If you do not have the right tools, filleting a fish can be frustrating. It takes time, and your meat may look like chopped-up vegetables. What you need in your life is a good Fillet Knife.
A good Fillet knife takes the frustration out of the equation and makes it enjoyable. It has a sharp but flexible blade explicitly designed to produce Filets.
A good Fillet knife is also a very versatile tool. It can be used to fillet, skin, and debone fish. When skinning the fish, a fillet knife ensures a minimum amount of meat is wasted near the skin or scales. As opposed to a boning knife, a fillet knife is better suited to debone the fish because its bone is small.
We have brought you this article to review the best fish fillet knife on the market. Whether you are looking to replace your existing fillet knife or looking for a fillet knife for the first time, this article will be helpful to you.
How We Have Chosen Our Top Picks
We are a fan of the traditional fillet knife. Modern fillet knives are easy to start with, but you cannot do much with them. So, our first consideration was that the Knife should be traditional.
We checked that the knife had a thin blade. However, we also used independent consumer reviews to check for its durability. We also checked that the Knife had the right amount of flex.
We also checked that Knife's handle is easy to grip and ergonomic. We checked consumer reviews for the durability of the handle because we know that once the handle is gone, the Knife is of no use.
1. WÜSTHOF Classic Fillet Knife
Best Quality Fillet Knife
The Wusthof Classic is one of the best quality fillet knives you can get. Its blade is a single block of high-carbon steel. The Knife has an elongated and flexible blade that enables it to move along the backbone and under the fish's skin.
Quick and precise cuts
The Wusthof Classic Fillet knife is perfect for delicate tasks. It allows you to produce wafer-thin fillets and precision cutting of meat. You can also use it to peel fruits, but we do not recommend that because of its sharp blade. The razor-sharp blade of the Wusthof Classic Fillet knife can cut through any fish, whether it is sea bass, tilapia, or trout. One of the best things about this Knife is its ability to allow for quick filleting.
Good for beginners
It is also a good knife for absolute beginners. It is easy to control the length of the blade. With some practice, you can easily remove the skin from the fish with a single pass, which results in a desirable cut.
Best Quality blade
One of the issues with fillet knives is that their blades start to dull, and then the Knife becomes completely useless. However, this is not the case with Wusthof Classic Fillet Knife. The high-carbon steel is resistant to corrosion and dulling. Independent user reviews tell us that this Knife has a life span of at least a couple of years.
Makes filleting easy
Wusthoff Classic Fillet knife is a fine-quality tool that will make filleting easier and last for a while. It is an excellent investment to make. It lasts longer than most fillet knives, so you will not have to worry about buying another for a few years.
2. Dalstrong Gladiator Series Fillet Knife
Good Quality, Affordable Price
If you are looking for a high-quality fillet knife at an affordable price, Dalstrong Gladiator Series Fillet Knife is your best option. Its blade is made from German high-quality steel. At about 1.5 mm in thickness, it has one of the thinnest blades on a fillet knife, which makes it maneuver easily between the spine and flesh of any fish. It is perfect for all precision cuts.
Easy to Handle
The Dalston Gladiator Series Fillet Knife satisfies professionals as well as amateurs. One of the best things about this fillet Knife is its handle. Users love it because it is easy to hold in hand and is reasonably comfortable. The material used is an engineered wood and plastic known as Pakkawood.
The handle is designed for rough use, and user reviews tell us that it does not wear off even after a couple of years. It is laminated for extra strength, water, and stain resistance. A bolster between its handle and blade offers finger protection and counterweight for a balanced hold. It is also easy to clean because the stain wears off from the plastic lamination pretty quickly.
Value for money
At about the $70 price range, it is not the cheapest fillet knife you can get in the market. However, it punches above its weight and gives competition to fillet knives of double its price.
It is also one of the few fillet knives with two sheaths: a traditional plastic sheath and a leather sheath. The leather sheath is suitable for outdoor use, while you can keep it in the traditional sheath indoors. This Knife gives the best value for money and is rated five stars on Amazon. So, you can't go wrong with this fillet knife.
