Filet knives (Page 3): Yes, that is the way to do it.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

CamT wrote:

Same here, as soon as I finish, I clean and give the knife 🔪 a few strokes on the stone, fine side

Yes, that is the way to do it.

Billycrap2 Loc: Mason county,W(BY GOD) Virginia, 🇺🇸🦅

Randyhartford wrote:

Here’s a pic I just took of the knife & sheath….

Thank Randy nice knife 🔪👍🏽👍🏽

Bigmark Loc: Lower Alabama

I like the Rapalla rechargable one. Works great for small and mid size fish. 1-10 lbs.

Bigmark

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Danger25 wrote:

On to serious stuff! Being flush with Tackle warehouse gift cards from Christmas….i need a good filet knife….
On the recommendations of the tackle shop guys, i have been using Dexter knives….i gotta say im not impressed….seem to be more hacking and sawing than cutting, even after sharpening.

Ive heard Bubba knives are good…Rapall also…..figured id ask the experts.

What do you guys use and like?

I use the Dexters as do most commercial cleaners. I and the fish processing plant also use a Dexter diamond steel and take a few swipes on it regularly to keep the razor edge. The steel is very aggressive, so a few light strokes is all that is needed. That being said, with the exception of salmon and flatfish, I am sold on electric knives. I will admit I totally destroyed my share of fish learning to use it. But now a bucket of panfish, trout and bass is a one beer project.

What type of fish are you usually cleaning, as each species has their own little nuances. I was lucky to work with a deck hand at Rocky Point Resort in Alaska who had previously worked at a fish processing plant. I thought I was pretty good, but I can not believe how much I learned from him.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Danger25 wrote:

Yeah, i use a sharpening tool after almost every use…..still seems to be more sawing and hacking than cutting….i orderd a rapala today, now only have ti wait 3 1/2 months to use it😭😭😭

What kind of sharpening tool do you use? Most belong in the trash. That may be your problem rather than the knife. Regardless of what knife you get, It all comes down to knife flex,sharpening and practice.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Once you get the nack down, any large scaled fish or fish with thick rib bones is easier to clean with an electric knife if you are fileting through the ribs. The electric knife is a miracle tool when cleaning Pacific rockfish. Their rib bones are so thick. No sawing required, which means far less chance of getting stuck with their nasty fin barbs.

Note: When cleaning any large scaled fish, cut forward under the scales then turn the knife aft. Cutting through the scales is both a pain and tough on any knife. As for catfish, an electric knife will go through the skin totally eliminating the need to preskin like in the old days.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Black sea bass, bluefish and flounder …with the dexter im not getting cuts as much as im hacking and sawing…..i use probably a cheap sharpener, will upgrade this season, but the dexter was practically right out of the box.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Danger25 wrote:

Black sea bass, bluefish and flounder …with the dexter im not getting cuts as much as im hacking and sawing…..i use probably a cheap sharpener, will upgrade this season, but the dexter was practically right out of the box.

Most Knives need sharpening shortly out of the box, as their edge is to thin. They are sharpened to impress at the counter, rather than to hold an edge. They also need sharpening several times through a cleaning session on large boned fish if you are cleaning more than a fish or two.. The sea bass and bluefish need a stiffer knife than the flounder, though both can be cleaned fairly well with the same knife. Get a diamond steal and learn to use it. Note: if your knife is an heirloom rather than a work tool, do not use a diamond sharpener. Stick with an Arkansas stone. Diamond sharpeners remove a lot of metal in a little time.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

bapabear wrote:

Most Knives need sharpening shortly out of the box... (show quote)

Good advice bapa…thank you

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

Danger25 wrote:

On to serious stuff! Being flush with Tackle warehouse gift cards from Christmas….i need a good filet knife….
On the recommendations of the tackle shop guys, i have been using Dexter knives….i gotta say im not impressed….seem to be more hacking and sawing than cutting, even after sharpening.

Ive heard Bubba knives are good…Rapall also…..figured id ask the experts.

What do you guys use and like?

I have used the Rapala knife for more than 50 years a very good knife not so impressed with the Buddy, I also have a Western Cutlery, but it has been used in the kitchen for the past 45 years or so not sure they are still made

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Danger25 wrote:

On to serious stuff! Being flush with Tackle warehouse gift cards from Christmas….i need a good filet knife….
On the recommendations of the tackle shop guys, i have been using Dexter knives….i gotta say im not impressed….seem to be more hacking and sawing than cutting, even after sharpening.
I’ve had a Rapala for over 20+ years. Still holds a great edge. Cuts like butter!
Ive heard Bubba knives are good…Rapall also…..figured id ask the experts.

What do you guys use and like?

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

CamT wrote:

They all come autographed, here's my old one

I have the exact same knife. Had for many years. Best filet knife on the market in my opinion

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

Danger25 wrote:

On to serious stuff! Being flush with Tackle warehouse gift cards from Christmas….i need a good filet knife….
On the recommendations of the tackle shop guys, i have been using Dexter knives….i gotta say im not impressed….seem to be more hacking and sawing than cutting, even after sharpening.

Ive heard Bubba knives are good…Rapall also…..figured id ask the experts.

What do you guys use and like?

I like my Rapala knife. I also have a Hesseler stainless filet knife that is great.

Possum2 Loc: South Mississippi

Bubba is the best of the 2. Although, I've not worn out my Rapalla so I can go to the Bubba full time.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Danger25 wrote:

On to serious stuff! Being flush with Tackle warehouse gift cards from Christmas….i need a good filet knife….
On the recommendations of the tackle shop guys, i have been using Dexter knives….i gotta say im not impressed….seem to be more hacking and sawing than cutting, even after sharpening.

Ive heard Bubba knives are good…Rapall also…..figured id ask the experts.

What do you guys use and like?

I've used my Rapala fillet knives, I have 3 of them, for almost 50 years. I also use them as one of our kitchen knives as well. They ALL have served me well and they aren't that expensive either.
I also have a Shakespeare fillet knife that I've had for 20 years and it too has served me well. I'm sure you've seen it many times in the Striper pics I've posted on the stage. It's the white handled knife I've posted with the fish.