Built for the angler who's hard on gear, this Damascus fishing fillet knife pairs a slim, flexible 7-inch blade with a tough micarta handle that grips well and shrugs off water. The 7-inch length gives you real control for filleting everything from panfish to medium catches, while the layered Damascus blade brings a keen edge and a pattern no factory knife can match. Forged by hand in our Wyoming shop, it comes with a cowhide leather sheath and takes its place among our wider handmade hunting knives range.

A Fishing Knife Built to Work

This is a working fishing knife first. The flexible 7-inch blade follows the spine and ribs of a fish so you can lift clean fillets with minimal waste, and the shorter length (versus a big 9-inch fillet blade) gives extra control for detailed cuts and smaller fish. If you fish often and want a fillet knife that earns its place in the tackle bag, this is it. It sits in our fillet knives collection alongside our other fillet and boning blades.

Why Micarta for a Fishing Knife

The handle is where this knife stands apart from our honeycomb-handled fillet knives. Micarta is a tough composite that's prized on hard-use knives because it's durable, water-resistant, and grips securely even when wet — exactly what you want on a fishing knife handling slippery fish. Paired with a Damascus steel bolster and a mosaic pin, it's a handle that's as practical as it is good-looking.

1095 & 15N20 Damascus Blade

The blade is forge-welded from 1095 and 15N20 high-carbon Damascus steel, tempered to 56–58 HRC and folded to reveal the flowing pattern across the blade. This high-carbon combination takes a sharp, aggressive edge ideal for filleting. Because it's carbon Damascus, a quick rinse and a light coat of food-safe oil after each use keeps it clean and rust-free — our Damascus care guide covers the routine, and our sharpening guide shows how to keep a thin blade like this keen.

Compare Our Fillet Knives

Prefer a different look or a longer blade? We make several fillet knives to suit different anglers. Our 8-inch flexible Damascus fillet knife and Damascus fish fillet knife with a red honeycomb handle offer longer blades and honeycomb handles, while our 440C stainless fillet and boning set is the low-maintenance, rust-resistant choice if you'd rather skip the oiling.

Hand-Forged in Wyoming

This fishing fillet knife is forged, ground, and finished by hand by us, Naqash and Younas Minhas, in Casper, Wyoming, with more than 15 years of combined experience at the bench. It ships with a cowhide leather sheath to protect the slim blade. Browse the full fillet knives collection, and read more about how we work on our About page.

Specifications

Blade material: 1095 & 15N20 high-carbon Damascus steel
Blade type: flexible fillet blade
Hardness: 56–58 HRC
Handle material: micarta with Damascus steel bolster
Overall length: 12 inches
Blade length: 7 inches
Handle length: 5 inches
Tang: full tang
Included: cowhide leather sheath

FAQS

What is this fishing knife used for?

This is a fillet knife made for fishing. Its slim, flexible 7-inch blade removes skin and bones from fish, lifting clean fillets off the rib cage with minimal waste. It's ideal for panfish and medium-sized catches where control matters.

Is the blade flexible?

Yes. The 7-inch blade is slim and flexible, which is the defining feature of a true fillet knife. The flex lets it follow the spine and ribs of a fish to separate flesh from bone cleanly.

Why is the handle made of micarta?

Micarta is a tough, water-resistant composite that grips securely even when wet, which makes it ideal for a fishing knife that handles slippery fish. It's also extremely durable and won't crack or dry out like some natural materials.

What steel is this fishing knife made from?

The blade is forged from layered 1095 and 15N20 high-carbon Damascus steel, tempered to 56 to 58 HRC. This high-carbon blend takes a sharp, aggressive edge that's ideal for filleting fish.

Does the Damascus blade rust around water?

High-carbon Damascus can rust if left wet, so rinse and dry the blade after each use and apply a light coat of food-safe oil before storage. With that simple care, it stays clean and holds its edge and pattern for years. If you want a rust-resistant option, see our 440C stainless fillet set.

What size is this fillet knife?

It has a 7-inch blade and a 12-inch overall length, with a 5-inch handle. The 7-inch blade offers extra control for detailed cuts and smaller fish compared to a longer fillet blade.

Is this fishing knife full tang?

Yes. The steel runs the full length of the handle for strength and balance, with no weak rat-tail tang. That makes it durable enough for regular use at the cleaning station.

Can I use it in the kitchen too?

Yes. The thin flexible blade works well for filleting fish, boning, and other delicate kitchen tasks. Just rinse and dry it after use, since it's a high-carbon Damascus blade.

Does it come with a sheath?

Yes. It includes a handmade cowhide leather sheath, fitted to protect the slim blade for safe storage and transport.

Is this a handmade knife?

Yes. Every Malika fillet knife is forged, ground, and finished by hand by Naqash and Younas Minhas in Casper, Wyoming. No mass production — each knife is an individual working blade.

Damascus Fishing Fillet Knife – 7" Blade with Micarta Handle