Finding the best butcher knife for you is no easy task. But if you do find the one that is suitable for your needs, it will definitely make handling meat easier. In fact, butcher knives have been a significant tool specifically for mountain men and hunters ever since the late period of the 18th century. Back then it was used for a lot of things such as self-defense, the skinning game caught, cutting food, slashing at stray branches and plants to create a pathway, etc. Although it is still as versatile today as it was back then, the butcher knife has long evolved already.
Today – just like its name suggests – it is mainly used for butchering meat and bones whether it be stripping, splitting, or cutting. The meat processing trade all over the world simply won’t be the same if there is no butcher knife involved. Butcher knives are often mistaken as similar to a chef's knife, but in reality, a butcher's knife is heavier, bulkier, and has a visible curve design on the blade while a chef’s knife is lighter, smaller, and is made with sturdy steel. A butcher knife is the better pick if you are going to handle different kinds of thick-cut meat.
Best Pick
Dalstrong Butcher’s Breaking Scimitar Knife of the shogun series slicer is our top pick since it is made out of superior quality materials and has an overall powerhouse features that allow you to cut through meat with ease and little effort.
Budget Pick
Victorinox cutlery 10-Inch Granton Edge Butcher Knife is our best budget-friendly choice that does not compromise on its quality since it is made by the same makers of the original Swiss army knife.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 The Best Butcher Knives
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The Dalstrong brand has become a leading provider of professional and commercial use knives ever since its launch. And the first one in our list is the Dalstrong Butcher’s Breaking Scimitar Knife which is part of the Dalstrong brand’s shogun series slicer of professional breaking knives. Its blade is 10 inches long and is made out of forged Japanese super steel at 62+ Rockwell with 66 layers of folded steel and features an improved vacuum treatment and nitrogen cooling performance. The blade is also hand sharpened between 8 to 12 degrees each side.
It also features a curved design in the blade to create leverage in cutting and complete it in a single motion and not in a sawing typestyle. This scimitar knife is designed thoughtfully so it can masterfully slice through flesh, breakthrough bone cartilages, and trim fat from all kinds of meat. Simply put, it is a powerhouse tool that allows you to glide through steak as if its cheese. Just be careful not to release your inner Japanese shogun as you enjoy cutting meat with this knife.
Additional features to the sides of the blade are the perfectly balanced and precisely tapered, small rectangular Rockhollow divots which help minimize surface resistance and give it non-stick properties. This knife also features a beautiful, and ergonomic G10 Garolite handle that is resistant to heat, cold, and moisture. You don’t have to worry about your handy kitchen tool going too hot or too cold to handle. This handle is also hand polished, and the handle shape is engineered for superior hand control, agility, and comfort.
It even includes a matching sheath cover with the traditional pin and string lock mechanism. This sheath will safeguard the knife whenever it is not in use. Overall, the knife is meticulously crafted for more than 60 days combining the ancient Japanese methods of sword making and the latest technologies to create a military grade product that has incredible durability. The Dalstrong brand is chosen and preferred by tens of thousands of professional chefs all over the world because of its superior characteristics.
This butcher knife can be a wonderful addition to your kitchen tools and a good investment for the long run. And if by any chance you are not a hundred percent satisfied with your purchase, Dalstrong offers renowned customer service and a rock-solid guarantee of your money back. They even have a lifetime warranty against defects.
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Victorinox is popularly known all over the world as the makers of the original Swiss army knife, but it initially started out as a cutlery workshop. For centuries, Victorinox cutlery offers a wide range of blade choices and is one of the top picks of professionals all over the world. They focused on creating stamped knives instead of forged ones as it is easier to produce which then makes it less expensive. Stamped knives are considerably lighter in weight than forged knives, and they are also of good quality so they can perform better as well.
The Victorinox Cutlery 10-Inch Granton Edge Butcher Knife is made out of high-carbon stainless steel blade with a mirrored polish finish on both sides. It is stamped from cold-rolled stainless steel, so technically it is resilient to rusting. The blade even offers maximum sharpness and edge retention, so it is essentially ideal to use for cutting whole roasts and big cuts of meat. It also has a bolster-less edge to make good use of the whole knife length; this design also makes it easy to sharpen the knife's blade the moment it starts to get dull.
Another one of its highlighted characteristics is its patented Fibrox handle. It is a textured, slip resistant, and ergonomically designed handle so you can use it comfortably. However, you need to hand wash it clean after using it instead of just putting it in a dishwasher. You also have to make sure that you dry it afterward to ensure it does not rust or corrode. But if you find some manufacturer defects on the product you purchased, you are entitled to a lifetime warranty. So if you prefer a budget-friendly and a lightweight butcher knife, this one could be the perfect match for you.
