I remember how much time I wasted to skin and fillet only one fish back in the old days; trust me, it was a lot. As cooking was always my passion, I often took up the knife on my own and reduced many fish to uneven fillets.
Looking back, if only I knew about electric fillet knives back then, my job would’ve been so much easier. However, better late than never. Now, it takes me about a few seconds to fillet a fish, and that too without any errors.
So, don’t make the same mistake as I did and get an electric knife to fillet fish and meat. Take it from a guy who already wasted tens of hours filleting.
Nevertheless, if you think any random electric fillet knife has what it takes to slice up a bunch of fish, then think again. It doesn’t work that way. The only way you can do it is to have the best electric fillet knives in your arsenal, or should I say your kitchen closet.
Once you have at least one of them, you will witness the change in proficiency firsthand like I did.
What is a Fillet Knife?
A fillet/filleting knife is a type of boning knife that is used for filleting. It provides you with additional control when you’re trying to make fillets out of something. Such knives are usually flexible and are used primarily for filleting fishes.
Generally, they are about 6 to 11 inches long, which allows them to travel easily through the backbone region. Such knives come with a trailing point blade, which makes the process of skinning and slicing easier.
Needless to say, these knives are of utmost importance to create filets without losing meat.
Electric Fillet Knives Vs. Regular Knives
I’ve found many differences between a regular and an electric fillet knife. Both types of knives differ significantly in terms of purpose, price, work operation, etc.
First of all, regular knives are meant for cutting. Typically, they are thicker than electric fillet knives; hence, if you try to fillet with a traditional knife, you’ll end up losing a lot of meat.
On the other hand, electric fillet knives are thin and are meant for filleting. If you try to cut vegetables or meat with them, they may slip and cause an accident.
Regular knives can work without any power source or battery; however, this is not the case for electric fillet knives. In order to use an electric knife, you’ll need a power source, or it has to be battery-operated.
In terms of safety, a regular knife is much safer than an electric fillet knife. The latter keeps reciprocating with a powerful force, and if you aren’t careful enough, you may cut your hands. However, the best electric fish fillet knives on the market come with multiple safety features to ensure a safe filleting experience.
Finally, there is a considerable difference between the price of a regular and an electric fillet knife. The former is cheap because it doesn’t have many features or use power to operate. The latter, on the other hand, is expensive and requires power to run. Hence, the expenses increase with an electric fillet knife.
Nonetheless, the amount you can get done with an electric fillet knife is incomparable. This is the reason why people these days prefer electric knives over regular knives.
At a Glance Comparison of 5 Best Electric Fillet Knives
Top-Rated Electric Fillet Knives
Here are the seven electric fillet knives that I found to be the best of the best. To me, these knives are simply on another level, and each of them is unique in its way. Keep an eye open, and you may find the perfect electric knife for your filleting needs.
1. Rapala Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife AC/DC
I still remember the day I decided I would get an electric knife that would work on a boat. It was around a few years ago when I was on a boat with a few of my friends. So, we were fishing and planned on having fillet barbeque.
We took two electric knives on that trip, and unfortunately, both of them failed us. One of the knives was cordless, and the battery went out after slicing 2-3 fish. The other one was a corded model; however, there was only a 12V lighter plug on the boat, and the knife didn’t feature it. Hence, the second knife was also of no use to us.
That day, I vowed never to let that happen again, which led me to the Rapala Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife. Little did I know that I would be writing about it after all this time, and topping it off, I put it at first on my list.
So, let’s start with the feature for which I chose the knife initially. It has two powering options, meaning you can use two different types of power sources to turn it on. The first one is a basic 120V AC power cord which comes along with post clips of 12V. You can use it with almost any type of wall socket, so you shouldn’t have a hard time using it in your house, garage, or a place with a power source.
However, the knife also features a 12V DC lighter plug, which you usually see on a boat or a car. The lighter plug will feel like a blessing when you are on a boat trip with your friends. You may be in a different situation than mine, but it’s a smart move to have a backup.
I should also mention that the wire or cord is quite long. It is about 18 feet; thus, it doesn’t matter if the power source is a bit far away from the workstation. However, the longer the cord, the harder it is to manage.
Plus, once you unwind everything and take them out of the small plastic box (included with the purchase), it is tough to put all of the units back inside. It takes almost 10 minutes just to pack them.
