The kitchen is a room with a special status. For some, this is a place where you can quickly cut sandwiches or chop up a salad without bothering with more complex recipes. But still, most people like to taste deliciously prepared and neatly decorated dishes, and will not refuse gastronomic delights.
It would be wrong to consider the kitchen a place for women. It has long been believed that the best chefs are men. Many of them are happy to create, if not culinary masterpieces, then at least tasty and interesting dishes, and TV shows in which male chefs perform miracles further reinforce the desire of representatives of the strong half of humanity to master this skill.
In the article we will talk about fillet knives, their purpose and the best models.
Content
In the modern kitchen there are a large number of various technical devices that facilitate the cooking process. But the main helpers of the owners and housewives are high-quality knives. They come in various shapes and are designed for specific purposes.
Professionals divide them into three large groups: European, Japanese and special. The traditional fillet knife for cutting fish is European. It is distinguished by a thin flexible blade up to 30 cm long. With its help, you can not only easily cut large fish into thin slices, but also separate the fillet from the bones.
A type of fillet is considered a boning, or bone knife. It has a wider and shorter blade, the length of which is no more than 15 cm. It is not suitable for cutting fish, but it will easily separate the meat from the bones.
Japanese knives differ from European ones in high density and one-sided sharpening at an angle of 8-15 degrees. It is recommended to sharpen them only on the machine. Due to the difficulty of handling, Japanese blades are only recommended for professional chefs.
An analogue of the European fillet is the Japanese Deba knife, also designed for cutting fish. It is thick and heavy, the length of the blade is from 16.5 to 22 cm.For filleting fish, a long and thin variety called Mioroshi Deba is used.
Also popular are Japanese brands such as Kasumi, made from 32-layer Damascus steel, Yanagiba from corrosion-resistant molybdenum-vanadium steel, Guito from Damascus steel, followed by molybdenum and cobalt treatment.
Finnish-made fillets produced by Marttiini and Rapala are popular. Their blades are made of chrome-molybdenum steel, and the handles are made of rubber or plastic. The presence of scabbards in many models allows you to use them on a hike or fishing.
French-made goods from Opinel and Laguiole also have steady demand. The first are distinguished by a convenient folding design, high-quality materials. Handles are most often made of wood.
In Asia, a knife with a round blade is used for cutting and filleting fish.
The special ones include a hatchet knife, knives for cheese, butter, caviar, pizza and many others.
Kitchen knives are produced by a large number of domestic and foreign enterprises. They differ both in price and quality. For ordinary cuisine, expensive brands are often inappropriate pampering, unless the owner or hostess is a fan of the art of cooking. But in a restaurant or cafe, the use of first-class expensive knives will not only improve the appearance of ready-made dishes, but also clearly indicate the prestige and status of this institution.
Among the best manufacturers of goods that can be used by both housewives and chefs are the following companies.
Among the premium segment, the following manufacturers can be distinguished.
This rating contains popular fillet options in various price categories.
This selection includes economical options that have collected a large number of positive reviews on such trading platforms as Yandex Market, Ozone, etc.
The average price is 270 rubles.
This inexpensive product from a Russian brand, whose production is located in China, looks solid due to the texture of the tree applied to the plastic handle. The 20 cm thin stainless steel blade allows you to butcher large fish, and is also suitable for cutting meat. Length - 32.8 cm.
The average price is 399 rubles.
This stylish Chinese-made device is distinguished by its low weight, which is 44 grams. Total length - 26.5 cm, blade length - 14.5 cm. Made of stainless steel 3Cr14 and food-grade PP plastic. The treatment of the blade with a special coating reduces the oxidation processes when steel comes into contact with products.
The average price is 663 rubles.
A handy blade that can be used not only for cutting fish, but also for cutting meat and vegetables. Japanese sharpening, ergonomic shape and sufficient blade length make working with it a real pleasure. Total length - 38.5 cm, blade - 25.1 cm.
The average price is 699 rubles.
Goods from Japan are distinguished, first of all, by the strength of steel. Here its hardness is 58 HRC. Features a long handle. With a blade length of 19.6 cm, the total length is 31.5 cm. Can be used for cutting meat. Suitable for traditional Japanese cuisine.
The average price is 872 rubles.
This product from the Brazilian manufacturer of kitchen utensils features a long, flexible 20 cm blade. The overall length is 36 cm. The handle is made of polypropylene and does not slip in the hand, and the antimicrobial treatment with Microban prevents the growth of bacteria that cause stains and odors, and also destroys mold fungi.
This category presents products that optimally combine price and quality. Functionality can be complemented by an interesting design.
The average price is 1190 rubles.
This product of a Chinese manufacturer, despite the fact that it is called loin, is more suitable for cutting vegetables than fish. The blade length of 16 cm is not enough for filleting large fish, but it will cope with small ones. Total length - 28 cm. Steel hardness - 55-57 HRC.