3. Bubba 9 Inch Stiff Fillet Knife
Best Knife for Outdoors
Bubba knives are known for their ruggedness and utility outdoors. It is a large knife that is suitable for most big catches. So, the blade is stiffer than as compared to other fillet knives. At about 2mm, the blade is also thicker than you would expect on a fillet knife. This thickness gives it the strength to cut through denser fish meat. However, this also means that compared to other fillet knives, it has less flex. Yet, it does its work of filleting large fish meat pretty well.
Perfect for Big Fish
Bubba 9 Inch is the best fillet knife for working with big outdoor catches. If you are working with a big Tuna on the boat, this Knife is perfect for the job. This Knife also makes bone and shell cutting easier because it has a thick blade.
Nonslip Handle
One of the best things about this Knife is its handle. User reviews tell us that it has a solid grip because of the nonslip grip handle. The handle also gives it a rugged look that it is famous for. There is also guard protection from the blade. So you do not have to worry about cutting your fingers with its sharp blade.
Lasts Longer than Usual
Among all the fillet knives we have reviewed, we expect this Knife to last the longest. User reviews tell us this fillet knife keeps strong after four years of use. Besides, it is one of those knives meant to last longer than usual.
4. Rapala Fish 'N Fillet Knife
Best Budget Fillet Knife
Rapala Fish' N Fillet Knife is your best option if you are on a budget. It may be a budget-knife, but it is a perfectly capable knife. Compared to other fillet knives, this Knife is cheaper. Yet, it is ideal for occasional use.
Vintage Looks
The first thing that would strike you about this Knife is its vintage look. It looks and feels like a traditional knife. It has a vintage birch wood handle which is easy to grip and feels good on the hand.
Thin Blade but Versatile Knife
It is one of the most versatile knives that we have reviewed here. It is good for filleting small to medium size fish. The blade is thin and has a little more flex than we would like. However, this allows it to be cut precisely through fish meat and make precision cuts.
At the same time, you can use this Knife to cut fruits and vegetables. One downside to this Knife is that since it has a thin and extremely flexible blade, it would require sharpening more often.
Reasonably Durable
If we were to say that this is one of the most durable knives out there, we would be wrong. However, user reviews tell us that this Knife can last at least a year. It can last for a couple of years if you only use it occasionally. So, we would say that this Knife is reasonably durable for its price point.
Best Fillet Knife for those Getting Started
If you are just getting started, this is a good fillet knife to buy. It is not one of the best fillet knives, but it is certainly the best for anyone getting started. As a beginner, you would not want to buy a costly fillet knife to realize that you don't like it.
5. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Fillet Knife
Most Durable Fillet knife
No list of the best fillet knives would be complete without mentioning the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Fillet Knife. It is just one of the standard knives, but its makers have nailed the basics right. It is made from superior quality material and can withstand all sorts of use. If you use this Knife indoors only, it can easily last you for 6 to 7 years. Fillet knives of this quality cost more than double this price, which is also a good value.
Ergonomic Handle
One of the main features that make this one of the best fillet knives is its black Fibrox handle. The handle enables a firm grip even when it is wet. This means that the usability and maneuvering of this Knife are also the best.
Comfortable to Use
No knife can make it to the list of best fillet knives without being comfortable. The same is the case with Fibrox Pro Skillet Knife. Its Fibrox handle makes it so comfortable to use that you can fillet fish for hours at end. For this reason, it is one of the best fillet knives for amateur and pro chefs.
High-Quality Steel Blade
This Knife has a stamped steel blade. The blade is constructed of high-carbon stainless steel, which gives it good rust and corrosion resistance. The blade is also ice tempered to 58 HRC, which makes it extremely durable and tough.
What is the Difference Between a Boning Knife and a Fillet Knife?
At first glance, boning and skinning knives may look similar, which is probably why most people confuse the two. However, these two are different from each other. The purpose of a boning knife is to separate bone from the meat, whereas fillet knives are used to cut fish fillets.
