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How to Sharpen a Fillet Knife (The EASY Way!) – 3 Foolproof Tools

hookedupwi

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Learn how to sharpen your fillet knives the right way!In this video, I break down everything you need to know to get your fillet knife razor sharp and ready for your next fish fry.
You’ll learn the 3 best sharpening systems for flexible, thin-bladed fillet knives — options that are easy to use and deliver pro-level results without any fancy skill to learn or stones to prep.
What’s covered:
Knife sharpening basics that actually make an edge hold up
Step-by-step sharpening with 3 proven systems
Sharpeners to avoid (and what to use in a pinch)
How to use a leather strop to take your knife from sharp to scary sharp
No matter what fish you are filleting, this guide will help your knife glide through fillets like butter.

Recommended Sharpeners & Gear:

Work Sharp Belt Sharpener: https://amzn.to/3KO8E4G

Extra Sanding Belts/Grits for Work Sharp: https://amzn.to/4q27KSe

Horl 2 Rolling Sharpener: https://amzn.to/46N8aod

Lansky 5-Stone Sharpening System: https://amzn.to/48kYIcR

Premium Leather Strop: https://amzn.to/4h96AjY

Diamond Whetstone: https://amzn.to/4nI84UH

Chef's Choice pull through sharpener: https://amzn.to/438Kd8p

Knives:

Rapala 6" Fish N Fillet Superflex Knife: https://amzn.to/4o9EG9F

Rapala 6” Stealth FXF Flex Knife: Flex Blade Fillet Knife - Rapala Stealth FXF

Rapala 7.5” Fish N Fillet Knife: https://www.rapala.com/us_en/fish-n-f...

Rapala 8” Stealth FXF Knife: https://www.rapala.com/us_en/stealth-...

This video may include Amazon affiliate links which may pay Hookedupwi a small commission for items purchase through those links. Thanks for you support!

20 Comments

@DavidCentaura 13 hours ago

Great explanation, thank you.

@jjiacobucci 1 month ago

The best practical knife sharpening video in many years of searching such on YouTube. Thank you !

@tripd4949 2 days ago

Wetstones are super simple, not sure if i'm good at it but all my knifes pass the paper cutting test quite easily. Takes 5 minutes.

@alandecorte2962 4 months ago

You changed my entire view of the knife-sharpening process. I hope I can salvage the countless knives kitchen, filleting and hunting/fishing knives I've "pulled" over the identified as the "worst" way to sharpen knives. Thank you and you sponsor for sharing your insights and experience. Please, keep them coming.

@edbrown3047 11 months ago

This is one of the best knife sharpening videos I've seen. I struggle with sharpening knives

@VangoghsDoggo 5 months ago

Best fillet knife sharpener I ever used was an old 1960's Oster kitchen knife sharpener with the 20 degree angle. The one I have now is called Chef's Choice Hybrid 250 knife Sharpener off Amazon, $57 on sale. You don't have to think about it or mess with it. Mine is already 5 years old and has sharpened every knife I own including my expensive chef's knives. I sharpen all the time. Jack knives are a little tough to get in it because of the handles, but you can get most of a 4" blade. Three times on one angle, then one swipe on the opposite angle once to removed the bur in the fine stone when filleting. Before you start, you ran the knife thru to center sharpen three times in each slot, course and fine, hone it until razor sharp. Then you sharpen for the angle using only ONE angle in the #2 slots and once on the opposite angle, don't hone it. The knife stays super sharp and cuts like a dream. Directions are in the box.

@davidmartino2500 11 months ago (edited)

Thank you very much Caleb. I was one of the people who asked how you sharpen your fillet knives. I keep getting better at filleting ... less waste, less time, less frustration. I credit you with helping me build my confidence. I was hoping that you would demo the Work Sharp sharpener. I held off on my purchase hoping that you would recommend this. I also will get the leather strop. I keep a lot of small pike now that I know how to remove the y-bones. You taught me that too.

Your videos are great to watch. It's obvious that you put a lot of thought and quality into your productions. Thanks again.

