Sure, by the looks of it, you can pick up any regular old knife lying around in your kitchen and use it for cooking up some tuna sashimi.
But, only the ones that have used fillet knives know that regular kitchen knives aren't up to par at all, whether it be precision or mobility.
To make the best-tasting tuna delicacies, you need the best fillet knife for tuna. So, we've listed the top 5 fillet knives suited best for tuna that have gathered the most positive reviews online.
Each of these knives is designed to bring out precise, seamless, and effortless slices — all you'll have to do is take your pick.
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5 Best Fillet Knife for Tuna
Given the high quality of fillet knives compared to regular blades, they can be costly at times. That is why we've made sure to include only the top reviewed tuna fillet knives that fit into the average home cook's budget perfectly without compensating its performance in return.
1. KastKing Fillet Knife
We start off our list with this knife that has caused a stir among home cooks for its razor-sharp blade that can make tuna glide off the bone like butter.
No fish is too big for this expert-quality knife. This fillet knife cuts smoother than any kitchen knife with its high rigidity and thickness. For that reason, this is the best tool for filleting all types of fish, including tougher and bigger fish like tuna and salmon.
The 9-inch pitch-black blade not only stands out stunningly among your other utensils but also makes it easier to maneuver through delicate meats. The edge starts off thick and wide from the angled neon orange base, then eventually tapers off into a sharp point at the end for maximum precision.
It is made entirely of stainless steel and built for excellent durability and resistance from damage. It is ideal for kitchen environments, as the material efficiently combats heat damage, water damage, corrosion, and abrasion.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
We have to say, for a tuna cutting knife that looks straight out of an action film, it does wonders in the kitchen. Considering its brilliant precision and maneuverability, we don't mind scrubbing a little harder during washes. This one's an excellent pick for aspiring cooks leaning towards a more professional knife.
2. Lucky Cook Sashimi Sushi Knife 10 Inch
Next up on our list is this filleting knife from Lucky Cook, designed to perfection to make the most effortless cuts on almost any kind of meat.
The blade is asymmetrical and designed for right-handed use, giving it the most balance you will need to make angled cuts. With this, you can fillet an entire fish in just a few motions, no matter the size or toughness.
Moreover, the blade allows you to slice through a variety of different fish meats without tearing or crushing the structure and roughing out the texture of the meat. That is great if you're making delicacies that require delicate cuts, such as nigiri sushi.
For added balance, the knife includes a non-slip handle that lets you keep up a consistent performance without losing momentum.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
This knife is excellent for filleting tuna with minimal movements. The blade retains its sharpness for a while, does not require frequent sharpening, and is very easy to use. We recommend this knife for anyone interested in filleting fish. It's also an incredible gift for an aspiring chef.
3. BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
If you're leaning towards a filleting knife built for more outdoor use than inside the kitchen, this is the perfect option. This BUBBA electric knife lets you de-bone any fish, no matter how tough the meat may be.
With an 8.5-inch handle and 4 blades with different tooth arrangements and lengths, this blade is built for filleting the biggest fish without breaking a sweat.
The handle provides a non-slip and comfortable grip to easily glide the blade along with the meat without needing to go over with a second slice.
This blade can cut through various meats like its paper, and it's all because of its titanium nitride coating. Unlike most blades, this knife's coating reduces friction and provides maximum resistance against damage. Because of this, it's the best tuna filleting knife with high durability on our list.
Plus, the unit charges quickly and does not need to be plugged in during use. So, you can use the knife outdoors in places without a power outlet.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
This is a great knife overall, especially for outdoor use. We recommend this knife for cooks that like bringing home their own fish from boating trips.
4. DALSTRONG Fillet Knife
For a more professional quality knife, this pick from DALSTRONG is our favorite. It's manufactured with state-of-the-art technology, so it can handle any task in the kitchen, no matter how big or small.
Most tuna fillet knives you'll encounter will have stainless steel blades, while this unique tool has a forged German ThyssenKrupp high carbon steel blade.
