If you've ever bought a meat-cutting knife, you know they only last for a few months before becoming dull and giving out. The reality is most knives are not built to last.
To help you avoid the many low-quality choices, we've tested and researched the best knives for cutting meat and whittled down the list to our top 10 picks.
The Best Knives for Cutting Meat
- Best Overall Knife for Cutting Meat: Dalstrong Butcher's Breaking Cimitar Knife
- Cheapest Meat Cutting Knife: TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife
- Best Durable Knife for Cutting Meat: Virginia Boys Kitchens Chef knife
- Best Knife With Air Pockets for Meat Slicing: Victorinox Swiss Army Granton
- Best Meat Cleaver for Meat Chopping: Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife
- Best Meat Boning Knife: Victorinox Flexible Blade Boning & Carving Knife
- Best Knife for Carving Roasts: MAIRICO UltraSharp
- Best Stainless Steel Meat Knife: WUSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Slicing Knife
Top 11 Knives For Cutting Meat
1 - Dalstrong Butcher's Breaking Cimitar Knife (Best Overall)
- Imported black pakkawood handle designed for easy maneuver
- Curved metal for added leverage
- Butcher knives used by professional chefs
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Too sharp, handle with caution
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional chefs
Who is it not for?
- Budget-conscious buyers
Final Verdict
A high-quality, durable knife perfect for professionals needing precision cutting.
If you're tired of sawing to finish large cuts, this may be the right knife to use in the kitchen.
Traditionally trained bladesmiths assemble this sharp butcher knife in a state-of-the-art facility within a city that has a renowned knife-crafting tradition dating back over 1400 years.
The high-quality blade of this NSF-certified butcher's knife is well-curved at the end to make more leverage with air pockets along both sides.
These factors combine to help you break through pieces of meat in one sharp slice of many different tough materials such as fat, cartilage, and flesh without getting stuck at the end and having to saw.
The blade of this product is forged from top high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel, hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side, and is full tang with quality triple-riveted fastenings.
Quick Facts:
- Material : Forged ThyssenKrupp HC German Steel
- Handle Material : Pakkawood
- Blade Edge : Hollow
2 - Virginia Boys Kitchens Chef Knife (Most Durable)
- Very sharp chef knife
- Ergonomic handle for comfortable handling
- Made from stainless steel, making the chef knife durable
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Chef knife packaging could be improved
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Home cooks and enthusiasts
Who is it not for?
- Those preferring low-maintenance knives
Final Verdict
An excellent chef knife for home use, offering precision and comfort.
Virginia Boys Kitchens chef knife is 100% made in the USA, featuring an 8-inch full tang blade made from high carbon stainless steel for superior strength and durability.
What sets this knife apart is its beautifully crafted handle made from premium walnut wood grown right here in America.
This chef knife has a good balance of form and function, offering both precision cutting and a comfortable grip for extended use.
They have a special discount available for military members on all their products, visit their official website for details.
Quick Facts:
- Material : 420HC high-carbon stainless steel
- Handle Material : Walnut wood
- Blade Edge : tapered edge
3 - Victorinox Swiss Army Granton Edge Blade Meat Knife (Best With Air Pockets)
- Lifetime warranty against defects
- High-carbon 12-inch stainless steel
- Air pockets minimize friction when cutting meat
- Non-slip ergonomic structure
- Doesn't have a knife guard
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional and home chefs
Who is it not for?
- Those needing a compact knife
Final Verdict
A versatile knife with a comfortable handle and easy maintenance.
Victorinox has a rich, 100-year history of making knives. The Swiss Army Granton Edge is a solid representation of this history and is well-used by top professional chefs worldwide.
We consider this model one of the best knives for cutting meat because of the amazing features it offers. This NSF-certified knife has a 12-inch carbon stainless steel sharpened for precision slicing and easy carving.
Another feature that makes using the knife easier is the air pockets lining both sides.
