Electric Fillet Knife [Archive] - The Michigan Sportsman Forums

Lund Lubber

11-10-2005, 12:12 AM

scubajay

11-10-2005, 07:12 AM

For what it is worth, here is my opinion. I have owned 15-20 electric knifes over the last 25 years that I have used for filleting fish. The brands have included Rapala, American Angler, Mister Twister, Black and Decker and others. In almost all cases I normally get one year out of each of the knifes before they break, wear out, burn out or just plain don’t perform well. Two years ago I bought the Mister Twister Piranha (their “saltwater” model) and it is still going strong after cleaning at least 300 walleye and countless perch this year alone. I have even used it to fillet salmon this year. The manufacture says that it is has 35% more power than their standard knife and has all non-corrosive stainless steel internal parts. I know that I can get at least 1 more good year out of the knife so for me it has been the best performer to date. I could not find it locally so I had to order it from Cabelas website.

ted stehney

11-10-2005, 08:36 AM

I have just replaced my mister twister after cleaning at least one thousand walleye with it. I have tried a few other brands that have not even made it through one season. I believe that using them on perch is harder on the knife than the walleye. The perch scales take more effort to go through than the walleye scales. I try to angle the blade to get under the scales which allows the blade an easier passage. Once you get comfortable with it you will love the electric

RyGuy525

11-10-2005, 08:39 AM

Im a big fan of the rapala eletric knife. I have also used black and decker knives. Both work well but i think i may need to try out that mister twister pirahana knife!

Splitshot

11-10-2005, 08:45 AM

I have had good luck with Black and Decker, GE. The ones like Mr. Twister I didn't like because the blades are to stiff. I don't like the short blades that come with some knives for the same reason.

Although I have burned a few out, it is usually because I tried to clean to many fish at one time and the knives overheated. Now when faced with cleaning large numbers, I use two knives and switch off.

The most important thing in my opinion in an electric knive is to use one with the button on the bottom. Make sure the button can be pushed in and not in and back as they are a pain too. If you plan on using it a lot, get one with an extra set of blades as they cause the biggest difficulty as the space between the blades increases and stuff get in between.

I posted this last year for those who wanted to see how it is done. http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89527&highlight=filet

GVSUKUSH

11-10-2005, 08:57 AM

Thanks for reminding me of that thread Ray, now I know what to ask for for christmas.

KI Jim

11-10-2005, 09:44 AM

Mister Twister-by a long way. The regular one is great. The saltwater one is a little larger and more powerful. If you mainly go for perch-walleye, get the regular. If you are mainly walleye-salmon, get the saltwater.

Jim

Captain Tan Can

11-10-2005, 10:24 AM

I used to buy Mister Twister and was lucky to get a year out of them. I only had one that the motor burned out on but the cheap contacts in the off-on switch was always the culprit. About three years ago I had 100 jumbo perch to clean after coming back from Lake Simco and burned out my Mister Twister after 20-25 fish. I went to the kitchen and grabbed my wife's GE knife which was a wedding present from 30 years ago. I have been using it since. I have replaced the blades twice but my neice is a customer service rep for GE and got them for me at no cost. I don't think that this is GE policy but it's been good for me!

My brother in law ice fishes every day there is good ice on Lake St. Clair. He cleans 1500 to 1800 perch eacxh winter. 2 years ago he bought an
American Angler with two sets of blades. He loves the 8" set for perch and uses the 10" for walleyes and salmon. No problems so far and if my GE ever quits thats what I am going to try.

Bud Wilson

slowpoke

11-10-2005, 10:51 AM

Just wondering what kind (brand) of knife you guys use for perch?

I've been looking at the pictures posted by a few members and it looks like they do a great job!

Any particular brand anyone would like to suggest? Also where can I but it?

Thanks!!
I've burnt a few up myself. Thanks for the post. I think I will try the one like scubajay is talking about (salt water one ) next.
I got the Repala rechargeable one last and paid over $70 for it thinking the price and made by Repala would be a good one. BOY was I wrong. DON'T GET THE REPALA RECHARGEABE MODEL!!!!. The batt. don't last. I get 4 or 5 bluegills filleted out per full batt. charge, I'm luckey to get through 2 walleyes. It is junk. The 110 volt one might be OK but I'm not going to let Repala get any more money from me.

WALLEYE MIKE

11-10-2005, 10:59 AM

Mark Sylvester

11-10-2005, 12:11 PM

I agree Mike, I have had a cheap knife that I got from the checkout at Lunberjack's for a number of years now, and I have to say that for Perch of any size it works as good as my electric handles the eyes. Just goyya keep the steel handy.

Slick fishing

11-10-2005, 02:45 PM

Mister twister all the way, I had a few of the rechargeable ones and they sucked never were ever worth the money.. Cya Slick

slowpoke

11-10-2005, 02:52 PM

I have a few manual fillet knives. They never needs recharging nor do they burn out. :lol: Lately I've been using a knife I found for $3.99. These 6"ers are sharp and work great. Also I like 4"ers for smaller fish like perch ,bluegill and such.

Can't beleve you are still in the stone age Mike. Have you ever tried to use an electric fillet knive? They are sure faster then a manual one. I still use a manual one as a back-up and if I only have a few to fillet. If I have a lot, which has not happen lately, I always use a electric.