The average price is 2180 rubles.
The goods of this famous Swiss company are famous for their quality. Ergonomic handle, thin flexible blade 1.8 mm thick and 2 cm wide make it easy to cut and fillet fish. Blade length - 20 cm, total length - 33 cm. Despite the large size, the weight is 89 grams.
The average price is 3397 rubles.
The steel blade, ideally suited for milling, is complemented by a durable and reliable fiberglass handle. Blade hardness - 58 HRC, blade length - 20 cm, total length - 34.90 cm.
The average price is 3586 rubles.
The product of the French brand, founded almost two centuries ago, is distinguished by its stylish design, convenience and excellent quality. With a blade length of 20 cm, it weighs 27 grams.
The average price is 4490 rubles.
The product from one of the oldest manufacturers of kitchen utensils, located in Spain, has excellent characteristics and will satisfy even the most demanding cook. Blade hardness - 56 HRC, length - 20 cm, sharpened at an angle of 15 degrees symmetrically on both sides.
This category presents expensive professional products from the best manufacturers of kitchen utensils.
The average price is 5340 rubles.
The product from the famous French brand Opinel is suitable for filleting fish, as well as for cutting the thinnest slices of meat, fish or foie gras. The handle is made of acetal resin, which is heat and moisture resistant, as well as impact resistant. The blade is made of Sandvik 12C27 steel with an anti-corrosion coating. Blade length - 18 cm, total length - 31.5 cm.
The average price is 5475 rubles.
This product from a Japanese manufacturer is not only comfortable, but also extraordinarily beautiful due to the characteristic pattern of Damascus steel. The 19.5 cm long flexible blade is complemented by a durable plastic handle. Total length - 32.5 cm. Weight - 106 grams.
The average price is 9790 rubles.
This multi-layered Damascus steel blade is not only functional, but also beautiful. Thanks to its unusual design, imitating the marks of a blacksmith's hammer, it will not go unnoticed even in a large kitchen. Micarta was used to make the handle. Blade length - 15 cm, hardness - 61 HRC.
The average price is 10010 rubles.
The noble combination of steel and wood is complemented by a traditional Japanese one-sided cut, making this product suitable for the most demanding professionals. Blade length - 21 cm, total length - 33.5 cm. Weight - 165 grams.
The average price is 12950 rubles.
The noble combination of wood and steel looks advantageous. Fastening the handle with rivets will not allow it to loosen over time, and the blade length of 24 cm will make it easy to butcher the largest fish. The weight is 300 g, and due to it even thick bones can be cut.
A fillet knife is a highly specialized thing, and it cannot be called essential for any housewife. It is advisable to buy it if fish dishes are a constant part of the diet, and are not prepared from time to time, since it is not very convenient to cut something else with it, for example, vegetables. It will also come in handy for fans of Japanese cuisine; cooking sushi with it is a pleasure.
With the help of a fillet, you can quickly cut food into thin slices, but still cutting and filleting fish is its main purpose.
To choose the right fillet knife, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:
It is necessary to pay attention to the material from which the blade is made. It must be strong but flexible. The most common materials are:
The standard blade thickness for European-style knives is from 0.5 to 1.5 mm, width - 25 mm.
The ability to keep sharpening for a long time is also an indicator of a quality product. The most common sharpening, made at an angle of 15 degrees. To keep it in its original form longer, the blades are specially hardened using additives that increase the strength and elasticity of the metal.
The handle is no less important than the blade. It is necessary to pay attention not only to its shape, but also to what materials it is made of. The material must be durable, non-slippery, easy to clean and non-absorbent. The most common options are plastic, rubber and wood.
If the fillet is supposed to be used outside the kitchen, say, on a fishing trip, then a special sheath will not interfere with it. The material from which they are made must also meet the requirements of hygiene, be easy to clean and not absorb odors. The knife should be placed in them only in a clean and dry form.
In addition to ordinary fillets, you can find electric and even home-made models on sale. An electrical device will speed up the cutting process several times and greatly facilitate it.
You can buy fillet knives both in regular stores and online. The goods of some firms are accompanied by a quality certificate confirming the declared characteristics.
A home-made fillet can be made independently according to master classes, which are presented in large numbers on the Internet. Among them there are detailed step-by-step instructions with a detailed description of the necessary materials. Another option is to buy ready-made or make to order from masters involved in the manufacture of such goods. This will allow you to optimally fit it to your hand, make a unique unique design or equip it with additional functions, for example, by mounting a bottle opener into the end of the handle.
Whatever company the fillet knife is chosen for, it will require the development of certain skills in handling.And after that, it can become an indispensable assistant in the kitchen, allowing you to diversify the menu with a large number of tasty and healthy fish dishes.