Let’s cut to the chase. You’re here because you just want to buy a knife sharpener for sharpening your fillet knives.
Frankly speaking, I don’t want to waste your time by including some irrelevant information that you’d be skimming through anyway. I promise to keep everything concise, so do not skip the introduction.
You’ll want your fillet knives to be really, really sharp. Because first off, dull knives are a total pain in the neck, and secondly, their slippery nature can turn your fried fish fillet into fried fish fillet and an index finger. Scary, I know.
Not to mention, a dull fillet knife can even ruin your trophy fish, which sounds even worse to me.
Now you know why it’s so important to have a decent knife sharpener that’ll keep your favorite fillet knives razor-sharp and happy. In a flash, I’m going to be talking about the best eight fillet knife sharpeners I’d strongly recommend you to check out.
8 Best Fillet Knife Sharpeners Comparison
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My Pick  |
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Best Manual Sharpener  |
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Value for Money  |
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Most Portable  |
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Best Budget Sharpener  |
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1. Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition – Premium Choice
I’d heard good things about Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener before. But when I stumbled upon the Ken Onion Edition, I gazed in awe at the knife sharpener for a minute.
Don’t blame me. With an astonishing set of features including variable speed motor, cast steel build material, and five abrasive belts, it’s genuinely hard to not fanboy about this state-of-the-art professional electric knife sharpener.
From fillet knives to even axes, hatchets, and mower blades, this sharpener can handle anything! And when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it’s even pretty small in size and lightweight making it easier to store when not in use.
In my opinion, this is probably the best fillet knife sharpener you can get yourself. It does carry a hefty price tag, that’s for sure. But considering the amazing features and extreme versatility it offers, it’s not overpriced by any means.
If you’d like to see it in action, check this video out
Pros
- Suitable for heavy-duty use.
- Great versatility.
- Variable speed motor.
- Lightweight and small size.
- Expandable with an extensive range of optional attachments.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Designed for right-handed users.
2. Chef’s Choice 320 – Best Electric Sharpener
First off, let me get this clear – why am I saying this is the best electric sharpener even though it doesn’t seem, you know, that impressive?
Because what’s great about this professional electric knife sharpener is how it solely focuses on solving a very specific problem – sharpening knives without requiring physical labor. That’s it, no bells and whistles, no fancy features.
You buy this fillet knife sharpener, you get a solid system that will get your job done.
The cleaning and maintenance are pretty easy for this model allowing you to spend your valuable time on the more important stuff. It isn’t very versatile, but regular kitchen knives and fillet knives can be sharpened with ease.
The rubber feet on the bottom are also a nice touch that makes sure it won’t wobble when you’re using it.
Overall, if you’re looking for an electric fillet knife sharpener that doesn’t cost a fortune, you can’t go wrong with Chef’s Choice 320.
Pros
- Works with both straight edge and serrated knives, including filet knives.
- Two-stage sharpening system.
- Rubber feet for better stability.
- Easy cleaning and maintenance.
- Doesn’t break the bank.
Cons
- Lack of versatility.
- Some users complained about the side rails leaving scratches on some knives.
3. Presto 08810 – My Pick
Presto 08810 is a piece of alien tech.
Okay, maybe not. Maybe it’s just my imaginative mind. Still, can we just take a moment to appreciate how futuristic the design looks?
No offense to the other manual fillet knife sharpeners on my list, but this thing looks way too good for a knife sharpener. I’d be lying if I say it’s not the design that really got me before I even had a chance to take a look at the features.
On that note, Presto 08810 does offer some very impressive features as well, making the knife sharpener perform as brilliant as it looks.
To start with, it’s a 3 stage electric fillet knife sharpener that doesn’t care whether you’re sharpening fillet knives or hunting knives. With the help of a series of slots that can be adjusted individually for different angles and coarseness levels, you can sharpen a wide range of blades using it.
And the interchangeable blade guides feature is a total game-changer, no pun intended. By just moving a selector switch, you can sharpen different types of blades!
Still, think I was being dramatic when I compared it to alien technology?
Presto 08810 is one of the best fillet knife sharpeners, hands down. Given the price, it’d be very hard to find any other fillet knife sharpener that is as great as this.
Want to know more about it? Check out this video!
Pros
- Elegant design.
- 3 stage sharpening system.
- High usability.
- Interchangeable blade guides.
- Suction cup feet for added stability.
- Low price.
Cons
- Somewhat bulky.
4. Work Sharp WSGFS221
Being specifically designed for sportsmen, it’s no surprise that this is one hell of a robust fillet knife sharpener. In addition to that, it’s the only one on my list that offers five grit stages.
Yes, not two or three, we’re talking five stages of sharpening here that can make almost every kind of blade razor-sharp. Serrated blades like fillet knives, fish hooks, serrations… you name it.
Another convenience it offers is zero-assembly operation. You don’t need to waste any time on setting it up every time you need to sharpen your fillet knives. It comes assembled from the factory and there’s absolutely nothing else you need to do, apart from cleaning the sharpener after you’re done.
