Electric Fillet Knife Buyers Guide

How to choose the best electric fillet knife? A question that could haunt even the most experienced person. There are way too many manufacturers for the same product, and electric fillet knives have also seen astonishing growth in the market. Today, there are too many companies with their offers.

Material construction, performance, accuracy, even new features are available for electric fillet knives. However, it makes the task of making the right choice equally daunting. What are the factors that matter when you shuffle through countless options? If you're wondering about something similar, this guide will help you out.

It brings you comprehensive information to make selection easier. Furthermore, if you don't know what an electric fillet knife is or its uses, you will learn more about it. Some questions will also provide your distinction and assist you in making the right choice.

Overall, this is your one-stop guide to learn everything you need to know about buying electric fillet knives!

What is an electric fillet knife?

Once you catch a fish, you have to fillet it, and that requires you to skin it and remove the bones. It can be a delicate process depending on the size of the fish and the bones. As a result, using a manual fillet knife takes a lot of time. An electric fillet knife eases this process to make it virtually seamless. You don't have to waste too much time on filleting the fish.

Most of the fillet knives are built for the primary purpose of using them on the fishes. However, they can be multi-purpose and make it easier for you to chop vegetables and other food items conveniently. You can think of them as electric boning knives, too. However, there are slight differences.

From a technical perspective, an electric fillet life comes with the convenience of modern innovations. It combines the power of a motor with your manual grip to bring you a robust filleting tool. You get better accuracy and better comfort when you fillet by using an electric knife. It might sound complicated, but it is very straightforward.

Think of an electric fillet knife as holding a shorter electric saw. That's the best example you may get. However, it is portable, easy to use, and feasible. That's right! Despite the convenience of technology, electric fillet knives might be around the same price range as a manual fillet, or a couple of bucks more, but not too much.

Reasons to buy an electric fillet knife

Is an electric fillet knife worth it? What if I don't need it? If you're wondering whether you should buy one or not, perhaps these reasons could shed some light on these electric knives' value. Before you begin, it might not be as efficient or valuable for an occasional angler or fish eater. However, it does add all of these conveniences regardless of the frequency of use.

Makes filleting easy

Most of these provide better precision and make cutting through meat easier. It will feel like a breeze, and it's often like holding a pencil that allows you to cut through the flesh like an artisan. If you're usually discouraged from fillet due to time consumption and rigorous physical labor requirements, electric knives make it easy.

Saves time

As the process becomes more efficient for you, it starts saving more time. You also gain more confidence in using the tool and soon find it a breeze to get the task done. Many electric fillet knives come with speed adjustments. Therefore, if you are in a rush, you can increase the power output for faster work.

Less physical requirement

All you need to do is hold the knife and move it around while the motor and blade will do all the work. If required, you can even exert your strength for more stubborn areas. As a result, you save a lot of energy and physical exhaustion.

Your muscles won't fatigue, and your wrist won't ache. Using manual knives often leads to stress building in the wrist and fingers. Even your grip might start to hurt. All of this can be eliminated with an electric fillet knife.

Less physical requirements mean you can focus your strength on the other tasks.

More meat to feed

Manual filleting or boning is not as flexible, and it often leads you to exert excessive force. You might rip out a chunk that might fall away. Usually, you might even end up making it look like minced meat. Deformed meat is a common occurrence when filleting manually. As a result, it can lead to excessive meat waste.

You can save all of that as you butter through the meat with an electric fillet knife. It allows you to cut deeper and to the surface of the bones and shred meat accurately. Therefore, you increase the amount of meat you get from each fish. It might not seem much for one or two fishes, but as you pile up, you will notice the difference.

Great for professionals

You can't deny that electric fillet knives are an excellent choice for professionals because of its high productivity, speed, and accuracy. It makes the task more comfortable, and you can get more productivity for each day. You save hours of physical labor for filleting and turn them into minutes. You can deliver faster, and most of the time, electric knives prevent you from meddling with meat too much. Thus, it leads to a better quality of meat, juicer too.

Factors to consider when buying an electric fillet knife

Whether you're an angler, camper, or a working professional in a meat shop, you can benefit greatly from this simple innovation. Even for regular kitchen use, it is an excellent addition to the inventory. However, you might want to choose the one that meets your purpose and intended use.

