10 Best Fish Fillet Knife

Are you someone who loves seafood and is dying to cook up a gorgeous piece of fish? Whether you’re a beginner or advanced chef, everyone needs the right equipment to prep their favorite fish. When preparing a fish to cook, you need to carefully and skillfully cut the fish into thin slices. This process is called filleting a fish. For practical purposes, you need to use a fillet knife to remove bones from fish and cut into small pieces. A regular knife can do the job, but it’ll be much more difficult and cumbersome. A fillet knife is much thinner and flexible, allowing you to maneuver inside the fish to remove bones with ease. 

Now that you know why it’s essential, let’s dive deep into reviewing the top 5 fillet knives that are in the market for 2020. We’ll present you with our favorite features and why we think these knives are a must-have in your toolbox of cooking.

10 Best Fish Fillet Knife

1. Rapala Fish 'N Fillet Knife with Sheath
$19.99
2. KastKing Fillet Knife 9 Inch
$29.99
3. Mercer Culinary M23860 Millennia 8-Inch Narrow Fillet Knife, Black
$17.85
4. KastKing Spartacus Fillet, Boning, and Food Prep Knives
$29.99
5. Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade
$34.60
6. DALSTRONG Fillet Knife
$99.00
7. DALSTRONG Fillet Knife - Shogun Series
$119.00
8. Bubba Tapered Flex Fillet Fishing Knife and Tapered Flex Fillet Knife
$64.95
9. Rhinoreto Fish fillet knife
$25.99
10. Kershaw Clearwater 9-In Fillet Knife
$16.95
1

Rapala Fish 'N Fillet Knife with Sheath

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThis Fish N Fillet Knife is an ultra-sharp knife made for filleting delicate fish. The knife comes in various sizes, including 4 inches, 6 inches, and 7½ inch. The handle is a classic and premier birch handle that is beautifully crafted in wood. The color of the handle is light tan. The knife is a full-tang Swedish stainless steel blade with classic Rapala reinforced. The shape of the blade is progressively tapered to match the shape of fish and improve the ability to extract bones. To cover this knife, it comes with a genuine leather Sheath with a safety notch that securely holds the tang to the brass ferrule. The product dimensions for a 4 inches knife is 12 x 5 x 2 inches and weighs 1 pound.

Pros

  • Long-lasting and durable
  • Ultra Sharp edge with curvature for easy filleting
  • Sturdy grip

Cons

  • Can be smaller than expected

Our Take

If you’re looking for quality and durability, this knife is a sure-fire bet. First off, the blade is a full tang blade that is exceptionally sharp. Rest assured, you’ll be able to cut through any tight sea bass or trout you catch! We love how the handle is a varnished birch handle because it adds an extra grip, so your hands won’t ever slip up. It also prevents any wear and tears from happening. Next, the Laplander sheath looks high quality and professional. It’s made of weather but refined with wood. The artwork with the fish pattern looks incredible.

After decades of filleting thousands of fish, there is no such thing as an all in one type of filleting knife. However, it's way too pricey to buy knives over $100 each, which is why we love these affordable high qualities Rapala knives. You can get them in different sizes depending on the type of fish you’re looking to fillet. These knives could last you for decades.

2

KastKing Fillet Knife 9 Inch

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThis KastKing Fillet Knife is a durable and all-purpose knife that gives you the ability to fillet fish, bone meat, and process any food. This knife comes in 6 variations, including a 5-inch bait knife, 6-inch professional level knife, 7-inch professional level knife, 9-inch professional level knife, 9-inch fillet knife, and 12-inch carving knife. All of these knives have razor-sharp stainless blades that are made from premium G4116 German Stainless Steel Blades. The handles are non-slip super polymer grip to make sure you’re safe from any slippage and comfortable to hold. The Granton style blade prevents food from sticking to the blade and create less friction than other knives. They are included in the package in a protective sheath that is both lightweight and durance. The design of the sheath has open slots to let out water and drain from the knife, keeping the knife long-lasting and will lock the handle in for safety. The package dimensions are 18.8 x 3.2 x 1 inches and 4.8 ounces.

Pros

  • Sharp, can cut through any food
  • Sleek design yet doesn’t sacrifice functionality
  • Made of German Steel -- great for saltwater use
  • Affordability -- less than $100
  • The handle is slip resistance against water, slime, and guts (any slippery fluids) for safe grip
  • Multipurpose knife to fillet, cut, bone all types of meat and fish

Cons

  • Thicker sized handle

Our Take

When it comes to most value, this knife is a can't miss. We love the overall versatility of this blade because it gives you the ability to quickly cut baits, fillet fish of all sizes, streak large game fish, and risk or remove meat and fish from the bone effortlessly. Most professionals love to buy dozens of knives, but KastKing makes it easy to find one quality and affordable knife that gets the job done. If you love fishing, this knife can do everything for you.