To wrap things up, Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener is a very durable and versatile knife sharpener that you can carry almost anywhere thanks to its small size.
Pros
- Portability.
- Compact – This allows you to carry it anywhere.
- Versatility.
- High durability.
Cons
- No instruction manual.
5. Accu Sharp 010 – Best Manual Sharpener
Accu Sharp 010 reminds me of the design principle named KISS, which stands for keeping it simple, stupid.
Its minimal design may not attract much attention, but that’s how Accu Sharp managed to make it so useful. It’s so simple to use that even if you have no prior experience, it’s virtually impossible to do anything wrong!
All that makes it one of the best fillet knife sharpeners for beginners who are still new to the world of sharpening fillet knives.
Unless you mind the physical labor, Accu Sharp 010 is one of the best fillet knife sharpeners you can find. It isn’t flawless for sure, but it’ll serve you well if you’re not too serious about knife sharpening.
Pros
- High usability.
- Makes most blades including serrated knives razor-sharp in about ten seconds.
- A full-sized finger guard makes it safe to use.
- Compact.
- Dishwasher friendly.
Cons
- The sharpening element is quite abrasive which may cause damage to some knives.
6. Priority Chef Knife Sharpener – Value for Money
Priority Chef Knife Sharpener looks dashing indeed. However, the question is, would we go wrong if we were to judge the book by the cover in this case?
Fortunately, no. This is a great entry-level knife sharpener that performs as good as it looks. The features and functionalities it offers are great, albeit that’s not what makes this stand out from the rest.
It’s the low price tag that makes it impressive. Within this price range, no other fillet knife sharpeners offer as many things. With the help of this sharpening tool, you can sharpen your knives with tremendous ease.
Anyhow, what’s my take on this?
Well, Priority Chef Knife Sharpener aces it when it comes to the price-to-value ratio, no doubt. This fillet knife sharpener can be a worthy contender even when compared to other significantly pricier fillet knife sharpeners.
Pros
- Diamond coated coarse wheel.
- 2 stage sharpener.
- Non-slip base ensures more stability.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Versatility.
Cons
- No-good for ceramic knives.
7. SHARPAL 101N – Most Portable
It’s basically the Swiss army knife in the world of knife sharpeners. Being a generalist at its core, this is a knife sharpener that doubles as a survival tool too.
So, what can you do with it?
You can sharpen and hone your fillet knife. Or sharpen your fish hooks as well as gut hooks and serrations.
Fancy being Robinson Crusoe for a day? He didn’t have a fire starter, but this pocket tool has one.
Last but not the least, there’s a high-pitched emergency whistle for you to use, just in case.
Sharpal 101N definitely shouldn’t replace your current knife or tool sharpener, nor should it be your only one. However, if you’re looking for something that can serve as your backup knife sharpener, this is what you want. The survival tool side of it is another plus.
Pros
- Lightweight fits in your pocket.
- Versatile, can be used to sharpen fish hooks as well.
- Useful for outdoor activities like fishing trips and camping.
- Low price.
Cons
- Jack of all trades, master of none
- Shouldn’t be used as your primary knife sharpener.
8. KitchenIQ 50009 -Best Budget Sharpener
If you’re on a budget and don’t mind having a bare-bones fillet knife sharpener, check this one out.
KitchenIQ 50009 is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, but don’t let the small size fool you. It’s capable of sharpening both straight edge blades and serrated blades (e.g. fillet knives). This manual knife sharpener can’t double as a tool sharpener, which is a bummer.
But, can you really complain after seeing the price tag?
In brief, this is a great budget option that packs quite a few nifty features. Just a friendly warning, this isn’t something you’ll want to use with your expensive knives.
Pros
- Very low price.
- Two-stage sharpening system.
- Non-slip base for higher stability paired with soft grip rubber handle.
- Compact size.
Cons
- Poor longevity – sharpening ability decreases significantly after a few months.
- May chip some knives.
Fillet Knife Sharpeners: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
With so many options to choose from, picking the best fillet knife sharpener for yourself can seem like a daunting task. Though as a matter of fact, the process is simpler than you might think.
I’d be walking you through the general types and specifications of fillet knife sharpeners along with what sort is ideal for what kind of usage. All you need to do is to determine what exactly your requirements are and the rest would be a cinch with the help of this guide.
Electric Knife Sharpener or Manual Knife Sharpener?
Truth be told, electric and manual sharpeners shouldn’t be compared with each other.
“B-but electric knife sharpeners are technologically more advanced…”
Right, they are. But that doesn’t make them the best for every situation.
Electric knife sharpeners require no physical labor from the user which can be a good thing for some. However, they do tend to be on the bulkier side. Definitely not the best choice if you have a small kitchen or need to sharpen your knives while fishing.
Not to mention, electric fillet knife sharpeners are also usually more expensive than manual ones.
To wrap it up, if you’re on a budget or you’re looking for a handy sharpening tool, go for a manual fillet knife sharpener. And, if you don’t mind the higher price and dig the additional features electric fillet knife sharpeners offer, you know what to do.
