Top 10 Best Fish Fillet Knife In 2023 Revews

Whether you are an angler filleting your catch or a Michelin star chef, the most important tool you need for the job is a good filleting knife.

As those who fillet fish regularly know, a bad fillet knife makes the job exponentially harder. The best fish fillet knife is razor sharp and stays sharp for a long time with the flexibility and control to make cuts accurately. It should be able to complete every task required in filleting a fish. Descaling, skinning, and deboning functionality are as important as the cleanliness of the cut.

The right knife in the right hands can make short work of any filleting task. So. we’ve put a list together of ten of the best fish fillet knives on the market from across the price spectrum from which we will crown an overall winner.

We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide, which will arm you with all the knowledge you need to make sure you buy the perfect fish fillet knife for your needs. But before we get to that, let’s begin by reviewing ten knives in ascending order of price from the lowest to the highest.

So, let’s sharpen up and get straight to it…

Top 10 Best Fish Fillet Knife For The Money 2023 Revews

Product	Blade length	Material quality	Value for money	Price
Best Choice Kershaw Clearwater 7’’ Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 7”	Material quality 2	Value for money *****	Price *
Also Great Victorinox Swiss Army 6 Inch Fibrox Pro Boning Fish Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 6”	Material quality 2	Value for money ****	Price **
Also Great Morakniv Fishing Comfort 6” Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 6” & 3 ½ ”	Material quality 2	Value for money ****	Price **
Also Great Buck Knives Silver Creek Folding Fillet Fishing Knife View Price	Blade length 6 ½ ”	Material quality 3	Value for money ****	Price **
Also Great WÜSTHOF Gourmet 7 Inch Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 7”	Material quality 3	Value for money ***	Price ***
Best Choice Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7” Fish Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 7”	Material quality 4	Value for money *****	Price ***
Also Great Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 7 ½ “	Material quality 3	Value for money ****	Price ***
Also Great Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 6” & 7 ½ “	Material quality 3	Value for money ****	Price ***
Also Great Shun Cutlery 6” Classic Boning and Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 6”	Material quality 5	Value for money ****	Price ****
Also Great American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife View Price	Blade length 3.5” – 8”	Material quality 3	Value for money ****	Price *****

1 Kershaw Clearwater 7’’ Fillet Knife

The cheapest knife on our list, the Kershaw offers unbeatable value for money. Particularly designed with outdoor usage in mind, it is equally at home in the kitchen. The 7” blade is made from Japanese stainless steel that offers the right amount of strength and flexibility to fillet medium to large fish comfortably. A great addition to the tackle box of any angler targeting salmon, catfish, snapper, and the likes.

Although it won’t win any awards in the style department, it’s functionality that has taken precedence in the design. The handle is made from a softly textured plastic that has a rubbery feel to it. It’s comfortable to hold and provides a good grip even when wet and slimy. It has good finger guard protection, and neon highlights on the handle make it easier to locate, especially when fishing at night.

The Clearwater also comes with a plastic sheath and a belt holster, a nice feature for easy access when fishing.

Built to last…

It’s clearly a durable knife designed to hold up well, even in saltwater conditions. The rust and stain resistant blade reportedly stays sharp and holds its edge for many hours of use.

It really is hard to find any fault with this knife at such a cheap price point. You really can’t go wrong. For that reason alone, the Clearwater is a true contender for best fish fillet knife. Those on a shoestring need look no further.

2 Victorinox Swiss Army 6 Inch Fibrox Pro Boning Fish Fillet Knife

Although twice the price of the Kershaw, this is still another great value for money purchase. Swiss Army knives have a solid reputation for build quality, and this product is no exception. Straight out of the box, it looks great with the Victorinox logo embossed on the blade.

It’s a multipurpose blade, designed to be used on meat as well as fish. Aside from fish filleting, it will perform many other meat prep tasks well. With that in mind, the Victorinox is really more suited to kitchen use than out on the water as it can be used for so many other kitchen tasks.