Big Laker

11-10-2005, 03:37 PM

I'm a true beliver in Electric only. To those hand knife guys, let me know how your wrist feels after cleaning 150 perch. And those scales really dull the blades. Need time to constantly hone the blades. I like the Mister Twister, but it really heats up. Been using a American Angler. Never needs a rinse like the Mister twister which gunks up in between the blades. The blades are somewhat stiff & are unforgiving on small fish. Tried the cordless Black & Decker, but didn't like the trigger which I believe was at the top.
In any event electric all the way!

WALLEYE MIKE

11-10-2005, 03:57 PM

Can't beleve you are still in the stone age Mike. Have you ever tried to use an electric fillet knive? They are sure faster then a manual one. I still use a manual one as a back-up and if I only have a few to fillet. If I have a lot, which has not happen lately, I always use a electric.

Yeh, I got one. Don't like it. Too big for perch. Maybe I'll try it the next time I clean a wally.

Gone Fishing

11-10-2005, 06:17 PM

Mike, one night in my garage with our limit and I'll make a believer out of you! I'll still do Salmon and Steelhead the old way but I can clean a Perch in 30 seconds with an electric. Can't keep up that pace so I probably average 1 a minute but try that with the old fillet knife. On second thought, I have seen one guy that is about that good with the old style but I'll bet money, he is in a league by himself.

WALLEYE MIKE

11-10-2005, 07:00 PM

I just find the blades are too long. When I fillet, my index finger acts like an extention of the blade. (its on top of the blade as I fillet) Thats why I like the 4" ones. Maybe I'll practice with one a little more.

Splitshot

11-10-2005, 07:09 PM

It takes time to get used to, but once you do, you will never go back. With a good electric knife, I can probably filet 100 bluegills in less than an hour even now, and I used to be a lot faster. I can even have the mess cleaned up too. You just have to get through the first couple of hundred.

Catfish are the most difficult, next are gills, but perch, crappie, walleye etc are very easy, even if they are the five inch type. I don't doubt that guys can do a good job with a good filet knife or stiff electric, but the flexible blades are the easiest to use in my opinion.

Big Bob

11-10-2005, 11:22 PM

Mister twister.....................

Fish on:cool:

Stick-em

11-11-2005, 07:27 AM

slowpoke

11-11-2005, 08:07 AM

Been using the mister twister for a few years, it gets hot easy but works good. A little off subject but what is the best way to cut out the rib cage after you fillet and skin the fish, without wasting to much meat. Walleye are not to hard, but the perch give me headaches. thanks , stick
I just cut the hole rib cage out. There is not much meat there anyways, also the belly fat is where most of the containments are so I just cut it all away.

KI Jim

11-11-2005, 08:33 AM

I toss the fillets to my 11 year old son who trims the belly bones out with a fillet knife ;) .

Really, the electric is the way to go on perch. I fish Ohio a lot, so 60 perch (2 man limit) is my standard. With a nice, sharp filet knife I do 60 perch in 60 minutes-start, to cleaned up and in the freezer. With an electric, I do 60 in 35 minutes. They feel clunky at first, but you get used to them real fast. The other thing is that it is just easier. You don't have the crick in your back or neck from hunching over and your hands don't get tired.

Jim

MUSHY1

11-11-2005, 09:20 AM

Boy, You guys that clean manually, it must take a week of sundays to clean a limit of Perch....I was on a charter about 15 years ago, and the captain broke out his Mister Twister Electric, and he burned through 30 Walters like it was nothing, that sold me on Electric fillet knives.

I had a Mister twister I bought 7-8 years ago, still works.....and Ive cleaned at least 1000 walleyes with it, not to mention the thousands of Perch and it still works, all though retired now....Back up....Have the Rapala now, Seems to work good, although it heats up fast....So i do what the other guys in the post does, have a back up for the days your nice and clean your freinds fish from Simcoe....

Mushy

ICEGUY

11-11-2005, 11:23 AM

Works great for me. I have two size blades, short for perch and long for walleye. I never use a electric for salmon. I keep a brand new one in the drawer, for a ready to use spare. They are $20-$25. They really work great to skin. I use a seraded knife to take out the rib bones. tightlinesyall

Houghton laker

11-12-2005, 05:55 AM

When it comes to walleye...I feel I have my manual fillet knifes...and I can go through limit and have the area cleaned up in 5-10 minutes......I use a Chiefs pride electric knife sharpener and the fillet knife slides through like it is going through butter!! I have a Wusthof...6 in. german made fillet knife I use on walleye...and wouldn't change it for the world!!........Perch on the other hand....Electric is the only way to go!! If large amounts are to be cleaned I pull out the Electric (rapala)....Still trying out brands...... If small amounts....I still use the manual knife....for perch..I love the 4 in. Rapala.....With that electric knife sharpener...I can go a season(summer)...and just have to sharpen it one xtra time mid year!!!

allucaneat

11-12-2005, 10:17 AM

Hey HL, I also use a Wusthof 6" Knife for my walleye and a 4" Wusthof for my perch, I think it's a pearing knife. I do have an America Angler Rechargeable but it's useless, it lasts about 4-5 walleye for one charge what a waste of $59.

Bruce William

11-12-2005, 10:22 AM

Ok I tried it last night for the first time and did not like the results. So call me old fashioned but I like to keep the skins on after scalling them and do the butterfuly method even though it takes twice as long it is what I do. For walleyes I have switched to a rapala and like it.