Edit: So I have now sharpened my knives using the Work Shop and the leather strop. I caught a mess of nice perch and filleted them. The knives did not snag as much and cut through the pin bones a little quicker/easier. I can also see that I am getting closer to the bones. Not much improvement on time but that is just me. I have my own way of filleting and it is more about not wasting meat. These fish have spent years growing ... the least that I can do is spend a few extra minutes getting as much benefit from them as I can.

I now do all of your 7 tips on filleting. Great process. I don't dread filleting as much as I used to. Thank you very much.

@seniorsouthwick976 1 month ago

As a note with the Lansky system, the designated, or marked, angle is technically only applicable to a true perpendicular stroke of the stone to the blade holder. As you move the stone further to the left or right, the point of contact will increase in length in relation to the angle slot, thus reducing the angle at which the stone grinds the blade edge. The extent of reduction can be mathematically calculated using some basic geometry. The point here is that the longer the blade, the more reduction to the chosen angle. The effect of this can be minimized by incrementally moving the blade within the clamp to keep each stroke closer to perpendicular.

@stevenbenner7425 11 months ago

I’ve had the Worksharp for several years.Your instructions on using it are by FAR the best on youtube

@JohnnyNobodyKnowsDoe 10 months ago

I honestly can't express how helpful this video has been, I've been doing a ton of research into buying even using A.I, searching through forums and Reddit. But this video has been the most helpful, thank you.

@davidsullivan27 11 months ago

Hands down the best knife sharpening video I've seen, and I have watched a lot of them. Appreciate all the info you delivered so well!

@markorge1320 8 months ago

I bought one of the early models of the "roller" sharpener, and it was great until it seized up. I can't complain about customer service because, after my dismantling and taking pictures of how the plastic sleeve and/or maybe wood swelling caused the rolling function to seize up, they refunded my purchase. I since removed the plastic bushings, honed out the inside diameter of the wood cylinder, lubed it with food grade siliccone grease, and so far it works fine. Great video explaining what different tools do, the effect, dos and donts etc. Thanks!

@Catbreath1000 1 month ago

I'm well known in my area for sharpening knives so that everybody's kids can play with them afterwards without the worry about cutting themselves. It's quite a talent that I'm very proud of.

@Xpressfishingchartersllc 1 month ago

My stepson gifted me a leather strop block from Beavercraft. What a finishing tool for sharpening knives! Love it. Now when filleting walleyes or salmon, i just touch it up on the strop w green jeweler's rouge instead of resharpening after each session! Great video. Thank you!

@chadlawyer4891 11 months ago

My grandpa was a woodcarver, he had several high-end carving knives that he used for fine detail work. He carved ducks and birds, he always sharpened his carving knives with a series of stones, but always finish them on a leather strap, you could literally drop a hair on his car carving knives, and it would split the hair, I’m a true believer of the leather strap

@bagabuck3 8 months ago

With the lanky system do strokes in one long stroke so your blade doesn’t become uneven, not a bunch of short strokes. Also when placing the rods on the clamp to the stone, place the stone down on flat surface with the rod clamp screw lose so the rod and stone are on the same flat plane. Then tighten.

@21ZacDUDE 7 months ago

You have the best videos man. Great work. I have this same sharpener, still sitting in the box. Will take it out and sharpen my kitchen knives after watching your nice turtorial!

@garylittle7960 11 months ago

I’ve been using the Work Sharp for about 5 years and it stands out in a class of its own. I can sharpen all our kitchen knives and filet knives in about 20 minutes. All the other sharpeners I’ve accumulated over the years are obsolete now. By far the fastest and most thorough sharpener

@ri-jm5tn 11 months ago

I learned the value of a sharp knife as a boy scout in the 60s. Excellent tutorial👍

@DannyBeighley 9 months ago

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I picked up a Work Sharp Mark 2 and a strop and I’m extremely happy with the results! I sharpened our 40 year old Chicago knives for the kitchen. OMG they are scary sharp!