Safety first…

Its Fibrox nylon handle affords a good grip even when greasy and is well protected from the blade by solid finger guards. As you’d expect from high spec Swiss engineering, the blade arrives nicely honed and holds its edge pretty well. The 6” blade is a good length to handle filleting fish of many sizes, with the flexibility and sturdiness that all the best fish fillet knives should have.

An undoubtedly solid choice if you’re looking for an all-purpose knife. However, there are better blades on this list that focus solely on fish filleting that do a better job on and off the water.

3 Morakniv Fishing Comfort 6” Fillet Knife

Priced at the same low point as the Victorinox and Buck knives on this list, the Moraknov Fishing Comfort fillet knife is designed with on the water functionality as a priority.

The high friction handle provides a solid and comfortable slime resistant grip. The plastic sheath comes equipped with a belt loop for easy storage when running around a boat deck. It’s also easily cleaned and impervious to lingering odors due to its plastic design.

Goes the distance…

The stainless steel blade is made from Sandvik steel, which is famed for its toughness and durability. The necessary flex is present and correct, and the blade feels like it can stand a lot of tension without bending. A smaller 3.5” blade can be purchased for an extra $5 for use in filleting smaller pan fish.

Another bargain overall, but at twice the price of the Kershaw with the same level of quality and accessories, it’s hard to justify the extra expenditure.

4 Buck Knives Silver Creek Folding Fillet Fishing Knife

The only foldable fillet knife on our best fillet knives list, if portability is a top priority, then this would be an excellent choice for you. This knife will fit comfortably in your pocket or tackle box as it folds down to a highly compact 7”, saving space whilst not sacrificing blade size.

The 6.5” blade is made from titanium coated stainless steel, known to be extremely durable and rust resistant. The blade is flexible enough to carry out the intricate job of filleting fish, no problem. When locked in place, the knife feels secure, with no lateral movement around the hinge. You can exert a decent amount of pressure with no fear of the lock failing.

Get a grip…

The rubber coated and grooved handle provides a comfortable and secure grip that will perform well in all conditions. A stainless steel finger guard protects from accidental slippage.

The portability of this high quality fillet knife is a nice touch, but we would still buy the Kershaw as it performs equally well whilst costing half the price.

5 WÜSTHOF Gourmet 7 Inch Fillet Knife

Jumping up to the mid-price range Wusthof, a German company, has been making great knives for over 200 years. With this 7” fish filleting knife, they are keeping that tradition well and truly alive. Wusthof pride themselves on their high level of craftsmanship, and they’ve made quite an attractive and classic looking fillet knife.

They enlisted professional fishermen to aid in the design process. Interestingly the knife isn’t traditionally forged. Instead, Wusthof has used laser technology to shape the blade, and while this may not please the purists, it makes for a strong and exceptionally sharp blade all the same.

Give it a good clean…

The knife is accompanied by a smart black leather sheath to protect the blade when not in use. Although it looks great, you’ll have to make sure you clean the knife before sheathing it as the leather will soak up fish gunge easily.

The contoured plastic handle provides a comfortable grip, although close up, looks a little on the cheap side for a knife at this price point.

Best left at home…

Probably best suited for use in the kitchen, the Wusthof will satisfy the needs of most chefs whilst not being the most versatile of knives for use on fishing trips.

6 Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7” Fish Fillet Knife

One of the more well-established names in the business, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, has designed a stylish and virtually indestructible filleting knife at a mid-range price point.

The unique bonding technique used in fixing the handle to the full tang blade creates a seamless and rock solid construction with no gaps for germs to nestle in. It almost feels as though the whole knife is one piece. The handle is a comfortable ergonomic design that you can use at length with no discomfort.

Nice and sharp…

The blade itself is a 7” high carbon stainless steel construction made using Fridour technology, which is an ice hardening technique. Laser shaped edges create a precise geometry. This will mean your blade stays sharper for longer than most. A real asset if you have a lot of cutting to do.