The pockets reduce friction and make the sharp edge slice through the meat easily. The handle is an ergonomic grip-like type that works even when wet.
Quick Facts:
- Material : High Carbon Steel
- Handle Material : Thermoplastic Rubber
- Blade Edge : Fluted edge
4 - MAIRICO UltraSharp (Best for Carving Roasts)
- Full-tang with triple rivet fastening
- Total refund satisfaction guarantee
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Balanced for refined cutting
- No blade cover
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Everyday kitchen users
Who is it not for?
- Heavy-duty users
Final Verdict
Ideal for everyday kitchen use, offering sharpness and ease of use.
The manufacturer touts the MAIRICO UltraSharp as the best meat-cutting knife for roasts.
The product has a comfortable non-slip design balanced to make cutting through different meats a smoother process in the kitchen.
The blade is continuous with triple-riveted fastenings to ensure the knife remains sturdy even under heavy use.
This blade is 11 inches long in size, making this the best product for cutting through large slabs of meat.
It has a straight edge that stays sharp and air pockets for frictionless meat cutting.
Quick Facts:
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Handle Material : Stainless Steel
- Blade Length : 11 Inches
5 - WUSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Slicing Knife (Best Stainless Steel)
- Designed using Precision Edge Technology
- Multi-purpose for everyday use
- Full-tang chef's knife
- Complete metal finger guard
- The handle may be slippery
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional chefs
Who is it not for?
- Budget-conscious buyers
Final Verdict
A premium knife offering excellent durability and cutting performance.
One of the best knives you can have is a solid chef's knife to slice meat in the kitchen.
It's the right chef's knife for different jobs like cutting steaks and poultry and slicing, dicing, mincing, and chopping food.
The WUSTHOF Classic chef's knife is NSF-certified and is the best knife for slicing meat of any variety.
The sharp blade is made from a single block of carbon stainless steel and has several nice features for an 8-inch size slicing multi-purpose knife, including a sturdy bolster.
The handle of the chef's knife is designed using synthetic materials to prevent fading and discoloration.
Quick Facts:
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Blade Edge : Chef's Knife
- Blade Length : 8 Inches
6 - Jerky Professional 12" Meat Cutting Knife
- More affordable than some slicing knives
- Ergonomically designed
- Hollow ground for frictionless cutting
- Thick 12-inch stainless steel
- No sheath or cover
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Meat processing enthusiasts
Who is it not for?
- Casual cooks
Final Verdict
Excellent for meat processing with a sharp edge and ergonomic handle.
The Jerky Professional is the best knife for meat-cutting at an affordable price. This is a durable, long, sharp knife, good for cutting through thick cuts of meats like brisket, pork, or the legs of lamb.
The sharp knife has a solid metal shape that is 12 inches long in size. This is a dishwasher-safe knife, so you'll find maintenance more straightforward and better than some of the more expensive knives on this list.
The handle is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable grip during regular use in the kitchen. The knife edges are created with air pockets for frictionless cutting of food.
Quick Facts:
- Material : Alloy Steel
- Item Dimensions (LxWxH) : 12 x 17.25 x 0.5 inches
- Item Weight : 1 Ounce
7 - Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife (Best Meat Cleaver)
- Knife handles designed for comfort
- Lifetime guarantee
- The good price point for a meat cleaver
- Quality full-tang design
- May need extra sharpening
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Butchers and serious cooks
Who is it not for?
- Those needing a lighter knife
Final Verdict
A robust cleaver perfect for cutting through tough meats and bones.
If you are cutting meat regularly, you want to make sure you find a meat cleaver in your cooking tool kit.
The Zelite Infinity is another best knife for cutting through hard food components like bone, cartilage, and tough cuts of meat.
This sharp knife comes with a convenient 7-inch blade size and has a structured grip design for quickly chopping through raw meat.
The total weight is 14.01 ounces making it the right knife to slice through tough meats without getting stuck. It comes with a complete guarantee for added confidence.
