If you happen to fish as a lot as I do you undoubtedly have a ridiculous quantity of filet knives in your endless assortment. If that’s the case, it in all probability additionally holds true that of the umpteen knives you could have within the drawer you probably proceed to achieve for a similar 1 or 2 each time it’s good to clear fish. There’s a purpose for that, good knives are generally laborious to seek out and even tougher to place down.
Just lately, I had the privilege to check out the brand new Water Collection from Benchmade. WARNING…these items are SCARY sharp out of the field and keep that approach for fairly a while! Whereas fishing in Valdez for silver salmon final month I’m certain I gave a couple of of the previous timers one thing to speak about for some time with my “expertise” on the fish cleansing station. On the primary day we encountered an ideal push of fish with the in-coming tide, rapidly had our limits and have been off to scrub up our bounty in brief order.
I broke out the model new, Fishcrafter, proper out of the field, and proceeded to chop by means of the spine on the primary three salmon I threw on the desk…..not on objective. I’ve cleaned salmon earlier than, loads of salmon, however I regarded like an entire noob and was for certain getting the facet eye from the gang on the cleansing station. I rapidly recovered and made quick work of the remaining fish, however man was I blown away by the sustained sharpness of the Fishcrafter! In all that week, I cleaned over 100 salmon, and I NEVER took that knife to a stone to the touch it up, it stayed sharp the whole time.
Along with the Fishcrafter we tried out the assorted different blades for various functions all through the week. Under is a abstract of what was used and one of the best software we discovered them to serve:
This was the work horse for the week, after knocking all of the salmon filets off I’d rapidly circle again and begin taking the rib bones out for that good completed, desk prepared filet. I do know, I do know…you possibly can simply filet salmon WITHOUT reducing the ribs out, however that is the way in which I used to be taught 100 years in the past, and you recognize what they are saying about educating an previous canine new tips. The Fishcrafter is available in each a 9” and seven” configuration and can probably guess getting its personal drawer as I see this changing into my “EDC” to the fishing cleansing desk.
-Open Size: 13.94” or 11.89” relying on mannequin
-Blade Size: 9.05” or 7” relying on mannequin
-Blade Fashion: Trailing Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 2.84oz.
-MSRP: $260 for the 9” and $240 for the 7”
The Intersect is a good multi-purpose belt knife in all probability greatest suited in your reducing wants whereas within the technique of fishing reasonably than afterwards on the fish cleansing station. We used this for something every part from reducing bait, trimming sort out, bleeding fish and so forth. It comes with a pleasant compact sheath that makes it an ideal “fast to entry” reducing instrument. In a pinch this might be used to take the ribs out of filets, however I see this one as extra of a utility participant on the sphere.
-Open Size: 6.55”
-Blade Size: 2.68”
-Blade Fashion: Drop-Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 2.36oz.
-MSRP: $200
One other utility sort instrument within the Water Collection. We used this one very equally to how we used the Intersect. This one is a bit beefier for reducing larger bait, trimming heavier sort out and bleeding larger fish. Additionally comes with a tough molded sheath that sits properly on Grundens belt or different making for straightforward entry and fast use.
-Open Size: 9.44”
-Blade Size: 4.32”
-Blade Fashion: Sheepsfoot
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 5.38oz.
-MSRP: $250
The ultimate knife we used on our journey to Valdez was the EDC pocket carry. A pleasant addition to the lineup that may serve a large number of makes use of and is nice at nearly every part. This is available in two totally different sizes and is the one no-fixed blade folder within the assortment. Just like the Intersect and the Undercurrent it may be used as a utility instrument for any of your reducing wants whereas on the water or again on the dock.
-Open Size: 7.46”
-Blade Size: 3.21”
-Blade Fashion: Drop-Level
-Blade End: Stonewash
-Weight: 3.09oz.
-MSRP: $230
In abstract, Benchmade has put collectively a formidable assortment of Water cutlery to serve nearly any objective you may consider whether or not you’re reducing rope or reducing gills. The Fishcrafter is the last word filet knife for bringing the ocean to the desk and the remainder of the lineup is on deck that will help you with all of the wants up till that time. For extra info on the Water Collection from Benchmade head on over to their web site and verify them out!
