We are trying to find the best filet knife for 'on the water' cleaning. We have a couple different knifes (that plug into the boat cig. lighter) but they don't seem to make more of a mess that producing a nice, clean filet.
Any recommendations?
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We are trying to find the best filet knife for 'on the water' cleaning. We have a couple different knifes (that plug into the boat cig. lighter) but they don't seem to make more of a mess that producing a nice, clean filet.
Any recommendations?
a custom made fillet knife, around $160.00
I just ordered a Bubba Blade 9 inch FLEX Fillet Knife for that. I have a 12v Rapala electric that sorta works well but I want to try the Bubba. When it gets here I'll let everyone know what I think of it----and, if I ever get a chance to go fishing, what with cutting up three 40' trees, fence repair and general clean-up.
I have wondered about that knife. I think it MAY be overhyped,but I know what the $160 custom blade will do.
I fillet hundreds of crappie yearly if not monthly and its an American Angler 12 volt for me..save your money on the other brands...Ranger
American Angler knives are not what they used to be.
Go buy a Rapala or Berkley and we will talk some more...just sayin...I have one that I am using now and have for 6yrs all I have done is replaced the blades like 5 time. Mister Twister blades are the perfect replacement. I can't wear mine out and have 2 more put back just incase. There is no telling how many crappie, sandbass, and catfish this knife has cleaned. As far as I am concerned until they make a better one which they do not at this moment it's American Angler for me in 12 volt. Mister Twister in electric...Ranger
I prefer Mister Twister in electric also, but I clean less fish now where 110v is available. I was actually looking for an American Angler in 12 volt when I bought my Rapala. I was told the metal geared model was discontinued. My b-i-l used a metal geared one for years before it gave out and then picked up a new one. He told me the new one is nowhere as good as the older model.
Floyd I have both and have used them both as well and I can't tell much difference in either. They are both hands down better than either of the 2 that I mentioned....Good Luck in fisnding the right knife...Ranger
American Angler, 12 Volt it is!!
American angler, glens army navy store had them on sale for 29.99!! I had a berkley before and it was a piece of $$$$
Mark, you clean more fish in a month than I do in a year so I'll try one of the new American Anglers when I find one. I know Cabelas and BPS quit carrying them and I haven't seen any at Wally World. I've been using a regular filet knife more and more because most of the time I just clean three or four during a lull and then throw them on ice.
If you are near an Academy Sports store, I am just about positive they carry the American Angler knives. I'm pretty sure I saw them last time I was in OKC.
This is the best advice on the whole thread! When my Rapala died last year, I didn't replace it. Instead, I dug out my old fillet knives, sharpened them up and now use them. Been thinking about making me a fillet knife about 7 inches long for Crappie. The only time I wished I had an electric back is when I'm cleaning cats. It takes me a tad longer with a normal fillet knife, but I like working with a knife and I'm not in a hurry so all goes well!Quote:
Originally Posted by cricket george
Academy in Tulsa didn't seem the have them. They have Rapala/ Mister Twisted Sister and then an off brand like Trophy Angler.
A couple of years ago I bought a "Saltwater American Angler" 12v that is white and it's junk, slow and under powered. My thinking was that "saltwater" meant "power". My friend has a black with yellow trim American Angler 12v that works great. I bought a 110v American Angler that is gray that works very well. The best catfish fillet knife I ever saw was a GE 110v with a bread knife that my friend used. That thing went through 20lbers rib cage and all like hot butter.
Amen to the fact that the Berkley and Rapala electric knives are junk. I tried both on some 1.5 pound plus crappie and neither would make it to the tail without bogging down. When I took the Berkley back to BPS they didn't even ask why, then told me that they get em back all the time. They're used to it. I have switched to 12.00 electrics from WM when I have the rare big mess to clean but if you're looking for a standard fillet knife I love my Wusthof Classic Ikon. Sharpens easily and really holds an edge. Pretty much best Fathers Day gift ever several years ago.
Dave McCroskey makes the finest knives money can buy for under $200. He is making fillet knives for $160, I believe. He is in Stillwater 405-624-9900. We have 7 of his hunting customs and they are the ONLY hunting knives we use. I have processed 8 deer before resharpening one of my elk hunter knives. The knives are far sharper than a Buck ever thought about being and many times harder steel. I have known Dave since 1976. Crappie, bream, bass and cats ribcages etc are not a challenge at all.
CG, here's another maker in your neck of the woods that turns out great knives. Rick Menefee of Menefee Knives.
I have a McCroskey that I really like, a customer gave it to me!! When I received it, it had a little note that said basically free lifetime sharpening if I had a problem getting it sharp. Bear in mind that was probably 8 years ago, so I am not sure that he still offers that option. I have never had to send it back to him, and it is one of favorite blades. I didn't know that he did fillet knives, (thanks Cricket) guess I need to give him a call.
free lifetime sharpening still applies. If your knife has not been back to Dave in 8 years then you are not using it
Cricket been using it, built knives when I was younger, therefore I am fairly adept at keeping it sharp. Usually 3 or 4 deer a year and an elk or 2 if I am lucky.
