The Best Fish Fillet Knives for Every Type of Task
Zwilling / Amazon
Best Overall
foodandwine - 135 Available at Williams-Sonoma
Best German Steel
foodandwine - 90 Available at Zwilling
Best Japanese
foodandwine - 140 Available at Sur La Table
Best Electric
foodandwine - 110 Available at Amazon
Best for Large Fish
foodandwine - 30 Available at Amazon
Best Value
foodandwine - 12 Available at Amazon
Best Folding
foodandwine - 44 Available at Amazon
Best Set
foodandwine - 89 Available at Made In
Filleting fish can be challenging for home cooks, but using the right tool can make it considerably easier. A fillet knife is an essential tool that easily breaks down and portions fish with precision. It should be lightweight, flexible, and sharp enough to easily separate flesh from bone.
A fish fillet knife isn't quite like your standard kitchen knife. What sets it apart is its blade, which should be more pliable and lightweight, allowing you to easily maneuver around the tiny bones in fish. There are several features you want to look for in a good fish fillet knife. To start, look for a high-quality blade that's long, thin, and flexible, which allows you to make precise cuts in fillets of different sizes and textures.
Other aspects, such as blade style and whether to use an electric fish fillet knife or a manual version, will depend on what type of fish you typically work with, how often you'll be using the knife, and how much you want to spend. Every type of fish fillet knife has its own characteristics that make it best suited for specific tasks.
Read on for the best fish fillet knives you can buy online.
Best Overall: Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Fish Fillet Knife
Best German Steel: Zwilling Four Star 7-Inch Filleting Knife
Best Japanese: Shun Classic Gokujo Fillet Knife
Best Electric: Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
Best for Large Fish: KastKing 9-Inch Filet Knife
Best Value: Plussino Fishing Fillet Knife
Best Compact: Toadfish Stowaway 7-Inch Folding Fillet
Best Set: Made In Fishing Knife Set
Best Overall: Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Fish Fillet Knife
Pros: A super-thin tip and flexible blade makes it easy to get in between tiny bones.
Cons: This is one of the most expensive knives on our list.
Wusthof's fillet knife has a very thin blade, which allows it to work through all types of fish with ease. The long, narrow blade features precision-edge technology that promises 20% more sharpness and twice the edge retention than its competitors. As a result, this is a sturdy and long-lasting knife that will stay sharp even with frequent use.
It's full tang, which means it's constructed from a single piece of high carbon steel that is resistant to staining and corrosion and ensures balance from handle to tip. This is a great knife for both avid and amateur home cooks because the contoured handle and full bolster make it comfortable, safe, and easy to control. While technically you could throw it in the dishwasher, washing by hand is recommended.
Blade length: 7 inches
Sheath included: No
Best German Steel: Zwilling Four Star Filleting Knife
Pros: This is a heavy-duty knife, so a full bolster makes for a comfortable grip and safe place to rest your finger.
Cons: This knife is durable and sturdy, but it's not as flexible as some of the others.
German steel knives are known to be heavy-duty and resilient, which means they won't chip when working around bones or tough cuts of meat. Zwilling's fish fillet knives are not only strong, they're also sharp and ergonomically designed to be completely balanced for easy maneuvering. Filleting fish can be slippery, so it's important to select a knife that's easy to hold. This knife utilizes a seamless transition from bolster to handle, which provides an easy, secure and safe grip. The full bolster provides an extra layer of protection between finger and blade, which makes this a great choice for the average cook looking for a reliable and safe knife. Though this is an incredibly sturdy knife, it isn't as flexible as some of the others. Hand washing is recommended.
Blade length: 7 inches
Sheath included: No
Best Japanese: Shun Classic Gokujo Fillet Knife
Pros: Japanese knives are considerably lighter than others, which makes them easy to use and maneuver.
Cons: This knife doesn't have a bolster, so be careful when choking up too close to the blade.
Japanese knives are known for being lightweight, and these knives from Shun are sharp and thin, making them ideal for filleting fish. Shun's fishing and boning knife features a 6-inch curved blade that is designed to separate flesh from bone with precision. The shorter blade makes it easier to control, and the thin tip makes it easy to maneuver between small bones. These handcrafted knifes are made with stainless steel and should be washed by hand using a mild soap. Because of their high price point, these super-sharp knives are best for serious home cooks who fillet fish often. Wash by hand.
Blade length: 6 inches
Sheath included: No
Related: These Are the Best Paring Knives for Every Home Cook
Best Electric: Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
Pros: This cordless electric knife comes with four different blades, all of which are removable for easy cleanup.
Cons: Though a battery-operated motor means more power, it also means less control and precision.
