What filet knife to buy?

M

masa

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Feb 3, 2005
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Will be buying a fileting knife or two soon. I know you guys are much more experienced and this is the place to ask. I do not have a high budget and have singled out a few brands due to price and i believe excellent value .

they are dexter stainless, dexter carbon steel, forschner, rapala fillet. Would appreciate any feedback on those that have used them and advise on whats recommended and whats not.

I have held back buying because I am confused with the variety thats in the market.

Edgeholding is important.

thanks in advance
 
I have a couple of the rapalas,hold an edge for me,and take a very good edge.

You might also look at Frost's of swedens knives,Im a big fan of their moras and imagine their fillet knives would be a great buy also.There available at ragweed forge, and last I checked SMKW.

Hope this helps
loto
 
thanks, i have heard that rapalas are quite favored.

what about dexter stainless, dexter carbon steel, forschner

any good things or bad things to say about them? I am not located in US so I can only really depend of advise give. thanks
 
your welcome masa,

I don't own any dexters,stainless or carbon,though I have used some of there kitchen knives,Others have said good things about them,but they were just ok to me.

Forschner (In my opinion)Makes very good knives for the money,I own several of there kitchen knives,great handles and they take a nice edge.
Although If I had to guess I'd say the rapalas would hold an edge longer.

loto
 
I used to do alot of SW fishing and always used the Dexter Stainless fillet knives. Held a fair edge and didn't cost a fortune. People love to drop knives overboard!

If I were looking for a smaller blade for lake/river, I'd look for an older Gerber Muskie. These are classics, one of my wife's favorites in the kitchen!

Win
 
IMO, you can't beat the Dexter Russell fillet knife for the cash.

I like the Sani-Safe "stain free high carbon" narrow version. Holds a great edge and is thin and flexible enough to fillet all manner of fish. Also very strong and durable. Comes in different lengths, 7" to 9".

Go on a commercial fishing boat. Chances are you'll see a fair share of Dexter Russells on there. They hold up.
 
The Rapala knives are fine knives, especially for the money.

Rapala bought out 100% of Marttiini Oy, a Finnish company, and this branch continues to make good knives for Rapala.

Rapala VMC Oyj ("Rapala") has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire 100 % of Marttiini Oy from Lauri Marttiini, his son Ilkka Marttiini and Ilkka Marttiini's family members. Completion of the transaction is expected before the end of October 2005. The consideration of the deal comprises of cash and newly issued shares of Rapala. It is expected that this acquisition will be accretive to Rapala shareholders. Marttiini Oy has been manufacturing and selling knives for more than 75 years. The main export markets for Marttiini branded knives are Germany and Scandinavian countries. The Marttiini knife factory is located in Rovaniemi, and the knife sheaths are manufactured in Marttiini´s factory in Pärnu, Estonia. Marttiini Oy also owns 49% of the Chinese knife joint venture with Rapala. The turnover of Marttiini Oy was approximately 6.5 million euros in 2004. More than 40% of the sales were to Rapala Group. Rapala distributes Rapala filleting knives manufactured by Marttiini Oy mainly in the USA but also in other countries. The Marttiini-manufactured Rapala filleting knives are market leaders in North America.

Source: http://www.marttiini.fi/puukot/shop/english/yritys.asp
Click to expand...

I have a couple of Rapalas and like them a lot, especially the version with the soft-grip handle. I would buy another.

I just don't think they're quite on the same level as the Dexter Russells.
 
Fillets.jpg


Top: Mister Twister Electric Fisherman, Spyderco Catcherman, Rapala folding fillet.
L to R: Uncle Henry Steelhead 167UH, Gerber Gator, Busse, Rapala Soft-Grip, X-Tools floating fillet, Rapala wood grip, HI fishing knife, Dexter Russell Sani Safe, and then three more Dexter Russells that came in a kit.

They're all good fillet knives, but the three that see the most use are that Rapala soft grip, the Dexter Russell Sani Safe, and the Dexter Russell serrated.

If I were going to buy another fillet knife tomorrow, I'd probably get a custom. But I wouldn't mind having a shorter Dexter Russell Sani Safe narrow fillet.
 
Nice knives you got there. the Busse looks great.

Does the dexter have a better edge holding than the rapala?
 
masa said:
Does the dexter have a better edge holding than the rapala?
Click to expand...

They both hold an edge well, but I'd give the edge to the DR. I actually like the grip of the Rapala better, but the uniform narrowness of the DR blade makes it easier to work with IMO.
 
I used my BM Mini Rukus last time I went fishing and it worked fine. Don't click here unless you're ok with fish blood. A little on the expensive side
 
I use a 9" Cold Steel carbon filet knife. It greatly exceeded all my expectations. Really holds an edge and very easy to sharpen.
 
I will weigh in on this one. Having owned a fish market and cutting many many boxes of fish from the market in NY. Here is my suggestion. I would go and buy two knives.

First, I would buy a Dexter Carbon steel. stiff fillet knife in a 7" or 8" Blade for actually filleting the fish and then I would buy what they call a flexible blade fillet knife in 8" size for skinning the fillets. It would also be a Dexter carbon steel blade. If you spend any time around commercial markets or docks on the east coast. Those are the tools of the trade, so to speak. Both of those knives will only set you back a total of around $30.00. You will not wear then out in your lifetime and the carbon steel blades take an outstanding edge. As far as any concerns about rust on the carbon blades It has not been an isue for me in 15-18years. If you are looking for a place to purchase I would suggest www.mortysknives.com he has been around forever and sells to all the commercial guys. Hope this helps in your decision.

Paul.
 
Sounds like good advise from Paul. Can't believe Morty is still there. We had a Mako outfitted down the street at Grovers, years ago.

Win
 
Win,

If your speaking of Al Grover. His family is still in freeport doing what they do best.
 
Paul certainly hit the nail on the head.
I'll go out on a limb and say that you could use almost any knife to get the fillet off the fish...but the flexible fillet knife really shines at skinning the fillet.
Masa, I don't think you'll do bad with any of your choices.
Here are my fishin' knives (just for fun)
fishinblades.jpg

Took apart a pile of fish with that ol' Sharpfinger & Steelhead before I found the internet :D
 
That one is made by Iisakki Jarvenpaa.
They also make a slighty larger version.
 
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