Best Butcher’s Knives Reviewed

From slicing a pork loin to dicing a pineapple, knowing your way around knives is critical to success in the kitchen. Any housewife or a professional chef should already have his/her standard sidearm: the chef’s knife. But a grillmaster will need something else entirely: a butcher knife and a cleaver. The butcher knife is one of the most important tools in your kitchen arsenal, especially if you like to cook up a good steak on the grill every now and then. However, don’t confuse the almighty butcher knife with a multi-purpose chef’s knife. Generally, butcher knives are heavier and have a curved blade for cutting through thick slices of meat while chef’s knives are lighter and have broader utility for numerous tasks above and beyond hacking through flesh.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • Victorinox Fibrox Pro
  • 5 out of 5
    Our rating
  • Durable
  • Price: See Here
  • Utopia Kitchen 7
  • 4.6 out of 5
    Our rating
  • 7 Inch Blade
  • Price: See Here
  • Ontario Old Knife
  • 4.2 out of 5
    Our rating
  • Extra long blade
  • Price: See Here

A butcher knife usually has a hefty, wide, and a somewhat curved blade. The heavier the blade, the more efficient it becomes for stripping, cutting, and sectioning meat. It is generally used to cut, section, and trim huge pieces of meat. It can also be used to cut vegetables and fruits like pineapple, onion, and melon.

Today the butcher knife is used worldwide in the meat processing trade. The heftier blade works well for splitting, stripping and cutting meat. The French chef’s knife, on the other hand, is a derivation of the butcher knife and is used as a general utility knife. Other similar meat-cutting knives include the carving knife and the cleaver. The carving knife usually is designed for slicing thin cuts of meat and often has a blunt or rounded point, with a scalloped blade to improve separation of sliced cuts of meat. The cleaver is similar to the butcher’s knife, but has a lighter and thinner blade for precision cutting. There is more than one kind of butcher knife available to a chef. Knowing what kind of butcher knife you need is the first step in finding the right one.

There are several factors to consider when selecting the best butcher knives for your kitchen. The first thing is the material. The best material for a butcher knife is typically carbon steel. This type of steel features an excellent edge-retention. It is known to be durable, sharp, and stain-proof. It is preferred by most chefs in the world. When it comes to hack away at cartilage, the carbon steel will stand up to even the toughest situations. You’d also want to look for a butcher knife that is forged and not stamped. Each piece of a knife is made using either of these two processes, stamping or forging. You can identify a forged knife from a stamped knife by finding a bolster between the handle and heel.

Forged knives have a thicker and heftier blade than stamped knives. They are generally better balanced and sturdier, but they could be more pricey too. When you buy a stamped knife, you’re getting a knife that has been pressed together with several layers to get the thickness. A forged knife is a solid piece of metal that will be sturdier and heavier. Sharpness is also a factor, and the knife must be sharp. If you find that you’re constantly sharpening the knife, it’s going to cut into your preparation time.

10 Best Butcher’s Knives

If you’re looking to equip your first kitchen or thinking of giving a great set of  the best butcher’s knives as a gift or staring down a brawny butternut squash, you’ll want to know which knife is a cook’s best friend. It’s better to invest money in the best quality knife you can afford rather than get an inferior quality knife that you’re simply going to replace. Cheap knives often break under heavy use and you might end up spending 20% more than if you had bought 1 good knife according to Jane’s Kitchen Miracles. A butcher knife must be strong to be able to cut through bone and meat. A butcher’s knife is the go-to tool for more than 90 percent of daily kitchen tasks, so make sure you have one of the 10 best butcher knives on hand.

