I have seen a lot of pricey filet knives out there, and I dont mind spending good money for a good blade, but what is the best out there? I have a few low end knives that for the most part, do the job, but I am looking for “THE” knife. I want one that has a thin, flexable blade that will lay flat when I press down on it while cutting the skin off of a filet. Instead of going out and buying knives to see if they work well, I figured I would tap into the experiance contained within the walls of this site. What is the best knife you have and what makes it the best?
It depends what I’m cutting. I use a long thin dexter like above, a dexter serrated blade and a curved 8" wide flexible blade for most everything else. A $20 knife will cut the hell out of a fish if you keep it clean and sharp.
It depends what I’m cutting. I use a long thin dexter like above, a dexter serrated blade and a curved 8" wide flexible blade for most everything else. A $20 knife will cut the hell out of a fish if you keep it clean and sharp.
Yes they will. I am the type who uses a few knives throughout the process. I have one used specifically for cutting through rib cage bones, another for cutting the meat off the bone and removing the skin. I want one that will do it all and keep its edge long enough to do the job within reason. I have to constantly sharpen the cheap ones to keep them where they need to be.
Any good electric fish filletting knife will clean almost any fish very easily. The largest fish I usually clean are 13 to 15 lbs. stripers. They work great on panfish too, and will even take the skin off of catfish fillets with no trouble at all. I can clean panfish at the rate of about a fish per minute. Just takes a little practice so that you don’t cut the fish in half when making the cut at the head. I usually trim the ribs out last after filletting and trimming the skin off. Try an electric knife made just for cleaning fish and you will probably never want a regular fillet knife again.
This knife has worked great for me for years. Has a rubber handle easy to hold. Holds an edge and is flexible like you want for skinning a fish after taking the meat off the bone.
This thing can get so sharp it scares me sometimes. Started using a cleaning glove to keep from slicing into my hand.
My best friend recently bought a Bubba blade. He was a big skeptic…until he used it the first time. He’s used everything from “throw away” cheapies to Knives of Alaska and he says the Bubba (9" flex) is the best fillet knife he’s ever used. I’ve seen him zip through fish faster and cleaner than with his other knives.
I know this is going to get the “gimmick” claims from the usual suspects but having seen this knife in action, I was totally impressed. It is a pretty hard steel so it will definitely hold an edge but stay ahead of it and sharpen it regularly, as with any knife.
Earn it everyday
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet.
Hell, I got a Bubba Blade I’ll sell. Give me the Dexter any day. Not a fan of the Bubba at all.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
At the lodge I work at in AK, we clean the fish from up to ten charter boats a day. That’s a **** pile of fish each day. I’ve seen a few guys come up here with brand new Bubba Blades at the beginning of the season and before long they call them junk and buy other knives in town. These are professionals who use their filet knives daily on lots and lots of fish. If you look at our knife rack, you’ll see a mix of Dexters, Victorinoxes, a couple high end knives, and a few unused rusty bubba blades stuffed aside in the corner
Dexter is my vote. Put a good edge on it and all they will need is a steel to keep the edge maintained for a long while. I have a tool that was recommended to me by sellsfish that will put a razor edge on a blade. Scary sharp. I’ve cut myself and didn’t even feel it. It’s a snap to fillet fish with them
Looks like it can handle most anything, good solid feel, two handles. I leave two different blades assembled for daily use.
Kershaw blade trader. It is not a disposable blade, like some other swappable knives. They seem to be good blades.
Dexter is my vote. Put a good edge on it and all they will need is a steel to keep the edge maintained for a long while. I have a tool that was recommended to me by sellsfish that will put a razor edge on a blade. Scary sharp. I’ve cut myself and didn’t even feel it. It’s a snap to fillet fish with them
