Uncle Henry Filet Knife

Uncle Henry 167UH Large Fillet Knife

By Barr Soltis

Image courtesy of BTI Tools, LLC.

When it comes time to fillet the catch of the day you have two viable options, use an electric knife or a fixed bladed fillet knife. Or you could try using a boning knife, but it is simply not up to the task at hand.

Ideally, a top performing fillet knife will have a flexible blade that is sharp as a razor with a blade length commensurate with the size of the fish you are cleaning. 

Other serious considerations should include the construction of the knife, the materials that are used in its construction, workmanship, the quality of the sheath and the price. Do not expect great results from cheaply made filet knives. 

The Uncle Henry 167UH comes with Staglon handle scales. "Staglon" is a proprietary lightweight and durable polymer cosmetically designed to look like stag horn. It was engineered for excellent long term wear and has proven to be excellent for knife handles. The Staglon scales are textured like stag horn and provide a secure gripping surface.

The Staglon scales are secured in place with brass pins. Nickel silver bolsters at the front of the handle curve gently down to help keep fingers off of the sharp blade. A small lanyard hole is provided at the back of the handle.

Specifications

• Part number: 167UH
• Blade length: 7.5 inches
• Grind: Hollow ground
• Blade material: 7Cr17 stainless steel
• Bolster: Nickel silver
• Handle length: 4.8 inches
• Handle material: Staglon
• Overall length: 12 inches
• Weight: 0.19 pound
• Sheath: Brown leather (included)
• Country of origin: China (PRC)
• 2017 MSRP: $28.54 ($21.79 at Amazon)

Image courtesy of BTI Tools, LLC.

A brown leather belt sheath is included with the 167UH. This is a pouch type sheath, the kind usually associated with fillet knives. It is a decent quality sheath, folded over and heavily stitched. The stitching is reinforced by silver rivets at the top, middle and bottom.

The relatively inexpensive Uncle Henry 167UH fillet knife performs very well. It even excels at trimming silver skin from meats. Sometimes you do get what you pay for, and sometimes even more.