1. Victorinox 8 Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

Number 1 on our Best Butcher’s Knives List, This commercial-quality Swiss knife is a mainstay in any kitchen and is preferred by culinary professionals and home cooks alike. The Fibrox Carving Knife from the professional line of knives by Victorinox is prized by professional chefs for its comfortable, non-slip, ergonomic handle and for the optimal weight and balance its extra wide blade delivers. With a razor-sharp edge that rarely requires sharpening, this knife promises both ease and efficiency when slicing cooked and grilled meat or larger foods. With its curved handle this knife rocks effortlessly over the cutting board for efficient chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing. It’s perfect for prepping everything from meats, fish and poultry to vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Features:

  • Mirror-polish high-carbon stainless-steel blade is laser-tested for unrivaled sharpness
  • Durable, lightweight Fibrox handle is textured for a secure, nonslip grip
  • Made in Switzerland by Victorinox, manufacturers of the original Swiss Army knives
  • This NSF-certified knife meets the high-level hygiene standards for commercial kitchens
  • Dishwasher safe

Pros:

  • Multipurpose chef’s knife designed for chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing with razor sharp, laser-tested, tapered knife edge is ground to form an exacting angle, to hold a sharp edge longer and ensure maximum cutting performance and durability.
  • Ergonomically designed, non-slip Fibrox Pro handle provides a sure grip and easy handling even when wet, making each knife safer and more efficient.
  • The textured handle offers perfect balance and feels secure even when greasy or wet, allowing for precise and effortless cuts every time.
  • It is optimally weighted with high-quality, lightweight European steel that reduces hand and wrist fatigue, making it feel less like a knife and more like an extension of the hand.
  • This knife offers the heft needed to complete larger tasks effortlessly, while still allowing for perfect maneuverability on smaller tasks that a larger, bulkier knife may not be able to accomplish as easily.
  • The National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) certifies that this product is made to the highest sanitary standards, so you can cut with confidence.
  • With its curved handle this knife rocks effortlessly over the cutting board for efficient chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing.

Cons:

  • Handle feels solid but looks a little cheap.
  • It’s not very heavy or balanced.
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2. Utopia Kitchen 7 Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Chopper Cleaver Butcher Knife

For safe, durable, and quality blades that don’t dull easily, Utopia Kitchen Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Chopper/Cleaver/Butcher Knife line is your ticket to cooking with ease. This knife allows for accuracy when segmenting and trimming larger cuts of meat and larger items like melon, squash and pineapple. The handle is ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension and provides a natural fit. Designed with stainless steel this Heavy duty 7-inch meat cleaver is the perfect tool for getting through tough meat and bone making it a great addition to any kitchen. Designed with stainless steel this heavy-duty 7 inch meat cleaver is the perfect tool for getting through tough meat and bone making it a great addition to any kitchen.

Features:

  • 100% Stainless Steel Blade
  • Comfortable grip for easy maneuvering
  • 7 Inch Blade cuts easily through large pieces of meat, vegetables, and fruits
  • The chopper is tarnish and rust-resistant
  • Ideal for home or in the commercial restaurant kitchen
  • The handle is ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension

Pros:

  • Heavy-duty cleaver is made from 100% stainless steel which allows for accuracy when segmenting larger cuts of meat.
  • 7 Inch cleaver knife cuts easily through large pieces of food and is perfect for bone cutting, chopping and cleaving.
  • ABS+430 handle allows for easy grip and hassle-free maneuvering while minimizing wrist tension.
  • The superior quality stainless steel blade holds an ultra-sharp edge providing lasting and superior cutting performance.
  • Designed and built exclusively for the tough day-to-day demands of the commercial kitchen.
  • Dishwasher safe but hand wash to retain the fine quality of their exceptional blades.
  • Tarnish-resistant, rust-resistant and easy to clean stainless steel blade.
  • Conservative blade thickness and elite design allow for easy handheld use.

Cons:

  • The black plastic handle is slick.
  • Handle is not rubber for proper grip.
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3. Ontario Knife Old Hickory Butcher Knife

This Ontario Butcher Knife features a 10″ high carbon steel blade and a hardwood handle and is from Ontario’s Old Hickory Cutlery line of knives. An extra long blade on this butcher knife makes it an ideal agricultural knife and industrial knife as well as a chef’s knife and butcher’s knife. Industrial and Agricultural knife uses include harvesting fruit and vegetables, digging and other cutting tasks. Proudly manufactured with artisan processes for over 90 years, Old Hickory has stood the test of time and is proven to be the best carbon steel kitchen cutlery sold today. First introduced in 1924, the Old Hickory knives are the most venerable product line still in active production.

