Best Fillet Knife Reviews – Your Guide to Selecting the Top Model

Buck Knives is easily one of the most famous manufacturers of hunting/fishing knives on the market. If you’re looking for the best fillet knife then you should consider its various models. While the company was originally founded in the California city of San Diego it’s now headquartered in the state of Idaho.

If you’re looking for a well-established knife company then Buck Knives is an excellent choice. For example, the company was established in the early 20th century during the year 1902. Since then it has invented the folding hunting knife and the company is now operated by the fifth generation.

The Ranger Skinner is named as a skinning knife but is also an excellent option for filleting fish. It’s worth noting that this unit is actually a cross between the company’s folding knife known as the 113 Ranger and the Vanguard model. So with this model outdoorsmen are getting the best of both models.

The knife is made from 420 HC stainless steel and features a 3 1/8-inch drop point blade. This mirrors the Buck Knives Vanguard model. It’s important to note that this type of steel provides good quality but is a lower grade than other types. That’s because the steel only includes a maximum 0.50% Carbon.

The knife’s bevel helps to improve the appearance of the well-designed model. When you’re using the knife the function is more critical than the form but the latter is still a key issue to consider when picking a fishing knife.

Besides the quality of the knife’s blade, the full-tang handle is ergonomically designed. This makes it easier to grip and hold onto the knife, which is certainly a key feature of any fillet knife. It’s also bundled with a black leather sheath that adds value to the unit.    

The shape of the handle is effective in improving the blade’s lines. Just as important it helps to boost the knife’s ergonomics. The Dymondwood slabs and quality bolsters also help to improve the knife’s beauty.

This Buck hunting/fishing knife also includes a forever warranty. It’s incredible that Buck Knives has been offering this warranty since the company was launched in 1902. It’s a sign the company backs up its claims with a guarantee.

Havalon Knives was officially founded in 2005 but the company’s history is actually older than that. Havel’s is the umbrella company and had been supplying surgical blades to taxidermists since the 1980s.

The knives were used for various reasons including their strength and forte of holding an edge that was long-lasting. This eventually resulted in Havel’s determining that hunters could also benefit from this type of knife for activities like skinning.

The Piranta Z is one of the various hunting/fillet knives manufactured by Havalon. The unit includes a 1 ¾-inch folding blade and 60 XT blade. The overall length of the knife is 7 ¼-inches. It’s also bundled with 12 replacement blades so you won’t have to worry about buying them separately if you pick this knife.

In fact, this is one of the top features of the knife. You won’t have to worry about sharpening the unit but can instead snap a brand new blade on the knife and start filleting fish again. This makes the blade a perfect option for multiple fishing seasons.

This knife also includes an easy-to-grip handle, which is another of the top features of the unit. It includes side panels made of rubber to make it easier to grip the handle. The orange handle itself is made from a Zytel composite that’s lightweight enough to tote the knife wherever you need to go.   

The long/wide handle offers incredible control. When combined with the ultra-sharp blade the result is an excellent skinning/filleting knife.

Another feature of the Piranta Z is the leather sheath. It provides a quality method for protecting and carrying your knife, which are critical to get the best results during your fishing trips. This knife also includes a pocket clip to make it easier to attach.      

All of these features explain why the Piranta Z is named after the ferocious piranha fish has received many excellent reviews.

Outdoor Edge is one of the leaders in the knife industry within the hunting/fishing niche. It’s also a good option if you’re searching for the best fillet knife. The company’s products include high-quality steels, hand craftsmanship, and innovative production methods.

The company has become famous for producing knives with high-end performance. That includes the SB-10N. In fact, the company backs up its products with a lifetime warranty. This is a plus over other companies since it’s somewhat rare for businesses to provide such a comprehensive guarantee.   

The Swingblade SB-10N is one of the top fillet knives on the market for various reasons. It’s interesting to note that it’s non-conventional in that it doesn’t have a full-tang fixed blade and isn’t a folding knife either. In fact, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a blend of those two types of knives.

This knife’s weight is 4.2 ounces. This makes it easy to carry with you during fishing excursions. It’s worth noting that while the knife isn’t the heaviest one on the market it’s certainly quite sturdy so there isn’t a big compromise in that area.