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The Ontario Knife Company is an expert when it comes to craftsmanship of knives, and the Ontario Old Hickory Butcher Knife is their classic butcher knife design complete with the steel blade and a wooden handle. Its blade is made out of 1095 high-carbon steel and features a razor-sharp cutting edge that can be easily sharpened when it gets dull. It is an extra-long blade at 10 inches in length that is perfect for cutting and chopping thick and tough cut meats. The handle is made out of hardwood branded ‘Old Hickory’ and is secured with brass compression rivets.
This butcher knife is a great and affordable knife that will continuously serve you well as long as you know how to tend to it properly. Make sure you always keep it dry and never put it in a dishwasher unless you want the knife to start rusting and corroding right before your very eyes instantly. Overall, it is a good and well-balanced knife with a secure grip, so there is no need to worry about disaster when you purchase this old but reliable design as long as you know how to take care of it.
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Forged in Japan with CROMOVA 18 stainless steels (a blend of 18 percent chromium and vanadium), the Global GF-27 7-Inch Heavyweight Butcher’s Knife is a unique tool from the brand’s GF series that is perfect for those who want a heavier Japanese style knife. This heavy-duty knife is more distinctive than the other ones in the series because it is heftier and has a thicker blade. It even has good resistance to stains and excellent edge retention so you can trust it to stay with you for quite a long while. It makes the perfect heavy duty knife for butchering meat which is maybe why it is loved by professional chefs and cooks from all over the world.
To give more details, this knife has a thin and razor sharp blade that allows you to cleanly slice through meat while preserving the ingredient’s integrity and maximizing its flavor. The blade’s edge is designed with a long taper face-ground that helps keep its edges sharp for longer. Its stainless steel handle is crafted for comfort and is dimpled for a non-slip grip. This handle is also made hollow and is then filled with the right amount of sand to help create balance with the knife.
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Since the early 19th century, the Dexter-Russell brand has been in the business of producing quality cutlery and is now the largest manufacturer of professional cutlery in the United States. One of their products is the 8-Inch Butcher Knife that has a straight edge and pointed tip blade design. Its blade is made out of hand-honed stainless high-carbon steel. As this knife is considerably shorter than the others on our list, it can be hard to cut through huge portions of meat, but it makes the perfect kitchen tool for cutting thick and small pieces of meat evenly.
To explore the characteristics of the product further, the handle is made out of a Grip-Tex polypropylene plastic material that makes it textured, slip-free, easy to clean, and temperature (be it hot or cold) resistant. Since the blade is made with steel and the handle is made with plastic, it is only natural if you are concerned that they would get pulled` apart and cause an accident while in use.
However, there is no need to worry for an impermeable seal bonding connects the blade and the handle to each other. So if you need a sharp and small sturdy knife, the Dexter-Russell brand option can be a good way to start.
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6. Does not include a sheath cover for the blade
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UltraSource knives are designed for comfort even when it’s used all day long. This 10 inches long butcher knife is forged with high-carbon molybdenum German steel. It is ideal for breaking and separating the meat from the bone. The knife’s textured handle is ergonomic and infused with antimicrobial properties. It is also liquid welded to meet the blade which makes for easy cleaning.
In fact, the blade and the handle were designed to balance well to help minimize hand fatigue and give a better grip to the knife when in use. It also includes protective finger guards on both ends of the handle to help prevent and minimize unnecessary accidents. After using and cleaning the UltraSource butcher knife, make sure to store it in a safe place away from children’s reach as this does not include a sheath cover to safeguard the blade.
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Measuring at 16 and a half inches long, the Update International (KGE-11) 11-Inch Forged Butcher Knife is the lengthiest one in our list. This knife is made by forging high-carbon stainless steel with molybdenum vanadium (a chemical that helps prevent corrosion when alloyed together with steel). It has an ergonomic, durable, and slip-resistant POM handle that has been molded and shaped to fit your hands better. This butcher knife is a product proudly manufactured by the USA.
The knife is very durable and could last a long time as long as proper care measures are followed. There were some cases wherein the thin blade chipped or broke when used with extremely tough cut meat and bone part, but that can be handled by the warranty as long as you requested one initially after purchasing. So if you’re looking for a heavy duty butcher knife that you can use at home with small hands, this option could be a good one.
