Electric Fillet Knives

[Papermouth]

I've always used traditional, fixed blade fillet knives. After an index finger injury in '09 (non-fish related), I am forced to fillet slow and steady. This lack of efficiency doesn't include maintenance of the blade and dealing with bones either, especially when you're lucky enough to get into a real crappie bite..

I'm thinking a jump to an electric knife may help.. Any insight and/or guidance would be greatly appreciated from the great AZCA world of knowledge!

Some basic questions..

How often, or at what point (number of fish) do you bring out the electric?
Like many items, do you get what you pay for?
     Recommendations on manufacturers/brands/models?
Any specific methods or strategies?

Watching others at the SCF fish cleaning party, it looks like you fillet off the entire half of the fish then cut the bones out. Seems easy enough. Standing beside Sandman, he made it look way too easy for me not to give it shot, just looking for any general suggestions while getting started!

Thanks!

[sparkchaser]

I have a rapala ac/dc electric knife. It is a little slow, but once I got used to it works great. Came with 2 different blade sizes, and it all fits back into a plastic case. Love the fact that I can use it with a 12 volt battery, plug it into my vehicle, or into an AC jack.

[sandman]

Man, I wish that I could recommend a brand. I have used many that were great and then bought a replacement the same brand that was junk. Mr Twister  and American Angler come to mind as inconsistent models that I've purchased. My good ones are going on 8 yrs old so someone that has purchased one recently can probably give you a better recommendation.

I would say stick with metal gears.

I prefer a traditional fillet knife but if there are more than 10, I pull out the electric.

[ArZFisher]

I will never switch back to regular after using electric for first time. Takes a couple filets to figure out but once u do so fast and clean. Unused this link http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=ykY6aVDm6Ck&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DykY6aVDm6Ck to help me this past weekend was first time I used one and love it. From now on I would use for a single fish or a cooler full. With electric I get more of the yummy meat. Old way tends not to be as efficient. I mean think about instead of making multiple cuts its a couple per fish and done. When you get enough practice with electric you can start turning one cut into to mulitple cuts without stoping. Hard to explain on form. But that link is good for anyone wanting to learn with electric knife quickly. And on a brand I would not know much about that 1. I got a black and decker works good for me. It's double bladed and they isolate back and forth

[Fishless]

I have both the 12volt DC and 110volt AC models of the "American anglers" fillet knife. Love them both the 110ac has more power but the 12volt works fine also, great contoured hand grip and it came with good fillet blades, they started to dull out even after sharpening, was in Walmart one day and they were doing a close out on fishing stuff and had replacement blades for the units (blades interchangeable on 12 and 110) and they were $4 a pair bought 3 pairs sold one to a buddy and they are the most assume blade I have ever used, thinner, very flexible and cut through the bone and skin like a scalpel. My hands get tired but can fillet through 50 fish in no time and the unit hardly slows down, great fillet knife.

One secret I learned from a buddy before you start take a little vegetable oil or cooking spray like Pam, and put some between the two blades as a lubricant before you start and the blades never get gunk-ed up and slow down.

[Yukonleft]

I have the same one as Sparkchaser...the Rapala, AC/DC that fits into the little case.

Good knife.  Mine had a safety that you had to depress each time you pull the trigger...that safety was removed last weekend.  Other than that, it has been terrific!

The best thing about it is, in addition to it being 12/110v, it comes with PLENTY of cord.  That's a pain when you're trying to pack it back up, but a real advantage when you're cutting.

[The Desert Rat]

--I vote with Yukonleft and Sparkchaser---Rappala 12/120 --Spare blades can be purchased at Walmart ( most inexpensive place)

[Papermouth]

Well guys that was exactly what I wanted and more, thanks to all for the great input. Fishless, great tip on the oil!

Think I'll start looking around with your suggestions in mind. I like the ac/dc integration but may hesitate in buying rapala electric products.. May be an exception this time, however. Or, I'll look for alternatives. If I end up doing something out of the box I'll share it back with the group.

Thanks again!

[The Desert Rat]

I went out of the box on several occasions, buying every "overpriced, over advertised" electric knife--only to return to Rapala---
Not expensive--VERY reliable, great edge on blades--long lasting sharpness----I'll never switch---

[Papermouth]

I went out of the box on several occasions, buying every "overpriced, over advertised" electric knife--only to return to Rapala---
Not expensive--VERY reliable, great edge on blades--long lasting sharpness----I'll never switch---

You a Rapala Rep!? Sounds damn convincing TDR!