Cleaver
- Shape: Large, rectangular blade with a thick spine
- Purpose: Chopping through bones and tough cuts of meat; often used in butchery
Boning Knife
- Shape: Thin, flexible blade
- Purpose: Separating meat from bones, filleting fish, or deboning poultry
Fillet Knife
- Shape: Long, thin, and flexible blade
- Purpose: Precise filleting of fish by sliding along the backbone and under the skin
Additionally, we can categorize knives based on the material they have been made from. So, you can decide the kind of knife based on your specific use.
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Harold McGee, Food Science Expert:
"The sharpness and quality of a knife are critical for cleanly cutting through meat fibers. A high-carbon stainless steel knife holds an edge well and resists staining."
Different Types of Knife Based on Material
Knives can have handles made from materials like wood, plastic/ polymer, rubber, stainless steel, G-10 (a high-pressure fiberglass laminate), Micarta (layers of fabric or paper impregnated with epoxy resin), composite, bone/ horn, and carbon fiber.
While the handle’s material affects its performance and resistance, the knife’s blade is the crucial aspect affecting performance. Blades can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, carbon steel, ceramic, titanium, and copper.
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Stainless Steel Knives
- Material: Stainless steel (an iron alloy with chromium and other elements)
- Characteristics: Resistant to corrosion, durable, and easy to maintain
- Common Use: Versatile and commonly used in various kitchen knives
High Carbon Steel Knives
- Material: Carbon steel (iron and carbon alloy)
- Characteristics: Holds a sharp edge well, but may be more susceptible to corrosion; requires diligent maintenance
- Common Use: Chef's knives and other culinary tools where a sharp edge is essential
Ceramic Knives
- Material: Zirconium oxide or other ceramics
- Characteristics: Extremely sharp and lightweight; retains sharpness for a long time; but can be brittle
- Common Use: Slicing fruits, vegetables, and boneless meats
Damascus Steel Knives
- Material: Forged from layers of different steel alloys
- Characteristics: Known for its distinctive wavy pattern, exceptional strength, and sharpness
- Common Use: High-end chef's knives and custom blades
Titanium Knives
- Material: Titanium with other alloys
- Characteristics: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong
- Common Use: Camping or outdoor knives; less common in kitchen settings
Copper Knives
- Material: Copper (as an outer layer)
- Characteristics: Known for its antimicrobial properties; may be combined with other materials for better performance
- Common Use: Decorative or specialty knives; less common in mainstream kitchen use
Carbon Stainless Steel Knives
- Material: Blend of carbon steel and stainless steel
- Characteristics: Combines the sharpness of carbon steel with the corrosion resistance of stainless steel
- Common Use: Chef's knives and other culinary applications
VG-10 Steel Knives
- Material: A type of stainless steel with a specific alloy composition (including vanadium)
- Characteristics: High hardness, excellent edge retention, and corrosion resistance
- Common Use: High-quality Japanese knives
So, based on these features, what can be the best knife for cutting meat?
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"Investing in a good butcher's knife can make a significant difference when cutting larger cuts of meat. It should be sturdy, well-balanced, and razor-sharp."
The Best Types of Knifes for Cutting Meat
Choosing the best knife for cutting meat depends on the specific task and the type of meat you're working with. Here are some knives commonly used for cutting meat:
Chef's Knife
- Purpose: All-purpose knife suitable for various tasks, including slicing and dicing meat
- Best For: Cutting larger pieces of meat like roasts or poultry
Carving Knife
- Purpose: Specifically designed for slicing thin, precise cuts of meat
- Best For: Carving and serving roasted meats, such as turkey, ham, or roast beef
Slicing Knife
- Purpose: Long, narrow blade for smooth and even slicing
- Best For: Achieving thin, consistent slices of cooked meats like brisket or smoked salmon
Boning Knife
- Purpose: Designed for removing bones from meat
- Best For: Deboning poultry or trimming excess fat from cuts of meat
Fillet Knife
- Purpose: Thin, flexible blade for precision in filleting fish or removing skin from meat
- Best For: Filleting and skinning fish or delicate cuts of meat
Cleaver
- Purpose: Heavy, wide blade for chopping through bones and large cuts of meat
- Best For: Splitting poultry, chopping through bones, and breaking down larger cuts
Butcher Knife
- Purpose: Robust and versatile knife for butchering tasks
- Best For: Breaking down large cuts of meat into smaller portions
Meat Cleaver
- Purpose: Similar to a traditional cleaver but specifically designed for meat
- Best For: Chopping through bones and tough cuts with precision
Japanese Deba Knife
- Purpose: Traditional Japanese knife for filleting and butchering fish
- Best For: Precise fish preparation and butchering tasks
So, to help you easily access the best knife for cutting meat, I’ll introduce the 10 best brands with links to the products on Amazon so you can see the products and purchase them online.
