Rapala PGEF1 Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Rapala PGEF1 costs $80.93, by far the most expensive fillet knife in this comparison, built from stainless steel with a matching case and a 7.5 inch blade. Its 4.5-star rating across 1,100 reviews shows a large, consistent review base, though the price sits nearly four times the Kershaw 1259X's $20.51 for a similar star rating.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a stainless steel blade and a protective case bundled together and are fine paying a premium, since the PGEF1's 1,100-review base is the largest in this comparison.
Skip if
Skip it if $80.93 is out of budget. The Kershaw 1259X delivers a similar 4.6-star rating over 1,500 reviews for $20.51, and the Rapala 126SP covers basic filleting for $10.49.
- Material Stainless Steel
- Weight 1 Pounds
- Length 7.5 Inches
- Size 7"
- Color Multi
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Priced 151% above the category median ($32.23 across 74 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 1,100 owner ratings
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Popularity4.2/5
1,100 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
Anglers who fillet enough fish to wear through a budget blade eventually look at something built to last, and the Rapala PGEF1 is priced like that kind of purchase. At $80.93, it is the most expensive fillet knife in this comparison by a wide margin, built from stainless steel and sold with a matching case rather than a simple sheath.
The blade runs 7.5 inches, the same length as the Rapala BPFNF7SH1, and the knife weighs about 1 pound, noticeably heavier than lighter fillet knives in the same length class. That extra weight typically comes from a fuller stainless steel construction rather than a lightweight composite, and the included case is built for storage and transport rather than just edge protection.
Backing that price is a 4.5-star rating across 1,100 reviews, the largest review base of any knife in this set apart from the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500. Still, the bought-last-month figure sits at 0+, the same as the BP136SH, while the Kershaw 1259X shows 50+ and the 126SP leads at 100+. That combination, a strong review history but no recent purchase signal, is worth weighing against the far cheaper alternatives that post similar or better star ratings.
Pros
- Stainless steel construction paired with a protective case rather than a simple sheath
- 1,100 reviews is among the largest sample sizes in this comparison, trailing only the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500
- 4.5-star rating holds steady across that large review base
- 7.5 inch blade matches the length of the well-reviewed Rapala BPFNF7SH1
- About 1 pound in weight, giving it more heft than lighter fillet knives
- Listed as in stock at time of writing
Cons
- At $80.93, it costs nearly four times the Kershaw 1259X's $20.51 for a lower star rating
- Bought last month is listed at 0+, matching the slowest-moving model in this comparison, the BP136SH
- 4.5-star rating trails the 4.6 stars of the Kershaw 1259X and the 4.7 stars of the Rapala BPFNF7SH1 and BPFNF9SH1
- At about 1 pound, it is heavier than lighter fillet knives built for all-day handling
Specifications
| Material | Stainless Steel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 Pounds |
| Length | 7.5 Inches |
| Size | 7" |
| Color | Multi |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
| Feature | Knife and Case |
Performance notes
A 7.5 inch stainless steel blade at roughly 1 pound is a heavier build than the lighter fillet knives in this comparison, which trade some heft for easier all-day handling. The extra weight in a stainless construction like this typically comes from a fuller tang and thicker stock, both of which can add durability at the cost of some maneuverability compared to a lighter co-polymer-handled option like the Kershaw 1259X. The included case is a step up from a basic sheath, built for storing the knife alongside other gear rather than just covering the edge. At $80.93, the PGEF1 is priced closer to a long-term investment piece than a disposable tackle box tool, and the 7.5 inch blade length puts it in the same working range as the Rapala BPFNF7SH1 rather than shorter options built for smaller fish.
What buyers say
A 4.5-star rating across 1,100 reviews is a solid, well-established pattern, close behind the Kershaw 1259X's 4.6 stars over 1,500 reviews and ahead of the 4.4 stars the BP136SH holds across 264. The size of the review base suggests the PGEF1 has been on the market long enough to accumulate consistent feedback rather than a thin, recent sample. What stands out is the bought-last-month figure of 0+, identical to the BP136SH and well behind the Kershaw 1259X's 50+ and the 126SP's 100+, suggesting that recent purchase momentum has slowed even though the historical rating remains strong.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does the Rapala PGEF1 cost so much more than other fillet knives here?
At $80.93, it is priced well above the $20.51 Kershaw 1259X and the $10.49 Rapala 126SP. The higher price reflects a stainless steel build sold with a case rather than a simple sheath, plus a large 1,100-review history behind the 4.5-star rating.
Does the PGEF1 come with a case?
Yes. The listed feature is 'Knife and Case,' meaning the stainless steel blade ships with a dedicated case rather than the basic sheath included with cheaper Rapala models like the 126SP and BP136SH. That case is part of what separates this listing at $80.93 from the sub-$20 options in the same lineup.
Is the bought-last-month figure a concern for this knife?
The listing shows 0+ bought last month, the same as the BP136SH and lower than the Kershaw 1259X's 50+ or the 126SP's 100+. Paired with a strong 4.5-star rating across 1,100 reviews, it suggests slower recent demand rather than a quality problem.