Electric Fish Fillet Knives Compared

Benefits of an Electric Knife When Filleting Fish

Choosing a Quality Electric Fillet Knife

Power Source

Knife Features

Sheath and Sharpening Stones

Safety Features

Some electric fish fillet knives come with added features to protect yourself and your blades. Some products will come with a blade lock mechanism that locks the blades in place while not in use. The fillet knives in this buyer's guide come with quick-release blades to prevent any hang-ups.

1. Rapala Heavy Duty

The proof is in the name with this Rapala model. It holds up to the test of time and truly is a heavy duty option for avid anglers. It features full power for endless hours with the 8-foot long cord. This Rapala model is ideal for people who plan to carve up a lot of fish since you won't have to worry about recharging the battery.

It comes with durable stainless steel blades. This model features serrated blades, which are best for tough fish such as swordfish and mahi-mahi. The handle comes with a relaxed grip design, which makes it easy to handle for extended periods.

It has a unique airflow design within the grip to ensure that the motor runs cool. It also reduces vibrations so that your hand won't get tired. I liked that this model featured a large air ventilation system. I used it at the end of a big saltwater fishing trip. I used it for hours, and I didn’t have any issues with overheating. 

2. American Angler PRO

If you’re looking for the most durable and tough blades on the market, then this is the perfect model for you. The American Angler PRO comes with a titanium coated stainless steel blade. It has the ideal amount of flex, and the titanium coating will keep the serrated blades from going dull.

This model differs in its blade coating. Some models, like product number one, feature non-coated stainless steel. Those blades tend to go dull after multiple cleanings. This model comes in a corded design so that you can have continuous use without the need for recharging.

It includes a rugged transmission with SASA polymer. The transmission is cooled by a fanjet cooling system within the handle. I thought that this model stood out with its titanium coated blades. I have used it for nearly two months, and the blades are still as sharp as the first time.

3. Bubba Li-Ion Cordless

This is the first cordless model that I will review in our roundup. By going wireless, you will have more flexibility to move around. You never have to worry about finding an outlet to plug in your electric knife. This model comes with two lithium-ion batteries so that you can charge one up while using the other.

This model is the whole package. It features four different blades that vary in size and flexibility. The blades range from 7” E-FLEX, 9” E-FLEX, 9” E-STIFF, and 12” E-STIFF. With this package, you will get two stiff blades for large, tough fish such as tuna and mahi-mahi. You will also get two flex blades that are perfect for smaller fish, such as salmon and crappie. It includes an ergonomic grip handle to ensure your hand stays in place while cleaning.

4. Mister Twister 120V

If you are searching for a simple electric fillet knife that won’t break the bank, then this model is ideal for you. It is elegantly simple in its design and will get the job done. It comes with an extendable cord, which is an excellent feature. It reduces the chance that you might accidentally cut through it. It also provides extended length when you need it.

The Mister Twister model comes with a 7-inch blade, which is the same length as the other models we have reviewed. It features a bright neon color scheme, which may not be for everyone, but at least you won’t lose track of it. It features a durable motor housing and ergonomic design. The handle is not as grippy as other models, so use extra caution if filleting in wet conditions.

5. Cuisinart CEK-40

While many customers may see Cuisinart as a household kitchen name, this electric knife can be enjoyed by anglers as well. If you’re looking for a product that is more suited for home fish filleting instead of on the boat, then this model will work for you. It comes in a corded design like the other three products I have reviewed.

The CEK-40 model features two stainless steel blades. One of the blades is for cutting bread, while the other is for fileting. As an angler, you may not get much use out of the bread blade, but it can be nice to have on hand. The filleting blade is what you want for carving up your latest offshore catch. The handle features an ergonomic and grippy design. It also comes with an elegant butcher block storage unit. You can store the handle and blades elegantly on any countertop.

This model is better suited for at-home filleting, but many anglers bring their fish home before cleaning. I enjoyed the ergonomic handle. It was easy to carve through fish with the rubberized motor housing.

6. Hamilton Beach 74250R

Similar to the last model that I reviewed, this one is known for being a household kitchen item. Hamilton Beach has created a simple electric fillet knife that any angler can enjoy. It comes with a hardcover carrying case so that it can be used on the boat. I recommend using it for home filleting because the handle is not designed for very wet conditions.

This Hamilton Beach model comes with one 7 inch serrated blade. It is not quite as flexible as other electric fillet knife blades, so it is better suited for sizeable tough fish. It includes a carving fork, which is an added accessory when slicing up your fish fillets. It makes transfer more manageable and less damaging to the meat. This model comes in a corded design with a 6-foot long cord. It will last for an endless amount of hours, but the cord is shorter than the standard 8 feet.

