I couldn't find a perfect place to post this topic so I wondered if anyone, specifically the boss, thought a new category for general "Gear" questions in the fishing section might be helpful. Something to include topics like tackle boxes, dry bags, harnesses, belts, knives etc. Not sure how the logistics of that type of thing work but just an idea.
Anyway, my question. I go through fishing knives like underwear. My edc knives and hunting/bushcraft/fighting knives have been through hell and back and have been with me for years. My fishing knives on the other hand... fillet knives in particular get destroyed in no time. Now it could just be my unwillingness to pay $250+ for a fillet knife but I wanted to see if anyone had any preferences or recommendations? Obviously there's a massive difference between the blade thickness on say my BK2 and a fillet knife but there should be a fairly decent compromise somewhere. Is there anything with the reputation/durability of the spyderco salt but in a fillet style? http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Plain-Yellow-Steel-Knife/dp/B0017UZJ9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419728078&sr=8-1&keywords=spyderco+salt (http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Plain-Yellow-Steel-Knife/dp/B0017UZJ9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419728078&sr=8-1&keywords=spyderco+salt)
My Forschner fillet knives have served me well over the years. Spyderco made a sprint run/forum fishing/fillet knife in H1 steel. I believe its the one with the green handle. There are two versions; the latter has the H1 steel and a nice flexible blade.
Leo
Shiftee,
Please don't take offense, but I think your style of carry knives are the ones I keep in the safe. Spyderco makes a fine product, but for the salt, I choose the cheaper route, just in case I lose it in the sand or someone decides to make it theirs. I didn't give 10 dollars for this knife, but it has served me well and will continue to do so. I keep it oiled and only sharpen it with a steel. I have do doubt that it will cut your finger clean off if it gets in the way.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_2737_zps3287838b.jpg)
I keep a bigger Machete style in my shark bag just in case, but this cheapo is my go to blade.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_23991_zps6a590e1e.jpg)
I also use a Forschner Cimeter fillet knife and it has served me well over many years. Forschner's are pretty much a standard for many of the deckhands here in So Cal.
EDIT: Forschner is now Victorinox and I like a 10" Cimeter model #40539 for most of my filleting.
(http://www.swissknifeshop.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/458x458/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/V/F/VF47539.jpg)
To resurrect an old thread....I'm looking for a new filet knife and have been intrigued with the Bubba Blades, specifically the 9" flex
https://www.bubbablade.com/products/the-bubba-blade-9-inch-flex-fillet-knife
Does anyone have any experience with this maker, I am trying to not get caught up in the hype and make an informed purchase.....the 9" flex is similiar to the Vicorinox 10" cimitar perviously noted.....Bill
I also use Victorinox Forschner blades. 12" cimeterfor the big stuff, and a semi stiff curved boning knife for the smaller stuff.
http://www.cutleryandmore.com/victorinox-forschner-fibrox/semi-stiff-curved-boning-knife-p15741
http://www.cutleryandmore.com/victorinox-forschner-fibrox/cimeter-knife-p13525
I've used the same Rapala fillet knife for about fifty years but it doesn't go to the beach or boat. A bait/utility knife that stays on the boat only lasts a few years.
-steve
I like Dexter Russel knives.
Quote from: Keta on December 24, 2016, 03:08:16 PM
I like Dexter Russel knives.
+1
All the knives used in most fish houses I've worked at have all been Dexter Russel. They are reasonably priced, good quality and offer plenty of styles and sizes....
Quote from: TARFU on December 24, 2016, 06:11:16 AM
To resurrect an old thread....I'm looking for a new filet knife and have been intrigued with the Bubba Blades, specifically the 9" flex
https://www.bubbablade.com/products/the-bubba-blade-9-inch-flex-fillet-knife
Does anyone have any experience with this maker, I am trying to not get caught up in the hype and make an informed purchase.....the 9" flex is similiar to the Vicorinox 10" cimitar perviously noted.....Bill
Bill,
My cheapo knife I was showing earlier snapped the Blade from the Handle trying to cut up a frozen Ray.