It all starts with the blade. When you’re ready to turn the unit into a fishing knife you just have to press a button to convert the 3.6-inch drop-point blade into a fillet knife. The blades are constructed from stainless steel (Aichi AUS-8). It’s produced by first being vacuum heated then treated a second time.

Meanwhile, the gutting blade is 3.2-inches long and is just as sharp. It has a hardness rating of 57-58, which is quite high in terms of industry standards. The knife’s sturdiness means it won’t have to be sharpened frequently. In addition, when you use either blade the other one safely folds so it won’t become a safety issue.

The handle of the Swingblade SB-10N is another key feature. It’s lightweight and produced from a  lightweight polymer. The finger groove on the Kraton handle helps to make it easier to grip. This knife’s handle lacks grooves that are often added to boost grip performance. However, the knife’s belly helps to increase performance and safety when using it to fillet small or large fish.

Meyerco is one of the biggest innovators in the knife industry including its products that should be considered among the category of best fillet knife. It all started with the dream of Bill Meyer and Blackie Collins. They teamed up to secure a patent for the world’s first knife with assisted opening.

In the year 1997 the company’s first knife named Strut N’Cut won a prestigious award for its game-changing design. Since then Meyerco has focused on things like design and quality. One of its goals is to offer knives to consumers with high quality and value. This explains why the company offers a forever warranty.

The MSG6241-BRK combines the features of a skinner/gutting knife. So if you’re a hunter and fishermen you can get the best of both worlds with this Meyerco knife. It all starts with the stainless steel blade, which adds value to the unit. The steel is non-glare so you won’t have difficulty while filleting a fish.

Another key feature of the MSG6241-BRK is the camouflage handle that’s comfortable and non-slip. There’s also a cloth sheath bundled with the knife so you can easily store the knife when you’re not using it.

This knife has received many positive online reviews. That’s mainly due to the quality and sharpness of the product. It’s also received high marks for functioning as both a skinning and gutting knife. In particular you can avoid needing to purchase different knives for the hunting and fishing seasons. You can instead get high-end value with this unit.

Like the other knives from Meyerco this one includes a  lifetime warranty. It helps to protect your investment in case you have any issues after purchasing the fishing knife.

This skinner/gutter knife is from the Benchmade Knife Company. The business is headquartered in the USA state of Oregon. The company produces knives for a wide variety of niche markets like hunting/fishing.

Benchmade was founded in California during 1979 under the name Bali-Song. Then in 1990 it relocated from the Golden State to Oregon. The company produces various types of knives but became famous for its butterfly knife,

The Saddle Mountain Skinner is a 4.17-inch fixed-blade knife made from S30V stainless steel. It’s a better option than a folding knife in terms of strength/reliability. It’s quite easy to clean due to the basic design of the Benchmade unit.  

One of the plusses of the knife is it’s made for outdoorsmen. For example, the durable knife includes a built-in guard to protect the user. It’s designed specifically for hunters/fishermen, which makes it one of top options for best fillet knife. The blade is also 4.17-inches long so it’s a good option for fish of all sizes.   

It’s also easy to use this knife due to the construction. For example, the knife’s spine includes jimping so you can enjoy a non-slip grip and complete control when operating it. This in turn will provide the best results when using the knife for filleting.

If you’re looking for a gutting knife with a sheath then this is one of the best options. This provides extra value so you won’t have to invest in a separate sheath. In turn you can enjoy more value since it’s bundled with this hunting/fishing knife.

The Saddle Mountain Skinner also includes a forever warranty. This includes any sharpening or repairs the knife needs while you own it. It’s tough to find knife companies with this offering so it’s definitely a  plus over the competition.

Buck Knives’ history started over a century ago. Hoyt H. Buck worked in the USA state of Kansas as a blacksmith’s assistant. His knife company was founded in 1902 when he invented a method for treating the steel of tools with heat. This gave them the ability to hold an edge for a longer time period.

The history of Buck Knives has had many key events over the decades. For example, Hoyt Buck helped to produce knives for US soldiers during World War II.

