10 Best Rapala Fillet Knives Reviewed
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We all know the fact it’s the Rapala brand of knives that introduced an entirely new chapter for the world of filleting. These popular knives are renowned for their razor-sharp edges, premium steel, and full-tang design.
You know, when it comes to filleting, you want to make sure that every part of your catch ends up on the plate. If you invest in a poor quality knife, chances are that you’ll end up losing most of the catch. Don’t let that happen. In the following few paragraphs we are going to talk about the 10 most sought-after Rapala knives on the markets currently. Remember, these knives come with different key features.
With all those features at play, it’s important that you get up to speed with a buying guide. So, besides reviewing the top knives, we’ll also expose you to some of the top, key factors to consider.
Rapala Fillet Knife Comparison Table
First things first, we provide you with a detailed comparison sheet showcasing different kinds of Rapala knives. We particularly highlight the ones we think are our ultimate favorites.
Ranking | Image | Model | Length | Weight | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rapala6 Soft Grip | 4-Inch | 3.2 ounces | ||
2 | Rapala Heavy Duty Electric | 7.5 inches | 28.48 ounces | ||
3 | Rapala Fish n Fillet Superflex | 6 inches | 2.4 ounces | ||
4 | Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless | 7 inches | 28.8 ounces | ||
5 | Rapala NK03039-BRK | 7-1/2 inches | 4.8 ounces | ||
6 | RapalaPresentation Fillet Gray | 6 inches | 6.4 ounces | ||
7 | Rapala EZ Glide | 7 inch | 3.2 ounces | ||
8 | Rapala Electric | 7 1/2 inches | 24 ounces | ||
9 | Rapala 4-Inch | 4-inches | 4 ounces | ||
10 | Rapala Deluxe Falcon | 4 inches | 1.6 ounces |
10 Best Rapala Fillet Knives Reviewed
1. Rapala4 Soft Grip
- This Soft Grip Fillet Knife is equipped with...
- soft-grip molded textured handle
- giving you maximum control and comfort while...
- Includes a black sheath that easily fits on...
The reason why we particularly love this filleting knife is that it is equipped with a flexible stainless steel blade. This comes alongside a firm-grip handle complete with a non-slip tang. The handle is particularly our favorite feature here.
It is a soft-grip handle complete with a molded textured handle. This, in our view, is such an important feature as it gives you absolute control over the filleting process. And if you like to travel frequently, the fact that it comes with a sheath makes it a wonderful companion. You simply need to stash it in the sheath that’s provided and fit it anywhere including on your belt.
What’s more? The unit also comes with a single-stage sharpener. This can come in handy especially when you need to have the best fillet knife extra-sharp even when you’re on the move. Remember, sharpness is quite important for peak performance.
Pros
Cons
2. The Rapala Electric Heavy Duty
- Made of highest quality material
- Manufacturer: Rapala
- Rapala heavy duty electric Fillet knife
- Heavy Duty Motor
Fish filleting may seem like an easy thing to do until you consider the fact that it’s a manual process. If you have a huge workload, you can easily get fatigued if you go the manual way. Luckily, the awesome guys from Rapala have a solution for that.
This is not your ordinary electric filleting knife – it’s a heavy-duty system. It is powered by a heavy-duty motor and comes complete with a 7 ½ inch reciprocating blades. That alone gives it up to 3 times the power of a typical electric fillet knife.
What’s more? Its blade is dishwasher safe. But still with the blade, we’d like to note that we find it quite thick and cumbersome to hold onto.
Pros
Cons
3. Rapala Fish n Fillet Highly Flexible
- Incredible extra thin blade allows the...
- PTFE non-stick coating lets fillets...
- Razor-sharp handground stainless steel blade...
- Polished brass ferrule.
If you’re after an affordable Rapala knife, this might just be the best option to settle for. We particularly like the fact that it comes with an ultra-thin and amazingly flexible blade. The blade easily slices through fish ensuring that all the flesh comes out evenly.
Another awesome feature of the knife is that it has a non-stick coating. This ensures that the blade easily penetrates the fish even after a long day of use. And the best part is that there are three blade varieties namely the 4-inch, 6-inch, and 7 ½ inch varieties. So, depending on the kind of fish that you’re targeting, you can always go for a blade that’s as long or as short as you desire.
Another awesome add-on with this seemingly perfect knife is the tooled leather sheath. It’s a long-lasting and durable sheath that’s also meant to add onto the safety of this knife. Small qualms with the, otherwise, perfect knife would be that its handle isn’t as soft. Its tang isn’t as well-made and, therefore, you have to be extra keen when filleting at fast speeds.
Pros
Cons
4. Rapala Battery-Powered
- Ready to match up with any filleting task,...
- Lithium Ion batteries provide a consistent...
- Fast change time, a full 80 minute runtime...
- Low "memory" effect increases the number of...
The good thing with battery power as opposed to direct electric power from the plug is that it can be used even in remote places. Corded fillet knives can only be used within meters of the wall plug and that can be quite limiting.
Luckily, Rapala have this game-changer. It has quite powerful a batter that can operate non-stop for 80 minutes. This battery is also strong enough to guarantee you of consistent speed and power. What’s more? Even as the battery is getting depleted, you won’t notice any reduction in performance.