Tried to use the wrong tool for the Job. I broke out my Bubba Blade and it made quick work of it.
I was so impressed by it, I bought another one as soon as I got back from that Trip.
This isn't the flex model. I use it mainly for cutting up large Baits.
I use the Dexter Russell knives for filleting on the boat. I have a few different sizes and types. One is a long fillet style. One is a scalloped edge. One is a small bait knife. They are all stainless steel. The high carbon steel ones are sharp but they rust out if you leave them on board.
At home I use a Cutco fillet knife. Don't want that one getting ruined.
When we dress a fish, I use the Bubba blade. It's really strong and sharp. You can hack away at all the guts no problem.
For camping and outdoor use I use my Buck 119.
Knives for fish are like pretty girls at the beach! ??? Everyone has a preference.... Size,price,flex,corrosion resistance etc. For my fishing I use the Forschener brand, Lately ive found some very good Kershaw in Cemetar and Filet that are holding up well. Im my area most charter boats and neighbors use the Dexter Russell knives....... You cant go wrong with any of these brands......Order on line where theres a better selection and pricing if you want? Use a fine diamond 6-800 sharpener and ceramic sticks to keep the edge tops!
More later about girls on the beach! ;)
I too like the Dexter/Russell large serrated knife. Large Stripers have skin like armor and I use to carry several knives. A buddy of mine let me use his large serrated Dexter, it cut like butter and I was able to skin with it with no problems at all.
Great knife and I actually got 2 seasons out of it before sharpening. I was amazed! Especially for a knife around 25 bucks!
Best, .. Lou
I've found that the knives with medium quality steel are much eaiser to keep sharp and if I can rinse 'em right after use, then it's not a hassel to sharpen during my down(TV) time, that same nite. For me there's a point of diminishing returns on length(fillet knives), gotta be 1&1/3 the dorsal to ventral lengh a the average fish I fillet. Should flex without permanent bending, and no cuttin through thick ribs on big 'uns, 'er vertebrae on anything(non-flexible bone knife & tin-snips).
Sounds like good Idea about the gear category. Gotta wonder though, is there a "point of diminishing returns" for complexity, in terms a navigating the forum.
Gfish
I have a dozen Dexters and half dozen rapakas. Love all. My buddy is military and no patience for inferior gear loves the Bubba.
I've been using the bubba blade since 2 years ago and nothing but good and nice fillets, I use it mostly on big fish, its not that flexible like some others but you can sharp it really good with a stone.
for medium size fish like spanish mac, whitefish, triggers, etc I preffer a cheapo rapala knife recently sharpened
Quote from: TARFU on December 24, 2016, 06:11:16 AM
To resurrect an old thread....I'm looking for a new filet knife and have been intrigued with the Bubba Blades, specifically the 9" flex
https://www.bubbablade.com/products/the-bubba-blade-9-inch-flex-fillet-knife
Does anyone have any experience with this maker, I am trying to not get caught up in the hype and make an informed purchase.....the 9" flex is similiar to the Vicorinox 10" cimitar perviously noted.....Bill
I got a Bubba Blade 9" flex. I'm not impressed. It dulled very quickly on me. Not to bad to sharpen, but dulls quick, especially if you cut across large scales or through thick bones. My sits in my man cave waiting. I much prefer a Vic, Dexter, or one of the old USA made Schrades with the green rubber handles. The Dexters get a lot of use from me, and the Vic.
Someone mentioned that Spyderco made one in H1 steel. I gotta check that out. I have one of their knives with an H1 steel blade it it's fantastic with regard to salt water. I've wade fished with it in salt water, and there was absolutely no rust issue at all. I've used it for several years in the salt water, and there's no sign of rust. the only maintenance I've done to it is oil the joint and sharpen it. H1 is good stuff in the salt environment.
