Ikuchi, the best Spyderco folding filet knife?

[ErikLee]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a knife that's great for fileting, deboning fish and these types of tasks and while looking at the Ikuchi I hthought this would be trhe perfect knife to have for such tasks.
The blade length is not too shirt, but what cought my attention is the blade thickness at 2mm an the short blade height. That makes me believe the blade will be more bendy than your regular Spyderco which gennerally is 3mm or thicker and have way taller blades.

Do people who regularly cleans fish or debone meat think this knife is great for that use?

Any thoughts on your use case for the Ikuchi are more than welcome.

[Michael Janich]

Dear ErikLee:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Wartstein]

I say: For that get the current Catcherman sprint run as long as you can..

Also: Welcome!

[ErikLee]

I say: For that get the current Catcherman sprint run as long as you can..

Also: Welcome!

I understand your point, but I'm not a big fan of the CRN linerless models. if a fancy G10 model of the Catcherman comes out, I will be the first to pick one up

[juggler]

I can see the Ikuchi being used as a filet knife, but the Catcherman is arguably the king of filet knives in the current Spyderco lineup: the blade is longer and a bit thinner, while the materials used (FRN+LC200N) are more appropriate. Which is no big surprise, since that's exactly what the Catcherman was made for!

[brj]

While the Catcherman might most likely indeed be a better option for a fileting knife, the Ikuchi is arguably a better all-around edc, I have been carrying/using mine quite a lot and there is no task it wouldn't handle with aplomb and panache

[ZrowsN1s]

I have an Ikuchi. I would say no. Not only are you going to rust the thing with fish and water getting in the internals, operating the flipper while its wet or dirty would be a nightmare (only way to open knife). I also don't find the blade to be flexible.

[yablanowitz]

I have to agree with Matt, the Ikuchi blade is nowhere near flexible enough for filet duty.

[Manixguy@1994]

Catcherman ! MG2

[tbdoc4kids]

I love my Ikuchi, but the blade is not at all flexible. Go for the Catcherman!

[Coastal]

I can see using the Ikuchi to fillet small fish if it's all you have and you have a way to wash the knife with fresh water soon afterward. To me it would be somewhat of a stunt, though. Sure, you could do it, but why, especially with the Catcherman still available. I've never done it so I can't speak from experience, but I also can't see using a comp lock knife for filleting.

Full disclosure, I would never choose a folder of any type to fillet fish if I had a fixed blade nearby. If you specifically want a fancy fillet knife, there are several excellent ones available, but they aren't Spydercos.

[ErikLee]

Great info! Yes I guess I will look into getting my hands on that green Catcherman with LC200N instead of an Ikuchi. But if I find one in the future, I might still join the Ikuchi club because It is a very nice knife.

I have an Ikuchi. I would say no. Not only are you going to rust the thing with fish and water getting in the internals, operating the flipper while its wet or dirty would be a nightmare (only way to open knife). I also don't find the blade to be flexible.

Those are great points, I'm sure the carbon scales will lose all it's grip in wet slimy conditions, if at all it has any, as it looks very smooth on pictures.

[ZrowsN1s]

I don't know if it would be worth it to Spyderco to spend the money on Tooling but a fixed blade Catcherman would be cool. I'd get one for what it's worth. (I got 2 of the folders).

[kobold]

I think the Spydiechef is more suitable. But there is also the Catcherman and possibly others.

[RazorSharp86]

Skip the Ikuchi. The knife design (handle texture, lack of guard, opening mechanism) don’t lend it itself to these type of tasks.
If you’re against the Catcherman (seriously the perfect folding fillet knife), then you might be able to find a Siren. I used my Siren to fillet anything from large cod and king salmon to pan-sized trout.
Sure, it isn’t perfect, since it’s not a designated fillet knife, but it works great for these type of tasks for an edc knife that can do everything you’d use a knife like the Para2 for.

[skeeg11]

Late reply... Not a folder
but even a..PE Zcut is a better choice in that blade length range.

[vivi]

The catcherman is purpose built for this role. The size of it is much more practical for this job than the Ikuchi.

While the Catcherman might most likely indeed be a better option for a fileting knife, the Ikuchi is arguably a better all-around edc, I have been carrying/using mine quite a lot and there is no task it wouldn't handle with aplomb and panache

I can say the same about the Catcherman. It makes a great EDC.

Spyderco Catcherman Sprint - An EDC focused review

[toml4185]

Forget the Ikuchi for this purpose and go for the Catcherman. I’ve filleted over 100 fish this season using this knife of a variety of sizes and it kicks ***.

[Jeb]

I just got a new Siren and with the S90V steel and CF scale and it's linerless, makes for one really light weight edc, and it's all there, nothing cheap feeling about it...

It's the blade length of just over 3.5" that doesn't work so well for me, but; I am still carrying the knife...

I have the lime green Catcherman too, and love the blade steel and length, but the knife is made to cheap for my wants and needs for EDC...

They ever make it with the stainless liners and a 4 corner changeable pocket clip and everything else the same, I will have two of those...

In the mean time the Catcherman is your best bet, it's just a fishing knife and light duty like carry and use while on and around the boat and out on the water. But I carry a backup even then, as I just don't trust the Catcherman by itself for much more than a boat and/or tackle box knife...

I will admit though I am quite the picky one when it comes down to things like this, and the older I get the worse I am lol...

[aicolainen]

If you don't need it right now, and if it's not too short, maybe the upcoming Charisma could be a better trade off towards a more EDC oriented, thin bladed, folding knife.

CTS-BD1N. 3" blade length. 1mm thick. Or thin, rather.