Which Fillet Knife Is Best For You
In this blog, we’ll explain the features and benefits of traditional and electric fillet knives to help you choose the best fillet knife for you. Before diving in though, it’s helpful to identify your needs. Consider how often you’ll use the knife, the size of fish you’ll clean, the features you want in a knife and your budget.
All done? Great, let’s get started.
Traditional Fillet Knife Benefits
Traditional fillet knifes are simple, reliable tools. They’re easy to use, clean, sharpen and store. No muss, no fuss.
Traditional knives are also affordable. All of Rapala’s knives in this category cost less than $35, and many include a sheath.
Despite being inexpensive, Rapala’s fillet knives are made with quality and performance in mind. This is easily felt in their comfortable grips and balance of the knife when in the hand. Rapala’s knives are crafted with the finest steel, offering the perfect blend of flex, strength and sharpness.
Is A Traditional Fillet Knife Best For You?
A traditional fillet knife with a 7-1/2” blade is an excellent everyday option for those who are occasionally keeping fish for the table. The affordability, compact size and low maintenance characteristics of traditional knives also makes a convincing argument for owning several in different blade sizes for the home, cottage, hunt camp and boat.
In fact, many anglers own both a traditional knife as well as an electric model. They might reach for a traditional knife when only a few freshly caught fish need cleaning, or for precision work they prefer not doing with a power model.
If a traditional knife sounds like a good fit for you, the Marttiini Filleting Knife, Fish ’n Fillet Superflex Knife and SoftGrip Fillet Knife are a few models worth considering. Anglers wanting a compact option may find the 5” Folding Fish Pro Fillet the perfect choice.
Tip: Match blade length to the size of fish you’ll be cleaning. For small fish, like bluegills, Rapala’s 4” Fish ’N Fillet is ideal. A 6” does well for crappie and yellow perch. A 7-1/2” is also well suited for big panfish and is the optimal length for walleye and other midsize fish. Use a 7-1/2” to 9” blade for northern pike, salmon and other large fish.
Electric Knife Overview
As you’d expect, a powered fillet knife cleans fish quickly. This time-saving benefit alone is why a lot of anglers own an electric fillet knife.
Speed comes at a price, though. Electric knives cost more than traditional ones, but for many the investment is worth being able to swiftly prepare a pile of fish. Rapala’s electric models range from $89.99 for the Electrical Fillet Knife and Fork Set to $264.99 for the premium R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife Combo.
Buying an electric knife gives you more features. For example, all Rapala’s electric knives come with a set of stainless steel, dishwasher-safe 7-1/2” reciprocating blades that don’t require sharpening. If you happen to clean an epic amount of fish over the years and the blades become dull, replacements are available.
You get even more bang for your buck with a Rapala electric knife combo or set, which include both 6” and 7-1/2” reciprocating blades and a compact carrying case. The Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife Set also includes adaptors for 110V AC, 12V post clips and a 12V lighter plug. Cordless combos come with two rechargeable batteries and a charger.
Think An Electric Knife Is For You?
If you’re sold on owning an electric fillet knife, the next decision is whether you want a plug-in or a cordless model. Here are some things to consider when weighing your options.
Plug-in electric knives cost less than battery-powered models. If you mostly clean fish at home, the cottage or another indoor setting with power, a corded model may meet all your requirements. Rapala’s knives in this category have cords ranging from 7 to 18 feet, making it easy to find a length best suited for your fish-cleaning station.
Despite being costlier than corded models, battery-powered fillet knives are preferred by many because they handle similar to a traditional knife, but with the benefit of having powered, reciprocating blades. There’s no concern of a cord getting in the way when using a battery-powered model either.
The portability of these models is another perk. Clean your fish in the boat, at the dock, on remote fishing trips — the list goes on.
The Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife and R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife combos each come with two lithium ion batteries. Lithium batteries provide consistent speed and torque from fillet to fillet, without reduced power or slow down as battery power wanes — and you get 80 continuous minutes of run time per battery without any loss of power.
Those wanting the ultimate in cordless power and performance will be more than pleased with the R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife Combo. Its feel, ergonomics and ease-of-use are excellent. This knife also delivers twice the speed and three times the torque of any other electrical fillet knife on the market. Its 6” and 7-1/2” blades are PTFE coated for less resistance and increased speed. An R12 battery charges in one hour. It also has a LED light for filleting in low light conditions. Keep an eye out for other R12 battery powered accessories coming to Canada. This universal battery system will be expanded for years to come!
Wrap-Up
We hope reviewing the features and benefits of traditional and electric knives helps you choose the best fillet knife to meet your needs. Regardless of what style you decide to get, know that any Rapala fillet knife you buy will be a quality, reliable product that will serve you well for many years to come.