The best part is that the system recharges quite fast. For a run-time of 80 minutes, you need a paltry 2 hours for a full recharge. We really like the fact that this battery has a low memory effect which also means that it lasts long even when used for a couple of years.
Pros
Cons
5. Rapala Fish n Fillet NK03039-BRK
- Each Fish 'n Fillet features a full-tang...
- The genuine leather sheath and single-stage...
- making it the "go-to" fillet knife in the...
Longing for a Swedish stainless steel blade with just enough power to do the heavy lifting for you? Then this is the kind of knife you need to invest in. Besides the awesome blade, you also get a well-thought-out birch varnished handle. On top of that, you get to access a genuine leather sheath which is meant to provide comfort and guarantees safekeeping of the knife.
Another awesome add-on that comes with this unit is a single-stage sharpener. This seals the deal especially since it’s important to keep the blade as sharp as possible. Considering all the features it comes with, this is probably the best filleting knife under 30. We find it quite affordable and feature-packed. That said, we really don’t like its handle. It feels slippery after several rounds of use. Also, the fact that it’s wooden makes it susceptible to retaining some fish odor in the long-run.
Pros
Cons
6. Rapala PTFE Coated Presentation
- Updated Nordic design creates a modern...
- Grey laminated handle features a polished...
- Grey laminated handle has a PTFE coated...
- Progressive tapered blade for concentrated...
Rapala has clearly set its sights on the quality-conscious markets with the entry of such knives. Right off the bat, this knife stands out with its varnished birch handle. The handle is laminated for longevity.
What’s more? You get a hand-ground European stainless steel blade which besides being sharp is also quite flexible. On top of that, this blade is coated with PTFE and this makes it easy to use at all times.
The highlight of the entire set is its sheath. This is a leather sheath that’s designed to provide you with the safety and protection needed for long-term use and convenience. As far as safety and convenience are concerned, you also get what’s known as a through-tang construction. Its job, besides safety, is to add noticeable leverage to the cutting.
Unfortunately, the blade is only available in one size variant and that is 6-inch. This is shorter than the average 7 ½ inch length which we have come to associate with most tasks. That said, for most basic filleting tasks, this 6-inch long blade should be able to get the job done.
Pros
Cons
7. Rapala EZ
- Non-stick PTFE treated blade.
- Scalloped Edge
- Easy-clean open sheath.
If you’re really on a tight budget and looking for a knife that’s just enough to get the job done, the EZ glide would just be the ideal one. It comes with a scalloped edge for enhanced user experience. On top of that, the Rapala features a non-stick PTFE treated blade. It’s not only durable and flexible but also quite easy to slice through.
For added convenience and even safety, this knife comes with an easy-to-clean open sheath. As if that’s not enough, its handle is textured thermoplastic. This makes it relatively easy to handle and also prevents it from absorbing odor over time.
Pros
Cons
8. Rapala 7 ½ Inch
- Crafted from the highest quality materials
- Built for performance and durability
- Made in China
- Includes Fillet Fork
If the Rapala Electric Fillet Knife – Heavy Duty is not your type and you’re hellbent on working with an electric knife, you should try this one. Besides being crafted from high-quality materials it comes with an ample 7-foot cable along with a fillet fork.
Its stainless steel blade is relatively sharp although it could have been a bit more flexible. We generally like its relaxed grip and the fact that its blade measures 7 ½ inch which is quite generous.
Pros
Cons
9. Rapala 4-Inch Serrated
- 4" Stainless Steel Blade
- Serrated Upper Blade
- Molded Comfort Grip Handles Molded Comfort...
- Finger Guard
This knife holds quite well in the marine environment. However, it is mainly designed for cutting bait which means that it’s a bit stiff. Nonetheless, if you don’t have a choice, it still can do a good job of filleting your catch.
It’s a relatively affordable knife and can handle almost anything thrown at it. Its corrosion-resistant design makes it ideal for use in different kinds of conditions. With an extremely sharp blade, you can never go wrong if you choose to have this bait knife with you at all time.
Pros
Cons
10. Rapala Deluxe Falcon Fillet
- High Strength Polymer Handle
- Molden Resin Sheath with built in sharpener
- Stainless Steel Blade
This is an entry-level kind of fillet knife – the type that is affordably priced and just good enough to handle basic tasks. It has a stainless steel handle which is corrosion-resistant although we wish it was a bit more flexible.
Its handle is made from polymer and has been molded to provide a good grip. Plus it has an all-round tang for extra safety. One thing we like about this kind of handle is that it doesn’t retain odor even after many weeks of use.
Pros
Cons
Buying Guide - Rapala Fillet Knives
The task of finding the ideal fillet knife doesn’t have to be a daunting one. In general, the following are the key factors to always pay attention to.
Which One Is the Best?
Our top choice is none other than the Rapala4 Soft Grip Filleting Knife with Sheath & Single Stage Sharpener. It’s well made plus it comes with all the necessary add-ons namely a sheath and a sharpener.
The first runner’s up position belongs to The Rapala Electric Fillet Knife – Heavy Duty. It’s a heavy-duty, electric knife that’s also quite easy to use.
Final Thoughts
The best filleting knife to invest in is one that gives you total control over the entire process. It is our hope that the 10 reviews above plus the buying guide will help you arrive that that verdict. Otherwise, each one of the 10 above made it to the list through merit.