Dexter-Russell Traditional 5-inch Fish Knife, Carbon Steel (4215)

Dexter-Russell has sold this pattern for generations, and its Dexter Outdoors line still calls it the Green River Traditional 5-inch fish knife. It is a short, stout working knife for the boat and the dock. It cuts bait and line, bleeds a catch, guts panfish and trout, and cleans small fish at the end of the day.

The 5-inch blade is carbon steel, which Dexter describes as its classic high-carbon blade, individually ground and honed. Carbon steel takes a keen edge and sharpens quickly on a pocket stone, the reason many anglers still prefer it to stainless. It will rust if left wet with salt water and develops a dark patina with use. The model 4215 is a common search on our site, and these Traditional knives are especially popular with fishermen in the Northeast.

Fish Knife or Fillet Knife?

For filleting larger fish, choose a longer, flexible blade such as the Sani-Safe 7-inch Narrow Flexible Fillet Knife.