Quick Facts:
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Blade Length : 7 Inches
- Item Dimensions (LxWxH) : 11.81 x 0.98 x 3.35 inches
8 - TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife (Cheapest Option)
- Non-stick blade
- Ergonomic pakkawood handle
- Satisfaction Guarantee
- Rust and corrosion-resistant carving knife
- Won't cut through bones easily
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Budget-conscious cooks
Who is it not for?
- High-end knife seekers
Final Verdict
An affordable option offering excellent slicing capabilities for the price.
The TUO is a good chef knife for meat carving and also for everyday use. This can be used in place of utility knives for various tasks, such as slicing and dicing food in place of a bread knife.
The carving knife is made from German-type steel, earning a plus point in durability. You'll find the knife to have hollow areas on both sides of the blade to reduce friction when cutting through tough meats and other meat-like textures.
This may be the best knife for meat-cutting, such as poultry to beef to pork as well as vegetables. The handle is made from aesthetically unique pakkawood.
Quick Facts:
- Blade Material : High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Handle Material : Pakkawood
- Blade Edge : Hollow
9 - Kessaku Slicing Carving Knife
- Heat and cold-resistant handle
- Rustproof design
- Precision-forged blade for enhanced sharpness
- Affordable compared to some knife products
- No knife sheath or cover
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Those seeking precision
Who is it not for?
- Casual cooks
Final Verdict
A precision slicing knife with a comfortable handle and durable build.
The 12-inch in size Kessaku knife is used best for cutting up thick meats such as roasts, briskets, hams, and lamb legs. For people who love cooking meat every day, you'll find this an excellent choice to add to your kitchen utility knives.
This BPA-free knife is made from Japanese etched carbon material with a handle crafted from pakkawood. It can withstand heat, cold, and moisture, and is rustproof. It comes in a gift box with an affordable price tag compared to many carving kitchen knives.
Quick Facts:
- Blade Material : Stainless Steel
- Handle Material : Pakkawood
- Blade Edge : Serrated
10 - Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Breaking Knife
- Lifetime guarantee against defects
- High carbon metal
- Suitable for everyday use by home cooks
- Slip-proof knife handle
- No knife cover
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional chefs and butchers
Who is it not for?
- Those needing a straight blade
Final Verdict
A great option for breaking down large cuts of meat with ease.
This is another Swiss-made knife that is a great tool for cutting meat, such as roasts and hams.
The Victorinox Fibrox Pro is made from high-carbon elements and is NSF-certified. It has several excellent knife features.
The blade is ice tempered to ensure long-lasting sharpness.
This makes it suitable for everyday use when you need a multi-purpose utility cooking knife to slice meat. It has an easy ergonomic design, making handling more comfortable and safer.
One downside is this doesn't come with a sheath but, it does have a lifetime warranty against defects.
Quick Facts:
- Blade Material : High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Item Dimensions (LxWxH) : 17 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches
- Item Weight : 5.6 Ounces
11 - Victorinox Flexible Blade Boning & Carving Knife (Best Boning Knife)
- Meets National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards
- Ergonomic Fibrox slip-resistant handle
- Flexible and sharp for accurate cuts
- Weighted and balanced for precision handling
- No included sheath or knife guard
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional chefs and home cooks
Who is it not for?
- Those needing a rigid blade
Final Verdict
Ideal for precise boning and carving tasks, offering flexibility and comfort.
To help round out your great knife set to slice meat, you need a solid boning knife such as the Victorinox flexible knife.
This NSF-certified top boning knife is well-designed for easy trimming and removing raw meat from the bone without difficulty.
The carving knife blade is shaped from durable stainless steel with a Fibrox handle to prevent the boning knife from sliding when used in different ways.
This quality kitchen boning knife has a curved edge to make better leverage at different angles, so you don't get stuck when deboning and trimming large meats.
The boning knife comes with a lifetime warranty against defects and the like for added confidence.
