Did you know?
Filleting a fish requires a
Ordinary kitchen knives cut through the flesh and bones of a fish, but they lack the precision of the best fillet
What makes a
The blade is also flexible and easily bends without breaking to allow you to maneuver it when filleting a fish.
With plenty of fillet knives for catfish available on the market, finding the best ones might be a daunting task.
This article presents a few great fillet knives for cleaning a catfish.
Best Electric & Manual Fillet Knives For Catfish (Quick Update)
- Razor Sharp Stainless Blades – All new KastKing knives utilize premium, razor sharp G4116 German Stainless-Steel blades with a beautiful black finish. KastKing knives will maintain their edge longer in both fresh and saltwater applications and make the job of cutting baits, filleting fish of all sizes, steaking large game fish and trim or remove meat and fish from the bone easier than ever before.
- The Right Knife For The Job - The 6”, 7” & 9” stainless curved blades have the perfect flexibility so the knife will follow natural contours for perfect fillets, is also an awesome ideal for thinner or more delicate cuts of meat such as fish or chicken. All These KastKing professional level knives will provide years of service and will quickly become your favorite tool for filleting fish, boning meet and processing any food.
- Non-Slip Super Polymer Grip - We use the most comfortable and slip-resistant, super polymer grips for your safety and comfort. These handles feel great in your hand and ensure that you always have a solid grip on your knife. These handles also clean up easily and stay looking good longer.
* A Serious Contender *
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How to Buy a Good One?
Blade Material
The blade is an essential part of a
Besides, those that comprise stainless steel as their materials resist rust and retain their ultra-sharp performance for a long time. Therefore, to look for a fillet
The Performance
The
Blade Length
Blade length determines the size of a catfish that you can fillet. A 5-inch and 6-inch blades are ideal for small to medium-size catfish. But a 7-inch-long blade is the standard length for most medium-sized catfish.
Larger catfish will need longer blades. As such, choose a
The Handle
The
Protective Sheath
A
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Reviews of the Best Products
KastKing (Editor’s Choice)
- Razor Sharp Stainless Blades – All new KastKing knives utilize premium, razor sharp G4116 German Stainless-Steel blades with a beautiful black finish. KastKing knives will maintain their edge longer in both fresh and saltwater applications and make the job of cutting baits, filleting fish of all sizes, steaking large game fish and trim or remove meat and fish from the bone easier than ever before.
- The Right Knife For The Job - The 6”, 7” & 9” stainless curved blades have the perfect flexibility so the knife will follow natural contours for perfect fillets, is also an awesome ideal for thinner or more delicate cuts of meat such as fish or chicken. All These KastKing professional level knives will provide years of service and will quickly become your favorite tool for filleting fish, boning meet and processing any food.
- Non-Slip Super Polymer Grip - We use the most comfortable and slip-resistant, super polymer grips for your safety and comfort. These handles feel great in your hand and ensure that you always have a solid grip on your knife. These handles also clean up easily and stay looking good longer.
The 7-inch-long razor-sharp edge has a black color finish for elegance and protection from corrosion.
The edge comprises a premium quality G4116 German stainless steel as its material. As such, it stays sharp for an extended period.
The handle is ergonomic and non-slip, thanks to the polymer material. Your
The model comes with a vented sheath that drains water. The sheath locks the handle in to keep you safe after filleting a catfish.
The edge has a curved design and is flexible for comfortable filleting performance.
Since it comes in 6-inch and 9-inch-long edges, it’s suitable for cleaning catfish of various sizes.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros.
- A corrosion-resistant black finish.
- 7-inch G4116 German stainless steel blade.
- Ergonomic and non-slip polymer handle.
- Vented sheath.
- Razor-sharp performance.
Cons.
- No sharpener included.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
KastKing Spartacus (2nd Runner-up)
This product is a versatile fillet
The edge has a Cerakote Ceramic finish that makes it elegant and rust-resistant.
It has an excellent finish. Consequently, you can use it in freshwater and saltwater conditions without worrying about corrosion.
The
The product also includes a protective sheath that ensures your edge retains its ultra-sharp performance for an extended period.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros.
- 9-inch stainless steel blade.
- Ultra-sharp performance.
- Ergonomic and non-slip handle.
- Protective sheath.
- A molded carrying case.
Cons.
- No sharpener included.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
Rapala Deluxe (Best for Design)
This is the best electric fillet
It also comes with two reciprocating blades that comprise stainless steel metal: 6-inch and 7.5-inch-long blades.
It has a powerful motor that stays quiet throughout the filleting performance. The motor stays cool and doesn’t overheat, thanks to the advanced airflow design.
The handle is ergonomic and non-slip. Every component of the set perfectly fits into the blown-molded plastic case.
This product is the best for users looking for powerful performance from AC and DC power sources.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros.
- AC and DC power versatility.
- 6-inch and 7.5-inch-long stainless steel blades.
- A highly durable electric motor.
- Ergonomic and non-slip body.
- Advanced airflow design.
Cons.
- It is a corded electric fillet
knife . - It doesn’t come with a sharpener.
Bubba Li-Ion Cordless (Best for Sharpness)
This model allows you to fillet catfish of various sizes. It includes four blades: 7-inch E-FLEX, 9-inch E-FLEX, 9-inch E-STIFF, and 12-inch E-STIFF blades.