For avid fish eaters who like to butcher whole cuts of fish, an electric knife can be a powerful tool. Weighing in at just over a pound, this lightweight knife from Bubba features an ergonomic non-slip handle with a trigger guard for added safety. Unlike the manual knives on this list, this knife is battery powered and comes with a set of removable blades.
Thanks to the cordless design, this is great for taking on the go, and the powerful motor makes it a great choice for butchering large cuts of fresh fish at home. It even comes with four blades in different styles—ranging in length from 7 to 12 inches—that are easily interchangeable to work on different cuts of fish. Because this knife is cordless, it comes with a charger and convenient carrying case. It should be washed by hand.
Length: 7 inches, 9 inches, 12 inches
Sheath included: No
Best for Large Fish: KastKing 9-Inch Fillet Knife
Pros: It has an extra-long, extra-strong blade, and the textured polymer handle prevents slipping.
Cons: Because of the longer blade, this knife is not particularly portable.
Breaking down larger cuts of fish like salmon and tuna requires a longer blade for extra precision. This 9-inch fish fillet knife by KastKing features a razor-sharp stainless steel blade—strong enough to manipulate just about any cut of fish—with an elegant black finish.
The added length ensures precise cuts through flesh, and the thin tip allows for meticulous cuts around small fish bones. This hand-wash only knife is best for someone who often breaks down entire fish at home. The slip-resistant super polymer grip is comfortable to hold, and the included sheath makes for easy and safe storage.
Length: 9 inches:
Sheath included: Yes
Best Value: Plussino Fishing Fillet Knife
Pros: It's affordable and multifunctional, with a straight edge, serrated edge, and cut hook to tackle a variety of butchering tasks.
Cons: Though this has a durable handle, it is a bit heavy and therefore not completely balanced from tip to heel.
Buying a high-quality fish fillet knife doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune. This multifunctional option from Plussino features a straight edge, serrated edge, and hook, which means it can easily achieve precise cuts and tackle tough butchering jobs at the same time. It features a sharp stainless steel blade and textured rubber handle that's ergonomic and slip-resistant, so you can use it even when your hands are wet. This knife comes with a safety sheath for easy storage. It's a great buy for someone looking for a sturdy knife with a versatile blade that can tackle a variety of different tasks. As with the other options, it shouldn't be washed in the dishwasher.
Length: 5 inches
Sheath included: Yes
Best Compact: Toadfish Stowaway 7-Inch Folding Fillet
Pros: This compact knife folds away for easy storage, and a handy clip makes it super portable.
Cons: Though the blade is sturdy, it's not particularly flexible.
Like the name implies, this folding knife easily stows away for on-the-go adventures. It features a tough, corrosion-resistant 7-inch blade that was designed for harsh saltwater, making it perfect for filleting and boning salmon, tuna, and more. It fits seamlessly into any kitchen drawer or tackle box. The contoured, rubberized handle provides a slip-free grip and the built-in clip makes it easy to transport. This knife is ideal for taking along on fishing trips or storing in a toolkit for occasional use. Hand-washing is recommended.
Length: 7 inches
Sheath included: No
Best Set: Made In Fishing Knife Set
Pros: These sharp knives come with a protective sheath for safe storage.
Cons: Made In only sells fish knives in a set of two, so these knives cannot be purchased individually.
Made In's fish knife set includes one serrated blade and one straight edge blade for a comprehensive package that can tackle all fish filleting needs. The straight edge blade is ideal for filleting flesh from the bone, and the serrated blade is suited to tougher butchering tasks.
Both knives feature a slip-resistant handle and full bolsters for a safe, comfortable grip. The 7.5-inch blades are long, flexible, and lightweight. This set should be washed by hand and is best for someone who likes to fillet, butcher, and portion their own cuts of whole fish, or for someone who often deals with tougher cuts or frozen fish.
Blade length: 7.6 inches and 7.5 inches
Sheath included: Yes
Related: One of Our Favorite Cookware Brands Just Entered the Running for Best Dutch Oven
Conclusion
Fish fillet knives should be sharp, durable, and flexible enough to bend without sacrificing precision. They should be easy to hold, with a sturdy handle that won't slip even when filleting the most slippery fish, which is why Wusthof's 7-inch fish fillet knife (view at William's Sonoma) is so efficient. This knife is lightweight and balanced, with a thin tip for meticulous maneuvering. The sharp blade ensures clean, accurate cuts, and the bolstered handle makes it comfortable to hold and use.
Our Expertise
The author of this piece, Adria Greenhauff, is a journalist specializing in food and dining content, with bylines on Allrecipes, BHG, and Southern Living. For this list, she and her editors researched the category extensively and drew on their own experience using and caring for different types of cutlery. Greenhauff also cowrote our list of the best sharpening stones.
