Rapala 126SP Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Rapala 126SP Fillet Knife is a 6 inch, 2.4 ounce blade priced at $10.49, the lowest price of the four fillet knives compared here. Its 4.5 star rating across 423 reviews is backed by more reviews than all but the Kershaw 1259X, and its 100+ bought last month is the highest purchase volume in the group.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a lightweight, 6 inch fillet knife for everyday cleaning of panfish and similar catches, and who want a rating backed by hundreds of reviews without paying a premium price.
Skip if
Skip it if you want a longer 9 inch blade for bigger fish, like the Kershaw 1259X, or a specialty oyster-knife shape, like the Dexter-Russell S137PCP. Anglers targeting larger species may find the 6 inch length too short for full-length fillets.
- Weight 2.4 ounces
- Length 6 Inches
- Size 6"
- Color Stainless Steel
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Feature Fillet Knife
- Priced 67% below the category median ($32.23 across 74 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 423 owner ratings
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Popularity3.0/5
423 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Cleaning a stringer of panfish at the dock calls for a knife that is light in the hand and easy to control, and the Rapala 126SP Fillet Knife is built around that job. At 6 inches long and 2.4 ounces, it is a compact, lightweight blade priced at $10.49, the least expensive fillet knife in this comparison.
Its 4.5 star rating comes from 423 reviews, more than the Rapala BP136SH's 264 and the Dexter-Russell S137PCP's 141, though fewer than the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500. Rating-wise it sits a notch below the Kershaw and Dexter-Russell, both at 4.6 stars, and above the Rapala BP136SH's 4.4 stars. On purchase volume it leads the group outright, with 100+ bought last month against the Kershaw's 50+ and 0+ for both the Rapala BP136SH and Dexter-Russell S137PCP.
For anglers who want a proven, budget-friendly 6 inch fillet knife with hundreds of reviews behind it, the $10.49 Rapala 126SP is the strongest value in this comparison. Buyers who need a longer blade for bigger fish or a specialty shape for oysters should look at the Kershaw 1259X or Dexter-Russell S137PCP instead.
Pros
- Lowest price of the four fillet knives compared, at $10.49
- 4.5 star rating across 423 reviews, more than double the Dexter-Russell S137PCP's 141
- 100+ bought last month, the highest purchase volume among the four knives
- Lightweight 2.4 ounce blade for easy handling during extended cleaning sessions
- 6 inch length suited to panfish and similarly sized catches
Cons
- 4.5 star rating trails the Kershaw 1259X and Dexter-Russell S137PCP, both at 4.6 stars
- 6 inch blade is shorter than the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inches, limiting reach on larger fish
- Fewer reviews than the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500, though still a substantial sample
- No handle material listed, unlike the Kershaw's co-polymer or Dexter-Russell's plastic
Specifications
| Weight | 2.4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Size | 6" |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
| Feature | Fillet Knife |
Performance notes
At 6 inches and 2.4 ounces, the Rapala 126SP is built for control rather than reach, a shorter and lighter blade than the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inch, 3.5 ounce knife. Shorter fillet knives like this one suit smaller to mid-size fish such as panfish and trout, where a long blade adds weight without adding usable cutting length. The Dexter-Russell S137PCP, at 4 inches, is built even shorter still, but that knife is described as a Galveston-style oyster knife, a different tool for a different job, shucking rather than filleting. The Rapala BP136SH does not list a length in the facts here, so it cannot be compared directly on size. Weight matters over a long cleaning session, and at 2.4 ounces this is the lightest blade with a stated weight in this group, which should reduce hand fatigue when working through several fish in a row.
What buyers say
A 4.5 star rating across 423 reviews is a large, stable sample, well ahead of the Rapala BP136SH's 264 reviews and the Dexter-Russell S137PCP's 141, and only the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500 reviews outnumber it. That combination of a strong rating and a deep review base suggests consistent buyer satisfaction over time rather than a small early sample. The 100+ bought last month figure is also the highest of the four knives here, ahead of the Kershaw's 50+ and well ahead of the Rapala BP136SH and Dexter-Russell S137PCP, both at 0+. Together, the pattern points to an established, actively purchased knife rather than a niche or slowing seller.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Rapala 126SP Fillet Knife a good value at $10.49?
Yes, it is the cheapest of the four fillet knives compared here, yet it carries 423 reviews at a 4.5 star average and leads the group with 100+ bought last month. That combination of low price, strong review base, and current demand makes it a solid budget pick.
Is the 6 inch blade long enough for bigger fish?
The 6 inch length works well for panfish and similarly sized catches, but anglers targeting larger fish may prefer the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inch blade for a longer, single-pass fillet. At 2.4 ounces, the Rapala 126SP favors control over reach.
How does the Rapala 126SP compare to the Rapala BP136SH?
The 126SP costs $10.49 versus $17.5 for the BP136SH, and carries a higher 4.5 star rating from 423 reviews compared to the BP136SH's 4.4 stars from 264 reviews. The 126SP also shows 100+ bought last month against the BP136SH's 0+, suggesting stronger current demand.