Fillet Knife Recommendations?

[Jacob Watrous]

The rivets on my wood-handle Dexter 8’ filet knife worked themselves loose this summer. before I pull the trigger on a replacement, I figured I would see what other folks use. I'm ok spending a bit as my knives get used a fair amount (call it 80+ salmon a year), and I'm decent with a hone,

 

[Greggor]

I haven't had many to compare and contrast against, but my 'Knives of Alaska' filet knife leaves little flesh on the bone.

 

[SurfnFish]

been through a few dozen Kings with a Dexter-Russel 10" with the white handle, my Workmate puts a razor edge on it....the Bubba Blades get excellent reviews..pricey

 

[troutstalker]

I use the knives of Alaska fisherman's combo and have been happy with it.

 

[mcswny]

I know @Evan B likes his?

 

[CRO]

been through a few dozen Kings with a Dexter-Russel 10" with the white handle, my Workmate puts a razor edge on it....the Bubba Blades get excellent reviews..pricey

I too am a an owner of several dexter russel knives. You can toss em in the dishwasher after use to sanitize them and not hurt them unlike the old wooden handle ones.

 

[RCF]

I bet @Nick Clayton has some experience and thoughts on this...

 

[ThomasM]

been through a few dozen Kings with a Dexter-Russel 10" with the white handle, my Workmate puts a razor edge on it....the Bubba Blades get excellent reviews..pricey

We have the same knife. Works great and cheap enough that I don't mind being aggressive with a sharpener.

Another good one is the Victorinox Fibrox Cimiter (scimitar). I think it might be discontinued but still available on sale at Amazon.

 

[Evan B]

I know @Evan B likes his?

I'm an electric fillet knife truther

 

[Eastside]

Love my Cutco filet knife. Blade extends. Good quality that retains an edge and is easy to reshaped. I use an electric knife for walleye.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I know @Evan B likes his?

I'm an electric fillet knife truther

Yeah, I'd prefer to not plug my fillet knife in. Thank you, though, for the endorsement of the tech.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Thank you all for the feedback.

 

[clarkman]

Following...

 

[mcswny]

Following...

I’ve heard you say like 18 times that you don’t even like eating fish.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I’ve heard you say like 18 times that you don’t even like eating fish.

Some people are born followers.

 

[Divad]

I use a Rapala Flex I think it’s called for everything under about 10lbs. Very easy to get all the cuts done.

Could use something better than the old Dexter for larger fish, those Knives of AK look very well made.

 

[clarkman]

I’ve heard you say like 18 times that you don’t even like eating fish.

Yeah, but my wife does.....I dare you to counter that!


That's 23, not 18.

 

[Nick Clayton]

IMO the knife you are trying to replace is the best filet knife ever made.

The white handled DR would be my next choice.

Ultimately a filet knife is only as good as its user. A filet knife needs to fit your hand, fit your preference for feel/flex etc, so one person's preference isn't always gonna line up with your own.

Kinda like fly rods I suppose.

Whatever you do don't waste money on a Bubba Blade.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Whatever you do don't waste money on a Bubba Blade.

I was given one of those a few years ago as a gift. The sheath was sharper than the blade, and I couldn’t get it to hold a new edge.

The price to performance ratio on the Dexter is hard to beat. Maybe I’ll try to make a new handle.

 

[Salmo_g]

I have a couple DR knives with the white plastic handles in the kitchen drawer. One is a fillet knife, and the other is a regular butcher knife which is useful on large kings - which means I don't often use it unfortunately. I have a Rapala folding fillet knife that travels in my salmon gear bag, and it's been very good, although not likely to be my first choice on a "production" line fish cleaning station.