A fillet knife is primarily used to cut delicate meat into thinner slices. It usually features a flexible blade and a remarkably sharp, curved tip. This design makes the removal of the flesh from the bones easier.
Choosing the best fillet knife could be challenging because most of them have similar attributes. If you pick the wrong knife, you may incur mistakes or cause accidents and injuries. We’ve found five of the highly recommended meat and fish fillet knives that you can consider.
Comparison Chart
Best Fillet Knife Reviews
1. Huusk Knife
The Huusk knife is a handmade Japanese-inspired kitchen tool designed for indoor and outdoor use. According to its website, this quality knife combines Japanese blacksmith heritage with modern design. It also states that the knife goes through rigorous testings with over 130 steps before shipping.
Review
The Huusk knife promises features that allow it to handle many cutting tasks. Some of the most notable ones are:
- Blade Material
The Huusk knife has multiple advantages due to its high manganese content and 420C high carbon steel. High wear and tear resistance, excellent abrasion resistance, and the ability to keep sharp edges for a longer period are its most notable qualities.
However, you must always keep the carbon stainless steel blade clean and dry after each use to prevent rust.
- Versatile
The Huusk knife can handle different cutting tasks like filleting fish, boning a lamb’s leg, and skinning a chicken. Separating the pork loin from the ribs is also possible.
It can be a boning knife, a butcher knife, or a chef knife at your discretion. This versatility is attributed to its curved shape, which allows the knife to set apart the meat from the bone. You may have it ready for your regular kitchen cooking tasks or while fishing and hunting in the wild.
- Style
Its curvy profile and eye-catching texture make the Huusk knife one of the more unique-looking multipurpose knives out there. Logwood is utilized for its handle that promises balance and adds to this quality knife’s visual appeal. Its leather sheath also adds to the knife’s visual appeal.
- Marketing Claims
While the manufacturer claims that the steel used in constructing the Huusk knife came from Japan, the process of making it is done in China.
According to its official website, the knife company is based in Lithuania, yet it prominently markets the knife as “Huusk Japan.” This aspect may deter some cautious buyers from purchasing it because the origin appears to be confusing.
Pros:
- Durable and sharp blade
- Well-made handle
- Reasonably-priced
Con:
- Might be dull out of the box
2. Rhinoreto 5″ Fillet Knife
The company Rhinoreto specializes in producing high-quality fillet knives. While they offer fillet knives in different sizes, the brand has yet to release any other types as of this time. The 5″ Fillet Knife is the smallest version Rhinoreto has on its portfolio.
Review
As one of the highly-rated fillet knives out there, the Rhinoreto 5″ Fillet Knife delivers several notable features, including:
- Blade Quality
This fillet knife is made from a special type of stainless steel, which provides the ideal blend of sharp edge and corrosion resistance.
Like other high-quality meat and fish fillet knives, its blade has sufficient flexibility and cuts various fish sizes. The curved shape and pointed tip make any fish filleting tasks easier, while the shorter blade makes it suited for small portions or cuts of meat.
- Filleting Capability
The blade has a non-stick coating that allows the blade to be significantly smoother than standard filleting knives. Thus, you’ll be able to slide the blade off the meat easily and can work on various types of fish meat with less effort.
The Rhinoreto 5″ Fillet Knife is designed for filleting both freshwater and saltwater fish.
- Handle Construction
The Rhinoreto’s non-slip handle is made of a rubber compound that delivers a safe grip. That means you can still fillet as usual despite having wet hands or when your palm and fingers are covered with fish slime.
The ergonomic design of the handle and guard capable of 360 degrees also increases the knife’s safety aspect.
- Sharpener
Stainless steel blades are popular due to their resistance to rust and corrosion. However, they are more likely to lose their edge faster than high-carbon steel knives.
The ergonomic, double-sided sharpener that comes when you buy the Rhinoreto 5″ Fillet Knife can make it easier to keep the blade ready for filleting.
Pros:
- Commendable packaging
- Lightweight sheath
- Eye-catching design
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Needs proper instructions for sharpening
- Not sharp out of the package
3. Dexter Russell Basics 7″ P94812 and 8″ Narrow Fillet Knife P94813
Dexter Russell is one of the leading makers of professional cutlery in the United States. Their knives are manufactured locally in Southbridge, MA.
The company offers this bundle with knives made of an 8-inch and 7-inch blade to make slicing of thin meat easier.
Review
These two fillet kitchen knives from Dexter Russell offer some decent features that make the bundle a worthy investment.
- Blade Quality
The blades of basic knives are composed of a propriety high-carbon stainless steel, which features a remarkable shape and good edge retention. One of the advantages of DEXSTEEL is it will not require too much effort in sharpening.
These knives also exhibit a hollow point edge, making them easy to maintain. However, the carbon steel blades are prone to chipping if you drop or strike them against a hard surface.
- Handle Design
The handle of these Dexter Russell knives is composed of polypropylene for a non-slip, firm grip. While its color and design look nondescript, the company ensures you’ll find no issues using these knives for your filleting tasks.
- NSF-Certified
The Dexter Russell knives have NSF certification, which means they meet the strict standards imposed by NSF for public health protection. You won’t have to worry that these knives contain harmful components.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Easy to clean
- Good flex
Con:
- No protective sheath included
4. Victorinox Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible
Victorinox is not only known to the world as the maker of the Original Swiss Army Knife. They’re also one of the reputable names for kitchen knives.