The manufacturers didn’t forget about safety either. This knife has an incredible handle made of polymer grip to prevent slippage. Especially for beginners new to filleting fish, this is essential. Fish typically are slippery and contain fish oils, and having a knife resistant to liquids is crucial. When it comes to portability, we need a protecting sheath. We love the overall aesthetic design of their sheath. It has these triangle holes to let out water and fits over the knife very snug. I also love the orange and black colors of the knife. It comes in a very sleek black box as well.

3

Mercer Culinary M23860 Millennia 8-Inch Narrow Fillet Knife, Black

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThe Mercer Culinary M23860 Millennia Fillet Knife is an affordable, value-based knife that comes in 8 variations. The variations a chef’s knife, Granton edge chef’s knife, wavy chef knife, hollow ground chef’s knife, cook’s fork, peeling knife, slim paring knife, serrated paring knife, curved boning knife, flexible boning knife, narrow boning knife, stiff boning knife, bread knife, straight fork, utility knife, edge slicer, and cake slicer.

These variations are range from different sizes depending on the purpose from a 2.5-inch to an 18-inch knife. When it comes to the 8-inch fillet knife, it features an ergonomic handle made from a combination of Santoprene and polypropylene for durability.

The knives also come in a variety of colors for the handle, including black, blue, brown, green, red, purple, white, and yellow. There is a protective finger guard and textured fingered points to protect slipping and cutting your fingers accidentally. The blade is made of the highest quality Japanese steel, allowing for easy blade maintenance and has a razor-sharp edge.

The blade is also a one-piece high carbon and stain-resistant. The product is also a limited lifetime warranty. You can purchase a sheath separately, either leather-based or plastic-based. Product dimensions are 13 x 4 x 1 inches and 5 ounces.

Pros

  • Extremely sharp -- can cut through anything
  • Slip-resistant
  • Blade quality prevent from food sticking
  • NSF certified

Cons

  • Have to purchase the sheath separately
  • Each knife is used only for one purpose - likely have to buy many knives
  • Isn’t dishwasher friendly

Our Take

We love the length and overall dynamic blade of this knife. If you’re anything like me, I hate buying knives that are advertised as sharp but come to find they can’t even cut butter. When it comes to a fillet knife, it’s got a long curvature design with an ultra-sharp blade to remove bones effortlessly. We love the smart design of the handle, which includes a finger point to put your index or ring finger. This prevents you from accidentally cutting yourself. Overall the handle is slip-resistant, so water, slime, fish oils, and guts won’t allow you to loosen your grip. For a beginner and someone who needs a knife to get the job done to fillet fish, this is the one. It’s priced affordably at only $18.90!

We like the overall durability of this knife. We could cut and chop sixty pounds of veggies with ease. Some knives out there tend to show weakness, and you have to apply extra tension or force. Right out of the box, you can tell it’s been sharpened, so make sure to handle with caution and don’t leave out on the table! We recommend getting the sheath so it’s portable to carry around, and it’s protective against people around you in the kitchen.

4

KastKing Spartacus Fillet, Boning, and Food Prep Knives

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThe KastKing Spartacus Fillet, Boning, and Food Prep Knives is an excellent tool made for both fresh or saltwater environments. The knife is made from an 8Cr14 Stainless Steel Blade, which is known for its astounding razor-sharp qualities and contains a high carbon content that can retain sharpness longer. Furthermore, it contains a higher chromium content to protect the blade from corrosion from food and water scraps that are left on the blade.

This product comes in 4 variations, including the 7-inch fillet knife, 9-inch fillet knife, 9-inch serrated fillet, and 9-inch sturdy fillet knife. The knife comes with an additional Cerakote Ceramic finish that adds to the corrosion resistance of the knife and makes the blade long-lasting. Fun fact is that is can withstand 2000 degrees of temperatures to protect the blade.

The Kastking Spartacus comes with a handle made of Kraton g polymer that is highly UV resistant and slip resistance. It has a comfortable grip to slice with ease. The color of the handle is white and has a hole at the bottom of the handle to easily hang your knives if needed. Next, there is a molded sheath that is lightweight and easy to store. This molded case has small holes to drain water and opens airflow to keep the blade in top-notch quality. There's a latch to unhook the sheet with a flick of a thumb easily. The shipping weight is approximately 1.3 pounds.

Pros

  • Sharp out of the box
  • Excellent grip on the handle, multiple nerves to prevent slippage
  • Heavy-duty and durable for the long term
  • Unbeatable price at under $30

Cons

  • The sheath may fall off if you point the knife down, doesn’t lock in well

Our Take

I know as an avid fish cooker, I hate purchasing a knife only to find the knife isn’t very sharp. Dull knives just are a big pet peeve of mine. These knives come sharp right out of the box ready to use. I love the overall curvature of this fillet knife, which makes it efficient to simply gut inside the fish and remove the bones. The handle is about 6.3 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, so it is a good handle and fits small and big hands. It’s got a nice grip especially a little point when you can put your thumb and pointer finger under. This prevents your knife accidentally cutting your fingers.

