Mark Greene
Whether you are a professional butcher or like to prepare roasts for the holidays, it is essential that you have the proper equipment. The market is rich with knives of all types, but the question is which meets your expectations? Take a look at the best butcher knives currently available and get to know their features and characteristics. We will also answer a couple of questions that may enrich your knowledge and get you closer to a product that is the perfect fit for you.
The Best Butcher Knives
1. Our Pick: Ontario Knife 7111 Old Hickory Butcher Knife
BEST CHOICE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- A reliable knife
- Suitable for newbies
- Easy to sharpen
PROS
- Durable material
- High carbon steel blades
- Sharp edges
- Fairly easy to use
CONS
- Prone to rust if not maintained properly
- Should be hand-washed
DETAILS
The great part about this knife is that it is suitable for both professionals and those only entering the butchering world. The manufacturer used durable material, including a carbon steel blade. Keep in mind that it will require proper maintenance or it will become rusty.
The knife has sharp edges, and you can easily sharpen it whenever it is necessary. It is also reasonably simple to use it, and it shouldn’t have a big learning curve.
Make sure to wash the knife by hand, but also keep it dry because of the hickory base. The wooden base is an excellent choice in terms of durability and aesthetics, and most people will consider this knife beautiful.
2. Premium Pick: Utopia Kitchen Cleaver Knife
PREMIUM PICK
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Heavy-duty product
- Comfortable grip
- Suitable for commercial kitchens
PROS
- Completely made from stainless steel
- A great choice for cleaving
- No fatigue issues in long-term use
- A sharp blade
CONS
- The handle may get flimsy after a while
- Proper maintenance required
DETAILS
If you are looking for a meat cleaver, this is a knife worth considering. The manufacturer strictly stuck with stainless steel, which means the unit is durable and of high-quality.
The handle quality is also decent, but you don’t maintain the product correctly, it may get flimsy after a while. The ergonomic grip ensures that you don’t feel fatigue even when cleaving, cutting, or chopping for a long time.
The product has a 7-inch long sharp blade that is not difficult to sharpen. It is versatile and suitable for commercial use.
3. Best Value: Rada Cutlery Old Fashioned Butcher Knife
BEST VALUE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Versatility
- Made in the USA
- High-quality and durable blade
PROS
- Stainless steel blade
- A skinning tip
- Made in the United States
- A versatile product
CONS
- Not suitable for a dishwasher
DETAILS
The total length of this knife is over 12 inches, but the length of the blade is 7 ¾ inches. The material of choice for the blade is carbon stainless steel.
The blade is durable, but the same can be said for the handle. The stainless steel resin is theoretically safe for a dishwasher, but it may be better to hand wash the unit. The grip is comfortable thanks to the handle length.
The manufacturer is from the United States, and all their products are made there. The knife is versatile and is great whether you need to segment the meat or butcher it. You will learn how to use it , and you can cut, chop, or split depending on your desire.
4. DALSTRONG Cleaver – Shogun Series X
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Reputable manufacturer
- Long-term investment
- Versatility
PROS
- A versatile product
- A strong and durable knife
- Attractive design
- Ergonomic handle shape
CONS
- You might need to sharpen it before use
- A high price tag
DETAILS
DALSTRONG is one of the most reputable manufacturers in the market, and their Shogun cleaver is suitable for professionals and those who know what they need in a knife. The first thing you notice is the attractive design. The blade is seven inches long and of superb quality. The handle is ergonomic and handling the knife is smooth.
The product is strong and sturdy thanks to the Japanese sealed steel core. The blade is tapered to enable smooth cuts and minimize resistance. You can use the knife for boneless meats, fish, fruits, and veggies.
In rare cases, you might need to sharpen the blade before you use it, but as long as you take care of it properly, the knife will last for a long time.
5. Hoffritz Commercial 5190085 Top Rated German Steel Butcher Knife
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Suitable for home and commercial use
- Easy to clean
- Affordable price tag
PROS
- A long blade
- The hand-crafted carbon steel edge
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-slip grip
CONS
- May lead to fatigue
- You may need to sharpen it before use
DETAILS
If the previous knife was premium and professional, this one is suitable for both commercial and individual use at home. The first thing you notice is that the blade is quite long with its length being ten inches in total.
The blade is of fairly high quality as it is made from high carbon steel. You can rely on the knife that it will cut meat, roasts, and poultry regardless of the size. However, the product is a bit heavy and may lead to fatigue. The grip is comfortable and won’t slip, but it requires a bit of power on your side to cut efficiently.
The product is suitable for a dishwasher, and it is simple to maintain. Pay attention to how sharp it is when you receive it and whether it needs additional sharpening.
6. Dexter-Russell S112-10PCP Butcher Knife
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Non-slip grip
- The pointed tip
- Great for large roasts
PROS
- A long and versatile blade
- Straight edge knife
- Heavy-duty product
- Easy to maintain
CONS
- The handle is plastic
- It may be a bit tricky to handle meat around the bone
DETAILS
You will immediately note that the blade looks different from many others because of the white handle. Not only it is white, but it is also plastic, which is a small drawback. Fortunately, the knife does many other good things.