The company has a diverse product line, including watches, pocket tools, clothing luggage, and other kitchen tools. One of its knives is the Victorinox Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible.
Review
Victorinox describes the Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible as the “perfect tool for filleting.” Let’s check out this knife’s most prominent features.
- Straight Edge
Many Victorinox knives exhibit a fine or straight edge blade that cuts meat with little to no shredding or tearing.
Serrated blades are not ideal for filleting because they are more likely to produce shredded cuts or meat or cuts of fish. A straight edge blade, such as this model, is designed to cut through foods effortlessly in one or a few strokes, making it ideal for filleting.
- Swiss Made
While the term is often associated with watches, the Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible is proud of its origin. As home to one of the most reputable craftsmen in the world, many consumers reveres products with high regard that carries the label “Swiss made.”
- Handle Material
Thermoplastic elastomer TPE, also colloquially called synthetic rubber, is the main component of the Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible’s handle. This material has numerous advantages like a soft, slip-free grip, excellent resistance to abrasions, and a smooth feel.
- Dishwasher-Safe
Knives are not the easiest kitchen tool to clean because a mistake could easily result in accidental cuts. The Victorinox Fibrox Filleting Knife Flexible is dishwasher-safe as it’s able to withstand wash sprays and high heat.
Pros:
- Flexible blade
- Ergonomic handle
- Durable
- Sharp out of the box
Cons:
- Pricier than others
- No sheath included
5. Rapala Soft Grip Fillet Knives
Rapala is a company that focuses on manufacturing lures, knives, hand tools, clothing, and accessories. As a brand that appeals to anglers, it takes pride in maintaining its products’ high-quality design and effectiveness. The Rapala Soft Grip Fillet Knives is among its featured choices for slicing cuts of fish or meat.
Review
With its set of qualities, the Soft Grip Fillet Knives from Rapala is sure to impress even non-anglers. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable ones.
- Blade Design
Strong and razor-sharp, the knife’s blade can effortlessly cut between fish bones and flesh. Its progressive “double-taper” design provides more control and stability, while the flexible tip excels in making daunting fillet tasks a little bit easier.
- Grip Quality
The Rapala Soft Grip Fillet Knives has a soft, non-slip handle for an excellent grip. The middle part features a textured finish, making it easier to hold even when the hand is wet.
This fishing fillet knife also has a large finger guard for additional safety against slippage.
- Additional Items
You won’t have to shop for a leather sheath and fish fillet knife sharpener because the Rapala Soft Grip Fillet Knives package includes these items already, regardless of your chosen size.
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Sturdy blade
- Great value for the price
- Lightweight feel
Cons:
- Hand wash only
- Sheath quality could be better
Buyer’s Guide
A fillet knife makes it easier to cut meat into thinner slices. If you’re not mindful when picking one, you can wind up filleting something else you don’t want. Therefore, consider these factors when shopping for a fillet knife.
Blade Size
Like other types of knives, fillet knives are generally available in several blade sizes ranging from 4-inch to 9-inch fillet blades to accommodate the different sizes of fish.
The shorter blades are perfect for smaller species, such as crappie and rainbow trout. On the contrary, larger fish need a longer blade because the amount of flesh to work on is more challenging if it’s too short.
If you’re still unsure which blade size to get, you may settle with a 6.5 up to a 7.5-inch blade. You can slice any fish size without much hassle and minimal effort with these blade sizes.
That said, always consider getting at least two fillet knives of different sizes for maximum efficiency.
Blade Material
If you don’t use a fillet knife regularly, settle for a stainless steel knife. Compared to carbon steel, it requires little effort to clean and maintain.
The low-maintenance features of the material work best for those who occasionally fillet meat and fish. Stainless steel blades are also typically more resistant to rust and easier to sharpen.
On the other hand, get a carbon steel blade fillet knife if you’re an avid angler or a butcher. Although it is more difficult to clean, it retains sharpness for a significantly longer time than stainless steel. You can also expect more precise cuts due to its razor-sharp edge.
Blade Flex
In choosing a fillet knife, the blade’s degree of flexibility is a crucial factor to consider. It is essential for cutting thin slices of meat because it dictates your control while filleting.
The blade’s thickness is the primary indicator of its degree of flexibility. Thicker blades often have lesser flex, and thinner blades have more flex.
Shorter blades are often made with thin edges, which is conducive since smaller fish require intricate cuts. While longer blades have added thickness, they don’t necessarily translate to having a significantly low degree of flexibility.
However, since they are meant for filleting large meats, control and precision become less significant.
Handle
A well-made handle can provide grip and comfort that help you fillet securely and efficiently.
While wood has been the standard for decades, it is not the best handle material since it becomes exceedingly slippery when wet and can absorb fish smells. Drying and sanitizing wood can also be cumbersome.
Rubber and plastic should be the top choice because they give a somewhat better grip and traction. Bacteria and fish odors are also never an issue with these materials since they are fast and easy to clean. Also, expect these materials to last long since they are not affected by rust and other corrosives.
Which Fillet Knife Should You Choose?
With all factors considered, the Rhinoreto 5″ Fillet Knife is our pick for the best fillet knife. Its blade size, design, and qualities are more suited for filleting different meat types than the other four.
The flexibility and the non-stick coating make cutting thinner slices easier. Aesthetic-wise, the knife is one of the more stylish models many will appreciate.