Knives Best Sellers: The Filleting Sets, Fish Splitters, Fillet Knives, Boning Knives and Pocket Knives Kiwis Are Buying Now

Summer is when the knife block gets a real workout. The snapper are on, the kingfish are turning up, and plenty of Kiwis are heading for the hills or the back paddock too. So we went back through the last 90 days of orders in our Knives range to see what people are actually buying. These five genuine recent best sellers lean hard towards the filleting table, with a proven hunting knife and a smart everyday folder thrown in.

1. Victory 6 Piece Fish Filleting Set

Our top seller is the complete filleting kit. You get a 20cm straight filleting knife, a 22cm round tip filleting knife, a 22cm narrow filleting knife, a 25cm curved filleting knife, a 30cm fish splitter and a Flugel Fine No4 commercial steel, all rolled up in a 5 pocket knife wrap. Choose the canvas roll or step up to a premium leather wrap, which is why the price runs from the canvas set upwards. The knives are made in New Zealand from high quality German stainless steel and carry Victory's lifetime guarantee (excluding misuse and normal wear). It's the set keen fishers buy once and keep for years, and a very popular gift as the season kicks off.

Price: from $319.99 - Victory Fishing Set 6 Piece Fish Filleting. More in Victory knife sets.

2. Fish Splitter, Heavy Duty 30cm S/S

Sometimes a slim filleting knife just isn't enough blade for the job. The fish splitter is a 30cm stainless knife with a heavy 3mm thick blade, and a splitter of this length is also part of the 6 piece set above. It sells to people who already own a good filleting knife and want something tougher to go alongside it on the cleaning table.

Price: $79.99 - Fish Splitter Heavy Duty 3mm Steel 30cm S/S. More in Victory stainless fish knives.

3. Victory Narrow Fillet Knife 22cm

Not everyone needs a full set, and this is the single knife plenty of people reach for. Victory describe the 22cm narrow filleting knife as one of their best selling filleting knives, and it handles a wide range of fish, from gurnard and snapper through to kingfish. It's NZ made from German stainless steel with the same lifetime guarantee, and it fits the S4 plastic sheath listed below, so it can live safely in the tackle box or boat bag.

Price: $40.32 - Narrow Fillet Knife 22cm S/S.

4. Victory Narrow Curved Boning Knife 12cm

Away from the water, this little boning knife is a firm favourite with hunters. The 12cm blade has a drop swage for better skinning ability, and Victory pitch it as the one knife to take into the hills, because it handles dressing out, skinning and boning medium to large game animals. At this price it's an easy add to the pack or the ute, and it fits the S1 leather sheath.

Price: $28.06 - Narrow Curved Boning Knife 12cm. More in Victory butchers knives.

5. Buck 259 Haxby

For something to carry every day, the Buck 259 Haxby keeps turning up in orders. It's a big, bold folder with a full-length flat grind, a carbon fibre style handle and a red pivot collar that sets it apart. Ball bearings make for smooth one-handed opening and a liner lock holds the blade open. It suits anyone who wants a sleek, modern pocket knife from a brand with a long track record.

Price: $125 - Buck 259 Haxby. More in Buck folding knives.

Also popular right now

• Plastic Fish Fillet Sheath with Strap S4 ($11.50): fits filleting knives up to and including 22cm.
• Small Leather Sheath S10 ($34.99): made for Victory's small drop point, rabbiter and small curved boning knives (knife not included). Both sheaths are in sharpening steels and knife accessories.
• Shepherds Steel Knife Sharpener, Ring & Bar ($30): made in Sheffield by Egginton Brothers. More in butchers sharpening steels.

From the boat ramp to the islands

These orders come from fishers, hunters and home cooks right around New Zealand. We also supply filleting knives and knife sets to customers in the Pacific Islands, where cleaning and preparing your own catch is part of everyday life. If you're not sure which blade suits the fish you're chasing, get in touch and we'll help you choose.

Browse our full range at actionoutdoors.kiwi