Compared to fillet knives, boning knives are heavier and more rigid. A filleting knife is light and flexible. Compared to a bone knife, the blade of a fillet knife is thinner. Both knives have a curve, but the curve on the fillet knife is more pronounced.
Compared to a boning knife, the blade of a fillet knife is more flexible. This flexibility allows fish fillet knives to cut through fish meat easily and make more precise cuts. It also allows it to easily cut the fish meat from the skin and separate it. Boning knives, however, are designed for more demanding use. They cut through connective tissues to separate meat from the bone. If you ever attempt to use a fillet knife for deboning, you will know it is difficult. You may also risk its blade snapping because it's not designed for such use.
How to Choose the Best Fillet Knife
Now that you have decided to buy a fillet knife, you might be wondering how to choose the best fillet knife. We have got you covered. You can use this guide to find the best fillet knife or select one of our top picks.
When it comes to fillet knives, not all are made equal. These knives may cost anywhere from $20 to hundreds. There are many factors at play here that determine the overall quality and functionality of fillet knives.
Type of Fillet Knife
The first decision you have to make is to select the type of fillet knife you will buy. Fillet knives can be differentiated in two ways: modernity and power source. You could buy an electric fillet knife, a folding fillet knife, traditional or nontraditional.
Go for a Traditional Fillet Knife
Traditional fillet knives allow precise cuts. They are the best at extracting the maximum amount of meat from the skin. So, we always recommend going for a traditional fillet knife. All the knives in our top picks are traditional fillet knives.
Electric Fillet Knives
Electric fillet knives make the process of cutting fish fillets easier. However, they require a power source and some practice to use. We do not recommend electric fillet knives for home consumers. A manual traditional fillet knife is the best for noncommercial users who want to fillet fish for domestic use.
Knife Features
The most critical consideration in the knife selection process is the features of its blade. The blade should be thin and durable. Its edge should be sharp and have the right amount of flex: neither be too much nor too little. Also, ensure that the blade length is correct for the fish you are filleting (more on that later).
The fillet knife should also have an ergonomic handle. This handle should comfortably fit your hand and allow you to maintain a grip while handling it. Make sure the handle material is of good quality because when the handle wears off, the blade is of no use to you. Also, check the quality of the blade's sheath because it is essential for safety but overlooked by most people.
Fillet Knife Lengths Explained
Fillet knives are offered in lengths from four to ten inches. You need to match the size of the blade with the length of the blade. Shorter blades are suitable for shorter fish. These fish include yellow perch, crappies, and sunfish.
Fillet knives with blade lengths from six to eight inches are ideal for medium size fishes such as walleyes and trout. Blades of eight to ten inches in length are suited to handle larger fishes such as super-size salmon and broad-shoulder pike.
The best way to go for it is to have a set of two to three different-length knives. The smaller knife could be two to four inches long. The medium Knife could be six to eight inches long. The larger knives could have a blade length of more than eight inches.
Fillet Knife FAQs
People are often intimidated by boning knives because they don't know how to use them or what they're for.
A lot of people avoid buying boning knives because they're worried that they won't be able to use them properly and that they'll end up wasting their money.
We've put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about boning knives in hopes if you have any questions, they may be answered before you purchase a fillet knife.
What Knife should you use when filleting fish?
There are a few different knives that can be used for filleting fish. A sharp, flexible fillet knife is the ideal tool for the job. Some people prefer to use a long-bladed filet knife, while others find that a short-bladed knife gives them more control and accuracy.
Whatever Knife you use, ensure it is sharp and always keep it clean. Fish scales and blood can easily dull a blade, so make sure you give your Knife a good cleaning after each use.
What Knife do Japanese use to fillet a fish?
There are a variety of knives that Japanese use to fillet a fish. Some of the most popular ones include the Deba bocho, the Usuba bocho, and the Yanagiba bocho. Each of these knives has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and it's essential to select the right Knife for the job depending on the type of fish you're trying to fillet.