I learned to fillet with a 10" Forschner cimeter way back in the day and it it excellent for cutting larger fish that have a thicker ribcage, also for steaking salmon, etc. When I moved up north, I began using a Dexter Russell 9" narrow fillet knife. Much easier to quickly clean up a bunch of rockfish and lingcod. For tuna and other pelagics, I like a 7" narrow Dexter. I've found that the Dexters hold their edge quite well if you reasonably protect the blade with either a sheath or wrapping it in a rag. I used to put in 150-200 days on the water with upwards of 40 passengers fishing rockfish and I would get at least a season and a half out of my knife....unless some bonehead(me) did something stupid with it and dropped it overboard or something....lol
I find Victronox knives are as good as any, if your cuting small fish baits, dont sharpen your knife to flat, or it will chip easy, I carry a long blade knife not to sharp for exstracting the skins of off fish, if it is not to sharp, then you do not cut through the skins as you slide them between the flesh & skin, best if a knife is stailess steel, for the marine situaction, I have two pouches screwed to the back of the boat seats, hold two knifes each, the pouches come apart for easy washing after each trip, cheers donnyboat.
Dexter for the past 20 years. Found one in the river one day in a sheath. It sharpened right up. Been using it ever since. Salmon and steelhead are pretty easy on any knife.
Andy
Another vote for Dexter Russell. Inexpensive and they get the job done.
DR 4 me 2! :)
Ok you guys sold me on Dexter Russel, got two, a 8" wide filet and a 8" breaking knife, should get them next week.....thank you for all your input....now need to get some fish....Bill
you won't be disappointed... :)
Whichever knife you choose, no matter what the quality is. Do not leave it on your boat in saltwater environment. Nothing can withstand it.
I been using cutco Fishermans friend for the past five years. One travels in my gear bag, one stays at home in the kitchen.
Thanks for the heads up...about the only salt they will see is when I hitch hike on a boat.....The knives should be waiting for me when I return to Sacramento......I'm a two and half week vacation in SoCal right now.....hoping the strip d bass are still there....they were pretty thick a couple weeks ago....Bill
Quote from: Shark Hunter on December 24, 2016, 06:15:13 PM
My cheapo knife I was showing earlier snapped the Blade from the Handle trying to cut up a frozen Ray.
Random piece of advice but try a serrated/scalloped blade for cutting frozen baits, does a much better job than a straight edge especially if there's little bony bits involved.
Ok I took the plunge and bought a Dexter Knife, well couldnt decide so I ordered two ;D, a 8" wide filtet and 8" breaking knife.....now to catch some fish and try them out....Thank you to all for your advice.....Bill
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/Fubarciw/fishing%20equip/20170109_185710.jpg)
You won't be dissapointed.
I have a pair of Dexters, a Victorinox, and I recently aquired a J.A.Henkels Cleaver from Santa.
Love those 'Alasken Blades', my inlaws got us a board/knife set for Christmas...flippin sweet.
I use a Bubba Blade as well as a mixed set of Dexters. That Bubba blade is just so dang sharp and holds the edge...carved our entire Thanksgiving turkey without a hone or hit from the Ever Sharp.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on January 10, 2017, 03:13:33 AM
You won't be dissapointed.
I have a pair of Dexters, a Victorinox, and I recently aquired a J.A.Henkels Cleaver from Santa.
I have that cleaver....its just plain nasty!
I purchased bubba blade when first came out. Not very impressed. Dulls quickly. Dexter and Rapala are better.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on January 10, 2017, 03:13:33 AM
You won't be dissapointed.
I have a pair of Dexters, a Victorinox, and I recently aquired a J.A.Henkels Cleaver from Santa.
No good procession Station would be complete without a good cleaver!
yes a cleaver is real handy, the pro butcher type is best, about 31/2 inches high and 10 inches long, any higher then they become top heavy n tend to divert side ways, just my two bobs worth, in australia master butcher LTD, sell them, not cheap but real good, last a life time, cheers donnyboat