Therefore, this segment is dedicated to bringing you a complete guide with valuable information. It will help you make the right choice. By the end of it, you will be more informed than ever with precise details that matter. So let's begin:

Look at the blade

Of course, the blade would be the most integral aspect of an electric fillet knife. Its sharpness, quality, size, and overall construct will determine how easy it would be to cut the meat and clean the fish.

Material composition

Stainless steel is the most common material available for the blades. However, the quality of stainless steel varies as there are many different grades, from 300 to 400 series. It might not be easy to determine which rate of stainless steel the manufacturer uses. You can conduct some research.

Alternatively, 420 grade for the electric fillet knife could be significant, primarily due to the possibility of saltwater exposure. The material of the blade will determine its ability to withstand moisture, rust, and other challenges. It's wise to always check whether the tool is stainless steel or not.

You can also look for extra features like polish, coating, waterproofing, and other additions on top of the blade. Most manufacturers will provide these additions to the product's box to help buyers make the right decision. If there isn't clear information, it's possible that you're not making the right choice.

Shape and thickness

The thickness of the blade will determine its flex, which is mentioned below in the factors. However, the shape could be essential. Most electric fillet knives come looking like serrated knives, with teeth for added grip and sharpness. That's the best choice to make here because plain blades won't be as efficient, nor will they provide the precision or grip that is pivotal for the process.

Size will matter

An electric fillet knife has a size ranging from four to nine inches, making it a versatile choice. It also opens you to a wide range of selections, adding to the confusion. Generally, smaller blades are better for the precision you'd need with smaller fishes, while larger blades are good for larger fishes.

To decide the right flex, you will have to make the right pick. If you are a professional, then it's a good idea to choose short, medium, and long blades. However, if you can make a single choice and want it to be versatile, a seven to eight-inch electric fillet knife would be the optimum choice.

A 7.5-inch long blade is versatile. It provides enough range for larger fishes and proper precision for smaller fishes. If you can only pick one, this is the best option.

Flex is essential

Finally, you are probably wondering what is flex and why does it matter in electric fillet knives? Flex matters in every knife. It is the bending ability of the blade without sustaining damage. Higher flex makes it easier to fillet the fish as it molds according to your maneuver and provides you extra depth and precision.

If you have a shorter blade, you should go for a higher flex for adaptability and precision. However, for longer knives, it's better to get stiffer blades. It prevents any accidents, and larger fishes don't require as much precision as the smaller fishes. The thickness of the blade determines the blade's flexibility and integrity, so you might have to consider that as well.

Don't get too thin of a blade. You need a flex that can adapt to your curves and other similar maneuvers while you fillet the fish.

Multiple blades

Of course, you can find a more versatile choice as many manufacturers offer a single electric fillet knife with detachable blades. These usually come with two or more blades for you to swap according to the requirement. One blade is smaller, while the other would have a better length of reach.

This could be a great choice if you want to get a versatile fillet knife. However, there are equal dangers, too. You have to ensure that the locking system (or bolting) is firm and stable so that the blade won't come off as you work. Sometimes you need a little speed adjustment to control the output for a shorter blade than longer blades.

Alternatively, some come with an option to swap blades, but you have to purchase the blades separately. This could be a great choice, especially if you want to customize the knife thoroughly.

Check the power

The next most crucial aspect of an electric fillet knife is the power source and output. Here are the quick considerations that you'd have to make:

Electric or battery

First, you have to decide the power source. Electric fillet knives come with a cord and require a circuit outlet for you to operate them. Battery requires you to charge them to use them. Correlatively, electric ones are known for providing more power for prolonged use. Meanwhile, the battery will start wearing out and reducing the power for the knife.

However, if you think you work in a wet environment with a risk of shock, you should aim for a battery knife. Correlatively, some blades work with both a power outlet and a battery to bring you a more well-versed performance. So you can look in that department, but it will increase the cost.

RPM or Voltages

Don't fall for the voltage and RPM selling specifications for the knives. Higher voltage indeed means more power, but it could also mean that your blade could overheat. More RPMs would mean added precision and accuracy in cutting, but it will most likely drain more power. This is up to your considerations. Most of the 120V electric fillet knives will get the job done.

Adjustable module

If you don't want to get too deep into the voltage and RPM requirement, it's better to get an adjustable speed setting for your electric fillet knife. It will provide you the adaptability to shifting the speed according to the meat's requirement. You can add more power or stability as per your choice.

