Good filet knife?

[NorthChain]

I have always just scaled and gutted my panfish in the past but now I am trying to filet them. I am starting to get the hang of it but I am far from good at it.

I have been using wifey's electric carving knife and it seems to be generally the way to go, except she doesn't appreciate me using her knife outta the kitchen. :rant: Maybe I'm not so good at cleaning it up. :whistle: So I'll be getting my own knife.

Question - what is a good electric filet knife? Are there cordless models and do they work OK?

[RyGuy525]

cordless are terrible dont bother get yourself a mister twister electric. You wont regret it!

[teacup13]

i like my small rapella.... great little knife for scooping out the rib cages of those pannies, good little cheap filet knife

[tinmarine]

I have the American Angler brand. I think it makes turns a little better than the Mister Twister, but that's just me. Mister Twister is good too. To de bone I have a 4" Rapala filet knife, and I love it. More control than a long blade and more forgiving than the electric when de boning. I hate scaling so I skin everything, just quicker. It's rare I mangle a filet, even the smallest of perch turns out good.

[WHITE BEAR]

The Rapalas work well but require frequent sharpening. I have a Knives of Alaska fillet knife that I absolutely love. It holds an edge well and the tip is serrated which is great for intricate work.

[tinmarine]

The Rapalas work well but require frequent sharpening. I have a Knives of Alaska fillet knife that I absolutely love. It holds an edge well and the tip is serrated which is great for intricate work.

Where did you get that knife? I like the idea of a serrated tip. I would like to get one and try it.

[GoneFishin]

Electric - I use a Mr. Twister.

Manual - I use the 4" Rapala (like the one with the black rubberized handle) Also have a Gerber 4" filet knife that I use.

[dajumboman]

Rapala Electric Is What I Use At It Works Great On All Sized Fish

[NorthChain]

Ry, what is the problem with the cordless - not enough power or battery life? Does anyone else have any experience with a cordless? Thanks.

[Down Lowe]

Ry, what is the problem with the cordless - not enough power or battery life? Does anyone else have any experience with a cordless? Thanks.


I have a cordless that I use when rustic camping - it's not bad but lacks the power of corded.

I recommend going to walmart and buying a black and decker electric carving knife - much cheaper than other filet knives and does a great job - I know a few of the walleye charters that I have been on use these

[RyGuy525]

The rechargable dont have any where near the same amount of power and the battery is dead before you can get threw a limit of walleye. Go with the mister twister or the black and decker knives and you wont be disapointed.

[Reel_Screamer86]

Get the Rapala, i've had the mister twister, and the Rapala has held up the best for the long term..

[Houghton laker]

I also like the Rapala electric and 4" manual knifes.....I received the battery powered Rapala from my Bro-inlaw and as stated....works good but lacks the power of the electric!!

When Cleaning walleye in the house in close quarters when the weather is not so nice outside I use a weustoff fillet knife.....costly but holds a edge forever and slides right through them fish like nothing!! I can clean a walleye with that knife just as fast as using a electric...or maybe even a little faster!;)

[UBDSLO1]

I have an electric fillet knife, but rarely ever use it. I know use a Cutco brand fillet knife, just love it. I also have about a dozen Rapala fillet knifes, they are great too.

[Ralph Smith]

I have a Rapala cordless with the 2 batteries and charger, 6" and 9" blades. It was 80.00 brand new, and I used it twice on perch. I don't care for it, and have been using my Rapala fillet knives. I'll sell the cordless complete, case and all for 50.00.

[Lisa23]

For Panfish I use a knive my Dad gave me I think Rapala made or just sold them its 4" has a wood handle and the blade says Marttiini on it, It takes a edge pretty quick and gets the job done.

[WHITE BEAR]

I can't remember where I got that knife but they do have a website. I also have some of there hunting knives and those are great too.

[dobes]

I would say the exact same as lisa . That knife is wonderful for panfish . 4" blade does the best job . If you blade is much longer , it makes it tougher to feel where your knife is in the fish . I would say the rapala 4" is the way to go .

[dtg]

My brother has the Cutco adjustable Fillet knife and that thing really holds an edge. We used it for two seasons of Salmon fishing, but it dulled on us up in Canada on our first Pike:lol: I now fillet Pike using the five cut way and wouldn't have that problem anymore. The cutco can be 4"-9" long.

I personally just have some $14 fillet knife that's been fine for my uses. I don't even know the brand.

[Zofchak]

Look online for Forschner or Dexter Russel fillet knives. :fish: They're both top quality blades and are used by a lot of the commercial guys. I'd recommend getting the most flexible blade possible for panfish. There's not a lot of meat to begin with and the flexible blade will help you make the most of each fillet.

[9mmruger1]

I use the Rapala Electric exclusively. It is a great knife. I have been using it for 3 years now and it is all that I use. I use it on all fish. Bluegills, perch, crappie, bass and pike. I don't catch many wall-guys but if I did I would still use it.

There is a slight learning curve to using it, but after you master your technique you will turn out filets faster and just a good as a filet with a standard knife.

I use the Mr T knife for carving turkey, ham, and roasts. :D

[RyGuy525]

The older rapala electrics are great but the new ones are cheap and i killed the motor on one in less than a week.