A deba is a heavy, single-edged blade used primarily to cut through bones and skin. It is sometimes also used for fish cleaning and butchering tasks.
A Yanagiba knife is specially designed for filleting fish and has a long, thin blade that is sharpened on only one side. The Yanagiba knife allows the chef to make precise, delicate cuts with little effort.
A Usuba tip can sever fillets from the carcass, and the corner edge is used to cut through larger pieces.
What is the best fillet knife for salmon?
There are a lot of different knives on the market, but in my opinion the best one for salmon is a flexible fish fillet knife. A flexible fillet knife can curve and maneuver around the fish's bones and skin much easier than a stiff knife, making it less likely to tear the flesh of the fish.
What is the best tool to use in filleting a fish?
There are a few different tools you can use to fillet a fish. A sharp knife is the most common tool, and it can be used to slice along the fish's spine and cut fillets away from the bone. You can also use a scissors-type filleting tool or a fillet knife, which has a thin flexible blade and is specifically designed for filleting fish.
What is the best length for a fillet knife?
This question does not have a definitive answer because it depends on the preferences of the individual. Some people prefer a longer knife for filleting, while others find that a shorter knife is easier to control and maneuver. It is up to personal preference to decide what length works best for you and the fish you plan on filleting.
Most experts recommend choosing a knife between 8 and 10 inches long. This length will give you enough blade to easily fillet a fish, but without being so long that it becomes cumbersome to use.
Do you gut fish before filleting?
Most people do gut fish before filleting, but a few don't. Gutting a fish means removing its entrails (guts, liver, and swim bladder) through an incision in the lower abdomen.
The main reason for gutting a fish is to get rid of the guts, which can spoil quickly and taint the taste of the flesh. Another reason is that the liver and swim bladder is full of blood, and their removal will make it easier to remove the skin from the fish. Finally, some believe gutting a fish makes it less likely to spoil.
Is a fillet knife necessary?
A fillet knife is specialized knives used to fillet (remove the skin and bones from) fish. It has a very thin, flexible blade specially designed for maneuvering around the delicate bones and scales of fish.
If you do not plan on regularly preparing fish for consumption, you likely don't need a fillet knife. However, if you cook fish often or are looking for an upgrade to your current kitchen knives, then a fillet knife would be a good investment.
Can you fillet fish with a Santoku?
Yes, you can use a Santoku to fillet a fish. The Santoku is a versatile knife that can be used for many tasks in the kitchen, including filleting fish. Keep in mind that the blade of a Santoku is not as sharp as that of a traditional filleting knife, so it may take some practice to get the hang of using it for this purpose.
How often should you sharpen a fillet knife?
It's best to sharpen a fillet knife every few uses. If the Knife starts to feel dull, it's time to sharpen it.
They are designed for delicate cutting, so they need to be sharpened regularly to maintain precision. A dull fillet knife will not only make the job more difficult, but it can also lead to dangerous accidents.
Regularly sharpening your fillet knife is an important part of taking good care of your kitchen cutlery. Make sure you use a sharpening stone or steel and follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to use them properly.
Can a fillet knife cut bone?
Yes, a fillet knife can cut bone if it is sharp enough. However, it is not the best tool for the job. A better tool would be a boning knife designed to cut through bone.
Which Option of the Fillet Knife Is Best For You?
If you want the perfect Knife to make that perfect cut, all of the options we presented can be great options for you and your home. Now it comes down to personal preference.
We hope this article has clarified what boning knife you want in your home, and we hope you enjoy every sip.
Here is the list of items reviewed:
1. Best Quality - WÜSTHOF Classic Fillet Knife
2. Best Value for Money - Dalstrong Gladiator Series Fillet Knife
3. Best for Outdoors - Bubba 9 Inch Stiff Fillet Knife
4. Best Budget Fillet Knife - Rapala Fish 'N Fillet Knife
5. Most Durable - Victorinox Fibrox Pro Fillet Knife
