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Best Electric Knives for Filleting Fish

Are you looking for the best electric fish fillet knife? Of course, you are. You wouldn’t be reading this now if you weren’t. Whether you’re looking for an upgrade or starting your journey into the world of electric knives, choosing the right knife can make all the difference. 

electric fillet knife cutting fish

In this article, you will see seven of the best electric knives for filleting fish, determine how to assess which knife is right for you, and maybe learn something new along the way.

Top 7 Electric Fillet Knives

  1. Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife
  2. Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife
  3. Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
  4. American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife
  5. Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife
  6. Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife
  7. Smith’s 51233 Lawaia Electric Fillet Knife

Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife

If you are looking for power and speed, you’ve got it. The Rapala Heavy-Duty electric knife is more than heavy-duty. It cuts with three times the power and twice the speed of a regular electric knife, making it perfect for cutting pretty much anything.

Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife

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The blade is 7½” and dishwasher safe. Every part of this knife consists of only the highest-grade materials and is guaranteed to ease any cutting experience.

The best part is that even when using such a powerful knife, you don’t feel it because the handle is designed to dampen the vibrations and motor feel.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic handle
  • Long cord
  • Cuts very quickly
  • Very powerful motor

Cons:

  • Corded
  • Knife is small

Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife

The Mister Twister electric knife is one of the most stalwart electric fillet knives on the market. It is specially designed for making small and precise cute in even the trickiest of places. This blade is capable of taking on even the toughest of fish and the most delicate.

a mister twister electric fillet knife

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Mister Twister has a coiled cord and needs to be plugged in to operate, but don’t let that stop you. It comes with a two-year warranty and has an extremely long working life before the gears wear out.

You can fillet all day, every day for years before this knife will quit. The handle will get hot if you are using it that frequently, but that’s no problem for its functionality.

Pros:

  • Extremely powerful
  • Will last for a long time

Cons:

  • Corded
  • Can get hot when used for long periods

Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife

The Bubba is an amazing knife. It has precision and style in spades. The Bubba’s design is optimized for maximum safety and control.

bubba electric fillet knife

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The handle has a non-slip grip and a superior shape to keep your hand well away from the blade without diminishing control. The blade itself is long and elegant. It can carve through any meat with the ease of butter.

The Bubba comes with one 7”, two 9” and one 12” so that you can fillet a wide variety of things with the greatest of ease. It also comes with a charging cable and carrying case so that you can take it with you anywhere. It’s perfect for extended fishing and camping trips.

Pros:

  • Extremely powerful and efficient
  • High-quality titanium nitride non-stick blades
  • Cordless

Cons:

  • Gears tend to wear out quickly

American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife

The American Angler PRO electric knife is another amazing fillet knife that can deliver powerful and precise strokes. This knife is easy to control and works well on almost anything, thanks to its powerful motor.

american angler pro electric fillet knife

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The Angler comes with an 8” titanium-coated steel blade and a long and flexible cord. Though it is designed not to overheat, it does still tend to get hot if used for long periods.

The handle is also comfortable but not ergonomically shaped or particularly slip-proof. Overall, it’s still an excellent knife, but generally better for simple daily use rather than hours’ long fillet fests.

Pros:

  • Compact design
  • Powerful and precise
  • Versatile
  • Can fit some Rapala blades

Cons:

  • Corded
  • Can get hot
  • Blades dull quickly

Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife

Berkley’s electric knife is a pleasing option for anyone looking for a precise and powerful knife at an affordable price.

berkley electric fillet knife

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This knife can do almost anything, but its specialty is unmistakably minute, intricate, and tricky cuts.

Berkley employs an 8” stainless steel blade that is corrosion-resistant and very durable. The handle is specially designed for maximum comfort and control, using only the best ergonomic technologies and an anti-slip grip.

Pros:

  • Very precise
  • Nice carrying case
  • Ergonomic handle

Cons:

  • Can get slightly warm
  • Cord is on the short side
  • Corded

Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife

If you like the Rapala, but can’t stand the cord, then lucky you, there’s a cordless design.

rapala cordless electric fillet knife

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Rapala’s cordless electric knife is powerful, really powerful. It comes with all the same features as Rapala’s other knives but is free of strings.

Unfortunately, the battery life only lasts about 80 minutes before it needs to be recharged, but fortunately, the batteries charge very quickly.

It might not be the ideal knife for long camping trips (unless you have access to an outlet), but it is the perfect companion in the kitchen.

Pros:

  • Charges quickly
  • Very powerful
  • Cordless

Cons:

  • Charge has a limited life
  • Blades can be tricky to change

Smith’s 51233 Lawaia Electric Fillet Knife

Smith’s electric fillet knife is as powerful as any other electric knife, but where it truly shines is in its precision. Smith’s knife is deadly accurate and so easy to control. It is one of the best knives you can buy if you are just starting out with filleting.

smith's electric fillet knife

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Smith is also known for its super-sharp knives that are not prone to dulling. These knives are top-notch. Smith’s knife comes with two 7” blades, each with its own case and a protective glove. Some knives also come with a mesh storage bag.

Pros:

  • Efficient and powerful
  • Comes with a protective glove

Cons:

  • Corded

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Electric Fillet Knife

While all of these knives are exceptional, they are not equal in every category.

One might have the nicest handle and best blades but be weak and not very long-lasting; another might only come with one blade but have a powerful motor and reliable battery.

There are many things to consider when looking into electric knives, both for baseline quality and personal preference.

Handle/Grip

There are several factors to account for when considering handle design: shape, grip, size, ventilation, material, and ergonomic design.

The handle shape is important first and foremost because it is what keeps you safe. You always want to make sure you are using a knife with a handle that has a guard, and you can keep a firm grip on it.