Safety features

Of course, an electric fillet knife comes with its risks of accidents and mishaps. To eliminate these possibilities, here are the best safety features to look for:

Grip is essential

The material of the grip will make a significant impact. Most of the manufacturers provide you with a plastic model with a textured grip. That's a standard and not the best grip you can ask for, especially since plastic can get slippery. Wooden texture as an addition won't be great either, especially if your knife is prone to getting wet.

The best option is to get a rubber grip that would hold firmly in your hand. It eliminates most of the risk related to slipping of grip. You shouldn't compromise on these features. Sometimes, an additional rubber layer also provides extra waterproofing for the knife.

Index finger bevel

It's almost like a guard located at the area where the blade is attached to the handle. Some models will come with an extended guard to ensure your hand won't slip into the blade by mistake. Additionally, there might be a bevel where you can put your index finger comfortably. It enables you to control the knife better, keep it stable for the grip, and prevent slipping your hand into the edge by mistake.

Lock on the blades

As mentioned before, if your model has detachable blades, it's vital to check the locking system. It should be firm, and you might even have to take the knife for a test spin. You have to consider the grip's stability otherwise, the blade might slip, bounce or flip away and cause accidents that could potentially turn into life-threatening events.

Switch control

Almost every electric fillet knife comes with a button or switch to turn them on or off. You can look for this feature as some have a trigger like the design at the grip you can control. The switch control and lock can help with the power cut when you put the knife away. A fail-safe is an excellent addition because, despite the small size, it is still a dangerous tool.

Maintenance requirements

How easy will it be for you to maintain your knife? Will it be value for money? All of these aspects depend on these factors:

Storage and portability option

A sheath would be a viable choice for an electric fillet knife. However, most of them might come with a storage bag or box that you would have to use.

Sharpening requirements

Does the blade offer sharpening? Almost all of them do, but there are many blades available that might require you to replace them. It comes down to the build of their teeth and how fast they will wear out. Of course, if they wear out faster and require you to replace them, it means you didn't get a quality blade.

Dishwasher safe

A dishwasher-safe feature initially means that the knife is waterproof and allows you to clean it without requiring manual cleaning easily. This could be a viable feature to look for.

The price factor

You get what you pay for, and in the end, the price will make a significant difference. Of course, you can't invest too much in an electric fillet knife unless you make the following considerations:

Warranty

If the knife costs higher than the standard for its quality or features, it’s better to look for some guarantee. Warranty would be ideal as it also showcases the company’s trust in the quality of its product and its service.

Quality of construction

Ensure that it’s not just the feature you’re paying for. From the grip to the blade, the blade's quality should be world-class if you are paying high. Don’t be hesitant to browse through other options. As there are many manufacturers, you can use it to your advantage and find better options under the budget.

FAQs: Best Electric Fillet Knives

Q: Are fillet knives different than boning knives?

A: Fillet knives are more flexible than boning knives. A fillet knife makes it easier for you to remove meat from fish bones. It requires more accuracy and flexibility for fishes than other animals to remove the meat. Fillet knives also make it easier to remove the skin.

Meanwhile, boning knives are more of an all-rounder. However, they are generally better for removing other animals' meat than fishes as it requires more power.

Q: How can you sharpen and maintain an electric fillet knife?

A: You can easily replace the blades of an electric fillet knife. If you don't want to do that, there are professionals everywhere that provide sharpening. The knife follows the process similar to serrated knives. You can use a sharpening rock block or get a serrated knife sharpener for electric fillet knives.

Q: Should I still keep a manual fillet knife?

A: An electric fillet knife would most-likely fulfill all of your requirements. However, a manual fillet knife could be handy if you don't have a power source for your electric knife or if the battery has run dry. People prefer manual fillet while camping because it doesn't require power.

Correlatively, battery fillet knives could be a great choice too. In the end, it comes down to your requirement, and if you need something for an emergency.

Q: Does an electric fillet knife require lubrication?

A: You don't necessarily have to lubricate the electric fillet knife. Most of the modern electric knives are self-sufficient. However, some may require a little lubrication around the joints or areas where the blade connects with the motor.

Q: Are there any drawbacks to electric fillet knives?

A: Vibration is the primary drawback of an electric fillet knife, especially if you don't like it. Secondly, the maintenance takes longer than the manual knife due to the consideration for modules in the electric knife. But both of these are negligible.

Conclusion

There's no doubt that electric fillet knives are convenient inventions. In the end, it breaks down to your preference and how much you are willing to invest. From low-end to high-end, there are countless options. The guide aims to bring you valuable information to make choosing the right electric fillet knife easier.