Apart from that, the knife comes with a couple of other cool features as well, and one of them is a relaxed grip body, which makes the surface of the fillet knife non-slippery. Moreover, it ensures a steady hold on the knife, giving you the comfort, you need to fillet fish.
One more thing I really liked about the product is that it comes with not one but two blades. When I purchased the set, I got a 7-1/2-inch and 6-inch reciprocating blade. So, even if one of the blades fails, you can always swap it with the other.
The electric knife comes with a unique design that lets the air inside flow adequately during work. It keeps the machine cool and safe from overheating issues.
Except for the small plastic travel case and the fact that you have a tough time putting everything back inside the box, I found the electric fillet knife set a total value for the money. Plus, there are only a few electric knives on the market that come with multiple powering options.
2. BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
The electric knife that I’m going to talk about right now is a personal favorite of mine. It had a long-lasting impression on me, and honestly, it would’ve made number one on my list if the price was a little more budget-friendly.
In any case, the knife is still one of a kind, and it would be a shame if you didn’t try it out at least once in your life. However, that’s for you to decide. Right now, I’m going to walk you through my experience of the knife.
Well, it all started on a Sunday morning when my wife decided to go shopping for groceries. On her way back, she bought the knife for me, and to this day, I’m glad that she made the decision to bring home the BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife.
As you can already guess from the name, the blade is cordless; so, obviously, it runs on batteries. Building on that, the BUBBA Li-Ion, as suggested in the title, features lithium-ion, which is pretty much the longest-running battery out there. You don’t get one but two batteries.
Hence, you can expect to work for at least a solid couple of hours. I remember trying to fillet 70 big Perch in one go; however, I couldn’t, and it died when I was done with my 60th Perch.
Nevertheless, 60 big Perch is still a lot in my experience. There is also an LED indicator on the handle, which shows how much charge you have left on the batteries.
Let’s jump into the basics for a while. The handle, or grip is about 8.5 inches in length and weighs around 1.11 pounds. There are four blades included with the knife set. The first one is 7 inches in length, aka E-FLEX, the second one is about 9 inches E-Flex, the third one is 9 inches aka E-Stiff, and finally, 12 inches E-Stiff.
Therefore, once you get the set, you have the option to fillet different types of fish. Whether the fish you are cutting is too big or too small, it shouldn’t matter. The blades also come with a dual-riveted design for the purpose of making filleting smoother.
As for the build quality, all the blades included in the set are composed of stainless steel with a touch of titanium nitride, making them impervious to corrosion.
Apart from that, the grip handle doesn’t slip while you are using it. The knife also comes with an ergonomic trigger, which lets you turn it on or off smoothly. The electric knife features a trigger guard and safety lock to ensure safety. So, there is less to no chance of unwanted accidents during filleting.
One of the things that bothered me was the handle of the knife. It is a little bulky, so it is optimal for people who have medium-sized or big hands. If you have small hands like my wife’s, then you’ll have a hard time using the knife.
Overall, the BUBBA Li-Ion has what it takes to be considered one of the best electric fillet knives. It can be a great addition to your filleting needs, provided you have the budget or luxury to afford it.
3. Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife
My experience with the Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife was bittersweet. There were many moments where I thought, okay, this is the one, this is my go-to electric knife; however, there were a few instances where I wished the knife had a little better performance.
So, where to begin? Well, let me start by telling you how I got or got to know about the product. I should inform you that I enjoy the occasional cooking. It’s more of a passion than just a hobby. Hence, every now and then, I’m there with a bunch of fish ready to be filleted.
I used to slice fish and meat with a typical knife. However, this led to imperfect cuts, but still, that wasn’t the problem. The problem arose when I tried to make fish and meat fillets. I understood that it requires a lot of effort to make a fillet with an ordinary knife. This was when I decided to get something to reduce the workload.
This is how my journey with the Mister Twister electric knife started. Like everybody else, the first thing I noticed about the e-knife is that it’s inexpensive yet has the capacity to handle most of my filleting needs. As it was one of the first knives I ever bought, I tried to keep the cost to a minimum.
Little did I know, it would turn out to be one of the greatest knives I’ve ever come across. Okay, let’s start with what I liked about the knife. Well, the price is obviously there. Next is its colorful, well-thought-out slim design.
Although most of the outer components are made up of plastic except for the blade, the knife still lasts for quite a long time if maintained properly.