1 stage, 2 stage or 3 stage sharpening system?
Depends on what kind of versatility you’re looking for. Assuming you’re new to knife sharpening, check out what each stage is about below:
- First stage: Sharpening and actually removing some steel from the blade edge in the process
- Second stage: Honing the blade, or maintaining an already sharp edge in other words.
- Polishing: Making the blade look shiny and new.
Most fillet knife sharpeners will have at least the first two stages which are enough for most people. a three-stage sharpening system can come helpful for cosmetic touch-ups or really delicate knives. The choice is yours.
Abrasive Material: Why It’s Important
Knife sharpeners have an abrasive material that is used to sharpen the metal. As you can guess already, more abrasiveness means better sharpening. Diamond, ceramic, sapphire, and carbide are some common abrasive materials found in knife sharpeners.
Being one of the toughest substances to exist, diamond arguably steals the show when it comes to abrasiveness. Although the hardness does come at a premium, so less tough materials like ceramic, carbide, and sapphire can be great budget-friendly choices as well.
Safety: How Hard is it to Cut Your Fingers Off?
Sharp or not, a knife alone is dangerous enough as a tool. When combined with a knife sharpener, you’d definitely want an adequate number of safety features to offset the inherent dangers.
The best fillet knife sharpeners will come with a security guard to make sure your fingers don’t get too close to the blade. Rubber grip handles and non-slip rubber feet would be preferred. too
Carefulness is also an amazing safety feature that, fortunately, you can have for free.
Usability: How Easy is it to Sharpen Fillet Knives?
This might be a no-brainer, but it’s pretty important for the knife sharpener to be simple to operate.
Say, you’re fishing and you need to fillet the fish as soon as it’s caught. A fillet knife sharpener that has a complex operating procedure can be so annoying in such situations.
You get the point. Steer clear of those hard-to-use knife sharpeners.
Weight and Portability
This is a rather easy one to answer. If you plan on carrying the fillet knife sharpener with you on trips, portability should be your main concern. Check the size and weight, if it seems easy to carry, you’re good.
However, if it’s going to stay in the kitchen, heavier fillet knife sharpeners are actually a better choice for that. More weight means they’re more stable and would be secured better on the countertop. All that comes helpful while sharpening knives – wobbly sharpeners are absolute nightmares!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best way to sharpen a fillet knife?
The best way would be to use an electric knife sharpener to do it, as it’s the easiest and most convenient way.
To sharpen your knife, run the edge of the blade in the thin slot you’ll find on your knife sharpener. Have the knife pass a few times through it until you’re satisfied with the sharpness level.
This is the general procedure that works for most models. If you need more help, refer to the instruction manual that came with your knife sharpener.
What angle would be the best for sharpening a fillet knife?
The lower the angle you go for, the sharper the final result is. However, the durability decreases significantly when the sharpening bevel angle is very low.
On the other hand, a larger angle results in a less sharp but more durable edge. What you’ll want to do is to find the sweet spot in between.
Experts recommend using an angle of 18-21 degrees for fillet knives. Use that as a starting point and find what angle works for you the best.
How Do I Keep a Fillet Knife Sharp?
Keeping a fillet knife – or any knife for that matter – sharp is all about taking proper care of it. Let me give you some pointers that’ll help you –
- Pocket sharpeners are for fine-tuning an already sharp knife, not sharpening a dull knife. You’ll want to use a full-size knife sharpener for the dull ones.
- Make sure your fillet knife is completely dry before storing. Otherwise, it will get rusted.’
- Don’t keep the knife in a damp environment with different types of metals. Else, the blade will probably get pitted and rusted.
- When you’re sharpening and honing the blade, only use a minimal amount of pressure. Too much pressure will damage the blade along with making the knife sharpener wear out faster.
Why didn’t you include whetstone in the list?
We all know that if you want to master yourself in sharpening knives there is no better alternative than a fine piece of the whetstone. But I believe most of us are not working as sushi chefs who will need perfect precision. Whetstones are not very easy to use, it requires time to learn the skill of using them. Once you learn you need to spend a good amount of time sharpening your knife as well. It’s a different league altogether. If you’re still interested I’m presenting you a nice video showing how perfection varies for different whetstone price points.
Final Words
It’s been quite a journey in the world of knife sharpening, hasn’t it? Let me recap quickly what we’ve learned together so far.
I’ve listed the top nine fillet sharpeners from which anyone can find at least one that meets all their criteria. By the way, if you’re still in confusion, Presto 08810 is my pick.
In the ultimate buyer’s guide, we’ve learned the ins and outs of knife sharpeners along with the art of picking the perfect one.
Lastly, in the FAQ section, I’ve answered some commonly asked questions about knife sharpening.
Though I have tried my best to recommend you nothing but the very best knife sharpeners, it’s your call at the end of the day. I’d be more than happy if my article has helped you even a little bit to choose the right one for yourself.