For example, it features a 10-inch long blade that is versatile. It is a fantastic choice for large roasts, but you can also use it with other meat and poultry.
The straight edge knife has a pointed tip, and the blade is manufactured with stain-free high-carbon steel, it is also made in the USA. You can consider it a heavy-duty product, but it may be a bit tricky to handle the meat around the bone unless you are experienced. The grip is comfortable and doesn’t cause slipping.
7. UltraSource Butcher Knife, 10″ Cimeter Blade
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Excellent choice for roasts
- Easy to use
- Suitable for home and commercial use
PROS
- Antibacterial handle
- A long, but reliable blade
- Comfortable grip with safety bolsters
- German steel blade
CONS
- The design is not that attractive
- You may need to sharpen it frequently
DETAILS
The UltraSource’s product is a long knife overall, which means both its handle and blade have admirable length. It is officially a 10-inch knife, and it has a versatile blade that is particularly useful for roasts.
Steel is the material of choice for the blade, and its construction to the handle is seamless. The handle has an unusual color, which might make the knife unattractive at first. However, it does a good job of being comfortable and preventing slipping.
Additionally, there are finger guards on both ends for optimal handling. The drawback is that the blade might need frequent sharpening, but that shouldn’t take a lot of your time.
8. DALSTRONG Boning Knife – Gladiator Series
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Affordable price for a premium knife
- Extremely durable
- Attractive design
PROS
- High-quality steel
- Simple to clean
- Ergonomic grip
- Resistant to stains
CONS
- May be difficult to maneuver if you have small hands
- Might need frequent resharpening
DETAILS
Here is an affordable knife made by a premium manufacturer. As usual, DALSTRONG used high-quality German steel for the blade and pakkawood for the handle.
The knife is triple-riveted, which makes it quite durable. It is also resistant to stains, but you should hand wash it because of the handle.
The grip is comfortable, and the knife is quite strong. The spine is hand-polished, which is a nice detail, and you get a sheath included.
While it is a 6-inch knife, it may still be tricky to maneuver if you have small hands. You may need to sharpen the blade frequently, but the good news is that it is very versatile and cuts smoothly when sharp.
9. Wusthof Pro 10 Inch Butcher Knife
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Great for slicing meat
- No stains
- Well-balanced
PROS
- Attractive design
- Carbon steel blade resistant to stains
- Comfortable grip
- A long blade and handle
CONS
- You must hand wash it
- It could be sharper out of the box
DETAILS
There is something about the combination of black handle and a silver blade that we like. If you are a fan of this design, you will love this unit.
The 10-inch knife is quite long, which is good if you plan to slice through cuts of meat. The blade is high carbon steel, and it is resistant to stains. That keeps the knife’s design attractive even after using it. You will, however, have to wash it by hand to extend its longevity.
The poly handle is comfortable and ergonomic, and the cutting seems pretty smooth. The knife may not come with maximum sharpness out of the box. However, the product appears well-balanced overall.
10. Damascus Chef Knife with Japanese VG10 Super Steel Core
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Unique design
- Razor sharp
- Non-slip handle
PROS
- Extremely sharp and versatile
- Long-lasting sharpness
- High-quality steel
- Attractive packaging and design
CONS
- The handle is not of natural wood
- The sheath seems like it doesn’t fit properly
DETAILS
If you want your knife you to stand out from the crowd, this Damascus model may be a fantastic fit. It is not about aesthetics; this knife also has excellent performance.
The product is razor sharp out of the box. Thanks to the unique design, the blade remains sharp for months before it needs resharpening. The 8-inch knife is a combination of high-quality steel and pakkawood handle. It is not natural wood, but it is still quite durable.
The handle is ergonomic and comfortable. The product has attractive packaging, and it also comes with a sheath. However, it seems that the sheath isn’t of adequate size as it is a little loose.
How to Choose the Best Butcher Knife
There is no dilemma – you can find great knives on the market. The question is how to choose one that suits you. Here is a quick guide on the factors you should consider during the purchasing process.
Blade
The best choice for a blade is steel. It doesn’t have to be stainless, but it may make the maintenance process more manageable. What matter is that the steel is of high quality as that will increase the durability of the blade.
Handle
Wooden handles or those made of stainless steel resin are the most common choice. However, you will find manufacturers using pakkawood instead of natural wood often. They may not be as good compared to the real thing, but they reduce the price and make the maintenance process easier.
Other Features to Consider
Here are other characteristics you should keep in mind when buying a butcher knife:
- Blade length – the right length depends on how you plan to use the knife. Cleavers and shorter knives are for cutting through bones and joints, but longer are better for slicing and filleting. You also have multi-task knives.
- Maintenance – in most cases, you will have to hand wash them for durability. Additionally, see how often you should sharpen them.
- Grip – it should be comfortable and non-slip.
Conclusion
Having reliable equipment is essential when cutting meat, which is why we selected the best butcher knives out there. You still don’t have an easy choice, but as long as you read our reviews carefully, you will find the unit that will deliver the results you expect.