As for the blade, it is slim and resistant to corrosion. Mister Twister comes with a reasonably decent motor, which is able to give you just enough power to satisfy most of your filleting needs. It is a corded electric knife and can run with a power source of 120V.
FYI, the cord is not too short, but it is spirally; thus, you may have a little problem if the power source is far away. It would’ve been better if they made the cord straight. Other than that, the blades are relatively easy to remove, which comes in handy if you plan on cleaning or changing them. There is also a safety lock feature to ensure the blade stops itself when you aren’t pressing the switch.
Before setting your mind on this electric knife, you should know that it’s not meant for heavy-duty tasks. What I’m trying to explain is that the blade isn’t suitable for filleting big fish or cutting through tough ribs. It is an entry-level filleting knife, so best if you use it that way.
4. Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife (Deluxe)
The next on my list is the Deluxe version of Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife. Honestly, I had my doubts about the knife at first; however, as I continued using it for a few months, I started to grow fond of it more and more. By the time I stopped using it, I knew the knife would rank in the top five for me.
I won’t bore you with the details of how I got the blade and whatnot. It’s better if I just simply tell you what I liked and what I didn’t like about the product.
So, the Berkley electric knife has both corded and cordless models. I don’t know much about the cordless one, but I heard from some of my friends that it’s worth the money. As far as I know, there isn’t much difference between the two models, and the only things that separate them are the batteries and cords.
Anyway, I’ve tried out the corded version, and it held up quite decently. The deluxe version comes with a 6-inch and a 9-inch blade; thus, it gives you the option to replace them whenever it’s necessary or fillet fish of different sizes. If one of the blades fails, you can always exchange it with the second one.
The blades themselves are pretty durable and sharp due to their stainless-steel construction. It allows them to resist corrosion and remain undented for a long time.
Similar to the Rapala Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife, the product also comes with more than one way of running. It has a standard 110V plug and a vehicle plug of 12 volts, meaning you have two different options to start the knife. If one of the above-mentioned power sources is not available, you can always go with the other one.
Additionally, it has side-release buttons and a trigger lock to ensure a safe filleting experience. If you ever forget to turn off the blade, don’t worry because the knife will automatically stop. Two more things I really like about the product are that it has a comfortable grip and the carrying case is quite sturdy and convenient.
Nevertheless, one major downside to the knife is its short lifespan. It doesn’t last long like the other knives I’ve mentioned in the list and will probably run out in a year. However, the knife set is rather budget-friendly, and a year of service is more than what you can expect from such a low price.
The Berkley electric knife is also an entry-level product. It is meant for small jobs and shouldn’t be considered as a premium blade.
5. Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife
If you’ve done your research on fillet knives, then most likely you are familiar with Rapala and their products. However, if you haven’t, then let me tell you this; most of the knives I’ve listed here are of Rapala, and it is not because I’m biased towards them or something. It is just their units are in a whole other class.
I’ve tried out quite a few of their electric knives, and most of them were outstanding. It’s the same case for the Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet knife, which I remember buying when I got serious about cooking and needed something to cut meat and fish on a regular basis.
I must admit, my first experience with the knife was not a happy one. It took me 10-15 minutes to open the packaging, maybe it was because of my clumsiness, but at that time, I was tilted enough to throw the knife out of the window. Glad that I didn’t.
Nonetheless, my mood got much better when I actually held the knife for the first time. The grip and overall handle felt really comfortable in my hand. It felt like I was holding some top-notch, super-expensive fillet knife. In brief, I’m fond of the grip.
Next came how it performed in terms of filleting. The blade is about seven and a half inches, so it’s good enough to carve up fish or meat of any size. I was actually impressed by how well it performed and how fast I was able to fillet medium and big fish. The blade speed felt twice, and the power felt three times more than a standard electric fillet knife.
Apart from that, the blade is dishwasher friendly; thus, there wasn’t much problem cleaning it. The body, on the other hand, came with a unique airflow design that kept the vibration and heating to a minimum. The knife features a standard 110V plug, which is common and suitable for most power sources.
The cord is quite long and about 8 feet, so naturally, I expected it to be enough. However, it was stiff, and it did annoy me a little while I was filleting fish. Once I got used to the knife, it didn’t bother me much, though.
Even if there was a minor issue with the cord, the knife was still worth the money. In my experience, it’s one of the best electric fillet knives, if not the best.