For fishermen out there, this is an excellent knife to bring out to after you’ve caught your fish and cut out all the excess fat and bones. It’s also fantastic in the kitchen as well. If you’ve caught an extra bony type of fish, we recommend you buy the serrated versions as well to really cut through the fish with ease.

5

Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThe Morakniv Fillet Knife is a handy knife made to remove bones from fish. The knife is extremely versatile, especially when cutting different sizes of fish. The knife has two variations, which are the 3.5-inch blade or the 6.1-inch blade. The blade is made of stainless steel with a patterned high friction handle. The stainless steel is specifically a Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade with incredible razor sharpness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and hardness. The handle does not absorb or take on any odors. The thickness of the blade for the 6.1-inch blade is 0.07 inches (1.9mm). And the total length of the knife is 10.6 inches (270 mm) and 3.5 oz (99g) in weight. The handle is a green and black color. The knife also comes with a slotted sheath that has two belt clips for easy portability.

Pros

  • The sheath is dishwasher friendly
  • Razor-sharp
  • Good value
  • Sleek and safe sheath

Cons

  • Knife length is short -- only 3.5 and 6.1 inches
  • Can be rigid and not flexible

Our Take

When it comes to versatility, this knife will take care of your catches easily. We found the rubber handle is quite sturdy, and the knife length makes the cutting efficiency. We like how the sheath is very breathable and has open rectangle holes to let out water and air into the knife. You want to make sure the knife is clean from water and fish after you’re done filleting.

One thing we’ve noticed is that the fish is rigid and when you bend it too much, it and wear down the blade. It does have a beautiful curvature to make it easy to maneuver when you’re inside a fish. I’ve cut through countless catfish and bluegill with this knife, and it still holds a sharp edge with no wear and tear. For under $30, you’re getting functional fillet knife that will last you a very long time, in my opinion. I love the little belt clips it has so I can carry it around to use after I’m done fishing. I hate having any excess fat, bones, or unwanted parts from the fish, so this tool is excellent to remove them before bringing your catch into the kitchen.

6

DALSTRONG Fillet Knife

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThe Gladiator Series 7" fillet knife is made to efficiently perform kitchen tasks such as de-boning, de-scaling, filleting, skinning, trimming, and butterflying all your favorite fish and poultry. It is more efficient having only 1.5mm thickness from the spine, which means you can effortlessly wade through meat and sinew between skin and bone.

Its razor is very sharp, which is made from German steel, while the handle is designed with black pakkawood to ensure tight grip and comfort.

It is also engineered to be very durable, as it is tapered for improved hardness, flexibility, and minimal slicing resistance.
Plus, the blade comes with two covers, one for the drawer and one for outdoor adventure.

Pros

  • Well-made
  • It comes with ultra protective sheath
  • Comfortable to use in your hands
  • Very flexible knife blade
  • Durable

Cons

  • A little bit pricey for those who are on a strict budget. The price is 69.97 $.

Our Take

This filet knife from Dalstrong is everything a premium and professional filet knife should be and more. You don't have to be a professional chef to use and enjoy the benefits of this knife because it is made for everyone who loves to spend time in the kitchen. It certainly does have a flexible knife blade that is polished to a mirror finish and will make ultra-thin slices to your fish.

This knife is also very easy to clean. Just put it underwater and towel drying. You can also use the extra polishing cloth the manufacturer gives to maintain that mirror finish look. I believe their quality and performance is worth every penny spent on them.

7

DALSTRONG Fillet Knife - Shogun Series

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThis Dalstrong Knife Shogun Series is ruthlessly sharp, with a hand-finished edge that is 8-12 degree angle per side. The narrow blade curves up towards the tip to easily maneuver bone, joints, and in-between skin with minimal drag. It is entirely made of Japanese steel for exceptional strength and durability.

The best thing about this knife is that it is built with high carbon stainless steel to withstand corrosion and stain. Its blade thickness measures 2.0 mm so it can flex easily and follow any contours of your meat and fish. The handle is impervious to heat, cold, and moisture, so it is very safe and comfortable to use.

Pros

  • Very durable
  • Attractive finish
  • Good balance
  • Heavy duty and high quality
  • Fully functional knife
  • Corrosion-resistance
  • Offers ergonomic handle shape for superior hand control, agility and comfort.

Cons

  • If you are on a tight budget, these series of knives may be a bit pricey for you.

Our Take

I can say that this knife has high quality and superior beauty. If you are considering adding this knife to your collection, you will be pleased with its super sharp razor and thin edges. Plus, it is corrosion and stain-resistant so that you can save time and money for this one.

