Best Saltwater Electric Fillet Knife: Ultimate Buying Guide

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An electric fillet knife can make it much easier for you to fillet a fish in a clean and efficient way. There are tons of great options in the market for such knives, but how do you go about finding and picking one that will suit you well? What is the best saltwater electric fillet knife?

To help you out, we have listed down and reviewed our top picks that you can go through and choose from. 

Let’s take a look!

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks…

Our Top Picks Reviewed

Now that you know what our top picks are, you can now go through our detailed reviews about each of them to get a better idea of their specifications, pros, and cons.

Bubba 110V Electric Fillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip Handle

This electric fillet knife is corded in its structure and comes with a non-slip grip handle and safety lock that lets you firmly control the knife while filleting. The presence of a trigger, as well as a trigger guard, enhances this sense of security even more.

Four removable and differently-sized blades are a part of the entire package, which makes it convenient for you to remove and clean them up whenever required. These also allow you to fillet fish of any given size. You can also place them in their given spots in the storage case.

Additional features such as the ventilation points and the power cord ensure power, constancy and accuracy.

Pros

  • It includes four extra blades of varying lengths and functions that are all made from stainless steel, allowing you to cut through fish of all sizes.
  • The strong grip provides firmness and prevents accidents or injuries while filleting.
  • The power cord is 8 feet long, making it easy for you to move around and adjust without it being a hindrance.
  • It comes with a sturdy case that you can use for storage of the knife as well as the blades. This also makes transportation of the knife convenient and safe.
  • It operates in a quiet way without causing much disturbance or power consumption throughout the filleting process.
  • It has several anti-corrosion measures in place on the blades to ensure durability.

Cons

  • The gears tend to wear out quicker than expected.
  • It can overheat at times if you use it continuously.

Smith’s 51233 Lawaia Electric Fillet Knife

The Smith’s Lawaia Electric Fillet Knife is another wonderful choice that will make your filleting process much simpler and hassle-free. It comes with two removable blades that you can use for different purposes. This also makes their maintenance a lot easier.

What’s more, this knife provides you with all the necessary accessories that you might need during filleting, such as a safety glove, mesh storage bag as well as sheaths for the knives.

A 120-volt power cord ensures that your knife functions well throughout the process. The functional and comfortable handle of this knife with good airflow and a firm grip can help ensure your safety while cutting.

Pros

  • It comes with a glove that can guarantee additional safety while you are using the knife to prevent accidents. This also removes the need to buy a new glove separately.
  • It comes with a mesh storage case that you can use for storage and transportation. This can help you keep the blades safe and separate from other things you might be carrying.
  • There are two removable blades that you can alternate between depending on the kind of fish you are cutting. These blades are also simple to clean.
  • It has great airflow and cooling capabilities that prevent too much overheating, making its usage comfortable.
  • It is relatively affordable as compared to other knives on the market even though it comes with accessories.

Cons

  • The blades can sometimes get stuck or stop working efficiently.
  • The switch or trigger may not always immediately respond.

Mister Twister Electric Piranha Heavy Duty Corded Fillet Knife

This is a light but sharp option for your filleting requirements. With extra torque and speed, this electric knife can be a great choice for big fish, giving you that additional power that you need to manage the tough and coarse scales of fish.

The sharp 9-inch blade can help make the entire process a lot cleaner than it usually is. The power cord also extends well, providing sufficient power while also providing a good number of cutting cycles.

The airflow vents along with a trigger to control the power can improve the security functions and flexibility of this knife significantly.

Pros

  • It offers improved torque and speed to allow you to cut through the fish in a methodical way.
  • It has a 9” blade that can cut through all kinds of fish, letting you safely cut through both smooth and coarse elements of the fish.
  • There are a good number of airflow vents to keep the handle and cover of the knife cool enough while using it.
  • The trigger on the knife helps you control when you deliver power to cut through the fish. This can provide you with some added safety so that you can prevent injuries.
  • It is lightweight in a way that becomes easy to handle and carry around without putting in too much effort.

Cons

  • The grip can be a bit flimsy and slippery. This can prove to be dangerous if you lose control.
  • It only comes with a single blade.

Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife Grey/Black

The Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife is sleek in its appearance, combining the dual colors of grey and black. The handle not only provides you with a comfortable grip due to its ridges but can also offer great control and efficiency while filleting all kinds of fish.

The power cord is 8 feet in length, making it long enough for you to maneuver safely without acting as a hindrance when you are cutting through the fish. It also offers 110 volts of power that is derived from its motor.

Airflow vents on the cover of the motor help maintain the coolness and effectiveness of the motor to prevent overheating. The blade is additionally removable and safe to wash in the dishwasher.

Pros

  • The grip is sturdy and has a ridge to maintain a firmer hold over the knife. This can help retain control without slipping.
  • It comes with a removable and strong blade that you can use for different kinds of fish. This is also dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning.
  • The motor is heavy duty and offers maximized power, torque and speed to the blade to ensure clean cutting.
  • The airflow vents can prevent the knife from overheating during the process.
  • It has a quiet operation that reduces both disturbances as well as excess power consumption.
  • The 8-foot power cord is long enough to easily maneuver around the area without tripping or frequent adjusting.

Cons

  • It only comes with a single blade.
  • The blade does not offer enough flexibility.

American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife

This is another smooth and polished choice of knife that has a stainless steel blade that is black in its color, offering a uniform appearance with the grey color of the handle. Coated with titanium, this blade is sturdy, sharp, and reliable.