6. Rapala110V/AC Fillet Knife
The Rapala 110V/AC is the very first electric fillet knife I’ve bought. Remember the story that I told you about the corded model that didn’t work on a boat? Yes, that corded electric knife was none other than the Rapala 110V/AC.
I admit I was super pissed on the knife that day. However, I also have some really good memories about how it helped me to fillet hundreds of fish. I always feel nostalgic while talking about this set of knives because it’s the first one I’ve ever bought. It made me interested in electric knives, and now I’m always looking for new models that have the potential to satisfy my filleting needs.
The knife is pretty basic, and most of its features are similar to the Rapala Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife AC/DC. The differences only lie in the price and the number of plugging options.
So, the first thing that caught my attention was the budget-friendly price of the product. I’ve heard a lot about the knife from my friends; thus, I expected it to cost more. Much to my surprise, I found out that it is relatively affordable and fits right into my budget.
The handle or grip is made up of plastic material, yet it’s quite comfortable and doesn’t strain the hands. At first, you may need some adjusting, but once you get the hang of the grip, it’ll feel like you can work for hours without stopping.
Additionally, the knife comes with two blades, a 6-inch blade for smaller fishes and a 7-1/2-inch one for medium to semi-big fishes. The blades feature stainless-steel construction, which greatly increases their durability by letting them resist corrosion.
As you can already guess, the knife has a 110V power cord, meaning you can use it easily with any wall socket. The cord itself is 18 feet long; so, even if the socket is far away, it shouldn’t cause much trouble. One sweet addition to the knife is the unique airflow design that helps it prevent overheating issues.
Nonetheless, I think the blade could’ve had more power into it. It sometimes falls short when you are trying to fillet big fish or cut down bones. This is where I found the knife lacking. Furthermore, the case is not well-engineered, which may cause some minor nuisance.
Anyways, you and I are here for the knife and not the case. So, if you are looking to start your filleting journey, then the knife can be a great new addition.
7. Rapala R12HDRF- R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife Combo
If you think cords are not your cup of tea, but you need something that won’t die after you carve a couple of fishes, then you should have a glimpse at the Rapala R12HDRF- R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife Combo. It is cordless yet can run for a long time without the need to stop.
The R12HDRF isn’t like any other battery-operated knife. It can work for 80 minutes straight, which in my experience, is more than enough for most anglers. Usually, cordless knives run out of power in half the time; however, the case is not the same for this bad boy.
Even if the battery runs out, don’t worry because there is a spare. Furthermore, due to the rapid charging base, it takes only an hour to fully charge the batteries. So, there is practically no downtime to the electric knife.
Additionally, to make things even easier, the product features an On-Board LED power gauge that helps you keep track of the charge. Hence, you will always remain updated on the battery level. It won’t or can’t surprise you out of the blue.
Apart from that, the knife comes with an LED light which helps you work in low light conditions. So, it won’t matter if you are filleting at night or day.
As for the blades, there are two of them. The small one is 6 inches, and the long blade is 7-1/2 inches. The blades are coated with PTFE to further increase their performance and work without overheating. I like the concept of two blades because it allows me to fillet fishes of different sizes. Plus, if one of them fails, I can always use the second blade.
Finally, the set comes with an EVA storage case, where all the items are stored neatly. Nevertheless, I think there are a few things that could’ve been better or need improvement. One of them is the trigger switch or the power button. It would’ve been much better if it was at the bottom and not on the top of the handle.
There is no lock-on feature on the knife; hence, you’ll have to hold the button for it to work. It may cause some wrist fatigue but not that big of a problem.
The last one is the price, which is quite a lot for an electric knife. With that said, I must admit that the exceptional features and the performance of the knife make up for the price. The knife was worth the money and, without a doubt, one of the best electric fillet knives on the market.
How to Choose a Fillet Knife of Maximum Potential
Anyone can get an electric fillet knife, but only a handful of people know what makes some of the knives better than the rest. If you walk out there without any prior knowledge, then things are gonna go south pretty soon. Don’t do that; instead, have a look at the things you should consider before buying an electric fillet knife.
Corded or Cordless
Obviously, the first thing you have to think about is whether you want the knife to be corded or cordless. It will actually depend on your work condition. If there is no power source near your workstation, then you must opt for a cordless electric knife.
Despite having a nearby power source, some people tend to prefer cordless knives as they are more flexible and can be maneuvered comfortably. However, some people find both models the same in terms of flexibility. So, it’s more of a personal preference.
