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Old 05-28-2023, 11:06 AM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
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Default What fishing knife would you recommend ?

My buddy is looking for a filleting knife . Seems like a lot of them are made in china . Can anyone recommend a good knife .Are the electric knifes worth getting ,are they worth getting as they just don't store as easy in a tackle box or clean up is not as easy as a fixed blade .
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Old 05-28-2023, 11:54 AM
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The sky is the limit, you can spend hundreds if dlirs on a cystom built filletting knife and yhere are those that will tell you they ate the brst, or you cam buy a finnish Rapala( Marttinni made IIRC) for under $50 and be happy .
I fushrd cod with a guy last year that uses a Quik Sharp pull sharoener. He went through a full fish box of cod in no time at all, perfect fillets, skinned.
He didn't touch the blade until the end of 30 odd fish. He fishes every day during thecid season.
I have several , some $45, a couple are over $200, for the amount of fishing I do ( about every weekend in the summer) , I am just as happy with the performance of my Rapala and Grohmann as my two custom built fillet knives.
Cat
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Old 05-28-2023, 12:52 PM
TROLLER TROLLER is offline
 
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Rapala makes a good knife and it won't break the bank.

You can also pick up a decent pull through sharpener for 50 bucks or less.
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Old 05-28-2023, 01:11 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
 
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Not sure if the birch handled Rapala's are still made in Finland, but the Finnish Rapalas were decent knives for the money. Mora actually makes some pretty good fillet knives too for a decent price. If you want to spend more I'd go with a Grohman.

I've had a couple Rapalas for over 30 years, not going to say they are anything special, but they work well enough that after using them on probably over a thousand fish I've never seriously concidered upgrading. A few swipes on a steel after each use and minor touch ups with a fine stone a couple times a year keep them shaving sharp.
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Last edited by Bushleague; 05-28-2023 at 01:26 PM.
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  #5  
Old 05-28-2023, 04:16 PM
stubblejumper01 stubblejumper01 is offline
 
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Picked up a Browning folder at the Fishin Hole sale last summer. Nice knife.
Also have a folding Cuda knife but like the Browning better.
Also have an old Rapala which is worn down but still works great especially for the rib bones.
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  #6  
Old 05-28-2023, 05:08 PM
Probar Probar is offline
 
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Love my Bubba. But the one that folds. Little more compact


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  #7  
Old 05-28-2023, 06:04 PM
mlee mlee is online now
 
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I have a 6" rapala medallion (Finnish built) and a 7" Kershaw. Both were right around $45 and both are decent knives.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:06 PM
IronNoggin IronNoggin is offline
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After well over 30 years In the Biz, from field research, to commercial fishing, to guiding and sportfishing, there are but two I would recommend:

https://www.amazon.ca/Kershaw-1243SH...14968791&psc=1

Or

https://canadiancoyotecompany.com/pr...nife-6-w-spoon

Most assuredly NOT made in China, and both of excellent quality.

Cheers,
Nog
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:12 PM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IronNoggin View Post
After well over 30 years In the Biz, from field research, to commercial fishing, to guiding and sportfishing, there are but two I would recommend:

https://www.amazon.ca/Kershaw-1243SH...14968791&psc=1

Or

https://canadiancoyotecompany.com/pr...nife-6-w-spoon

Most assuredly NOT made in China, and both of excellent quality.

Cheers,
Nog
I read Kershaw is made in China then transported to USA

copy and paste
Production begins, with parts manufactured, and assembly underway. All along the way, Kershaw Quality Control (QC) is in place—from parts inspection to final inspection before shipping. Our China-made products receive additional QC before they leave the factory, then again when they arrive in Oregon.

Last edited by -JR-; 05-28-2023 at 06:19 PM.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague View Post
Not sure if the birch handled Rapala's are still made in Finland, but the Finnish Rapalas were decent knives for the money. Mora actually makes some pretty good fillet knives too for a decent price. If you want to spend more I'd go with a Grohman.

I've had a couple Rapalas for over 30 years, not going to say they are anything special, but they work well enough that after using them on probably over a thousand fish I've never seriously concidered upgrading. A few swipes on a steel after each use and minor touch ups with a fine stone a couple times a year keep them shaving sharp.
They are still made by Marttiini in Finland, yes.
Cat
https://www.warriorsandwonders.com/M..._Fish_n_Fillet
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:55 PM
Smokinyotes Smokinyotes is offline
 
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Cat I know it’s Sunday but how much had you drank when you typed your first post.
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  #12  
Old 05-28-2023, 07:00 PM
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Quote:
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Cat I know it’s Sunday but how much had you drank when you typed your first post.
I don't drink!
When I am on my phone at ties it looks like I corrected a mistake but it doesn't enter it. Fat fingers and dyslexia can be entertaining at times!
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Old 05-28-2023, 07:19 PM
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I likely have close to 20 fillet knives I've purchased or been gifted over the years. The ones I bring on trips and keep in the boat are Rapala original (pre-china) or the Finish new Rapala knives.

I have (and carry) the 3 sizes to do different things for different sized fish - the little one is great for filleting perch and cleaning up fillets.

With period touch ups on the stone, they stay razor sharp, are really easy to sharpen back to a razor edge and I won't cry if I loose, damage or drop one overboard.

You can spend more money, but in my opinion, for a fillet knife, it's simply not required. There isn't a thing a higher priced blade can do that a Rapala can't do just as well.
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Old 05-28-2023, 07:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
I don't drink!
When I am on my phone at ties it looks like I corrected a mistake but it doesn't enter it. Fat fingers and dyslexia can be entertaining at times!
Cat
Slurring your speech again??? lol .... I know, I hate typing on my phone too and the auto correct drives me NUTS and corrects me three times in a row sometimes changing my words and I hate it too.