The long cord and the useful trigger on the handle can work well together to offer high power and torque while also allowing you to maintain control over the knife in a safe and secure way.

The grip is firm and cool to keep track of the movements of the blade as well as the functioning of the motor. The coolness works in tandem with the vents to keep the motor and handle from becoming too hot.

Pros

  • The stainless steel blade with a titanium coating offers sharpness and strength while filleting all kinds of fish.
  • A mesh storage case that can safely house the knife and blade while traveling or simply for storage is included in this purchase.
  • The grip offers firmness and sturdiness along with a trigger to control the power of the knife.
  • The grip is also consistently cool without issues of overheating or major vibrations.
  • The power cord is long enough for easy maneuvering.
  • Airflows on the handle also keep the motor working efficiently.

Cons

  • It comes with only one blade.
  • It is slightly more expensive in comparison to other electric fillet knives on the market.

Those were some of our top picks! You can now make a fair and informed choice based on your filleting needs.

Things to Consider

Filleting a fresh caught Kokanee Salmon

There are several things you must keep in mind when you are looking for an electric fillet knife to buy. Let’s look at what some of these are in some detail.

Blade Material

The material of the blade of electric fillet knives is one of the most important things to look at. Usually, the blades of such knives are made from stainless steel that allows you to use it in saltwater as well.

The stainless steel should also be of excellent quality so that it can withstand all kinds and sizes of fish, allowing you to easily cut through them without exerting too much effort.

The quality of the stainless steel is also important to prevent rusting or corrosion on the blade as this could otherwise lead to poorer performance of the blade.

Durability

The electric fillet knife that you opt for should be sturdy and durable instead of too flimsy. This can be determined by the quality of the materials used to make the knife.

Since these knives have to deal with salt water and all kinds of fish, they should be strong enough and resistant to corrosion to a considerable extent. Further, the motor should also be able to withstand the power supply without heating up too much.

Usually, manufacturers tend to offer a limited warranty of one or two years that can give you an idea about their quality and durability. Make sure you look into the warranty policies of each knife so that you can ask for replacements without any hassle.

Safety

There should be sufficient safety features across the length of the knife to ensure that you can keep yourself protected while using the knife to fillet fish.

The first element of this is the grip of the handle. It must be strong enough with the kind of quality that lets you place your hand on it firmly without causing slippage. This is a necessary aspect for your knife, the absence of which could lead to minor or major injuries.

Author Note: The handle should also have a trigger that lets you turn the knife on or off whenever you need to. This can let you maintain your hold while also having some kind of control over the working of the knife.

Power

The power that the electric knife can work on is also important here. Usually, the power cords that are attached to these knives can be connected to electrical sockets for delivering the current.

The output that they can deliver can help determine how the motor will function. Usually, 110 volts is considered to be a good enough voltage for these knives. It is essential to look into this detail before you make your decision.

The motor should also be able to handle the power well enough without causing overheating as this could reduce the efficiency of the knife.

Maintenance

It is essential to regularly clean and maintain your electric fillet knife. In fact, after each use, you must clean up the blade to prevent a build-up of bacteria and food remains.

Usually, these electric fillet knives come with removable blades that you can detach from the handle and clean up without letting water come into contact with the handle, motor, and cord.

Multiple blades can also help in this regard as you can easily replace one with the other. Some blades can also conveniently be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Speed

The speed at which the motor powers up the blade to fillet the fish is important to consider. Usually, this speed is constant in electric knives, but you can maintain control to a certain extent over the speed by pressing and releasing the trigger on the handle.

This can help you halt the process if you need to take a break or figure out how to deal with a tough section.

Some knives may also come with adjustable speed settings that allow you to set a certain speed of functioning. This gives a lot more flexibility and control over the process, but this is also a relatively rare feature.

Corded vs Cordless

Electric fillet knives can come with cords attached to them or they can be cordless. Cordless knives usually need frequent charging each time they run out of power, which is why all the knives we included in our reviews have a cord.

Corded knives can make it simpler since they can provide a constant amount of power as they need to be connected to a socket each time you want to use them. The power that they supply is also a bit stronger as compared to cordless knives.

On the other hand, it can certainly be easier to manage and carry cordless knives.

Author Note: Make sure you consider the length of the cord as well before buying a knife. Short lengths might be difficult to maneuver around easily and may need too many adjustments on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sharpen a saltwater electric fillet knife?

You can sharpen a saltwater electric fillet knife by buying a separate sharpener that is specifically made for these knives. You simply need to move the knife on this sharpener to sharpen the edges.

Make sure you hold the knife at a correct angle while also wearing safety gloves to prevent injuries.

Which is the best saltwater electric fillet knife?

All the saltwater electric fillet knives we mentioned here are excellent choices. However, ultimately, it depends on your requirements such as the kind of fish you want to cut, how often you plan to use the knife, and more.

Overall, the Bubba knife is a great choice since it also comes with multiple replaceable blades and offers good versatility and grip.

Final Thoughts

That’s it, then! We have now taken you through all the best choices for saltwater electric fillet knives while also mentioning their features, pros and cons in sufficient detail.

Based on these reviews and your needs, you can pick one and start using it for filleting. It will definitely make the process much easier to get through without getting too stuck on tough spots.

We also provided you with a buyer’s guide that included factors you must consider while looking for a good knife.

Now that you know everything, you can go ahead and make your decision.

Happy Hunting!

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