We judged each knife by how sharp it was, how long it lasted, and how good the handle was. The Kershaw 9″ Fish Fillet Knife was one knife that stood out. This knife is handy and comes razor-sharp right out of the box. It also doesn’t rust easily and has a strong handle that’s made to last. This is the best fishing knife we could find.
Don’t worry if the Bubba Tapered Flex isn’t quite what you need. We’ve also included a range of other choices, from fixed-blade knives to electric knives and even options that won’t break the bank.
Let’s jump right in!
Our Top 10 Picks
- Mercer Culinary Fillet/Fishing Knife
- Kershaw 9.5″ Narrow Fish Fillet Knife
- Angler’s Choice PFTK-414 Porta-Fillet Kit
- Kershaw 9″ Fish Fillet Knife
- Rapala Fish Fillet Superflex Knife
- Old Timer Li-Ion 110V Electric Fillet Knives
- Dexter-Russell P94812 Fillet Knife
- Szco Supplies 12.5″” Folding Fish Knife
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Fillet Knife
- 1376PCP Fillet/Fish Knife, 6-Inch, White
- Blade Material: High-Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: Santoprene
- Edge Type: Black Blade Edge
- Ergonomic Design: Ribbed Finger Grips
- Maintenance: Hand Wash Only
Pros
- High-Carbon Steel Blade
- Comfortable Santoprene Handle
- Easy to Maintain
Cons
- Does NOT come with edge protector
They are introducing the Knife from Mercer Culinary, a famous name in the culinary industry. Its quality, design, and practicality make this knife more than a tool.
The knife’s blade is made of high-carbon steel, renowned for its durability and sharpness. This Japanese steel structure is made from a single piece and is easy to keep clean and sharp.
The knife is plain black and has a black blade edge. The fingertips on the Santoprene handle are ribbed to make it easier to hold on to.
This knife is easy to maintain. After each use, wash the knife by hand with gentle soap and warm water. It will function better and survive longer if you do this. Choose your knife carefully, and Mercer Culinary is a reliable brand.
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 9.5 Inches
- Handle Material: Glass-Filled Nylon
- Grip Type: Rubberized K-Texture
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Pros
- Durable Stainless Steel Blade
- Secure Grip with K-Texture Handle
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Requires frequent sharpening for fluke
The blade of this knife is constructed of stainless steel, which is durable, does not corrode, and can be sharpened again. This long, thin blade can easily cut steelhead, salmon, and pike. The Plain Blade Edge is gently curved, making it easier to fillet.
The black knife handle is made of plastic. It is reinforced with a glass-filled nylon core and a rubberized K-Texture grip over the mold. This is an excellent item to have in the water since it provides a solid grip even when wet.
The knife’s cutting edge is 9.5 inches long, and the whole thing is 14.8 inches long. It weighs 3.3 ounces. The knife has a Kershaw Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Brand: Angler’s Choice
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Portability: Compact and Foldable
- Durability: Tested in Demanding Environments
- Origin: Made in the USA
Pros
- Versatile and Portable Design
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Requires sharpening after heavy use
Camping, fishing, and hunting are among the activities for which the Porta-Fillet Kit is advised. This tool has been extensively tested in demanding environments, making it the most appropriate for the job.
This unique kit folds together. Because of its portability and compactness, it is appropriate for outdoor excursions. The adult set covers outdoor sports.
This US-made kit comes in one size. This is more than a tool—it’s a reliable outdoor buddy. Know your options and choose Angler’s Choice.
- Blade Material: 420J2 Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 9 Inches
- Handle Material: Co-Polymer
- Sheath: Molded ABS with Belt Loop
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Pros
- High-Quality 420J2 Stainless Steel Blade
- Comfortable and Non-Slip Co-Polymer Handle Limited
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Removing the blade from the sheath can be difficult
The blade of the knife is 9 inches and is made of 420J2 stainless steel. This long blade makes handling larger fish easier. The corrosion-resistant blade makes it easier to fillet larger fresh and saltwater fish such as tilapia, salmon, snapper, tuna, carp, eel, bass, catfish, and cod.
This knife stresses safety. It has a molded ABS blade sheath with a belt loop for storing or carrying. This makes it handy when necessary.
The knife has a 9-inch blade and a total length of 14.25 inches. It weighs 3.6 oz with a sheath of 5.2. The knife is covered by a limited lifetime warranty from Kershaw.
