Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 Fillet Knife Review
Our verdict
The Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 fillet knife costs $79.99, more than triple the price of the Kershaw 1259X, but backs that up with a 4.7 star average and 400+ units bought last month, the strongest recent demand signal among the fillet knives compared here.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who fillet fish often and want a longer 16.5 inch blade with a non-slip ABS+TPR handle, and who are fine paying a premium over budget fillet knives for a higher-rated, higher-demand option.
Skip if
Skip it if you just need a basic fillet knife for occasional use, since the Rapala 126SP does the same job for $10.49, or if you want the highest review count, since the Kershaw 1259X has 1,500 reviews versus 37.
- Material ABS+TPR
- Length 16.5 Inches
- Color Blue,Black
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Priced 148% above the category median ($32.23 across 74 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 37 owner ratings
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Popularity0.2/5
37 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
Cleaning a stringer of fish at the dock calls for a blade long enough to work through a fillet in a couple of passes, and that is where the Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 makes its case. At 16.5 inches overall, it is built around a longer working length than the compact knives in this class, and the ABS+TPR handle in blue and black is meant to stay gripped even when hands are wet.
At $79.99 it sits well above the other fillet knives here. The Rapala 126SP runs $10.49 with a 6 inch blade, the Rapala BP136SH is $17.50, and the Kershaw 1259X is $20.51 with a 9 inch co-polymer handle. None of those approach the Calamus on price, which puts the burden of proof on its rating and construction rather than its cost.
That proof shows up in the numbers Amazon reports. The Calamus holds a 4.7 star average, the highest of the four knives compared, though its 37 reviews is a small sample next to the Kershaw's 1,500 or the Rapala 126SP's 423. What stands out is the 400+ bought last month figure, well ahead of the Kershaw's 50+ and the Rapala 126SP's 100+, suggesting current buyers are choosing it despite the price gap.
Pros
- 16.5 inch blade length gives more working room than the 6 inch Rapala 126SP or 9 inch Kershaw 1259X
- 4.7 star average rating, the highest of the four fillet knives compared here
- 400+ units bought last month, the strongest recent demand signal in this group
- ABS+TPR handle construction designed for grip in wet conditions
- Currently in stock and ships as a single 1 count unit
- Blue and black color scheme makes the knife easy to spot in a tackle bag
Cons
- At $79.99, it costs more than 4 times the Rapala 126SP's $10.49
- Only 37 reviews on record, a small sample next to the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500
- No stated blade material or steel type in the available specs
- No sheath or storage case mentioned in the listed specs
Specifications
| Material | ABS+TPR |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5 Inches |
| Color | Blue,Black |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
Performance notes
The 16.5 inch overall length puts the Calamus toward the longer end of the fillet knives compared here, well past the Rapala 126SP's 6 inches and the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inches. A longer blade generally means fewer strokes to get through a bigger fillet, which matters more on larger fish than on small panfish. The ABS+TPR handle combines a rigid ABS shell with a softer TPR overlay, a common pairing meant to keep grip secure when hands are slick from fish slime or dock water. The blue and black color scheme is mostly a visibility choice, useful for spotting the knife in a tackle bag or on a boat deck. The listing does not specify blade steel, edge grind, or weight, so buyers comparing it against the Kershaw's stated 3.5 ounce, co-polymer handled knife are working with a partial spec sheet on the Calamus side.
What buyers say
The 4.7 star average from 37 reviews is the highest rating among the fillet knives in this comparison, though the review count is thin, far below the Rapala 126SP's 423 or the Kershaw 1259X's 1,500. A small review base can shift with just a handful of new ratings, so the 4.7 figure carries less statistical weight than the Kershaw's. What is harder to dismiss is the 400+ bought last month figure, which outpaces every other fillet knife in this set, including knives that cost a fraction of the price. That combination, a high rating on a small sample plus strong recent purchase volume, suggests a knife that is gaining traction quickly rather than one with a long, settled track record.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 fillet knife?
The Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 measures 16.5 inches overall, which is longer than the Rapala 126SP's 6 inches and the Kershaw 1259X's 9 inches among comparable fillet knives. That extra length is meant to help with longer, single-pass cuts on bigger fish rather than repeated short strokes.
Is the Calamus BV-LI1B2BL-2700 worth the $79.99 price?
It costs more than every other fillet knife compared here, including the Kershaw 1259X at $20.51. In exchange it carries the highest rating, 4.7 stars, and the strongest recent demand, 400+ bought last month, though its 37 review count is small next to competitors with hundreds or thousands of reviews.
What is the handle material on the Calamus fillet knife?
The handle is built from ABS plus TPR, a rigid plastic core wrapped in a softer rubber-like overlay. That combination is a common approach for keeping grip when hands get wet or slippery from handling fish, though the listing does not break out a separate weight figure.