The Best Knife for Cutting Meat
- Victorinox Chef’s Knife
- Dalstrong Pitmaster BBQ & Meat Knife
- Dalstrong Slicing Knife Valhalla Series
- Dalstrong Butcher Knife Gladiator Series Elite
- Dalstrong Obliterator Meat Cleaver Gladiator Series R
- Global GF-27 Heavyweight Butcher's Knife
- Wusthof Classic Butcher Knife
- Victorinox Curved Rosewood Boning Knife
- Zwilling Meat Cleaver German Knife
- Imarku Deba Japanese Knife
Victorinox Chef’s Knife
This 10-inch black knife is ergonomically designed and is easy and safe to handle even when wet. Both home users and professional chefs can use this knife to cut and debone.
Brand | Victorinox |
Blade Edge |
Chef's Knife |
Blade Material |
Stainless Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) |
Size |
10 inch, 7.5 inch, 5 inch, |
Price |
$40.10 |
Total Ratings |
4401 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.8 |
Versatility |
4.8 |
Comfort |
4.7 |
Value for Money |
4.7 |
Easy to Hold |
4.7 |
Dalstrong Pitmaster BBQ & Meat Knife
The Shogun Series 8-inch Pitmaster knife has a blade with a forked front end, making it easy to flip meat on the grill and transfer cooked foods to a plate. It is suitable for slicing and trimming meat, poultry, and fish.
A single Japanese AUS-10V super steel with 67 layers of folded steel used in making this blade gives it extra precision and sharpness. The blade also uses rock-hollow divots to reduce food sticking to the blade and create a better cutting experience.
Brand | Dalstrong |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
Alloy Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Alloy Steel |
Size |
8 inch, 6.5 inch |
Price |
$129, $98 (6.5 inch) |
Total Ratings |
222 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.8 |
Ergonomic |
5 |
Sheerness |
5 |
Maneuverability |
4.9 |
Easy to Hold |
4.8 |
Dalstrong Slicing Knife Valhalla Series
The Valhalla Series are knives forged with precision, super sharp, and wear-resistant. These knives are suitable for cutting and chopping finely, as they contain a blade made from single-piece, high carbon steel at 60+ Rockwell hardness, and hand-sharpened to 8-12 degrees on each side.
Brand | Dalstrong |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
High Carbon Steel |
Color |
Celestial Resin and Wood |
Handle Material |
Resin, Stainless Steel, Wood |
Size |
12 inch |
Price |
$139 |
Total Ratings |
138 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.8 |
Easy to Hold |
4.7 |
Maneuverability |
4.7 |
Weight Distribution |
4.7 |
Ergonomic |
4.6 |
Dalstrong Butcher Knife Gladiator Series Elite
Razor-sharp Gladiator Series knives can be used to break, section, slice, trim, and portion different kinds of meat. The blade is made from high-carbon German stainless steel, which has a hand-polished edge at 16-18 degrees per side.
