I'm looking to purchase a new fillet knife this season, and was wondering what your top picks would be. Also, looking for advice on keeping them sharp. I've tried sharpening stones, but just can't seem to get the feel for using them. Nothing worse than a dull knife after a successful day of fishing!

I got a Rapala fillet knife a few years ago, cost about $10 came with a sharpener ...one of those automatic deals you just pull the knife through......has worked well for years.

Love the rapalas myself`. Great buy for the money

Any preference when it comes to blade length?

The longer the better, unless you are a panfisherman.

I just bought a rapala stainless steel knife the other day. How is this compare to the black finish. The black metal finish is suppose to be thinner and more flexible but is it durable?

I have ben through a number of fillet knives but the best knife that I have used is a cutco fillet knife. My dad purchased this for me in 2000 and it is still like new. They also come with a no question asked lifetime warranty although I have never had any issues in the last 10 years.

Rapala - Standard Issue. Probably been using it for 20+ years. It has filleted hundreds of fish and is still going strong.

Been a Rapala guy for years. I'm not gonna spend serious cash on a knife that I WILL end up scraping on Granite. Tried the folding filet knife last year, cuts great, packs small. Blade is only 5 or 6in., but we only cut little fish anyway. After several serious scrapes on granite it still sharpens up darn good with those cheapy ceramic sharpeners. Still holding out for a Leech Lake knife as a house knife...maybe Christmas...

Rapala fold up. Rubber handle. Second choice would be the standard Rapala 6 inch blade. Also, have a Kershaw exchange blade. Good knife just don't really need the hunting and saw blade when fishing

I second the Rapala fold up. Takes up less room.

I have had trouble with my Rap folder hyperextending (the lock feature doesn't seem strong enough). Have not had an accident with it, but retired it before I do. Now use a cheap Kershaw with a molded plastic handle and sheath. Super thin blade- thinest I've ever seen on a filet knife and I like it. Was around $10.

I have a Chicago Cutlery filet knife. The model is called the Traveler. Folding 5 1/2" blade. Very flexible. Got it over 20 years ago for Christmas from my parents and have filleted lots of fish with it. I think it's better than the Rapala but that's just my opinion.

I actually am a fan of the less expensive thin bladed knives but my folding Rapala knife never leaves my camping gear bag.

I have never seen a Chicago Cutlery fillet knife but I'm sure there good, my kitchen knives just keep going and going.

quote fishguts: "I got a Rapala fillet knife a few years ago, cost about $10 came with a sharpener ...one of those automatic deals you just pull the knife through......has worked well for years. "

Ditto

Rapala for years, always a small one for cutting the cheese. I recieved a Leech Lake for bday present. Trip partner has to wear his out first before I am using mine.

I have a Gerber knife that has a sharpener in the sheath. It has two ceramic stones to dress up the knife before using it.

Rapala here too.

I have a 7" Easley that has seen over 1K walleyes, perch, and salmon in the last 10 years. I had to run it over a burnishing steel about 500 fish ago because it was finally starting to dull. Probably about time to touch up the blade again.

I also was given a Leech Lake knife a few years ago. I used it for one limit of 'eyes, then went back to the Easley.

I use the Rapala fillet knife as well. I go for the longer blades. Mine comes with a plastic sheath and a built in sharpener. It's nice and sharp, holds an edge well, and is flexible for filleting Walleye...

Spoil yourself and buy a Leech Lake knife. I've got half a dozen old Rapalas nothing wrong with them but a LL knife is hot even a comparison.

oops......double post

Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and opinions! Looks like the Rapalas have it for a knife in the bush,and maybe an Easley or Leech Lake for the house someday. Thanks again for your help!

My father gave me a Leech Lake knife as a Christmas present in 1984. I believe Don Canney was still the mayor of Cedar Rapids at the time. It is the best filet knife I have ever owned. I gave one to my son in law 2 years ago as a Christmas present and now he cleans all the fish. Pretty good deal for both of us!

I use a rapala, buck, or a cutco fillet knife. I got the cutco knife for xmas a couple of years ago and really like it. The blade adjusts to different sizes, there is a sharpening stone on the sheath, and the sheath has a pincher to hold the skin when filleting the meat off of it.





tony

I really like my Wustoff fillet knife, but for the money, you can't beat the Rapalas.

If you're on a budget, the Rapala fillet knife works great. If you prefer the best, and price is no object, go for the Leech Lake. The LL is a work of art.

bump

I've been told that these are good. But I have an old Rapala I was given at least 15 years ago ... it needs sharpened, lol.

Rapala

Rapala here also

Buck makes a nice fillet knife, with a nice handle that's easy to grip.

For home and non-BW trips I am hoping Santa will bring me a Leech Lake Knife some day soon - but for now I use a Rapala Superflex. It is more flexible that the standard Rapala knife - costs around $20.

My neighbor just gave me a folding Rapala that I am going to bring this year.

For sharpening:
In the BW I just have one of those double ceramic hand-held sharpeners, I sharpen on just about every fish, and I don't cut the rib bones - I filet around them.

At home I sharpen with very fine grit sandpaper (like 1400) glued to flat surface. This gets it sharper than any stone ever could.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I have a Gerber knife that has a sharpener in the sheath. It has two ceramic stones to dress up the knife before using it. "

This is the model I use too. I have an older model Rapala, I like the feature of the Gerber having the sharpener in the sheath. That was the selling point for me, and the slip free grip.

Rapala Fold up for me!

Bruce