The Best Fishing Knife for Anglers

My name is Garrett, Marketing Manager here at Knafs, and whenever I am not working in the world of knives, I'm fishing. I have been fly fishing ever since I was little, spending weeks at a time in Montana fishing the Madison River. There's nothing in this world quite like the feeling of standing in the river, water up to your belly button, and a 20+ inch brown trout biting on a dry-dropper combo. (Me at 12 years old)

Fishing and knives just go together. You need something reliable to cut line, slice bait, pry open that stubborn bag of beef jerky, prep a shore lunch, and of course gut your latest trophy. But what actually makes the best fishing knife for anglers? Do you need a 12-inch fillet knife or a trusty everyday carry (EDC) pocket knife?

Let's dive in, untangle the mess, and get your tackle box dialed in.

What Makes a Great Fishing Knife?

Before you chuck any old blade into your fishing pack, you need to think about the environment. Water is a knife's worst enemy. Here is what you should be looking for in a water-ready cutting tool:

• Corrosion Resistance: You're going to get this knife wet. Look for premium blade steels that can take a splash without turning into a rust bucket.
• Grippy Handles: Fish are slimy. Water is wet. Your hands will inevitably be both. You want a handle material like G10 or Micarta that maintains its grip even when you're wrestling a feisty catch.
• One-Handed Operation: If you're holding a rod in one hand and a fish in the other, you need a pocket knife you can open, use, and close with one hand.
• Easy Maintenance: A good fishing knife will inevitably get dropped in the mud and water. You want a knife that is easy to take apart, clean the grit out of, and put back together.

The Breakdown: Pocket Knife vs. Fillet Knife vs. Fixed Blade

Let's clear the air: an EDC pocket knife is not a fillet knife. If your main goal is to fillet a 30-pound salmon on the docks, get a dedicated, flexible fillet knife. I mean, you could do it, we don't judge. But for literally everything else on the water, you need a different tool.

• The EDC Pocket Knife: This is your primary tackle box companion. It clips to your waders or your pocket. It’s the tool you reach for to quickly handle rigging, freeing snagged lures, and opening snacks.
• The Fixed Blade: Perfect for the shore. If your fishing trip involves building a fire, bushcrafting, or heavier camp chores, a fixed blade is your workhorse.

Top Knafs Recommendations for Your Tackle Box

Here at Knafs, we make tools that are built for the wild. If you're looking for the best fishing knife for anglers, here are our top homegrown picks to link to your lanyard:

1. The Lander 2 Pocket Knife

We might be biased, but GearJunkie didn't name the Lander 2 the Best Overall Pocket Knife of 2024 for nothing. It features a Clutch Lock for easy, ambidextrous one-handed use—perfect for when your hands are full. Plus, the Lander series is famous for our "fast swap" scales. Want to match your knife to your catch? Slap on our Brook Trout G10 scales. It's the ultimate customizable fishing companion.