Rapala BPFNF7SH1 Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Rapala BPFNF7SH1 is a $34.99 fillet knife built around a 7.5 inch blade, a birch wood handle, and a sharpener plus sheath included in the box. At 4.7 stars across 899 reviews, it holds the highest rating of any fillet knife in this lineup, making the added cost over Rapala's cheaper models easy to justify for anglers who want a complete kit.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a complete fillet setup in one purchase: a 7.5 inch blade, a birch handle for grip, and a matching sharpener and sheath, without hunting down accessories separately.
Skip if
Skip it if budget matters more than extras. The Rapala 126SP covers similar filleting duty for $10.49, and buyers have moved 100+ units a month versus 0+ for this pricier model.
- Material Birch Wood
- Weight 0.23 Kilograms
- Length 7.5 Inches
- Size 7"
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Feature Fillet knife with sharpener and sheath
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 899 owner ratings
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Popularity3.9/5
899 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
Standing at a cleaning table with a stringer of fish and a dull blade is how most anglers learn to care about their fillet knife. The Rapala BPFNF7SH1 addresses that directly by bundling a 7.5 inch blade with a sharpener and a sheath in one $34.99 package, so the tool for keeping the edge sharp travels with the knife instead of getting left in a tackle box drawer.
The handle is birch wood rather than the rubber or co-polymer grips common on cheaper fillet knives, and the whole unit weighs about 0.23 kilograms, roughly 8 ounces. A 7.5 inch blade sits in the middle of the range for fillet knives, long enough for mid-size panfish through small saltwater species without being unwieldy for smaller catches. The included sheath protects the edge in a tackle bag and keeps the blade from being a hazard when packed away.
Among the Rapala lineup here, the BPFNF7SH1 costs more than both the 126SP at $10.49 and the BP136SH at $17.50, but it also carries the strongest rating of the group at 4.7 stars across 899 reviews. The Kershaw 1259X comes closest on rating at 4.6 stars with a much larger 1,500-review base and a longer 9 inch co-polymer handled blade for $20.51, so buyers who prefer a longer blade or a lower price have a documented alternative to weigh against this one.
Pros
- 4.7-star average across 899 reviews, the highest rating among the fillet knives compared here
- 7.5 inch blade length suits mid-size to larger fish without the bulk of a 9 inch blade
- Birch wood handle gives a different grip feel than the rubber or co-polymer handles on the 126SP and Kershaw 1259X
- Sharpener and sheath are included, so the kit ships complete for $34.99
- Lightweight build at roughly 0.23 kilograms, about 8 ounces
- Listed as in stock at time of writing
Cons
- Costs $34.99, more than triple the $10.49 Rapala 126SP in the same lineup
- Bought last month is listed at 0+, versus 100+ for the 126SP and 50+ for the Kershaw 1259X
- 899 reviews trails the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500-review base
- Wood handle construction asks for more upkeep than the synthetic grips on the BP136SH and Kershaw 1259X
Specifications
| Material | Birch Wood |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.23 Kilograms |
| Length | 7.5 Inches |
| Size | 7" |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
| Feature | Fillet knife with sharpener and sheath |
Performance notes
A 7.5 inch blade on a knife weighing about 0.23 kilograms, roughly 8 ounces, sits toward the lighter, more maneuverable end of the fillet knife spectrum, which matters when working through a stack of panfish or small saltwater catches where wrist fatigue adds up. The birch wood handle is a departure from the rubberized or co-polymer grips found on the 126SP, BP136SH, and Kershaw 1259X, offering a different balance point and a more traditional feel in hand, though it typically needs more care to avoid moisture damage than a synthetic grip. The bundled sharpener means the edge can be maintained without buying a separate stone or rod, and the included sheath protects both the blade and whoever reaches into a tackle bag. At $34.99, the combination of blade, sharpener, and sheath is priced as a complete kit rather than a standalone blade.
What buyers say
The 4.7-star average across 899 reviews is the highest of any fillet knife compared here, ahead of the Kershaw 1259X's 4.6 stars over 1,500 reviews and well above the 4.4 stars the BP136SH holds across 264 reviews. That combination of a high rating with a substantial review count suggests broad satisfaction rather than a small sample skewing the number. The listed bought-last-month figure of 0+ is lower than the 100+ recorded for the budget-priced 126SP and the 50+ for the Kershaw 1259X, which fits a pattern where the cheaper or more established options move in higher volume even when this model holds the stronger rating.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Rapala BPFNF7SH1 come with a sharpener?
Yes. The listed feature set includes a sharpener along with a sheath, so both come packaged with the 7.5 inch blade for the $34.99 price. That distinguishes it from simpler models like the Rapala 126SP, which are sold as a blade and sheath without a dedicated sharpening tool.
How does the BPFNF7SH1 compare to the Kershaw 1259X?
The Kershaw 1259X has a longer 9 inch blade, a co-polymer handle, and a bigger 1,500-review base at $20.51, cheaper than this model's $34.99. The BPFNF7SH1 answers back with a slightly higher 4.7-star rating and the bundled sharpener plus sheath that the Kershaw listing does not mention.
Is the 7.5 inch blade long enough for bigger fish?
At 7.5 inches, the blade sits shorter than the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inch option, which favors anglers targeting larger fish. For panfish, trout, and mid-size saltwater species, though, the 7.5 inch length paired with the lighter 0.23 kilogram build stays easy to control.