Features:

  • Blade Material: 1095 Carbon Steel
  • Overall Length: 15 in (38.0 cm)
  • Blade Length: 10 in (25.0 cm)
  • Blade Thickness: 0.1 in (0.25 cm)
  • Blade Color: Silver
  • Grind Full Flat Taper
  • Edge Type: Plain
  • Hardness: 53-58 HRC
  • Handle Color: Brown
  • Blade Grind: Flat Bevel
  • Blade Finish: Brushed

Pros:

  • The Old Hickory knives feature a hardwood handle secured with brass compression rivets to 1095 carbon steel blades that are both very sharp and capable of retaining an edge better than most stainless knives.
  • An extra long blade on this butcher knife makes it an ideal agricultural knife and industrial knife as well as a chef’s knife and butcher’s knife.
  • The blade is tempered and hand ground to retain sharpness, and the handle is flame burnt and buffed for a unique antiqued finish.
  • This is the easiest blade design to sharpen and it helps reduce friction when slicing through something.
  • The downward angled tip helps eliminate accidental punctures when skinning a hide.
  • The back of this knife blade has a nice 90 degree spine which slows you to use it with your ferro rod to throw lots of sparks.

Cons:

  • The carbon steel is more prone to corrosion than stainless steel.
  • Doesn’t come with a sheath.
  • Handles can come loose after repeated use.
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4. Imarku 7-Inch Stainless-Steel Chopper-Cleaver-Butcher Knife

Start a wonderful meal with the Imarku 7-Inch Stainless-Steel Chopper-Cleaver-Butcher Knife. This is an ideal cleaver knife that can be used for multipurpose such as chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing etc. You really don’t need to change knives while cooking as it is pretty convenient. The razor sharp blade allows you to cut through literally anything and it saves the hassle of butchering it with a heavy butcher’s knife. A smooth material blade that has mirror polishing and is made of stainless steel for excellent edge retention allows chopping the food smoothly and can be cleaned without hassle using clean water and mild soap.

Features:

  • Blade Material: High Carbon stainless steel
  • Model of Stainless Steel Blade: 7Cr17Mov
  • Thickness: 2.7mm
  • Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC): 58-60
  • Handle Material: Pakka wood
  • Total Length of the Knife: 12 inch
  • Blade Length: 7 inch

Pros:

  • The wooden handle is made of superior quality and comfortable PAKKA wood, which not only makes the product tender and safer to human hands and fingers, but also has an antibacterial effect for hands.
  • This cleaver with a 7cr17mov material blade and a comfortable handle can be used as a multi-tool for various cooking methods such as chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing etc.
  • Imarku cleaver knife can effectively chop veggies in small cubes as well as meat easily, which can be easily managed.
  • The knife is extremely lightweight which helps to increase the speed of cutting and improve accuracy.
  • The blade is made of 100% 7Cr17 stainless steel with high quality that is rust resistant, easy to maintain, holding its edge retention and keeping long lasting sharpness.
  • It has mirror polishing and is made of stainless steel for excellent edge retention which allows chopping the food smoothly and can be cleaned without hassle using clean water and mild soap.
  • Hole in top corner allows for easy storage on hanging hook or peg.