Part of Zwillings hugely popular Four Star series, this knife looks practically bombproof. With good honing technique and careful use, lifespan could potentially extend into the decades. It’s good to see a company making a product designed to last a lifetime. A rare commodity these days.

Will last for years…

This is a knife that can be used by professionals and home chefs alike with a very attractive price tag given the potential longevity of this blade. This makes it one of the best professional fillet knives currently available, while the great value for money make this one of the best fillet knives on the market.

7 Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife

Got some industrial level big game filleting to do, maybe this mid-priced electric fillet knife from Rapala is the right purchase for you. Electric knives aren’t for everyone, but if speed and efficiency are what you require, then going electric makes sense.

7 ½” reciprocating blades make short work of even the toughest filleting jobs. Rapala claim this model offers twice the blade speed and triple the power of other electric fillet knives. Cutting through tough scales and any kind of fish bone is effortless with very little pressure needed from the user.

Keep your cool…

The hard-working motor is effectively cooled by an airflow system. The knife can be used for hours without overheating or getting uncomfortably hot in your hands. It’s surprisingly quiet, too, considering the extra speed and power this electric fillet knife possesses.

The handle has a comfortable ergonomic design and is made from a grip friendly rubber like material. The power cord is a generous 8 feet long, enabling you to move around the filleting table with no restrictions even whilst cleaning larger fish, making this a contender for the fish cleaning knife currently available.

Lots of filleting to do?

High-end chefs will understandably shy away from using an electric filleting knife. But if your workload is high and you need to save time while not overworking your hands, then it’s electric all the way, and the Rapala is an absolute workhorse at a very reasonable price.

8 Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife

The only cordless electric fillet knife on our list, the Rapala has much the same spec as it’s cabled cousin above so we won’t repeat ourselves here. The main difference is its portability and slightly higher price.

The two lithium-ion batteries provide 80 minutes of continuous use each. This should be enough time to fillet the catches from most day trips. A two-hour charge will restore the batteries to full power, so you can almost have continuous usage if one is always on charge.

Improved versatility…

The cordless Rapala also comes with two interchangeable blades, a 6” and a 7 1/2“ for bigger catches. This gives it a degree of versatility over the cabled version.

If you need to do some heavy-duty filleting while out on the water, then this would be a sensible choice for you.

9 Shun Cutlery 6” Classic Boning and Fillet Knife

Moving up a notch or two on the price range, Shun is legendary in the knife making world. They are famed for making outstanding knives from the finest quality materials that can be sourced.

Their classic boning and fillet knife has a beautifully curved 6” blade made from layers of high-quality stainless steel and pressed high carbon stainless steel to create the signature Damascus look. Shun knives are handcrafted in Japan by craftsmen with many years of experience.

Sharp as a… filleting knife!

The double-beveled blade is cut at a 16-degree angle, making it incredibly sharp. The edge holds well thanks to the strong blend of steel and is easy to sharpen.

Shun knock it out of the park when it comes to style. A luxurious Pakkawood handle topped off by a steel end-cap, beautifully complement the curved blade for a stylish and comfortable finish.

Sushi anyone?

Made primarily for Japanese cuisine, it could be argued that this knife is a little too sophisticated for the needs of your average home chef. A knife of this quality doesn’t come cheap. Those on a budget should probably strike this one off the list, but for the more professionally minded, style conscious chef, this is an outstanding addition to your kitchen.

10 American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife

This multi-purpose electric fillet knife has been designed and very well equipped to breeze through the toughest of filleting jobs. It comes with five detachable blades up to 8” long, to handle any size fish that need filleting. The blades are serrated and non-serrated for different tasks.

A powerful and well cooled motor provides the required torque to speedily and effortlessly complete large cleaning jobs. Efficient air cooling technology means the knife stays cool in your hand, allowing for hours of continuous use. The blades are well constructed, and the handle is comfortably designed to allow for extended use.