Quick Facts:
- Blade Edge : Plain
- Included Components : 6-Inch Fibrox Pro Boning Knife
- Assembly : Not Required
5 Important Considerations Before You Buy
1. Meat Cutting Knife Handle
The best knife for meat cutting must have the proper handle. Some of the best handle types for meat knives are stainless steel, wood, pakkawood, and bone because they must be strong, slip-resistant, and ergonomic.
For chopping knives, the handle must add weight to help chop through the meat. For carving and slicing knives, you want to make sure you can comfortably grip the handle and that it doesn't slide.
Type of Knife Handles:
- Wood
- Stainless Steel
- Plastic
- Carbon Steel
- Pakkawood
2. Grip Comfort
An ergonomic handle is one of the most important things to look out for, especially if you use your knives frequently for meat cutting.
The best knife for cutting meat will have a grip that you can comfortably fit your hand around and can protect your fingers when using it.
You should look for a metal finger guard instead of a plastic one because the latter may break more easily. In looking for the best knife, you should also think about what the handle is made of.
Plastic, wood, and silicone are generally more comfortable chef knife elements as they are more forgiving than steel.
3. Weight
Weight plays an essential factor when cleaving meat and slicing through thicker cuts such as poultry and roast.
If you are buying a chef knife, knowing that you will be using it to break through bones or cuts of meat with a lot of cartilage or fat, it's crucial to opt for a heavier knife.
The average weight to look for in a meat cleaver will depend on the blade shape and length. Some meat cleavers can weigh up to 2.5 pounds.
4. Knife Balance
The best knife for cutting meat should be proportionally based on the specific purpose. So, for cleavers, there should be more force behind the knife blade for chopping down.
For carving knives, there should still be some pressure behind the blade, but the knife should be more evenly proportioned.
In knives used for more delicate cuts of meat such as fish, the blade and handle should be evenly balanced throughout (1).
5. Blade Material
The best knife blades are usually made from stainless steel or similar components such as high carbon or German steel.
This is one of the most durable metals and is easier to maintain and keep sharp. Other materials used in making the best knife are titanium, ceramics, and cobalt.
When looking for a chef knife, we recommend using a stainless steel blade as it provides the best quality-to-price ratio and will last for a longer time than many other materials.
“It has long been taught and remains a widely held view that stainless steel blades cannot hold an edge as well as a high carbon material blade.”
- John Verhoeven, Professor at Iowa State University
Different Types of Meat Knives
The types of meat knives that are most commonly used in cooking are carving and slicing meat knives.
However, professional butchers or heavy meat eaters may regularly use the:
- Chef's knife - easy chopping, slicing, and mincing
- Cimeter - cutting and trimming steaks
- Cleaver - chopping through chunky meat, bones, and cartilage
- Deba Knife - slicing through fish and softer meats
- Carving Knife - carving and slicing meat on a cutting board
- Boning Knife - separating meat from the bone
- Breaking Knife - breaking through bones, skin, and cartilage
- Flank Knife - trimming and creating flank steaks
- Gyuto Knife - Japanese knife used to cut beef
- Paring Knife - easy cutting through small and delicate slices of meat
- Slicing Knife - slicing through cooked meat like smoked ham, turkey, and large fish
- Utility Knife - slicing through cold cuts, steak, and similar types of meat
Differences Between Slicing & Carving Meat Knives
The difference between a slicing knife and a carving knife is that the former has a long narrow blade that ends at a sharp point. The latter has a long thin edge that ends in an even-sized and rounded tip.
Slicing knives are generally used to cut delicate cuts of meat into thin slices, such as prime rib and boneless legs of lamb. A carving knife is better used for cutting around bone and cartilage.
How to Tell the Quality of a Meat Knife?
You can tell the quality of the meat knife by checking out a few small details.
One example is if a chef knife is labeled as Damascus steel, but the folds look the same in every knife, it's probably fake.
Real Damascus steel looks different between blades due to no two folds being the same. It probably won't pass the test of time, too.