Brand | Dalstrong |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
High Carbon Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Alloy Steel |
Size |
8 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch |
Price |
$80, $97, $97, $119 |
Total Ratings |
1245 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.7 |
Durability |
4.8 |
Value for Money |
4.7 |
Light Weight |
4.6 |
Maneuverability |
4.6 |
Dalstrong Obliterator Meat Cleaver Gladiator Series R
Forged from high-carbon steel and heat treated to 60HRC, this 9-inch heavy-weight steel knife is suitable for meat, poultry, and even ough-skinned fruits.
These meat cleavers are also laminated and polished, which makes them clean options for busy kitchens.
Brand | Dalstrong |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
High Carbon Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Wood, High-Carbon Steel |
Size |
9 inch |
Price |
$129 |
Total Ratings |
1832 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.8 |
Sturdiness |
4.8 |
Craftsmanship |
4.7 |
Value for Money |
4.6 |
Ergonomic |
4.6 |
Global GF-27 Heavyweight Butcher's Knife
Global GF series provides heavier Japanese knives, with high-tech CROMOVA stainless steel blades. These knives also have stainless steel handles, which can easily be maneuvered with a safe grip.
Brand | Global |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
Stainless Steel |
Color |
Steel |
Handle Material |
Stainless Steel |
Size |
7 inch |
Price |
$128 |
Total Ratings |
72 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.4 |
Comfort |
4.8 |
Value for Money |
4.6 |
Wusthof Classic Butcher Knife
Wusthof Classic Butcher knives benefit from synthetic polypropylene handles to resist fading, discoloration, and heat. These knives contain high-carbon stainless steel blades, which are super sharp and easy to use.
Providing a finger guard, this 200-year-old knife is more versatile than the traditional butcher knives and can be used to portion and trim chops and steaks.
Brand | Wüsthof |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
Stainless Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Stainless Steel, Polypropylene |
Size |
8 inch |
Price |
$170 |
Total Ratings |
71 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.5 |
Giftable |
4.1 |
Comfort |
4 |
Value for Money |
3.4 |
Victorinox Curved Rosewood Boning Knife
Victorinox Curved Rosewood knife is used to trim or debone meat and fish easily. The blade is curved, semi-stiff stainless steel, with a razor-sharp edge that cuts tendons, fat, and bonding by following the natural contour of the meat.
Whether you’re an experienced chef who needs knives all through the day or a home user, you can use this Swiss knife, which has been crafted since 1884.
Brand | Victorinox |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
Stainless Steel |
Color |
Rosewood |
Handle Material |
Stainless Steel |
Size |
6 inch |
Price |
$45.29 |
Total Ratings |
2117 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.8 |
Giftable |
4.8 |
Comfort |
4.7 |
Light Weight |
4.8 |
Durability |
4.8 |
Zwilling Meat Cleaver German Knife
The German company Zwilling has been making stainless steel knives with special formulas for about 300 years! Its specific meat cleavers contain curved bolster, which increases precision, safety, and comfort.
Brand | Zwilling |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
High Carbon Stainless Steel |
Color |
Black |
Handle Material |
Stainless Steel |
Size |
6 inch |
Price |
$158.11 |
Total Ratings |
165 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.6 |
Sturdiness |
4.8 |
Giftable |
4.7 |
Easy to Use |
4.7 |
Value for Money |
4.7 |
Imarku Deba Japanese Knife
This ultra-sharp, thick, and wide Japanese knife is specialized in cutting fish heads, breaking bones, gutting, and filleting with extra precision.
This Deba sushi knife has a blade made from high-carbon stainless steel, which resists corrosion and wear, with great edge retention and high hardness.
Brand | Imarku |
Blade Edge |
Plain |
Blade Material |
Stainless Steel |
Color |
Wooden, Brown |
Handle Material |
Stainless Steel, Wooden |
Size |
7 inch, 10 inch |
Price |
$59.99 |
Total Ratings |
196 |
Total Rating Stars |
4.2 |
Quality |
4.4 |
Sharpness |
4.1 |
Easy to Use |
4.2 |
Value for Money |
3.9 |
Summary
If you are considering buying the best knife for cutting meat, first you must consider what type of knife you want and then you can select from the knives introduced in this post.