Aside from that, the sheath has a little safety pin so it won't fall off easily. You don't have to go back anymore to your dull knives. I highly recommend the shogun series as your ultimate kitchen weapon.

8

Bubba Tapered Flex Fillet Fishing Knife and Tapered Flex Fillet Knife

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentThe Bubba Tapered Flex Fillet Fishing Knife has a non-slip grip handle for security purposes. Plus, it comes with a trigger grip for added security. It will also protect you from the blade and spines of fish with its safety guards.

Dimensions: 13" overall length with 7" blade.

Its super thin blade can entirely remove meat without loss, cuts through scales easily, and features an extra sharp tip to make starting your cut a breeze.

It is coated with Ti-Nitride to resist rust. Plus, it has a sheath with a belt loop so you can quickly bring it with you.

Pros

  • Sharp and smooth edge
  • Sturdy
  • Easy on the hands
  • Comfortable grip
  • Rust-resistant

Cons

  • The sheath is not user friendly - it requires your full effort to put the knife back properly.
  • Not stain-resistant

Our Take

If you fillet a lot of fish, this is the best fillet for you. It is sturdy and flexible, so it can easily remove meat from your fish. It is also extremely sharp, and the handle is easy to grip securely.

There are knives that don't protect you from cutting yourself off, but this one is different. I like how the company emphasizes 'protection' over anything else.

Aside from its trigger grip for added security, it comes with safety guards to shield you from the spines of fish, which can also hurt you in the process. So if you are looking for a knife that is not only sharp but also extra caring, this one is good for you.

9

Rhinoreto Fish fillet knife

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentRhinoreto Fish fillet knife is designed mainly for filleting freshwater and saltwater fish. The non-stick coating helps the meat slide off easily. The handle is large enough to fit all hand sizes and intended for both left and right-handed persons.
Lightweight and the protective sheath keeps the person from being cut when storing the filet knife or traveling with it.
Plus, it has a double-sided, safe sharpener that uses angled ceramic plates to help you keep your blade in good shape.
And the best part is that this comes with BLISTER PACKAGING to make the fish filleting knife a perfect gift for your loved ones on their birthdays or during special occasions.

Pros

  • Very flexible
  • Ultra sharp blade
  • It comes with a protective sheath
  • It also comes with extra sharpener
  • Comfortable to use

Cons

  • Not corrosive and stain resistant. You have to clean it with soapy water and finish it with polishing cloth so the rust couldn't get in easily.

Our Take

I love this knife! It is excellent for filleting fish, cuts very well, and has a comfortable grip. The knife also comes with a vented plastic cover that protects the user if he needs to use it outdoors. It also comes with an extra sharpener to keep your blade in good shape. Most knives don't have these additional features. I also love the color of this knife. So this knife helps to do the filleting easier.

10

Kershaw Clearwater 9-In Fillet Knife

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water RepellentMeasurement: 9 inches blade that is built with stainless steel that can withstand corrosion and rust.

Kershaw Clearwater 9-In Fillet Knife is designed for filleting larger fresh and saltwater fish alike, including tilapia, salmon, snapper, tuna, snapper, carp, eel, bass, catfish and cod. It is also portable, for you can carry it in boats, tackle boxes, trucks, backpacks, on belts, or in the kitchen.

It is made with softer blade steel, so it is very flexible and can easily slice through the body of a fish for your ideal fillet.

This knife is also designed with lightweight material, and a co-polymer rubber grip for a comfortable in-hand feel that won't slip. With its neon-green accents, you can quickly identify it in a marine environment.

It comes with a protective sheath and belt holster for safe storage.

Pros

  • Flexible, steady in the handle with a non-slip grip
  • Very affordable
  • It has protective sheath and belt holster for security purposes
  • Sharp blade and can easily remove meat
  • Comfortable to use in the hands with non-slip feature
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • It will lightly rust if sheathed wet and left overnight. So if you clean this knife, you have to polish it with a clean cloth to protect it from corrosion and or rust.

Our Take

The blade is 9 inches long with the perfect amount of flex. This one is beneficial for those who wish to wade through the meat of big fishes. Usually, other knives can't cut through larger fishes, but Kershaw Knife works well for both seawater and freshwater fishes.

Moreover, I like how the handle works on your hand, for it has a slightly sticky grip even on a wet and oily surface. The 1" x 2 1/4" belt loop also allows the sheath to pivot horizontally so both hands can be used to remove the blade in a controlled manner.
All in all, this is a very affordable and useful tool for any fishing excursion.

Carla Arbuckle
Carla Arbuckle

Carla is a staff writer for Fishing.org and Shooting.org. She is an avid outdoors enthusiast and photographer. She can be found most weekends fishing and exploring the wilderness.