On the other hand, corded electric knives require a wall socket to run. Some of the knives of this model come with the ability to take power from a car or boat lighter plug.
There’s no chance of your knives running out of juice, and most of the corded ones offer better power and performance than battery-operated knives.
Anyways, both corded and cordless fillet knives have their benefits and demerits. Now, it’s up to you to decide which one better suits your needs.
Ergonomic Grip
It’s best if the knife you are purchasing comes with a top-notch handle material to ensure the grip is comfortable. As you’ll be working for hours with the knife, there is a high chance that you’ll suffer from wrist or hand fatigue. However, an electric knife with an ergonomic grip can reduce the load on your hands significantly.
Most of the best electric fish fillet knives on the market come with a smooth, comfortable grip. The handles are usually easy to hold and don’t slip when you’re filleting tens of fish.
Blade Material
The next thing you should consider is the blade material. Usually, stainless steel with chromium is the best option when it comes to knife blades as they are durable and can resist corrosion like no one’s business. However, it doesn’t imply that blades made up of other materials are inferior to the former.
For instance, a high-carbon steel knife more or less offers all the same benefits you get from a stainless-steel blade. There isn’t much difference between the two. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that the amount of meat you lose while filleting is proportionate to the edge’s hardness.
You should also check the type of blade your knife has before getting one. Do you want a knife with a straight edge or one that is serrated? It actually depends on your needs and choice.
Multiple Blades
Some of the top-tier electric knives come with more than one blade of the same or different sizes. It gives you the option to fillet fish or meat of different sizes and shapes. Plus, if one of the blades goes dull or breaks while you’re working, you can replace it with the other one.
Hence, you won’t need to stop working even if one of your blades fails.
Safety Features
If you are an expert and know your way around a regular/electric knife, then safety features won’t matter much to you. However, if you are starting fresh and lack the experience to handle your knife properly, then you must get something that offers a trigger guard and safety lock.
Having a knife with safety features reduces the chance of unwanted accidents. As electric knives are more dangerous than regular ones, it’s best to stay on the safe side and get a knife that comes with features to prevent mishaps.
Additional Features
While you are at it, try to look for additional aspects that can make your filleting experience smoother. For instance, if you are new in the business and plan on using a battery-operated electric knife, then try to get one that comes with some sort of display, which you can use to monitor the battery level.
You should also keep an eye out for specific designs as some of them tend to reduce vibrations and heating issues. Apart from that, some electric fillet knives allow you to replace the blade instead of the blade. It’s better to get a knife like that as you won’t have to throw out the entire thing if the blade gets damaged.
Price
If you’re holding onto a bunch of cash, then skip this part. Just kidding, I know most of you are conscious about your budget and wouldn’t want to exceed it without the right reasons.
I have listed seven blades in the article. Some of them are rather costly yet offer excellent performance and features, whereas some of them are more affordable and budget-friendly but lacking in one aspect or two.
Nevertheless, don’t get the wrong idea that affordable electric knives are in any way worse than the premium ones. It’s just, most of the budget-friendly fillet knives are pretty standard and don’t come with additional features.
My only suggestion would be to consider your budget and then go for a knife that is the most suitable for your needs.
How to Maintain an Electric Fillet Knife
There isn’t much to know or learn about electric fillet knife maintenance. The good ones are quite durable on their own, and the knives that fail require replacement or changing. However, I’ll list a few things you can do to ensure your electric knife lasts for a decent amount of time.
- Clean the blades regularly (some of the blades are dishwasher friendly and won’t need manual cleaning)
- Give short breaks to the electric knife between big fish and don’t use it continuously for a long time. If you don’t give breaks, the motor will overheat and burn out.
- Make sure the power source you’re using is stable.
- Don’t try to use an electric knife that is meant for filleting small fishes to cut big fishes.
- Don’t roughhouse with the handle or the trigger, as it can cause the power button to get stuck.
Time for Filleting
As you already know, filleting is done finest when you have the best electric fillet knives backing you up. Without them, you’ll just be like another guy/gal who is beating around the bush without any clue whatsoever.
I’m not saying that you can’t fillet perfectly with regular fillet knives, but it won’t be the right way as it will take up a lot of your time and make you prone to errors.
With that said, you now know everything you need to make a sound decision. What you do next is totally up to you. I hope I was of assistance. Good luck and Happy Filleting.
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