This specific material delivers the smoothest of cuts and combats the odor that tends to be left on the knife after cutting meat, making cleaning much more manageable.
Moreover, the blade is razor-sharp, making it very easy to glide through various meats. The blade's edge's angled design, along with the tapered tip, allows you to make fine cuts and effortlessly separate meat from bones.
The pakkawood and fiberglass resin hilt make for a comfortable and non-slippery hold in the palm of your hand. Although practicing is an essential factor, this knife's user comfort will make you feel like a pro with its first go.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
From all the fillet knives we've come across, this one is by far the most affordable one with professional quality performance. If you already have experience with a regular Japanese tuna fillet knife and want an upgrade, this is a great choice.
5. CUTLUXE Boning Knife
Finally, our last pick on this list is a very special one among pro-home cooks. This CUTLUXE fillet knife is exceptional when de-boning fish and other meats, and it does so in a matter of moments.
The thin and angled blade allows you to easily maneuver the knife in any direction for precise and clean cuts without roughening up the structure of the meat. With a razor-sharp edge, this blade can cut through a variety of meats and fish like they're made of butter.
As for the handle, it's triple-riveted with a cutting edge, full tang ergonomic design to ensure maximum user comfort during use. This makes sure the hilt sits tightly in your hand and provides you with all the balance you'll need to make accurate slices.
Additionally, this tuna filleting knife is completely crafted of forged high carbon German steel, which prevents all kinds of damage and makes it durable in kitchen environments.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you consider its professional-quality performance, this blade is definitely worth trying out, but it might require a bit of effort to pick up. However, we would not recommend this knife for home cooks who have never tried a filleting knife before.
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How to Fillet a Bluefin Tuna
With these simple steps, you can effortlessly fillet a bluefin tuna. Here's how.
- Using the tuna fillet knife, make the first cut below the pectoral fin and towards the head of the bluefin and end at the middle of the spine.
- At this point, turn the knife and cut along the dorsal ridge. Keep a deep cut while also working the knife around the bones.
- When you've come to the tail, cut across it; then, rotate the fish and go back to the initial cut you've made below the pectoral fin and then cut across the rib cage and downwards in a straight line towards the tail again.
- Now, you have a slab of meat that you can start detaching from the bone by pulling apart the flesh with one hand and moving the blade with the other.
- At the cut on the pectoral fin, you'll see a "bloodline" consisting of bones and blood. Cut along each side of it, going in a straight line all the way down to the tail.
- After, you should be able to complete detaching the flesh by working along the rib cage, and then the meat should slide out.
- Repeat these steps on all 3 remaining sections of the fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
a. How to clean a yellowfin tuna?
After you've filleted the yellowfin, take a sharp Japanese tuna fillet knife and slice off any bruised areas. You might find a line of dark flesh, but don't confuse it for bruises; it's actually a bloodline that can be sliced off easily. Also, you can cut off the skin, but if you're preserving the meat, it's best to leave it on.
b. What's the best fillet knife for tuna?
According to all the customer reviews, we've come across the best fillet knives for tuna: KastKing fillet knife, Lucky Cook sashimi sushi knife, BUBBA Li-Ion cordless electric fillet DALSTRONG fillet knife, and CUTLUXE boning knife.
c. How to cut the whole tuna?
To know how to cut and fillet a whole tuna properly, check out our step-by-step guide above.
d. How to fillet tuna for sushi or sashimi?
Our guide for filleting tuna is listed above. However, after you've gathered the meat, you will need to slice it into smaller and longitudinal slices resembling small rectangles.
Then, cut diagonally to make thinner slices using a light hand. You should have small and thin squares of tuna that are great for sushi and sashimi.
e. Is tuna fillet good for you?
Tuna is a powerhouse of important nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids – rich with excellent fat and protein – and is low in calories.
Conclusion
Have you found the best fillet knife for tuna yet? We hope our picks were able to convince you that filleting is not that much of a difficult task at all. In fact, with any of the knives we've mentioned above, you can feel like a pro right in your own kitchen.