I like straight blades myself. As far as brand I currently have a Mister Twister, but when it dies I WILL go to a discount store and just buy an electric knife that isn't too costly. My Mister Twister gets hot in my hand when I'm cleaning a bunch of fish. I bought an Expensive fillet knife one time that cost me $70 and it didn't make it thru 10 fish and it died. That's why I'll get cheap ones from now on.