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8. The handle is too small in proportion
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Another butcher knife that has a classic design makes the cut to be included in our list. This old-fashioned large butcher knife by Rada Cutlery will enable you to split, chop, and cut meat with little effort because of its hand sharpened razor sharp blade. The knife is made out of surgical grade T420 high carbon stainless steel blade and stainless steel black resin handle. It has a skinning tip and hollow ground blade edges to ensure a precision concave surface for maximum edge retention.
When it comes to safety, the part that is connecting the blade and the handle has a finger guard, so you won't get your fingers cut as long as you don't put it near the blade. It is also easy to use and clean after since this butcher knife was made to be dishwasher tolerant. But if you want it to last longer and maintain its quality, hand washing and proper care are recommended.
If you are looking for a good quality lightweight butcher knife that is perfect to use for your home and kitchen needs, this one could be what you are looking for. It even has a hassle-free lifetime guarantee that would replace any product manufactured by Rada that has defects in material or workmanship
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The Ontario Knife Company with its standard old hickory designs has made another one of their products on our top ten. Ontario 7025 Old Hickory 7-Inch Butcher Knife is a lightweight tool that only weighs 0.45 pounds and has an overall length of 11.75 inches. Its blade is made out of 1095 high-carbon steel, and its handle is made out of brown hardwood material.
This knife is extremely sensitive so it could instantly rust at the slightest touch of moisture, so we recommend that you do not air-dry it or clean in a dishwasher. It requires a whole lot of effort to keep it in its best shape. But this could be a good match for those who are looking for a handy kitchen tool to use that won’t break the bank.
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Last but not least is KOFERY’s traditionally forged butcher knife that is made by 36 steps forging process. It underwent hand-polishing by KOFERY masters to enhance the blade's sharpness in 12 steps sharpening process. The blade is made by quenching a high level (4cr13) stainless steel which makes the knife more durable and corrosion resistant. Their knife making process has been inherited and passed on in the KOFERY family for over 200 years.
The knife has a multipurpose functional blade edge and pointed tip that is good for garnishing, mincing, and peeling. It also has an ergonomic fish belly design handle made out of high-quality wooden materials that comes from South Asia. This design makes the perfect shape to fit the palm, so it is easy to hold and use.
They also offer a risk-free money back guarantee that will give you a full refund if you find yourself not completely satisfied with your purchase.
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Things to Consider Before Buying Your Butcher Knife
The Blade’s Sharpness
This one is actually a no-brainer. In order to deal and handle with any kind of thick-cut meat, the first thing you need to consider and look out for is how sharp the blade of the butcher knife is. It would be better to get one that is really sharp and would help you cut through meat as if its paper.
Ease of Sharpening
While we are on the topic of sharpness, another thing you should consider before purchasing is the ease of sharpening the knife's blade. Sooner or later, the blade will get dull, but that does not mean it won't work again. You don’t need to throw away your knife once it gets dull. A little bit of sharpening should make it last even longer so make sure you get one that’s easy to sharpen.
Handle Comfort
The handle of the knife is the part you hold in order to use it, so you have to make sure that the one you are getting is a comfortable fit with your hands. You should consider getting one that is not slippery and does not require too much grip. This part is also made using wood, rubber, or plastic, so you have options to choose from. Make sure that the handle of the one you are getting give off enough space, so you don't hit your hand hard on the counter every time.
Ease of Usage and Safety
Nobody wants a complicated tool most especially if the said tool is a knife. It is important to choose one that would be easy and safe to use. Of course, you don't want to cut yourself instead of the meat so make sure to consider this thing carefully.
Cleaning Effort
Every time you use your knife, you should always clean it afterward. We may not like cleaning as much, but it is something that we must utterly do so you have to make sure you consider the effort it requires to clean the knife before you purchase it. If you certainly hate washing by hand then look for one that is safe to wash in a dishwasher.
Size and Storage
Generally, the average size of butcher knives is big, but there are some that are simply huge or long in length. According to your preference, the one you find best suited for you may be quite gigantic in size so make sure you also consider the space it would need and take while in storage. The butcher knife you purchase may come with or without a cover. If it comes with one, you should consider if it would fit wherever it is you keep your utensils. If it doesn’t come with one, you should consider if it would fit the knife rack (if you have one). Make sure that you keep it away from children’s reach especially if it does not have a cover as butcher knives are really sharp.
Sturdiness and Durability
Lastly, make sure you purchase a good quality butcher knife that can even outlast your lifetime if possible. It is important to find one that won’t break on you after a short while. Make sure you also choose one wherein the steel of the blade won’t get rusted that easily. It would be really nice to get a butcher knife that is sturdy, durable, and long-lasting. If you're going to purchase one, why not invest in a really good one – one whose blade is forged and not stamped – that your children can inherit in the future.