What is a real good brand? I have always used Rapalas but can't keep them sharp anymore. Looking for a good 8 inch that I can get sharp and it stay sharp. I always have a steel or a ceramic rod to touch them up as I use them.

Buck Silver Creek is a nice knife for fileting. IMO you have one of the best right now. I have 3 of the Rapalas/Finland and are as good as they get.

I got a rapala at Walmart last which came with a sharpener $10 used it skinning fur stayed sharp. You can get a real decent J.A. Heckle at target that won't break the bank.

Dexter Russel, I’ve cleaned around 100,000 fish just in the past 2 years with the two knifes I have now. An 7 in to take em off the sides and a 8 to take the skin off, little more flex in the 8, I’ve worn a thumb groove on the top of the handle of one lol. Knifes are strong steel, I just use the accu sharp quick sharpen things and they cut like butter every time. There only like $15

Dexter or Victorinox

One of these rides in my pocket daily.

https://www.opinel-usa.com/pocket-knives...binga-slim-line

I'll also vouch for both Dexter and Victorinox. I have Dexter filet knives in the truck and the Victorinox little Vicky serrated paring knives.
If I have a lot of cutting to do I go for the fixed blades but that opinel is always available to hand and nearly the equal of a good fixed blade.

Cutco, fisherman's friend, not cheap but good

You can pay more, but probably not buy a better filet knife than the Rapala. I have been using Rapala filet knives for about 45 years and have filleted thousands of fish, butchered turtles small game and big game, and skinned thousands of critters. They work great.

There may be a better blade design for other purposes, but if I could only have one knife for the rest of my life, a Rapala 6” filet knife would definitely ne in the final running.

I also have other filet knives that are great, but not necessarily better than the Rapala. Western brand with rosewood handle is excellent. Also a Skyblade custom filet knife made for me to my specs.

I really like fine knives, but knives are similar to cameras - the best knife is the one that you have with you at the moment.

The electric knives in the kitchen section at Walmart are cheaper than the electric fillet knives in the fishing section.

Once you get the hang of the electric, you'll never go back to traditional.


You can't beat rapala when it comes to traditional fillet knives.

rapala

If you have had your Rapala knife for a long time and have not used a stone to sharpen it, perhaps you have lost the bevel. If the bevel is too steep, it will not stay sharp. I don't think there is a thing wrong with your knife, except the blade needs some attention.

cutco also makes a boning knife that is nothing more than a stiff fillet knife i really like.rapala's are awesome also.

Dunn. My buddy used mine to fillet a couple salmon and a stealhead. He came back and told me how much easier it was with that knife. Not the easiest to sharpen (S30V) but holds an edges for quite some time.

Dexter, easy to sharpen and stays sharp..inexpensive to boot!

I have a few of them but wind up using the Rapala the most.

I was gifted a cutco and that thing is slick.
adjustable length, sharp out of the box and touches up quick and easy too

I prefer the old USA made uncle henry #167 and #168. Older Normarks and Leech Lake knives are good too.

Of what I’ve observed over the years the majority of recreational guys are all rapala or some other brand like that that they’ve had for decades but nearly every commercial guy will have a white handle knife, dexter. If that says anything

Just about any brand Electric for me, except for the big Salmon. I can roll threw 50 panfish in no time at all!