Thanksgiving guests are hungry and not the most patient people, and turkeys are huge. If carving that turkey is the most dreaded part of your dinner prep, there’s a tool that can help: the handy and affordable Electric Fish Fillet Knife.

A Electric Fish Fillet Knife has reciprocating blades powered by a small motor. This makes cutting even the toughest foods easy since the knife does most of the work for you, and doesn’t require a constant sawing motion. If you have arthritis, mobility issues or injuries, or perhaps cook for a large family regularly, an electric carving knife could make your kitchen duties much easier.

It’s not a big investment either. Electric knife prices usually hover somewhere between $15 and $30.

Unfortunately, some manufacturers have discontinued their electric knives altogether and so options are dwindling. But there’s a similar tool for those that need one for everyday use: the electric fillet knife, made and marketed for fishermen to process large amounts of freshly caught fish. These knives tend to be dependable and powerful and have more blade options for the many varieties of fish, and they’re helpful for a wide range of carving chores.

Electric Fish Fillet Knife Factors 

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing the best electric knife for you.

Electric or battery-powered? Most electric carving knives, as the name suggests, need to be plugged in to an electrical outlet to work. While this removes the hassle of charging or replacing batteries, but it can also be very limiting, as cables are normally about 5 feet. 

That’s enough if you have an outlet on your kitchen counter or don’t mind hooking it to an extension cord, but if you want to use it outside during the BBQ, at the dinner table for tradition’s sake or even while out on a fishing trip, it can be inconvenient.

Cordless electric knives give you a lot more freedom whether it’s in the kitchen, the backyard or on a boat. However, there aren’t many battery-powered options. The most accessible model for consumers is the Waring Cordless Lithium, which retails for $199, about ten times the price of a regular electric knife. Other cordless electric knives from brands like Cuisinart have been discontinued (though Cuisinart does still make corded electric knives).

However, in the fishing industry, companies like American Angler, Rapala and Bubba have released new cordless fillet models recently. They’re expensive (often around $200), but have longer durability, more powerful motors and bigger batteries. What’s more, modern lithium ion batteries are far more reliable and have longer runtimes than they used to , and they don’t lose their charge while not in use like before.

Ergonomics are important in electric knives since that’s a big part of their draw — preventing strain on the hands and wrists. When you’re looking for an electric knife, examine the shape of the handles, and make sure there are no hot spots (areas that can dig into your skin) and that the size is appropriate for your hands. There are many complaints about certain models being too big to handle or maneuver comfortably.

Also look at where the main trigger is placed. Normally, a trigger on the underside of the handle is the most comfortable, as you naturally would press it with your index finger. Triggers on the top can be annoying, they make you hold the knife in an awkward way and can make you push down too hard when cutting.

Another thing to consider is the safety lock, which not all models have. If you have children or just would like do decrease the chances of an injury, make sure to choose one with that added layer of protection.

Note, however, that safety locks could be inconvenient depending on their placement. If a safety lock is the kind you can click on or off, or is a mechanical lock (a cover on the trigger, for example), it may not present any issues since you can simply unlock it once and keep it that way. If, on the other hand, it requires you to press the unlocking mechanism along with the trigger to turn on the knife, that could prove unwieldy, especially when the safety is on top and the trigger is on the underside.

Although most electric knives come with the same style of blade, some will add wider or thinner blades for different tasks. If you plan to do a lot of cutting and carving, keep this in mind and look for one that has the versatility you need.

Electric fillet knives have a different style of blades, on the other hand. Most models have pointy blades, the kind used to make an incision on a fish. Mainly, they have what’s called a belly, which is a noticeable curve close to the tip. This is used for making small cuts near the fish’s tail or when removing bone. While these blades work just as well for meats, cheeses or bread, if you want a straight blade without a sharp tip (which can be dangerous or can puncture areas you don’t want to), make sure that the kit includes a straight blade with a rounded tip.

 As electric knife options from renowned brands decrease, cookie-cutter models from new, unknown names pop up. Prices are all within the same range, so it’s wise to prioritize tried-and-true products from reputable kitchenware brands.

Lastly, it’s important to look at the length of the warranty. The average for these products is about one year, so anything longer than that is a very good sign.