‘Fishing' For A Fillet Knife?

The right tool can make unpleasant jobs more bearable.

- By Dana Benner

My survival toolbox is full of items I need to keep my family and me fed and healthy. Knives of all sorts are part of that kit. Some of them include fillet knives, a style of knife that often isn’t what one thinks of for survival (and the focus of this article).

Some might say that any knife can be used to fillet a fish, and this is true to a point; but that’s like saying a rock can be used to drive a nail: Although a rock will do the job, the proper hammer will do the job better.

The same can be said when it comes to knives: Use the proper knife for the job at hand. The generally long, thin, flexible blade of a good fillet knife makes short work of a slippery fish.

Over the years, I’ve had, and used, many fillet knives. Some I really like; others, not so much. I still have, and regularly use, some of these knives.

This article will discuss what I consider my five favorite fillet knives.

Many people believe you have to spend a great deal of money for a quality knife. Honestly, my hands start to shake if I spend more than $50 on any knife (I get the same way when I have to pay that much for a pair of sneakers!). With that said, I’ve spent much more than that for certain knives—but that’s only after many hours of research that shows the price is justifiable.