Japanese blades are known for their quality construction and edge sharpness. That is why many professional chefs prefer a Japanese-made fillet knife when working with seafood. This is the same culture that brought the world sushi-grade fish, requiring precision cuts that make their blades so desirable. You can immediately see the quality of these blades by looking at our top pick for the overall best Japanese fillet knife, the Dalstrong 7” Fillet Knife. Read on to learn more about what makes these blades so popular.
Our leading pick for overall quality, balance, sharpness, and anything else you could want in a quality Japanese fillet knife.
Dalstrong 7” Fillet Knife Specifications
General
Brand
DALSTRONG
Price Range
$75-$80
Balance
Very good balance
Manufacturing Country
China (Assembly), Germany (Blade)
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects in material and construction with a 100% money-back guarantee
Most suitable for
Working with seafood and poultry in-home or professional settings
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
12.68 / 32.2
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
6 / 171
Blade Length (Inches)
7
Blade Height (Inches)
0.79
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
Imported High-Carbon German ThyssenKrupp Steel with a hand-polished edge
Blade Flexibility
Highly flexible
Tang
Full Tang
Blade Edge
Double Bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
14-16 degrees per side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
56+
The Handle
Handle Feel
Very comfortable, ergonomic, good grip
Handle Material
Pakkawood, Triple-riveted laminated military grade G10
Handle Color
Black
About the knife
It might seem odd to select a German sourced blade as our top Japanese fillet knife, but hear us out. This style of fillet blade has become so popular that it is not uncommon to see master sushi chefs in places well outside the country of Japan. That requires custom-made knife solutions like this fantastic blade from Dalstrong. It has all the hardness you could want for durability while still maintaining the flexibility to work around practically any kind of fish or seafood offering. The handle is exceptionally well balanced with enough grip to prevent slippery accidents, all packed into a highly aesthetic traditional form. An eloquent solution to your kitchen needs.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This is not a dishwasher-safe blade because of the metal and handle materials. Hand washing with soap and carefully drying completely is the best method of keeping the quality long-term.
Pros
High flexibility for working with seafood
Traditional design and structure
Made from highly durable German materials
Cons
It May require some touchup sharpening upon opening
This is highly flexible, something, not every chef appreciates
The Shun fillet knife is sharp straight out of the box. You need to take extra care because this blade will cut easily with pretty much any ingredient. It has a long curved form factor that works well for sushi-grade fish and extremely high durability due to the Damascus quality construction. This is a more rigid blade than others on our list, but the quality of materials cannot go unnoticed and is probably why this fillet knife is on the higher end of the price scale.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Technically you can place this blade in a dishwasher, but we strongly advise against it as the materials have Damascus cladding that can be harmed during routine high heat exposure. Stick to hand washing and drying for the best results.
An incredibly sharp kitchen knife made in the same design vein as samurai swords with a curved blade.
KYOKU Samurai Series – 10.5” Yanagiba Knife Specifications
General
Brand
Kyoku
Price Range
$45-$50
Balance
Front-heavy
Manufacturing Country
China
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Most suitable for
Skinning and cutting through the fist, especially for sushi-grade items that are turned into Sashimi
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
16.6 / 42.16
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
10.4 / 294.84
Blade Length (Inches)
10.5
Blade Height (Inches)
Around 1.29
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
Globally-sourced VG10 Steel
Blade Flexibility
Mild flexibility
Tang
Partial Tang
Blade Edge
Single Bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
11-13 degrees single side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
56-58
The Handle
Handle Feel
Comfortable, lighter than should be
Handle Material
Wenge wood
Handle Color
Brown
About the knife
This might as well be a sushi knife. The long straight blade is perfect for delicious seafood creations and doesn’t require a full tang because of the sharpness level. With a single-bevel blade, you get added protection for each slice, especially when working with sushi or smaller fillets that need careful cutouts. We do wish the balance was a little better, but the partial tang lowers the price enough for a broader audience to enjoy the overall quality.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This is not dishwasher safe. The grade of the steel will be damaged unless carefully hand washed and dried.
