Opinel 002558 Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Opinel 002558 Fillet Knife costs $18.00 and carries a 4.6 star average across 277 reviews, tying the Kershaw 1259X for the highest rating in this fillet knife lineup, though its 0+ bought last month figure shows current demand has cooled compared to the busier Rapala and KastKing models.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a traditional, lightweight fillet knife with a natural wood handle for cleaning smaller freshwater catches, and buyers who weigh a high 4.6 star rating over 277 reviews more heavily than recent purchase volume.
Skip if
Skip it if you need a knife that's actively selling right now, since its 0+ bought last month trails the 100+ figures on the Rapala 126SP and the KastKing 110VFKOR, or if you fillet larger saltwater fish needing a longer blade.
- Material Beechwood
- Weight 0.07 Pounds
- Length 7.1 Inches
- Size 3.5"
- Color Beech Wood
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Priced 44% below the category median ($32.23 across 74 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 277 owner ratings
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Popularity2.4/5
277 owner reviews, fewer 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
A good fillet knife for panfish and trout doesn't need to be big, and the Opinel 002558 leans into that with a 3.5 inch blade size and a beechwood handle that keeps the whole knife light in the hand. At 0.07 pounds and 7.1 inches overall, it's built for precision work on smaller fish rather than heavy saltwater fillet jobs.
At $18.00, it sits between the Rapala 126SP at $10.49 and the Rapala BP136SH at $17.50, closer in price to the latter but built from different materials, wood and steel here versus the stainless and co-polymer construction on the Rapala and Kershaw options. It ships as a single 1 count unit.
The 4.6 star average across 277 reviews matches the top rating in this group, shared with the Kershaw 1259X, though the Kershaw has amassed 1,500 reviews against the Opinel's 277. The listed 0+ bought last month figure is the lowest of the fillet knives compared here, which points to a knife that current buyers are researching less actively than the KastKing models or the budget Rapala, though the 4.6 star average still signals strong satisfaction among the buyers it does have.
Pros
- 4.6 star average across 277 reviews, tied for the highest rating among the fillet knives compared here
- Beechwood handle keeps total weight down to 0.07 pounds
- Compact 7.1 inch overall length and 3.5 inch blade size suited to precision fillet work
- Priced at $18.00, cheaper than the Kershaw 1259X at $20.51
- In stock and shipped as a single 1 count unit
Cons
- 0+ bought last month is the lowest recent purchase figure of any fillet knife in this set
- 277 reviews is far below the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500
- 3.5 inch blade size is short next to the 7 to 9 inch options from KastKing and Kershaw
- Wood handle construction may need more care around water than synthetic TPE or co-polymer handles
- At $18.00 it costs more than the $10.49 Rapala 126SP
Specifications
| Material | Beechwood |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.07 Pounds |
| Length | 7.1 Inches |
| Size | 3.5" |
| Color | Beech Wood |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
Performance notes
A 7.1 inch overall length and 3.5 inch blade size put the Opinel 002558 firmly in the small fillet knife category, better suited to trout, panfish and other smaller freshwater catches than to large saltwater species that need more blade to work through. At 0.07 pounds, it's the lightest knife referenced in this comparison, which matters for control during repetitive fillet cuts where hand fatigue is a real factor. The beechwood handle is a traditional choice that trades the water resistance of synthetic grips like TPE or co-polymer for a classic feel, so it fits anglers who fillet at a cleaning station rather than standing in a boat in wet conditions all day. Sold as a single 1 count unit, it is a standalone blade with no companion knife or sheath mentioned in its specifications.
What buyers say
The Opinel 002558 posts a 4.6 star average across 277 reviews, a rating that ties the Kershaw 1259X for the best in this comparison and beats the 4.3 to 4.5 stars on the KastKing and Rapala 126SP. That said, the review count of 277 is modest next to the Kershaw's 1,500, and the 0+ bought last month figure is the lowest of any fillet knife referenced here, well behind the 100+ on the Rapala 126SP and the 500+ on the KastKing 110VFKOR. Read together, the pattern suggests a knife with a loyal, satisfied base of past buyers but comparatively quiet current purchase activity, which may reflect a smaller niche audience for a wood handled fillet knife at this price point.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Opinel 002558 good for large saltwater fish?
Not really. It has a 3.5 inch blade size and measures 7.1 inches overall, which is built for precision on smaller freshwater catches like trout and panfish. For larger saltwater species, the longer 7 to 9 inch blades on the KastKing models or the Kershaw 1259X are a better match.
Why does the Opinel 002558 show 0+ bought last month despite a 4.6 star rating?
The 4.6 star average reflects 277 past reviews, but recent purchase volume is listed at 0+, the lowest among the fillet knives compared here. High past satisfaction and low current sales volume can both be true at once, and it suggests looking at recent demand alongside the star rating before buying.
What is the handle material on the Opinel 002558 Fillet Knife?
The handle is beechwood, a traditional natural wood rather than the synthetic TPE or co-polymer grips used on knives like the KastKing 110VFKOR or Kershaw 1259X. It keeps the knife light at 0.07 pounds, though wood generally asks for more care around water than a synthetic handle.