One feature that I liked about this model is that they included thoughtful accessories. The carving fork and carrying case are great for the angler who plans to clean fish out on the water or at an outdoor cleaning station.

7. Black & Decker EK 700

This electric fillet knife was designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. This Black & Decker model comes in a corded design like the other models I have reviewed. The combination of the comfort grip handle and cord gives you the ability to carve up fish for hours. Like the previous two products, this one is best suited for home fish filleting since it doesn’t come with a carrying case.

The EK700 Slice Right comes with a longer than average 9-inch serrated blade. It is perfect for cutting large fish because it is longer and stiffer than other blades. It features a 5-foot long cord that should give you most of the length you need for home use. The small portion of rubberized material where your thumb rests makes it easy to maneuver this knife through tough fish. The non-slip tabs are a brilliant feature to help protect your hands during cleaning and disassembly.

One feature that stood out to me on this product was the non-slip tabs. It was effortless to quickly release the blades and drop them into the sink for cleaning. I thought the trigger was really easy to pull, so hand fatigue was greatly minimized.

8. Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless

This is the second cordless model that I've reviewed, so if you're looking for this type of electric knife, check out this Rapala model. Rapala has been a staple in the fishing industry for many years. This battery powered fillet knife did not disappoint when out on the boat.

The Rapala cordless model comes with two stainless steel fillet blades. One blade is 6 inches, which is ideal for small fish. The other blade is 7.5 inches, which is excellent for medium to large size fish. Just like the Bubba model, it comes with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

The soft foam case will keep the blades from becoming dull, but it won’t always protect against drop damage. The comfort grip design made it easy to slice up fillets without hand fatigue. This model performed exceptionally well while I was offshore. I loved being able to carve up fish without a cord in my way.

9. Oster FPSTEK2803B

This electric fillet knife package is very similar to the Hamilton Beach model that I reviewed. It comes with a hard cover carrying case and a carving fork. This Oster model has a larger blade that is 10 inches long. It is best suited for carving large fish such as tuna and swordfish. It comes with a 5-foot long power cord.

Since this Oster model has such a large serrated blade, I wouldn’t recommend using it on very small fish. You may end up damaging more meat than filleting it. The blade is also thicker than some other models, so carving up tuna steaks is a breeze.

The handle does not come with as much grip as other models. It was comfortable to use but not as safe in very wet conditions. Like the Hamilton Beach model, I liked that Oster included a hard carrying case and carving fork. The case protected against drop damage. I also enjoyed the quick blade release function.

10. Rapala Electric

This is another great product from the fishing experts at Rapala. I have already reviewed the cordless Rapala model, but if you are searching for a corded model, then this is the one for you. This model performed just as well as the cordless edition, but it was able to be used longer without having to recharge.

This Rapala Electric product comes with a 7-foot long power cord that gives you plenty of leeway at the carving stations. The 7.5-inch blade was a perfect midsize that allowed me to carve almost any type of fish. The addition of a stainless steel fillet fork was much appreciated. I could slice and stack with ease.

I thought that Rapala did a great job of implementing all of their best features into a corded model. The ergonomic grip had a perfectly placed rubberized thumb grip. I could maneuver this electric fillet knife in wet conditions.

Electric Fillet Knife vs. Regular Blade

Boning Knife vs. Fillet Knife

How To Safely Sharpen Electric Knife Blades

If you’ve put some use on your blade, then it may be time to sharpen it. Many people think that serrated electric knife blades cannot be sharpened, but that’s not the case. I recommend using an electric sharpener for safety reasons, but a manual can work as well. Follow these steps to give your blade its cutting edge back.

Electric Sharpener

Sharpening Rod

Safety Tips When Using Knives

How to Use an Electric Fillet Knife

Keep in mind that small, oily fish, such as salmon, may not be best suited for use with an electric fish knife.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What steps should I take to maintain the lifespan of my knife?

Always store your electric fillet knife in a safe and dry place. If it comes with a carrying case, then make sure you use it every time. You can extend the blade life by cleaning them after every use. You should sharpen your blades when they become dull.

What sizes do fillet knives come in?

In this buyer’s guide, we have reviewed a range of products sized from 6 to 12 inches. Most fillet knife blades average about 7.5 inches. This is the perfect size to tackle most fish. If you mostly fillet larger fish, then a bigger blade is necessary.

Where can I buy replacement blades for my electric fillet knife?

The best place to shop for all your electric fillet knife needs is Amazon. You can find replacement blades and accessories.

Conclusion