Pros
Excellent design for sushi-grade fish
Longer than other options for more significant ingredients
Single bevel for added protection
Cons
It would be better if it had a full tang
Only partially flexible for those that prefer more dexterity
A good choice for broader meat ingredients like poultry and lamb that require a more precise cutting profile.
F FANTECK 5.5” Damascus Japanese Fillet Knife Specifications
General
Brand
F Fantecku
Price Range
$38-$42
Balance
Balanced
Manufacturing Country
China
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Most suitable for
Great for working with seafood as well as other thin meat slicing and chopping
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
10.83 / 27.50
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
5.5 / 156
Blade Length (Inches)
5.5
Blade Height (Inches)
0.98
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
VG-10, 67-layered Damascus Stainless Steel
Blade Flexibility
Flexible
Tang
Full tang
Blade Edge
Double bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
10-15 degrees per side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
60+
The Handle
Handle Feel
Smooth and warm
Handle Material
Pakkawood with acrylic rim
Handle Color
Brown
About the knife
While a little on the shorter side, this well-made Japanese blade has the quality, full tang, and flexibility you would want to handle all kinds of meats. This is an excellent middle-of-the-road blade for working with seafood just as much as with lamb, poultry, and other ingredients. The double-bevel and sharpness factor allows for custom cuts, and you cannot go wrong with Damascus stainless steel at this price level.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Damascus steel should never be put into a dishwasher. Hand wash and then dry with the included cloth for best results.
Everything about this blade is beautifully designed, from the finger guard to the luxurious gift box.
TUO 6” Dark Knight Series Fillet Knife Specifications
General
Brand
Tuo
Price Range
$57.95-$59.95
Balance
Very light, balanced
Manufacturing Country
China
Warranty
Lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects
Most suitable for
Best for occasional home use as an aesthetic choice or presentation
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
11 / 27.94
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
4 / 294.84
Blade Length (Inches)
6
Blade Height (Inches)
1.37
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel with titanium nitrate non-reflective coating
Blade Flexibility
Not very flexible
Tang
Partial tang
Blade Edge
Double bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
15-17 degrees per side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
58 +-2
The Handle
Handle Feel
Good feel
Handle Material
Pakkawood
Handle Color
Dark Knight (Black)
About the knife
This is simply a gorgeous design. If you ever have a home gathering requiring fine slices of meat and fish, this should be your go-to knife. That makes the fact it is not flexible actually a positive because you can have your guests’ slice items of their own without risking accidental cuts due to extra dexterity. This is an ultra-light blade that feels like a feather in your hands, so be sure to use caution as the edge is incredibly sharp, and you may misjudge how much pressure to use on the initial cut.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Please do not place this knife in the dishwasher. This is a gorgeous presentation piece that needs to be hand-treated.
A great price point and durable choice for those just dipping their toes into the idea of owning a Japanese fillet knife.
SunDiao 6” Fillet Knife Specifications
General
Brand
SunDiao
Price Range
$17.99-$22.99
Balance
Light and maneuverable
Manufacturing Country
China
Warranty
Unknown
Most suitable for
Great for indoor or outdoor use with seafood, poultry, and some red meats
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
11 / 28
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
4.94 / 140
Blade Length (Inches)
6
Blade Height (Inches)
1.18
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
High-quality 7Cr17Mov high-carbon steel
Blade Flexibility
Stiff
Tang
Partial tang
Blade Edge
Double bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
16 degrees per side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
60+
The Handle
Handle Feel
Ergonomic and decent grip
Handle Material
Pakkawood
Handle Color
Brown
About the knife
This should be your first purchase if you have ever wanted to try a Japanese fillet knife. You have an excellent introductory price point to the market for a lot of quality that will give you a fair impression of how to use a fillet knife. The only thing you won’t experience is the flexibility, but many Japanese blades are designed to be stiffer because they work with sushi-grade fish. We highly recommend this to anyone new to fillet blades.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Not dishwasher safe due to the handle and blade materials. Stick to hand washing with warm water and a touch of soap beforehand drying with a soft cloth.
