily. I bought my boy a Rapala because it is what I grew up with.....the quality is not the same as the older knives. It's ok if your cleaning trout but gives up the edge quickly if working drum or redfish.