During the company’s history it produced a wide variety of quality knives. Do you hear people refer to “Buck Knives” a lot? That’s done often even when the knife is produced by a different manufacturer.

The Buck Knives 0103 Skinner includes several key features that make it a good option for filleting fish. They include a strong blade made of 420 HC steel. This helps to maintain edge retention when preparing fish.

Meanwhile, the wide belly helps the unit to cut through thick fish scales and skin when filleting. You won’t have to worry cutting too deep due to the knife point that’s angled downward.

You should also consider the handle that’s made from hardwood cocobolo. The palm swells and curves help to make sure the knife handle won’t slip out of your hand when you’re using it. This is critical to get precise cuts when making a fish fillet.

Then there’s the knife’s high-end leather sheath. It includes a snap fastener so you can easily attach it to your belt. It also helps to make sure you can protect your knife effectively while you’re storing or transporting it.

Another big plus of this skinning/filleting knife is it includes Buck Knives’ basic lifetime warranty. These guarantees can be tough to find in the industry. However, it shows that the company wants to back up its products with a full warranty.

TOP Knives is a manufacturer of tactical knives that’s headquartered in the USA state of Idaho. The company was founded in 1998 so it’s nearly two decades old. TOP mostly provides fixed-blade knives for military/police. However, it also produces other types like those among the best fillet knife.

The company produces more than 200 knife models. Some of the knives were designed by famous custom knife designers like Tom Brown.

The Tracker #3 is a very durable skinning/fillet knife produced with 154 CM stainless steel. It’s a full-time knife with a wide blade. This helps to produce the best results when using the knife to fillet various kinds of fish.

The knife’s handle includes finger grooves to help grip the knife when using it. This is critical to maintain an edge when cutting with the knife so you get the best results.

It also includes a sheath with 2 Kydex belt clips. This adds more value to the knife since you can easily attach it to your belt during fishing tips.

A major  feature of this unit is it’s an excellent option for a multi-purpose hunting/fishing knife. That’s mostly due to the quality of the blade that’s able to cut through fish scales, skin, and meat.

In fact, this knife can also double for other functions like a saw, notcher, wood-chopper, etc. It’s interesting to note that the knife was in fact designed by a famous survivalist. This adds value to the knife in terms of its function as a hunting/fishing knife.

Tom Brown Jr. is an American survivalist, naturalist, and tracker. He claims that he was trained in tracking/wildness survival starting at the age of 7. Brown then spent the next decade doing various jobs in order to financially support his adventures.

He later earned nation-wide attention when he located a crime suspect. Brown was sued for locating the wrong person but also started doing tracking full-time. His services included finding lost people, fugitives, and dangerous animals.

Ka-Bar is the name of the combat knife the US Marines started using in 1942. Today the knife is also used by the US Navy. This particular knife is produced by the company of the same name.

The company makes  a wide range of knives/cutlery. However, Ka-Bar is best-known for its Ka-Bar utility knife.

The Ka-Bar 2-1234-5 includes a game hook that makes it a good option for the best fillet knife. As a result the knife has many function including as a hunting/fishing knife.

This knife is already used by all of the US military branches. However, it’s also a good option for outdoorsmen who use it for filleting various types of fishes.

This is a high-quality knife that’s been tested in order to verify quality/durability. The fact that it’s used by the US military reveals that the knife meets the government’s strict requirements in terms of quality and reliability.

The fillet knife includes a blade made of DIN 1.4116 stainless steel. This makes it an excellent option for various tasks like filleting fish. Other features that boost the functionality are a brass guard and aluminum cap. These items add value to the knife and make it a more practical option for preparing fish as food.

The grade of steel used for the blade is Germany’s equivalent to 420 HC steel. In terms of alloys it’s a somewhat low grade.  However, while the steel needs more frequent sharpening it’s effective in resisting corrosion. That’s definitely a plus when you’re on fishing trips since the unit will be exposed to dirt, water, etc.

This is a practical knife that includes a game hook for gutting fish. It also includes other features like a beautiful finish, leather handle, and leather sheath. These provide value to the knife in terms of its form and function.