Cons:

  • The knife isn’t designed for use over a hot flame or cutting frozen foods.
  • It’s not dishwasher safe.
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5. Victorinox Cutlery 12-Inch Straight Butcher Knife

Cut, section, and trim meat with the Victorinox Cutlery 12-Inch Straight Butcher Knife with Fibrox handle. Victorinox knives have regularly appeared as highly ranked and recommended kitchen tools in Cook’s Illustrated, Men’s Health, The Cincinnati Enquirer, New York Magazine, and Natural Health, just to name a few. In 2009, the company announced a partnership with professional chef, Daniel Humm, of Eleven Madison Park in New York City. In addition, building on the success of its cutlery business, Victorinox has brought all the same quality and expertise to a wider range of products and accessories, including other kitchen tools, pocket tools, watches, luggage, and clothing.

Features:

  • Blade Length: 12 inches
  • Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
  • Blade Type: Straight
  • Edge Style: Straight
  • Handle Color: Black
  • Handle Material: Fibrox
  • Style: Stamped
  • Type: Butcher Knives

Pros:

  • Crafted from high-carbon stainless steel, this knife’s blade is built strong to provide you with the ability to create smooth, accurate cuts.
  • 12-inch butcher knife handles the largest butchering jobs with ease and is ideal for cutting whole roasts and big cuts of meat.
  • High carbon stainless-steel blade provides maximum sharpness and edge retention; conical ground through length and depth for a wider break point; ice tempered to sustain sharpness longer.
  • Patented Fibrox handles are textured, slip resistant, and ergonomically designed for balance and comfort.
  • The handle’s contours ensure that the knife will fit comfortably in your hand as you tackle food preparation tasks.
  • The high-quality blade won’t even discolor or corrode over time.
  • The curved tip on the knife makes butchering larger cuts of beef much easier.

Cons:

  • This is a very large knife so not everyone will be able to handle it well.
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6. Update International 6″ German Steel Curved-Blade Boning Knife

If you are accustomed to the feel of a sophisticated German knife, the Update International 6″ German Steel Curved-Blade Boning Knife is sharp, sturdy and fits the criteria for a good knife. This professional grade cutlery curved blade boning knife is skillfully hand-honed to deliver the sharpest edge and maximum cutting performance. This knife is carefully manufactured of German high-carbon stainless steel with molybdenum vanadium.  Its slicing action may not be the smoothest, and the handle may be too big for some, but it’s by far the best knife for under $10. This will make chopping tasks for most people much easier.

Features:

  • Material: High-carbon German steel PP plastic handle
  • Knife Type: Boning/Fillet
  • Construction: Forged
  • Dishwasher Safe: Yes
  • Commercial Use: Yes
  • Color: Silver
  • Blade Material: Stainless steel
  • Thickness: 0.12”
  • Blade size: 6.25”
  • Overall Width – Side to Side: 11.25”
  • Overall Length – End to End: 0.88”
  • Blade Length: 0.5”

Pros:

  • This professional grade cutlery curved blade boning knife is skillfully hand-honed to deliver the sharpest edge and maximum cutting performance.
  • Made of German high-carbon steel with molybdenum vanadium for better results.
  • The plastic white grip is outstanding for grip and comfort.
  • Plastic handle lies perfect in a big hand and the blade is sharp enough to the job.
  • The blades are a good quality steel that sharpens beautifully.

Cons:

  • The blades are not immune to water spots.
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7. Dexter-Russell 8″ Butcher Knife

The Dexter Russell 8” Butcher Knife is a must-have item for your home kitchen or butcher shop. When working with large cuts of meat on a daily basis, you’re going to need a reliable, professional butcher knife. The Dexter Russell is all you need to get the job done. Dexter Russell Sani-Safe handles are used in commercial kitchens all over the world. The handle features a textured, slip-resistant, easy to clean polypropylene construction that withstands both high and low temperatures. Plus the DEXSTEEL blade is hand-honed to the ultimate edge for improved accuracy. An impervious blade to handle seal provides the maximum sanitary protection and earns this knife the NSF seal.