- Blade Material: Thin Stainless Steel
- Blade Coating: PTFE Non-Stick
- Handle Material: Brass and Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 6 Inches
- Sheath: Leather with Tooling for Easy Carry
Pros
- Thin, High-Carbon Stainless Steel Blade
- Non-Stick PTFE Coating for Easy Filleting
- Durable Brass and Stainless Steel Handle
Cons
- Minor control issue with the Superflex blade
Here is Rapala’s high-quality FNFSF6 fillet knife, which will last a long time. This knife is an excellent choice for people who work in buildings because it was made to meet their needs.
The knife’s blade is made of very thin stainless steel, enabling the most power and options. The blade is coated with PTFE, resulting in a non-stick surface that allows for easy removal.
The stainless steel blade has been meticulously forged to attain outstanding sharpness, and its tang construction guarantees enduring endurance.
The knife, which is six inches long and has different-colored blades, comes with a leather sheath tooled for easy carry and storage. It’s a pala knife, more than just a tool; it’s a reliable partner for building projects. Be careful when choosing Rapala.
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 8 Inches
- Handle: Textured Comfort Grip
- Power: Cordless Lithium Ion Battery
- Safety Feature: Safety Lock with Cut Assurance
Pros
- Durable Stainless Steel Blades
- Textured Comfort Grip Handle
- Cordless Lithium Ion Battery
Cons
- Trigger mechanism requires excessive pressure
Stainless steel blades are replaceable. Durability and lifespan are assured. The 8-inch blade makes handling larger fish easy. The knife weighs 1.4 lbs and measures 16.5 inches.
Unique to this knife is its Textured Comfort Grip. This gives you solid knife handling and a working knife owing to the Battery Indicator. The knife is portable because to its Cordless Lithium Ion Battery.
This knife is a trusted fishing companion. Old Timer’s Limited Warranty covers it.
- Blade Material: Stain-Free High-Carbon Steel
- Blade Edge: Hollow Blade Edge
- Handle Material: Non-Slip Polypropylene
- Handle Color: White
- Origin: Made in USA
Pros
- High-Carbon Steel Blade
- Non-Slip Polypropylene Handle
- American-Made Quality
Cons
- Lighter blade may not last as long as higher priced models
The knife has a 400 series stain-free high-carbon steel Hollow Blade Edge. Durability and lifespan are assured. Blades with hollow ground surfaces may be sharpened and maintained quickly.
The knife’s sturdy, non-slip polypropylene and high-carbon steel handle, with its white handle, gives it function and style.
This American-made knife is a reliable fishing partner. To extend its life, heed this maintenance advice: Wash your hands.
- Blade Material: Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 5.5 Inches
- Handle Material: Strong Plastic
- Lock Mechanism: Lock-Back Mechanism
- Portability: Folds to 7 Inches
Pros
- Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
- Ergonomic Handle Design
- Portable Folding Design
Cons
- Not suitable for larger fish or extensive filleting tasks
The knife is 12.5 inches long with a 7-inch grip. The blade is 2mm thick, 5.5 inches long, and 0.5 inches thick. The blade is comprised of corrosion-resistant stainless steel with optimal edge retention.
The strong plastic knife handle is long and lightweight. It has a lock-back mechanism and ergonomic form for a secure, pleasant grasp.
Compactness is a fundamental attribute of this knife. Folding to 7 inches, the knife is portable for filleting on the go.
This knife is a trusted fishing companion. Be intelligent, pick precision and durability.
- Blade Material: Swiss Stainless Steel
- Blade Quality: Precise, Thin, and Exact
- Handle Material: Non-Slip Stainless Steel
- Origin: Made in Switzerland
- Warranty: Lifetime Guarantee
Pros
- Durable Stainless Steel Blade
- Non-Slip Handle Design
- Lifetime Guarantee
Cons
- Does not come with a sheath
Every kitchen needs a Victorinox knife. With this knife, you may be creative and accurate in your cooking.
The knife’s blade is made of simple stainless steel, and its lifespan and durability are guaranteed. Victorinox knives are known for their skill, ergonomics, and versatility.
The handle features a smooth texture and a modern style. The weight and balance of great knives make them easy to use.
This Swiss-made knife is guaranteed for life, covering both the material and the way it was made. Trust Victorinox for all of your cooking needs.