The edges are high-quality and durable since they comprise stainless steel metal.
The blades are razor-sharp and will retain their ultra-sharp performance since they have a titanium nitride coating.
The cordless design gives the user more arm movements for better filleting results.
The product comes with two Lithium-ion batteries that have the longest running time on the market.
It also features an 8.5-inch long ergonomic and non-slip handle.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros.
- EVA case for portability.
- TiN coating for rust resistance.
- Two high charge capacity Lithium-ion batteries
- Four stainless steel blades.
- Ergonomic and non-slip handle.
Cons.
- Limited runtime.
- No sharpener included.
Calamus (Best for Flexibility)
This model is another versatile product. You can use it to fillet a catfish, or as a bait
The 5-inch-long G4116 German stainless steel has an ultra-sharp performance. It cuts through the flesh and bones of a catfish.
The Teflon finish on the blade ensures your
You can also get it in two other lengths: 7-inch and 9-inch-long blades.
The golf-style rubber handle is ergonomic and non-slip, which is a remarkable feature.
If you’re looking for an impressive
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros.
- Teflon coating for rust resistance.
- Ultra-sharp performance.
- 5-inch-long stainless steel blade.
- Golf-style rubber handle.
- A protective nylon sheath.
Cons.
- No sharpener included.
- Customer service doesn’t respond promptly.
American Angler PRO (Best for Power)
This product has an electric motor that churns out 2X more torque for a powerful filleting performance.
If you combine that massive power with the blade’s ultra-sharp edge, you get one of the best filleting results.
This electric product has a drive train that is 4X as durable as drive trains from rival electric filleting knives.
As such, this is among the best electric knives for catfish if you’re looking for durability and powerful performance.
The corded design ensures you have a constant power supply for an extended filleting performance. However, it will limit your arm movements a bit.
The air vents on the handle allow the inflow of air for a cool filleting performance.
The ultra-sharp edge is curved, making it easier to fillet a catfish.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros.
- 2X more torque.
- 4X more durable drive train.
- Ultra-sharp performance.
- 8-inch 31018DS stainless steel blade.
- Ergonomic and non-slip handle.
Cons.
- No trigger guard.
- 2-year limited warranty period.
Rhinoreto (Best for Beginners)
The 6.5-inch-long blade has a curved design and is flexible, making the
The edge also boasts a stainless steel metal with a non-stick coating for rust resistance and elegance. Therefore, it can handle freshwater and saltwater conditions without corroding.
The rubber handle is not only ergonomic but also slip-resistant. It feels comfortable in hand and gives the user better control.
Since safety is essential, the handle has a finger guard that keeps your index finger from the unforgiving ultra-sharp edge.
The vented sheath also keeps you safe from the blade, especially after filleting a catfish.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros.
- It comes with a sharpener.
- Non-slip and ergonomic handle.
- Ultra-sharp performance.
- 5-inch stainless steel blade.
- A vented sheath.
- Finger guard for protection.
Cons.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
- The blade becomes dull after a few uses.
Tips for Cleaning a Catfish
Put it to sleep
Starting with a live catfish is great since it lets you know your food will be fresh. You can put the fish out of misery by pithing it.
Cut around the head
Use a filleting
Remove the fins
Cut off the fins: dorsal and ventral fins. You can also cut off any remaining fin.
Remove the skin
You will start from the cut around the base of the head and advance towards the tail. Keep your
Remove head and guts
Cut off the head at the ring you made around the base of the head. A fillet
Fillet the Catfish
You could fillet a catfish using different methods. One such method is the dorsal cut filleting method. You will position the blade parallel to the top side of the fish and cut as close to the vertebrate as possible. The goal is to cut off maximum flesh from the fish.
FAQ’s
Can I use a dishwasher to clean my blade?
Manufacturers recommend hand washing your blade. A dishwasher has spinning components that may dull your ultra-sharp blade.
How can I sharpen my electric knife for catfish?
This
How long can my electric fillet knife for catfish operate?
Cordless electric fillet knives have rechargeable batteries that run for some time. It depends on the charge capacity. But you can get up to 80 minutes of runtime. Corded fillet knives can run throughout the filleting performance due to a constant power supply.
How long will my blade remain sharp?
Most blades stay sharp until you use them 3-4 times. After that, you will need to hone the blade using a sharpener.
What blade length should I consider buying?
For small to medium-size catfish, a 6-inch-long blade will do. But larger catfish will need 7-9 inches long blades. Consider the blade of the
Why does my blade have a color finish even if it’s stainless steel?
The color finish is a coating that protects the blade from corrosion due to rusting. It also makes the blade non-stick and elegant.
How can I hand wash my blade?
A simple wipe with soapy clothing will do. You will then rinse off the soap on the blade with plenty of clean water. After washing, dry your
Conclusion
The best fillet
You may also find another great filleting
KastKing’s filleting and boning knife is a great option not just because of the steel used in construction or the well thought out design but because it comes in numerous sizes which can be used on differently-sized catfish.
Another KastKing item good for this fish is the Spartacus knife. Many like this because of its Cerakote ceramic finish and white Kragon G polymer handle.
For those who know very little about fileting, the Rapala Deluxe filleter should help a great deal.
Further reading:
Is Catfish Healthy? Nutrients, Benefits, and More
15 Catfish Recipes That Will Make You a Believer
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Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