The overall shape will determine how you can use the knife. If it is too bulky or even too thin, it may be difficult to maneuver.

The grip is just as important as it is the other key factor in keeping you safe. If the knife has no grip, it is liable to slip – you are working with meat; after all, things tend to get a little slippery. A proper grip can ensure your hand stays right where it should and far away from the blade.

The size of the hand is also relevant. Most electric blades are designed for large male hands. If you are female or have small hands, you may find it tough to keep a grip on some of these knives. Make sure to take size into account because despite what anyone tells you, it does matter.

The unfortunate truth of electric knives is that the motor is in the handle. This means that the handle must have proper ventilation to prevent the device from overheating. Make sure you are buying a knife with visible ventilation holes to prevent overheating.

Another major aspect of the handle is the material. Not only does the material have to be resilient enough to hold up to a whirring motor revving within it, but it also has to be comfortable, aid grip, prevent shocks, and be strong. Look for a knife that puts just as much effort into its handle design as its knife design.

Finally, the handle must be ergonomic. If you plan to spend any great length of time using an electric knife, it must be comfortable. This means the shapes, material, vibration dampening, and long-term comfort must all be accounted for. Electric knives are meant to reduce strain and effort, and therefore must be comfortable to use.

Blades

Most electric knives come with multiple blades. This is because more blades offer more versatility in use.

The length, width, thickness, shape, and material of any given blade will determine how well it can cut, how long it lasts, and what you can use it on; you won’t be getting through a three-foot pike with a 6” blade.

The style of the blade also determines the amount of adroitness you will have while wielding it.

The more flexible the blade, the more precise, skilled cuts you can make. In general, more blades mean improved versatility. You will get more out of your electric knife if you have a blade for every purpose.

Safety Features

Any proper electric knife should come with abundant safety features in place. A standard electric knife should have a guard on the handle, a safety lock, a blade lock, and a dead-man switch.

The guard will prevent you from sliding your hand forward into the moving blade. The safety lock is much the same as the safety on a gun; it will prevent you from turning on the blade by accident.

The blade lock is the mechanism that prevents the blades from flying out when in action. And finally, the dead-man switch is the button you press to use the knife.

A dead-man switch prevents accidents by turning off the blade as soon as you let go. This means if you happen to drop the knife on your foot, the blade will not be moving when it lands.

These features are vital and should not be ignored. While everything possible is in place to keep you safe while using electric knives, remember they are still very sharp knives that move. They are essentially tiny saws.

Variable Speed

Not many electric knives have variable speeds, but they can be a great help if they do. Being able to vary the pace allows you to use the knife on a wide range of meats.

Incredibly swift and stalwart blades are probably too much for tiny, delicate fish to handle; you’ll have meat and bones shredded to ribbons.

While variable speeds are not commonplace on most electric knives, it is certainly something to consider if you plan to use it on a wide variety of foods. For the average filleting, one speed is usually fine.

Durability

Durability can be a challenging aspect to consider as, without trying it for yourself, you have to rely on circumstantial reports.

These can be contrary at best and horribly misleading at worst. One person’s experiences with a product can vary considerably from another’s. There is no way to tell if reports are even genuine.

What can be said for the durability of electric knives, however, is that the nylon gears are often the first thing to wear out.

If the knife is used as intended for an average amount, most knives will last a minimum of two years. If they are failing long before that, they are not durable enough to be beneficial.

The blades will eventually dull, and the battery may not hold a charge as well after some time, but the knife should not fail until the very mechanisms of the motor start to wear out.

Quality Material

A substantial contributing factor to a knife’s durability is the materials it is made from. Cheap, thin plastics and such will not hold up to the wear and tear of an electric knife as well as poly blends, high-quality metals, and carbon fiber.

The best knives are always made with the best materials. Every part of the knife has to be top-notch because it is only as strong as its weakest part.

FAQs

For any lingering questions you still have about electric fillet knives, check out this list of quick FAQ answers.

What is a filleting knife used for?

As redundant as it sounds, a filleting knife is used for filleting. Filleting is the process of removing meat from the bone, usually referring to fish. A fillet is a slice or a cut of meat that has been deboned.

The purpose of the filleting knife is to give you more flexible control over what you are doing by giving you more precise cuts.

Do you need an electric fillet knife?

Strictly speaking, no one needs an electric fillet knife. Before electric knives were invented, people still filleted fish, no problem.

However, thanks to modern conveniences, an electric fillet knife can save a lot of time, effort, and mess. Electric fillet knives are an especially good idea for anyone with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other mobility issues as well.

Are electric fillet knives worth it?

Electric filleting knives can be a big help if you make a lot of fillets. If you are struggling with a non-electric knife, then they would positively be a good investment.

As with anything, making it electric increases the chances of something breaking. However, if you will get a lot of use out of it, then it is worth the risk. Also, fillet knives are not too expensive. Many non-electric knives run into the hundreds.

Can you use a regular electric knife to fillet fish?

While it’s true that you can use any old knife for pretty much anything, there is a reason specialty knives exist.

You could probably use a butcher’s knife to fillet if you were skilled and determined enough. Does that mean you would want to? Probably not.

Final Thoughts

As with anything, it is always best to use the right tool for the job. Using a fillet knife for filleting can grant you added control, precision, and resistance against touch bones that would bend other knives.

So, is an electric fillet knife necessary? No, but it does make the job a heck of a lot easier.

1 comment

  • Before I get to the technical stuff, here is my 2 cents on the topic. Not all the electric fillets are perfect. Almost all of them have some kind of drawbacks. If you over do it that is. Keep in mind that there are time and place for these knives and it’s not your daily kitchen knife. Hope I made my point.