- Blade Material: Plain Steel
- Blade Length: 6 Inches
- Handle Material: High-Carbon Steel and Beechwood
- Weight: 0.23 Pounds
- Handle Color: Classic White
Pros
- Sharp and Durable Steel Blade
- Precision-Crafted Handle
- Lightweight and Easy to Wield
Cons
- Needs regular washing to prevent rust
Plain steel blades are sharp and durable. This product is long-lasting. The 6-inch item has a pointy tip. Cutting items is easy with a straight edge.
The Dexter Outdoors knife’s precision-crafted handle combines high-carbon steel and the best wood for a great grip.
The handle’s beechwood construction improves its utility and beauty with professional craftsmanship. Crafted with precision, this knife balances style and usefulness. The color is classic white.
The knife is lightweight (0.23 pounds) and easy to wield. These Dexter Outdoors knives are criminal accomplices.
What To Think About When Buying a Fishing Knife
Have you ever wondered if a fishing knife is any good? By the end of this section, you’ll know exactly how to evaluate a fishing knife.
Intended Usage
Fishing knives are used for four main tasks: filleting fish, cutting bait, cutting line, and killing fish. Fillet knives have a flexible, long, and thin blade to get the most meat from the fish.
For portioning bait, a bigger, sturdier blade is ideal. Any sharp blade will work for cutting fishing line.
To kill fish, you need a knife with a hard, solid handle to knock out the fish with one hit. A sharp edge and strong handle are essential features for any fishing knife. Your main choice is between a fillet knife and a bait knife.
If you don’t use bait often, go with a knife specifically for filleting. However, if you frequently use bait, choose a slightly larger, flexible knife that can both fillet fish and prepare bait.
Blade Material
A fishing knife may not be a samurai sword, but you still need good-quality metal that resists rust and is easy to sharpen.
You know you need steel, but which kind? For fishing knives, the best blade materials are carbon steel, stainless steel, and tool steel. Each of these has different grades. For example, stainless steel comes in 420, 304, 5Cr, 7Cr, and more.
There are too many grades to list, but don’t worry. Any grade of carbon, stainless, or tool steel will be corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen.
As long as your knife is made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or tool steel, it will work well.
Blade Edge
Most fishing knives have either a hollow grind or a flat grind. Hollow grind blades are thinner, sharper, and more flexible, making them ideal for fillet knives.
On the other hand, flat grind blades are thicker, less sharp, and stiffer, but also more durable, making them better for boning.
Regardless of the blade edge, it is crucial to keep it sharp, as even the best fishing knife is ineffective when dull.
Blunt blades require more effort to cut and increase the risk of slipping and injuring yourself. Therefore, your blade should be easy to sharpen, and as mentioned earlier, ensure your knife is made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or tool steel.
FAQs
Yes, you can use any knife to clean a fish. I’ve cleaned fish with different knives, from small ones to big ones, but it’s easier with the right tools. Unlike pocket or kitchen knives, a good fillet knife has a bendy blade that lets you get close to the backbone to remove as much of the fillet as possible without wasting much.
Sharpening a knife involves two steps. Knives usually come very sharp, and to keep them that way, you can use a honing rod before or after each use. Just a couple of passes over the rod helps maintain the sharp edge. If a knife gets dull over time, it can become dangerous to use. To fix this, you can sharpen it using a stone, diamond, or belt system. The key is to keep a consistent angle on both sides of the blade. Start with a rough surface and move to finer ones until you reach the sharpness you want.
The price of fillet knives I tried varied from $16 to over $200. Factors like the size of the blade, the type of steel used, and the material of the handle affect the cost. Cordless electric models are more expensive because they have batteries and electrical parts. It’s like making an investment when you buy a good fillet knife. If you take care of it properly, a good knife can last for many years. It’s worth spending a little more upfront for a quality blade because it will save you money in the long run.
Conclusion
From fishing knife evaluation to legal carry, we’ve covered it everything.
A decent fishing knife speeds up tedious tasks like deboning, filleting, and bait cutting. I hope you found the correct knife. I suggest the Kershaw 9″ Fish Fillet Knife if you’re still undecided. Sharpness, corrosion resistance, and durability are its strengths. You can fillet and bon it, which is vital. The Bubba Tapered Flex is unbeatable.
If you need more fishing gear, check out our guides.
Best wishes and use your fishing knife safely!