Small Fillet Knife, 120mm Ultra High Carbon Steel

The Roselli RW256 is a small fillet knife with a 120 mm (4.7 in) blade forged from Roselli's Ultra High Carbon (UHC) steel, hardened to around 62 to 64 HRC, with a curly birch handle. It floats, weighs 60 g, and suits trout, perch and other smaller fish. A handmade sheath of dark vegetable-tanned Finnish leather is included.

Specifications

• Steel: UHC (Ultra High Carbon) steel
• Hardness: around 62 to 64 HRC
• Blade length: 120 mm (4.7 in)
• Total length: 235 mm (9.3 in)
• Blade thickness: 0.5 to 1.1 mm
• Weight: 60 g (2.1 oz)
• Handle: curly birch, coated with linseed oil
• Ferrule: stainless steel
• Sheath: dark vegetable-tanned Finnish leather
• Floats in water
• Made by hand in Harmoinen, Finland

Best for

Filleting smaller fish, fine trimming, and close work along bones and skin. It doubles as an everyday small knife. For bigger fish, the R255 Big Fillet Knife is the better length, and the R800 Fish Fork holds the fillet still while you skin it. Technique is in Fillet Fish: Step-by-Step Guide for Home Cooks.

Care

UHC steel is very hard, which is why it holds an edge so long and why it shouldn't be struck against bone. Dry it right after washing and skip the dishwasher, as Roselli advises. For touch-ups, see How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife.

Questions

Does the RW256 really float? Yes. Roselli builds it to float, which helps when you're working near lakes and rivers.

Can I cut through fish bones with it? No. Roselli warns against striking bones or other very hard materials with the UHC edge. Work along the bones, not through them.

What size fish is it for? Smaller fish such as trout and perch. For 2 to 3 kg fish, Roselli recommends its Big Fillet Knife.