Best Fish Scaler

Fish scalers – Buying Guide, Reviews, and Comparison

 

If you don’t have the time to through the full extent of this guide but are still interested in a quick suggestion for a good fish scaler then know that the Westmark 65002260 is the item we find the most suitable for the task. It enjoyed overwhelmingly positive feedback from both expert reviewers and satisfied customers alike due to its high degree of functionality and high quality, German construction. It has its own roomy scale container surrounding the two blades, which means you won’t have to discard the scales after only one or two swipes. Furthermore, you can close this container with a plastic lid to ensure that no scales will be flying about, while its sturdy aluminum body gives it good resistance to bending for those times when you’ll be forcefully pushing it against stubborn scales. If the Westmark isn’t available, then Eagle Claw Scaler will make a good alternative.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

3 Best Fish Scalers (Reviews) in 2023

 

With all the various options available for sale, finding the right fish scaler for your needs might not be as straightforward as you would expect. To help you out in making a choice, we’ve looked through the best fish scaler reviews we could find and made a short list of the products that came out on top for your consideration.

 

 

1. Westmark Scalex Fish Scaler Aluminium Silver

 

German manufacturers are famous for “thinking of everything,” that is, taking every user’s possible need into account ahead of time when designing a product. This Westmark fish scaler seems to confirm the stereotype by providing a set of feature that will make the otherwise bothersome task of descaling into a walk in the park.

First, the two stainless steel blades sit at the bottom of a scoop-like small container, in which the scales that get stripped off the fish get collected. This means that you can conceivably clean out a large specimen — like a bass or catfish — without bothering to discard the scales into a separate bowl. This will save you a lot of time and space on your countertop.

The container comes with its own plastic lid, so you don’t run the risk of scales flying through your kitchen after snapping out or the contents of the small container spilling.

Customers have remarked on its sturdy, aluminum construction which promises to give many years of use while being safe enough for machine washing and free of oxidation.

The sides of the handle follow a wavy pattern, to make the scaler easier to grip when smeared in fish fat.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

2. Eagle Claw Scaler

 

This Eagle Claw product takes a more straightforward approach to descaling fish. It has two stainless steel jagged striping blades placed side by side. The space between them is reserved for catching the scales.

Since unlike the Westmark model it doesn’t have its own little container from which the scales can be discarded straight into the trash, you will have to clean them up from your kitchen counter after finishing the whole operation.

But that’s a small impediment, considering that cleaning your kitchen counter or sink after preparing fish is something you will have to do anyway, and the space between the blades works well enough at catching any errant fish scale.

Otherwise, the two long and slightly curved blades of the Eagle Claw will work great for even the biggest fish, and its rubbery handle, with small indentations to fit your fingers, will give you a tight, comfortable grip even if slippery from fish fat.  

The actual de-scaling part is placed at a noticeable angle from the handle, in order to provide you with the best leeway when moving it over the fish’s body placed on the table.   

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

3. Mister Twister EZ-SR Fish Scaler

 

The EZ-ScaleR from Mister Twister is a very interesting concept for an automated fish scaler, which spares you some of the manual labor associated with de-scaling a fish. It’s meant to work as an accessory to the Mister Twister series of electric knives, to which it attaches to and uses the electric mechanism of the knife to operate.

For those worried about having to buy a new electric knife just to get a descaler, we mention that multiple users noted that the product is compatible with other brands as well (such as American Angler) and might be easy to adapt on the majority of electric knives found on the market with some tweaking.

The advantages it offers are obvious, you won’t have to tire yourself with tearing tough scales off of giant catfish and carp, while the 2,800 to 3,200 revolutions per minute it offers will make the whole process go a lot faster when handling fish of any size.

Considering it’s automatic, it shouldn’t require a lot of skill to operate, but some customers have noted that due to the high speed at which the blade moves, it can turn smaller fish to mush if proper attention is not given.

Buy from Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

Buying guide

 

The fish scaler will offer a dramatically higher degree of convenience compared to a knife or whatever other tool one might alternatively use for the task. This automatically makes it a great investment for those who prefer to cook whole fish, regardless of the item chosen. But not all fish scalers are created equal, and there are still some things to look out for if you want to make the best purchase.

Function

All fish scalers have a jagged stripping blade that is used for getting under the scales and then extracting them with an up and down motion at the place where the scale is joined to the skin. A buffer is generally used at the opposite end of the blade to prevent the scales from being thrown in random directions.

Blades are usually doubled, either side by side or front to front, to allow the scaler to be used by either right or left handed people and towards either direction. Each distribution has its pros and cons.

Side by side (one on top of another) units are generally easier to wield and allow for more fine movements since you don’t have any material towards the direction you’re pushing. Placing one blade in front of the other, however, allows for a scoop-like construction for the scaler, which provides an excellent buffer.

 

Convenience

The “scoop” basically acts like a small container in which the scales pulled off by the blade gather to be more easily discarded. This makes for great convenience since it means you won’t be required to clean all the scales off your kitchen counter by yourself after the work is done.

If you expect to be working with fish of different sizes and want to be ready for any de-scaling task, no matter how difficult, then a side-by-side model, which functions and looks more like a knife might provide better convenience for you.

 

Ease of use

In side-by-side models, look that the handle is placed at a certain angle (around 15-25 degrees) to the blades since this will make it easier for you to wield an object at the height of a kitchen table or counter.

Always check that the handle provides good grip and is made from a material which isn’t prone slipping while greased up (such as wood, rubber, some textured metals, etc.). A sleek stainless steel grip, for example, will cause you a lot of annoyance if covered by slime.

Always favor tougher materials, like stainless steel or cast aluminum over cheaper ones like plastic. The scaler can be subjected to a lot of force when removing larger scales and can also deteriorate if not cleaned properly after use.