How to choose my professional fillet knife

Couteau filet de sole professionnel

The filleting knife is an indispensable professional kitchen knife. With it, you can easily remove fillets from all types of fish, but not only. You can also remove the skin without wasting or damaging the flesh, and you can easily work around bones for a clean result. This knife is not only at home in fishmongers' shops, but also in restaurants and catering kitchens. Length, blade shape and brand: we'll help you choose the best filleting knife for your needs.

What blade shape for a filleting knife?

The filleting knife has a long, thin, smooth blade that cuts your fish finely. Another feature of the blade is that it is flexible, enabling it to work precisely and evenly. Made from stainless steel, the blade is robust and corrosion-resistant, making it perfectly suited to cutting fish. Extremely sharp, it ensures rapid results, which are essential in professional environments.

The fillet knife can be divided into two categories: the straight-blade knife and the curved-blade knife. What is the purpose of these two blade shapes?

Straight blade

This is the most common blade shape among professional knives. It cuts fillets efficiently with wide, continuous strokes. As the blade is flexible, it bends to get closer to edges and skin.

Curved blade

This blade shape ensures even more precise results. Its natural shape combined with its flexibility not only lifts fillets, but also easily cuts fish bones and ligaments.

Which blade length should I choose?

Well, it all depends on the size of the fish. Generally speaking, the blade of a filleting knife measures between 15 and 30cm.

If you're cutting fish such as red mullet, choose a shorter blade, which will be sufficient for filleting. A blade that is too long could slow you down and make the task more difficult.

For larger fish such as salmon or sea bass, it's best to choose the longer blade size. A 30cm blade will enable you to cut through the flesh of the fish in one clean stroke. A shorter blade may require more passes, without guaranteeing a clean cut.

What material should I choose for the knife handle?

Polypropylene / PP

This is the most widely used material for filleting knife handles. Extremely robust and resistant to water, grease and bacteria, it's ideal for the handle of your professional filleting knife.

Polypropylene is also extremely comfortable to use, an important factor when you have to cut many fish fillets during your service.

What's more, polypropylene makes your knife dishwasher-safe for fast, optimal cleaning. Perfectly hygienic.

POM

Another material used for knife handles is POM. It's a tough thermoplastic that absorbs little moisture and dries very quickly. POM is also easy to color, so you can have a blue, red, black or yellow handle. So you can easily assign your knife to a type of fish or stain, avoiding any risk of food cross-contamination.

Stainless steel

The handle of a filleting knife can also be made of stainless steel. Like the blade, the handle is corrosion-resistant and robust. The main advantage of stainless steel is that it's easy to clean by hand. With a soft sponge and washing-up liquid, your knife is quickly back in use.

filet de poisson

Which brand should I choose for my professional filleting knife?

Whether you choose a Japanese or Western filleting knife, you'll get excellent results. The main difference will be your budget.

Western brands

Generally speaking, Western knives are very affordable, without neglecting quality.

The main European brands are Fischer-Bargoin, Déglon, Victorinox, Wüsthof, Arcos and Sabatier.

For example, you can buy a Victorinox professional filleting knife for around €20-30.

If you choose a Sabatier filleting knife, you'll need to calculate between €15 for an entry-level knife and €80 for a top-of-the-range forged knife.

Japanese brands

Japanese knives are renowned for their high efficiency, thanks to top-of-the-range materials. We offer knives by Global, Kai, Kasumi and MAC.

If you opt for a MAC filleting knife, the price range will be between €50 and €150. The main difference lies in the steel used for the blade.

If you're a fan of knives with a highly original design, the Global knife is for you. Global knives are top-of-the-range knives priced between €115 and €180. Their special feature is their stainless steel handle, which is round and hollow to give you the best balance.

Now you're ready to find your professional filleting knife!