Ah yes, old age, fat fingers ...... join the club
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  #15  
Old 05-29-2023, 02:29 PM
Walleyemagnet Walleyemagnet is offline
 
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I have a lot of fillet knives. Kershaw makes a good one that comes with 2 different blades. I also have a couple Grohman knives and they are the best in my opinion. Don't keep them in your tackle box though. Keep them sharp, get a Lansky sharpening kit and take care of them and they'll last a lifetime. I would also recommend the Rapala R12 if you're interested in getting a powered knife. The thing is expensive, but what a beast.
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  #16  
Old 05-29-2023, 05:15 PM
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pinelakeperch pinelakeperch is offline
 
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It depends on how much you're looking to spend.
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  #17  
Old 05-29-2023, 07:39 PM
icecold icecold is online now
 
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Can't speak for which knives specifically but rapala has moved a fair bit of manufacturing to Estonia. Recently bought one of the birch handle knives and while the branding was definitely pushing finish coo was not. That said no complaints is not China and the way I see it is sort of made in Canada vs USA. Don't imagine there's a huge difference in quality. Been wanting to try a helle fillet knife but hard to justify the price.
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:43 PM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
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I myself would shy away from any folding knife . Learnt that from my hunting knifes as they are very hard to clean out once you fold them up in the field .
Kinda of got me thinking about an electric one now . I know you can remove the blades and clean those easy . But what about the handle . Can you clean that 100 % from any raw fish juices !
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Old 05-29-2023, 10:39 PM
Curtsyneil Curtsyneil is offline
 
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Watch when the cabelas brand electric fillet knife goes on sale think it’s 120 bucks. Great knife fast easy cleaning and 3 sets of blades. Makes fish cleaning a breeze!!
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Old 05-29-2023, 10:40 PM
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I’ve bought a Cuda brand (blue handle) and so far it’s been my favourite knife I’ve owned. Seems to always be sharp and the handle seems to fit my hands nice.
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Old 05-30-2023, 09:31 AM
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HuyFishin HuyFishin is offline
 
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if cost was no issue

No doubt about it my choice would be
North arm knives Kermode 6" in magnacut steel.

I'm using the skaha 2 in magnacut from them and the edge retention for a stainless steel is amazing.
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  #22  
Old 06-04-2023, 02:27 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -JR- View Post
I myself would shy away from any folding knife . Learnt that from my hunting knifes as they are very hard to clean out once you fold them up in the field .
Kinda of got me thinking about an electric one now . I know you can remove the blades and clean those easy . But what about the handle . Can you clean that 100 % from any raw fish juices !
Exactly my thoughts ..... keeping a knife clean and sharp is important to me as well ..... nothing more disgusting than discovering a spot you missed.

I also don't see the need to for them, a sharp fillet knife will cleanly cut through the rib bones with zero effort, even on larger fish. Also keeps the flesh much nicer with less ragged edges.

It might be easier or even faster using an electric blade if you are doing 20 fish or more, but add the cleaning time and maybe it's not much different. Here, in the real world, cleaning a few fish at a time, a knife is probably quicker overall time. I'd rather take my time, with some precision to get a nice fillet.
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  #23  
Old 06-04-2023, 02:41 PM
IronNoggin IronNoggin is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HuyFishin View Post
if cost was no issue

No doubt about it my choice would be
North arm knives Kermode 6" in magnacut steel.
When they first started up, I was selected to review this product.
Difference in mine is it is the nine inch version:



I use it exclusively at home.
It is a VERY Fine Knife all round!

Cheers,
Nog
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  #24  
Old 06-04-2023, 04:08 PM
curtz curtz is offline
 
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I like my cordless Berkley, bit big but good for cleaning at camp.
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  #25  
Old 06-05-2023, 08:49 AM
drifter drifter is offline
 
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Bubba and Cutco.
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  #26  
Old 06-06-2023, 09:16 AM
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HuyFishin HuyFishin is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IronNoggin View Post
When they first started up, I was selected to review this product.
Difference in mine is it is the nine inch version:



I use it exclusively at home.
It is a VERY Fine Knife all round!

Cheers,
Nog
this is an extremely nice blade. Were the first versions also done in s35?
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  #27  
Old 06-06-2023, 02:30 PM
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How long should the edge last? I’ve had a couple different ones but always have to resharpen after a couple fish, mostly pike or whitefish.
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  #28  
Old 06-07-2023, 06:42 AM
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58thecat 58thecat is offline
 
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I like my buddies knife, it works awesome watching him fillet all the fish
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  #29  
Old 06-07-2023, 12:14 PM
Cageyc Cageyc is offline
 
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I have two Kershaws, one cheap and one more pricey. There is a difference. I hear great great comments on the cutco.
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  #30  
Old 06-07-2023, 05:46 PM
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Coiloil37 Coiloil37 is online now
 
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If you’re going cheap, the only one I’ve used and found satisfactory is dexter. I bought one about two years ago because I see them recommended all over the web and wanted to see where they sat between junk and quality. I’ll say, for a sub $50 knife they’re pretty bloody good. Nowhere near top shelf but they hold an edge better then most and don’t chip. It’s much better than the northarm kermode I see recommended above.
The northarms I’ve got in s35vn must be the worst heat treated knives I’ve ever seen or owned. I wouldn’t recommend them at any price and with the two knives I own from them I wouldn’t buy more to see if it was an anomaly.



The other question about how long should an edge last? Depends on the knife. My custom will process a couple hundred kg of fish without losing a shaving edge. That includes cutting through rib bones thicker than a wooden match. I can stick it in a fish and push it wherever I want to cut, no effort or slicing required.

Each of us has to buy a level of performance we can live with.
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