Pros
Great starting price point
Plenty of features for beginners
Comes with a sheath and sharpener
Cons
Very stiff blade without any give
Does require frequent sharpening
A little on the shorter side for bigger ingredients
A traditional blade with all the accessories you could want to create the perfect knife cutting experience.
Master Maison 6” Damascus Steel Fillet Knife Specifications
General
Brand
Master Maison
Price Range
$95.99-$100
Balance
Well balanced
Manufacturing Country
Japan
Warranty
1 year unlimited warranty
Most suitable for
Designed specifically for seafood
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
11 / 28
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
Slightly lighter than usual
Blade Length (Inches)
6
Blade Height (Inches)
1.75
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
AUS-10, 67-layer Damascus Stainless Steel
Blade Flexibility
Flexible
Tang
Full tang
Blade Edge
Double bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
Unknown
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
62
The Handle
Handle Feel
Comfortable and light
Handle Material
Olivewood
Handle Color
Natural Wood
About the knife
This is our top choice for a Japanese fillet knife you wish to give as a gift. Not really for the professional chefs in the audience, but an excellent addition to home kitchens or anyone trying sushi at home for the first time. The complete package comes with pretty much everything you could want to maintain and use your blade. This is also a handmade product. You can tell the manufacturer spent a lot of time perfecting the handle quality.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Not dishwashing safe because of the Damascus stainless steel and natural wood handle. Needs to be hand treated and dried carefully before storing.
Pros
An all-in-one kit for fillet knives
Excellent gift option for the blade lovers in the family
Handmade quality
Cons
Lightweight construction can lead to accidental dropping or pressure
An incredibly sharp kitchen knife made in the same design vein as samurai swords with a curved blade.
Shun Classic 7” Fillet KnifeSpecifications
General
Brand
Shun
Price Range
$129.95-$163.00
Balance
Nice balance
Manufacturing Country
Japan
Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and construction and free lifetime sharpening
Most suitable for
Great all-around option for a home kitchen, just not for harder ingredients
Dimensions
Total Knife Length (In/cm)
11.5 / 29.21
Knife Weight (Oz/Gr)
3.39 / 96.10
Blade Length (Inches)
7
Blade Height (Inches)
1.3
The Blade
Forged/stamped
Forged
Blade Material
1 layer solid AUS8A steel, High Carbon stainless steel blade
Blade Flexibility
Impressive flexibility
Tang
Full tang
Blade Edge
Double bevel
Straight/Serrated
Straight
Blade angle
16 degrees per side
HRC (Rockwell Hardness)
60-61
The Handle
Handle Feel
Asymmetrical D-shape, smooth feel
Handle Material
Pakkawood
Handle Color
Ebony
About the knife
If you are looking for a great, reliable, and all-in-one solution to your filleting needs, this is it. You get a good balance of all the features a Japanese-styled fillet knife is known for, plus the durability for everyday use. There is nothing bright and flashy about this blade, just well-designed quality that will last. Shun ensured a lot of flexibility on this fillet knife, so maybe not be the best for beginners but more for those with a solid understanding of the cuts they want to make ahead of time.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Not dishwasher safe and highly sharp, so be careful when hand drying and rinsing off between uses.
Pros
Great quality for the price
Impressive flexibility
Simple design perfect for a wide array of uses
Cons
Straightforward design, not aesthetically pleasing
Not good if you prefer a ridge fillet knife
More for home use than on a pier
Conclusion
We hope you have found an excellent new Japanese fillet knife for your kitchen from our list. Our experts provided a range of options from rigid longer blades to flexible shorter blades that you can use on everything from sushi-grade fish to lamb chops. If you are unsure what will work best for you, we suggest our top all-around pick, the Dalstrong 7” Fillet Knife. Thank you again for reading our review!
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