You can also look at the finger guard. On cheaper knives, the finger guard is usually made by extending the handle to form the guard.
But with more expensive chef knives, the guard is made from the metal of the blade.
This generally takes more time to develop and uses more metal, which is usually more expensive than the handle.
Test your knife as you order your meat from these shops:
Maintenance
Even the best knife for cutting meat requires maintenance. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on knives; if you don't maintain them properly, they will wear down the same as the cheap knives you want to avoid (2). To properly maintain razor-sharp blades, there are a few key steps you want to take:
Sharpen Regularly
Keeping a razor-sharp edge is one of the most critical steps to maintaining your knives (3).
This will make it easier to cut through the meat and lessens the chances of damaging your knife over time.
There are a variety of methods that you can use to sharpen your knife, including a whetstone, diamond sharpener, or a traditional kitchen knife sharpener (4).
Recommended Article: How to Sharpen a Japanese Knife?
Cleaning Your Meat Knife Properly
You should avoid soaking your meat knife in water or putting it in the dishwasher.
Depending on what the knife is made from, this can lead to rusting over time.
It's also best to avoid washing your knives with soap if their carbon-based steel. Meanwhile, a stainless steel knife is fine to use soap on.
Clean your knives and immediately wipe them off instead of letting them air dry.
This will prevent them from oxidizing and keep them from slicing meat for many years.
“Handwashing is the best way to clean your knives. Dishwashers can be especially hard on knife handles, causing them to discolor, crack or separate from the blade.”
- Dave Arnold, Former Instructor at The L’Academie de Cuisine Culinary School
Read More: Forged in Fire Knife Review
FAQs
Can I Use a Bread Knife to Cut Meat?
No. A bread knife cannot be used to cut meat. They usually have 6-inch long blades with serrated edges, and when applied to cut meat, these can mangle and tear through what you are trying to cut.
A normal bread knife will not make clean slices through the muscle fibers of the meat.
What Can You Cut With a Serrated Knife?
You can cut bread with a serrated knife. This is what a serrated knife is most commonly used for. Other foods you can cut with a serrated knife are tomatoes, cucumbers, chocolate, and cake.
What Knives Do Pitmasters Use?
Pitmasters use a Chef knife, a Boning knife, a Slicing knife, a Butcher’s knife, and a Carving knife.
What Is a Bull Nose Butcher Knife Used For?
A bull nose butcher knife is used for slicing and trimming boneless primal. These knives are used for breaking and sectioning meat.
What Kind of Knife Do You Use to Cut Prime Rib?
You use a carving knife to cut prime rib. These knives are made from metal and are very sharp, so they easily cut the prime rib.
What Kind of Knife Should I Use to Cut Raw Chicken?
You should use a boning knife to cut raw chicken. A boning knife has the right curve and thickness for cutting joints and sinew, and it’s easy to hold and handle.
Is It Normal for a Knife to Rust?
Yes, it’s normal for a knife to rust. When a knife is exposed to water or moisture in the air, it’ll rust, especially if it has iron. Rust isn’t unhealthy, but your knife will be unusable if you don’t treat it.
The Best Knife For Cutting Meat Is ...
Based on our extensive research, the best knife for meat-cutting is the Dalstrong Butcher's Breaking Cimitar. This is a solidly built home kitchen knife made by one of the leading knife manufacturers on the market.
The knife is designed with easy precision to eliminate slicing resistance and enhance your meat-slicing experience. You can also use this with confidence as the lifetime warranty protects your knife against defects.
Overall, this is a good knife to add to your kitchen utensils next to the carving fork, and other carving set pieces.
Our #1 Recommendation
Dalstrong Butcher's Breaking Cimitar
- Imported black pakkawood handle designed for easy maneuver
- Curved metal for added leverage
- Used by professional chefs
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Too sharp, handle with caution
For precise and efficient meat cutting, a chef’s knife with a sturdy stainless steel handle is highly recommended and a must-try!