Oh, Ok. my bad.
I didn't take it as an affront at all Cricket!! One thing about a McCroskey knife is, they are such pretty work you hate to get the first ding or scratch on them!
Cricket George can you post a pic of your custom made fillet knife?
Redge - I do not have one but I was talking to Dave today about ordering one. He said that he would not even think about starting them until September some time. The Rapala fillet knives are excellant steel but they are not in the same class as one of Dave's customs. Dave's blades are a class 2 sharp or a 1.5 Buck has good fillet knives but will not come close to the hardness. Dave's fillet knife will be Rockwell around a 64 and Buck is approx 56. I may work with my 5" bunghole knife on bluegill and crappie and wait for him to start a few in the Fall. If the bunghole blade does what I think it will do then I will post a pic of that.
Thanks for the info! Maybe I can get one ordered up.
I've had two of the Chinese Rapalas chip out on the edges. These are the ones with the rubber grips. The original Rapala fillet knives made in Finland hold a pretty good edge and last quite a while. I just don't care all that much for their handle ergos.
my rapalas are the original finnish made
Mine too, even the rubber grip one. and they are still going strong. I agree on the ergos.
All this talk of real knives made me remember an old fillet knife from Knives of Alaska that I had packed away from earlier years in another part of the country. I broke it out and it's still super sharp. Maybe a little big for Crappie, but maybe not. It was called the Coho, as I recall, and worked great on large Salmon and Lake Trout. It feels pretty good in the hand.
I have the Knives of Alaska, 3 knife set. They were wonderful until they got dull. I have taken them all over Tulsa and not found anyone local who can restore the blades. You have to mail it into Knives of Alaska and they will sharpen (for a fee). $280 set of knives that I can't sharpen on my own.......
I have resharpened this one many times over the years. I also have one of their hunting knives that has been used on several elk and a few deer. I just use a good steel followed by on old crock stick and they get back to shaving sharp. Mine are both older ones so maybe that has something to do with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by OKHUNT
Okhunt - Call Dave McCroskey @405-624-9900 and he will sharpen your knives. He is in Stillwater.
Where do you live at OKHUNT? If you're close, I can sharpen them for you, not a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by OKHUNT
If I remember, some of their stuff was made out of D2, which can be hard to sharpen on some stones. That's why some people have problems with them.
I wanted to share the recent experiance I had while dealing with the Mr Twister company. I have owned the 110 volt knife for a while and it had suddenly started not filleting very well. At first I thought it was the blades and replaced them. Then, we (fishing buddies and I) deduced that maybe it was the fact that I was using the flexible thinner blades I had gotten at Walmart on sale one day. So back to the stock blades and still my filleting style was even worse than my normal "hack and stab" approach to fish cleaning. So I read the warranty, which said send it in return postage guaranteed and we might fix it under warranty or repair it for 10 dollars. I thought yeah, here we go.Quote:
Originally Posted by IkenI
So I boxed it up, (about 5.70 in postage) and mailed it out to Monroe, Louisiana as directed with a polite note telling them what I thought about it failing so soon. And then promptly forgot about it. A couple of weeks later, here shows up my original shipping box on the doorstep. Enclosed was a NEW in the package Mr Twister electric knife and thrown in were a set of blades and a nifty little green and yellow carrying case made of nylon.
Though not mentioned in my note was the fact that I did take mine apart to see what was wrong and found that the cam eccentric in that drives the blades back and forth was made of a hard plastic/nylon and the holes had worn open causing the blades not to move very far. So much for cutting through catfish ribcages for me. I've changed my technique to cutting behind the ribs and over the outer parts of the ribs not cutting any bones unless by accident. Blades last forever and knife has too.
I feel they stood up without any fuss to their commitment of their product in my case.
Lenny
Since this thread has started, I have bought a 12 volt American Angler, 110volt AA, 110 volt mister twister, BD from walmart, and a Buba Blade. I have also got some Cutco and Havalon knifes. The BDs (White one and Black ones) run strong, but the gears strip out soo quick! they are not worth the $13. We are all on agreement with Rapala. I have also went through several AA MT3 (their all metal transmission), they are no good either at $99 each! Now they do not even make them! I probably broke them on the return policy! The mister twister is good, no complaints other than the short coiled cord! AA is by far the best electric knife. We have one that we call the Warrior, its 5 years old!The new 12volt AA was strong, and slid right through my catfish (i do not go through ribs, though) It is not underpowered. The 110 volt AA was the same. My Cutco's do get dull, regardless of what they tell you. The blade is too floppy to push right through crappie ribs. They are over priced. I have 3 of them. The Havalon is great to use as a scalpel, not a filleting knife. Finally, my son got me a Bubba blade last week. I cleaned the eucha fish with it. It is by far the best knife i have cleaned with! I would say it cut my cleaning time in half almost and was less effort than a good electric knife! If the Bubba blade can stand the test of time, I am now done with electric!
How much is the Bubba blade?
George - $55 plus shipping. Since I got my 9" flex Bubba I haven't used an electric yet.
I have a bubba and i am not that happy with it. I will have a McCroskey tomorrow I am pretty sure i will like it.