Electric / 12-volt fillet knives

Ok, since my last post on knives got some replied on electric knives, I thought I would throw out a new post on that topic. I have often thought about these but never pulled the trigger.

1. What electric knives would you guys recommend?
2. Are there any that you have tried and would suggest staying away from?
3. What are your thoughts about using these?

Question 3 is more about what you think of running a knife through the guts of and then across the meat. Like with fish and bird cleaning, the less “internal matter” that comes in contact with the meat the better for me. I bone out my deer so I do not have to use a saw or have the bone shavings and marrow in contact with the meat.

Just curious to hear some other thoughts on this.

I use a corded Mr. Twister knife and like it fine. I have thought that a battery powered one sure would be nice. Seems the power cord is always right in my way.
I cut right through the guts but I do beed the fish before cleaning. It really makes a difference in how the fillets come out. Just as white as can be—but then again I only eat walleye.

Most of us who use the electric will never go back to a blade. Any of the electrics out there today do a good job. American Angler, Rapala, Mister Twister all get the job done.

Here is a short video of Tuckner tearing through a batch of perch with the electric. Turn 20 perch into a bowl of filets inside 5 minutes.

Video

-J.

Quote:

---

….but I do beed the fish before cleaning.

---

Same here. Agree 100%. Makes for a clean cleaning table and nice white filets.

-J.

I’ve got the set that Rapala sells. It comes with two sets of blades, one for panfish and one for larger fish. I won’t clean another big batch of panfish with a regular knife again. The electric is REALLY slick. Going through the ribcages is no problem for the knife, but it doesn’t mess up the guts. I wear a filleting glove on my right hand and run the knife with my left (I’m left handed) and I can really go through a pile of fish in a hurry. I remove the fillets first and then go back and skin and de-bone them.

Once you try one, you’ll be hooked IMHO.

The Rapala cordless is nice but if you are cleaning a lot of fish you might run out of battery power.

The thing you have to watch on the corded ones is over heating them.If you run them long enough you can burn them up.It takes quite a few fish to get them hot but it can happen.Just give them a rest once in a while if you are cleaning a lot of fish at one time.

When I fillet fish I leave the skin attached by the tail of the fish and flip the fillet with the knife and then remove the skin.Its easier than trying to hold onto the slipery fillet and remove the skin.I do like that fork idea in the video for removing the rib cage though as my big fingers get in the way.

Rapala corded model here. #Will not go back to a blade knife.

rapala cordless here,,, came with extra battery

Quote:

---

The thing you have to watch on the corded ones is over heating them.If you run them long enough you can burn them up.It takes quite a few fish to get them hot but it can happen.

---

I have the corded Rapala and I have never run into this problem, oh ya it may be I don’t catch enough to have that issue

My opinion get the a unit with a cord, they have adapters for the wall and 12 volt outlet. Other buddies have cordless and seems someone always has a dead battery

I’m very happy with the Rapala cordless one I have. It came with two batter packs. So far when I use it I put the unused pack in the charger. If I need it its usually ready to go when the first pack is running down.

So far I am very happy with it.

I started using a standard electric kitchen knife in the early 80’s and had to replace that one 3 years ago, the switch started acting up, replaced it with another $12 black&decker. You won’t be sorry

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

….but I do beed the fish before cleaning.

---

Same here. Agree 100%. Makes for a clean cleaning table and nice white filets.

-J.

---

Hope you’re missing an “l” and not an “r”!!!

Wow a good one for a 100th post!

Thanks guys! I was looking at the Rapala cordless since it does come with 2 batteries and 2 sets of blades and all the chargers I should need. I like the corded but there are times when I would not have a power source close by – but then maybe not with 12-volt options.

I’ll let you know what I end up and how it works.

All of the Rapalas are 12 volt. The ones that plug into the wall convert back to 12 volt. All you need is a car cig lighter plug to use it off a battery. $1.99 adapter plug and you have the best of both worlds.

-J.

I have the Rapala one Jon speaks of, and I use it in a pinch. It’s OK, but my go to knife is a 16 year old American Angler knife that has withstood the test of time!! I wish I knew how many fish that knife has cleaned! The problem with Battery powered knives is that they draw a lot of juice and wear down easily. And when they do, they don’t work worth a darn. You will be disappointed. Go with the American Angler, you will not be disappointed.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

….but I do beed the fish before cleaning.

---

Same here. Agree 100%. Makes for a clean cleaning table and nice white filets.

-J.

---

How do you bleed a fish?

I usually cut through the rib bones, then come back and remove the bones and skin. Thanks,

Lars

Slash the gills while still in the livewell. Let them bleed out, then filet.

-J.

I picked up a Rapala battery op knife the other day and got a few pool 4 eyes to try it out on last night. It worked ok but the blades kept separating and then I realized that only one of the blades was locking into the handle. I guess this is one is going back but the question is do I try again? For the $100 I hate to get burned.

I’ve used my buddies Rapala corded model and it works great. I picked up a Berkley brand corded model the other day and tried to clean some crappies with it. The Berkley did not work as well as the Rapala- I had to squeeze the switch with a gorilla grip to make it work (fatigued my hand quickly) and the switch had a delay it seemed. When squeezed it would take 1/2 to 1 second to turn the knife on. It did not seem to cut real well either. I took the Berkley knife back and I’m going to buy a Rapala model.