Mossy MO23012 Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Mossy MO23012 is an easy recommendation at $8.99, the lowest price in this comparison, especially with 900+ units bought last month and a 4.5 star average across 505 reviews. It is a compact 4 inch blade with a sheath included, built for quick, everyday use rather than a lifetime tool.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a cheap, grab-and-go fillet knife for the tackle box or boat, plus anyone stocking up on a backup blade. The included sheath and 4 inch length suit small to medium panfish and trout.
Skip if
Skip it if you fillet large saltwater fish regularly, since the 4 inch blade is short next to the 9 inch Kershaw 1259X. Anyone wanting a longer-lasting premium build should look at pricier steel instead.
- Size 4 inch
- Color Blue
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Feature Sheath
- Priced 72% below the category median ($32.23 across 74 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 505 owner ratings
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Popularity3.2/5
505 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
Anyone who has come home from a morning on the water with a stringer of panfish or trout knows the value of a knife that just gets the job done without costing more than the bait. The Mossy MO23012 sits at $8.99, which puts it well below every other fillet knife in this lineup, yet it still carries a 4.5 star average across 505 reviews.
The blade measures 4 inches and comes in blue, with a sheath included in the single count package. That length keeps the knife compact for tackle box storage and quick cleaning chores on smaller freshwater catches, though it is noticeably shorter than the 6 inch Rapala 126SP or the 9 inch Kershaw 1259X.
At 900+ bought last month, the Mossy MO23012 is moving in far larger numbers than the Rapala 126SP (100+), the Rapala BP136SH (0+), or the Kershaw 1259X (50+). That volume, combined with the low price, suggests it works well as an everyday blade or backup rather than a dedicated saltwater tool. For anglers who just need a functional knife on hand, the price and demand pattern here are hard to beat.
Pros
- Priced at just $8.99, the lowest of any fillet knife compared here
- 4.5 star rating across 505 reviews shows consistent buyer satisfaction
- 900+ bought last month is the highest demand figure in this comparison
- Includes a sheath in the package for safer storage
- Compact 4 inch blade is easy to stow in a tackle box
Cons
- 4 inch blade is shorter than the 6 inch Rapala 126SP and 9 inch Kershaw 1259X, limiting use on larger fish
- Single piece count means no backup blade if it dulls or breaks
- No listed material or weight specs, unlike the Kershaw 1259X's co-polymer handle details
- Blue finish and low price point suggest a budget build rather than premium steel
Specifications
| Size | 4 inch |
|---|---|
| Color | Blue |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
| Feature | Sheath |
Performance notes
A 4 inch blade is built for speed on small to mid-size panfish, trout, and similar freshwater catches, where a shorter edge gives more control in tight spaces near the ribs and spine. It will not have the reach of the 6 inch Rapala 126SP or the 9 inch Kershaw 1259X, both sized for bigger fillets in fewer strokes.
The included sheath matters more than it might seem, since a bare 4 inch blade tossed into a tackle box is a real hazard, and this listing ships with a home for it. At 1 count per package, this is a single knife rather than a set, so anyone wanting a backup should plan to buy a second one. Given the $8.99 price, treating it as a low-cost, easily replaceable tool rather than a long-term investment fits the specs on the table.
What buyers say
A 4.5 star average holding steady across 505 reviews is a solid signal for a knife priced under $9, matching the Rapala 126SP's 4.5 stars over 423 reviews despite costing about $1.50 less. The standout number is demand: 900+ bought last month dwarfs the Rapala 126SP's 100+, the Kershaw 1259X's 50+, and the Rapala BP136SH's 0+. That combination of a high rating held across a meaningful review count, plus by far the strongest recent purchase volume in this set, points to a knife satisfying buyers at scale rather than one propped up by a small early batch of reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Mossy MO23012 good for big fish?
Not really. At 4 inches, the blade is shorter than the 6 inch Rapala 126SP or the 9 inch Kershaw 1259X, so it works best on panfish, trout, and other small to medium freshwater catches rather than large saltwater species that need longer, deeper cuts.
Does it come with a sheath?
Yes. The listed feature includes a sheath, and the knife ships as a 1 count package, so there is a dedicated place to store the blade safely in a tackle box rather than leaving a bare 4 inch edge loose among lures, hooks, and other gear.
How does the price compare to other fillet knives?
At $8.99, the Mossy MO23012 is the least expensive option in this comparison, undercutting the $10.49 Rapala 126SP, the $17.50 Rapala BP136SH, and the $20.51 Kershaw 1259X, while still holding a 4.5 star rating across 505 reviews and 900+ bought last month, the strongest demand figure in this entire lineup.