I use AA but I have brand new Mister Twister and a Rapala I bought on clearance as backups. I buy new blades every year, it seems to cut better with the new blades and it takes the stress off the motor. When you filet 60 crappie that motor gets hot. My wife's dad always used a Mister Twister and it worked great. I think all three brands are good knifes.