The 8ft cable is suitably long to allow plenty of movement around the filleting station.

Intended for professional use…

With all these fantastic features, it really is a knife only a professional should consider buying — something you would expect to see in the commercial fishing industry. There’s nothing stopping you buying this for home use, but when you can get by with one or two simple knives, is there really any need for such a heavy-duty device?

That being said, the American Angler pro will handle any task you put in front of it, and if budget isn’t an issue, then why not!

So, we’ve now come to the end of our fillet knife reviews, next up we have our buyers guide before we reveal who will be crowned as the Best Fish Fillet Knife on the market.

Best Fish Fillet Knife Buyer’s Guide

As with anything, you want to make the correct initial purchase rather than find yourself looking for another blade after not doing your research properly the first time round. So, here are the things to keep in mind to make sure you get the perfect knife for your needs…

Blade material

Don’t try and save money by skimping on the quality of the blade material. Always opt for a knife made from high-quality material that is flexible yet tough at the same time. The blade has to be simple to sharpen and remain sharp and should be rust resistant too.

Stainless steel is the most commonly used blade material. It ticks all the boxes in terms of strength, longevity, rust resistance, and ease of sharpening. It handles the rigors of meat filleting better than any other material.

But, not all stainless steel is manufactured to the same high quality. Poorly constructed blades will dull faster and be more susceptible to bending under pressure. Make sure the construction is of the highest standard.

Blade size

This is all dependent on the size of the fish you will be filleting. Ideally, the blade should be longer than the width of your fish at its broadest point. This means only one cut is needed to achieve a good solid fillet. Therefore, the larger your potential catch, the longer your blade will need to be.

Blade sharpness

The best fish fillet knife will come extremely sharp, stay sharp for longer, and sharpen easily when required. Upkeep is essential. Even the sharpest blade will dull over time.

Flexibility

All fillet knives need to have a degree of flexibility to navigate between flesh and bones. Once again, the degree of flexibility needed is determined by the type of fish you will be filleting. The larger and tougher the fish, the less flexible your blade needs to be. Filleting smaller fish requires a higher degree of flexibility to achieve the precision required to work those tight angles.

Handle material

Filleting knife handles are usually made from rubber, plastic, or wood, all of which make for a suitably tough handle. Each has advantages over the other. Wood handles look stylish and are comfy to hold but can become slippery and rot over time. It also absorbs the delightful smell of old fish juice. Plastic will last longer, while rubber will supply you with the best grip.

Choose whatever suits your needs best here. As long as the knife is comfortable and offers a firm grip whilst cutting, then the handle material is not of the biggest concern.

Grip

Every good fillet knife will have an ergonomic design that offers an effective grip. Filleting fish is a messy business, so your handle must be non-slip to deal with the inevitable blood and slime you will encounter.

Usage

Make sure you purchase a knife that can deal with the kind of fish you will be filleting. One knife will not be suitable for all kinds of fish. The larger the fish, the longer and stiffer your blade should be. A shorter, more flexible knife is more suitable for smaller fish.

An electric filleting knife is worth considering if you’re filleting indoors on an industrial scale. It’s much quicker and requires less effort whilst not being as precise as a manual blade.

Safety and hygiene

Look for a knife with solid safety features such as finger grooves and an effective finger guard to protect from accidental slippage.

Avoid buying a knife that has any gap between the handle and blade. This hard to clean area is ripe for bacterial build-up, so a well molded handle with no gap is vital for hygienic filleting.

Design

The blade edge is important. Choose a serrated edge if you need to slice through tough scales. A straight edge blade will make the more precise cuts.

An equal weight balance between handle and blade is another design feature to look out for. A well-balanced knife allows for more control and precision.

Some filleting knives, especially for Anglers, have a foldable design. If buying one of these, make sure the hinge is well built and stable when cutting.