Filet knife (Page 2): Yup, my 7" Rapala fell in the water before I ever used it, DUH!

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Spiritof27 wrote:

I agree with whitey. Electric is the way to go. ... (show quote)

Yup, my 7" Rapala fell in the water before I ever used it, DUH!

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

I did have two sprained ankles tho at the time and was pretty unsteady

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

I have had my Rapala knife for over 30 years, and had been using a regular electric knife. But this spring I bought the reachargable Bubba. It is pricey at $150 but I love and highly recommend it. It comes with 2 batteries and 3 sets of different size blades. I have no problem with catfish up to 10 pounds. It does the bones fine without having to use your regular knife. With a little practice, 1 minute per fish and completely boneles.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

fast_randy wrote:

I have had my Rapala knife for over 30 years, and had been using a regular electric knife. But this spring I bought the reachargable Bubba. It is pricey at $150 but I love and highly recommend it. It comes with 2 batteries and 3 sets of different size blades. I have no problem with catfish up to 10 pounds. It does the bones fine without having to use your regular knife. With a little practice, 1 minute per fish and completely boneles.

At the rate I'm catching fish this year I couldn't justify buying a plastic picnic knife, much less a Bubba.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

FS Digest wrote:

I'm just learning to filet and would like to purchase a really good filet knife. I
bought a cheap one and it leaves way too much meat on the outsides of the bone. Any
suggestions?

--
by Susan

My experience is Bubba blades are hard to beat. Quite expensive but worth the money. Even those will not do the work for you though. I’ve had cheap fillet knives that did a great job and didn’t leave meat on the bones. Maybe practice sharpening and your technique.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Seems like we discussed this, not that long ago. I still say: go / the Dexter-Russel... They call'em: "SaniSafe"... These are nice and flexible, like a filet knife is supposed to be... Boning knives I've owned are not flexible whatsoever... It's intended for a different job.
Those Dexter blades come with a choice of white plastic handles, which are molded right onto the blade. They come in a hard plastic, as well as a slightly spongy plastic, called: "SOFGRIP"... at least, I THINK they have a choice... My 6" Narrow Boning Knife, has the "SOFGRIP" handle. I like both. I always burn black dots right into the white plastic handles, in "a particular style" to where I know what knife is mine, as far thieves go... I'm not sure they sell sheaths for them, I've always made sheaths outta old cigarette cartons & electrical tape, and keep it in the tackle box. These are commercial-fisherman's quality knives without the fancy prices.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Able Man wrote:

Seems like we discussed this, not that long ago. I... (show quote)

There's one like that for sale at Sam's Club, looks like a well made knife, it has the white industrial handle like you mention - seems to me it goes for right around 15 bucks. Probably a very good knife at that price. Can't recommend it, I just know they have it. I might buy one myself if I ever catch a damned fish.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

[quote=Spiritof27]There's one like that for sale at Sam's Club, looks like a well made knife, it has the white industrial handle like you mention - seems to me it goes for right around 15 bucks. Probably a very good knife at that price. Can't recommend it, I just know they have it. I might buy one myself if I ever catch a damned fish.[/quote

Spend the 15 bucks. Might be a good luck charm🥴

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I should huh? No sheath, I'll have to devise something or I'll cut myself. Wouldn't be any kind of knife at all if it wouldn't cut you if it got the chance.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Spiritof27 wrote:

I should huh? No sheath, I'll have to devise something or I'll cut myself. Wouldn't be any kind of knife at all if it wouldn't cut you if it got the chance.

My grampa always told me if you pay for a knife it won’t cut you. You should be safe unless you steal it. He always made me give him a penny when I got a jack knife from him. A free knife will cut you every time.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

There's some wisdom. Never heard that one. I'll be sure to pay for it. And then I'll keep my eye on it and my fingers away from it.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Spiritof27 wrote:

There's some wisdom. Never heard that one. I'll be sure to pay for it. And then I'll keep my eye on it and my fingers away from it.

Good plan. You might pick up a steel mesh glove when you get the knife just to be on the safe side. Lol

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I've got some gloves I wear to shuck oysters. Course I only wear one on the left. But I think I've got two or three of em. It's time to head to the coast for some perch and oysters. Going for a week in a couple of weeks. Ocean Cove. Never been there, only through it.

Elefantdude Loc: Oxnard, CA

FS Digest wrote:

I'm just learning to filet and would like to purchase a really good filet knife. I
bought a cheap one and it leaves way too much meat on the outsides of the bone. Any
suggestions?

--
by Susan

Hi Susan,
When you say you bought a cheap fillet knife, what brand is it?
I have a nice Rapala Fillet knife handed down to me from my Dad and it works great. Just keep it sharpened and honed and it will do the job for you. I attached a link that is comparable to what my Dad gave me:

https://www.fishusa.com/Rapala-Fishn-Fillet-Knives?quantity=1&L-Size1=840&msclkid=c4d1942b0082151a7d5bcbab8cee6a84&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_PLA_All%20Products&utm_term=4585100931234669&utm_content=All%20Products

Also, if you fish a lot and bring home a nice string of fish, it would be wise to get an electric fillet knife. I've had days where I would bring home 100's of fish (Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Bass... to name a few) and an electric fillet knife is a godsend!!!

There are some good brand names out there that other anglers have mentioned. I have a set of Kershaw's that I keep in my truck.
The set comes with interchangeable blades - depending on size of fish, you can switch out the blades. Bubba makes a good set with replaceable blades too but the set is over $100 :-)

The Kershaw Set I have in my truck :-)

The Mister Twister Electric Fillet Knife I have had for over 10 years!!!

A Rapala Fillet Knife, similar to what my Dad gave me when I was a kid back in the 70s/80's :-) Still works GREAT!

The Bubba set - but expensive - worth it though!!!

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

The old reliable rapala fillet knife With the light wood handle Has cleaned countless fish for me. They are inexpensive. Sharpens easy and are just plain handy
I have one that I’ve had for many many years. Recently gave it a major blade recondition and sharpen after honestly neglecting it for years. Can easily shave hair.
Not only clean fish , peel potatoes , slice tomatoes , cut corn off cob. Great for thin slicing jerky meat.
It mostly lives in the kitchen now since I bought a Bubba.
Bubba feels really stiff by comparison. I think I like it. Haven’t used it enough to really decide
Someone else mentioned Buck. I cary one on the boat. Blue handled one.
Used it in a walleye trip where we were fortunate enough to have 2 guys cleaning fish
Not a fan of the stiffness. Sharp as a razor though.