Features:

  • Sure grip textured handles
  • Protective finger guard
  • Proprietary DEXSTEEL blade
  • Hand-honed to the ultimate edge
  • Sanitary Polypropylene Handle
  • NSF Certified
  • High Carbon Steel Blade
  • Blade Length: 8″
  • Edge Type: Straight Edge
  • Handle Material: Plastic

Pros:

  • The Sani-Safe handle features a textured, slip-resistant, easy to clean polypropylene construction that withstands both high and low temperatures.
  • An impervious seal of blade and handle provides the utmost sanitary bonding and prevents the blade from pulling out.
  • The Grip-Tex handle allows slip-free usage.
  • The impervious blade to handle seal provides the utmost in sanitary qualification and earns the NSF seal.
  • The knife has Dexter Russell’s DEXSTEEL blade and is hand-honed to the ultimate edge.
  • A reliable, professional butcher knife to cut through large cuts of meat.

Cons:

  • It is quite heavy. Makes your arm tired after extended use.
  • Not enough leverage to cut very hard frozen stuff if it is thick.
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8. Jero Butcher Series P3 10″ Cimeter Butcher Knife

Jero is a worldwide leading commercial cutlery manufacturer that produces professional grade products under the Jero name, but is also one of the largest private label manufacturers producing quality knives for many leading European brands. The P3 line represents a quality, but affordable line of knives for commercial and home use. The P3 is designed to offer high-end materials and performance, while keeping in mind that commercial accounts needed an economical knife as well. The P3 line features high-carbon German stainless steel blades, and durable, lightly textured polymer handles, that are injected molded onto the blade and tang for strength. The blade is constructed of a German high-carbon stainless steel – the same steel used by many of the higher-priced German knife manufacturers.

Features:

  • Jero Butcher Series P3 Commercial Grade Cimeter – 10″ Blade – Lifetime Warranty
  • German high-carbon stainless steel blade – same steel used by many top German brands
  • Lightly textured meat processing style poly handle allows comfortable, easy to work grip
  • Manufactured In Jero’s modern facility located in Portugal
  • Ideal for slicing up meat or large trim work – works with brisket

Pros:

  • The blade is constructed of a German high-carbon stainless steel – the same steel used by many of the higher-priced German knife manufacturers.
  • The edge is hard enough to hold an edge, but is not so hard that the user can not steel or resharpen the blade.
  • The handle is injected molded onto a longer than normal tang to produce a tight bond between the handle and blade, resulting in something that can take the abuse of commercial use.
  • The blade handle is a lower profile to fit scabbards, allow for different hand positions, and allow the user to have better control of the blade without the handle hitting the work table.
  • The Jero is slightly more flexible than other semi-flexible knives, making it work well as a fillet knife.
  • The handle is lightly textured, but easy to clean and sanitize, and is used in the meat processing industry.
  • Comes with lifetime warranty against defects in material or workmanship of the knives.

Cons:

  • The carbon steel is prone to corrosion.
  • Handles become loose after repeated use.
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9. Rada Cutlery W209 Old Fashioned Butcher Knife

Rada has been manufacturing cutlery since 1948 and has earned a reputation for remarkable quality and tremendous value. The handles create a ‘feel good in your hand’ balance for superior comfort. Rada Cutlery products are 100% American Made and come with a Lifetime Guarantee. And the W209 is no exception. If you like to buy large cuts of meat and prepare them yourself then the “Old Fashioned” Butcher is the knife for you. Hefty blade is ideal for splitting, stripping and cutting meat. The stainless steel blade is hand sharpened for a razor edge, which makes it not only ideal for use on meats, but large fruits and vegetables as well, such as thick-skinned pineapple, yams or cantaloupe.

Features:

  • Surgical quality, T420 High-carbon, stainless steel blade
  • Hollow ground and hand sharpened
  • Black stainless steel resin handle
  • Finger guard on the handle for maximum protection
  • Blade 7 3/4″ – overall 12 1/8″
  • Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects and workmanship
  • Comes with fitted cardboard storage sleeve
  • Made in the USA since 1948

Pros:

  • The T420 surgical quality, high carbon, stainless steel blade is engineered to stay sharp longer and cut like new every time you use the knife.
  • This old fashioned butcher knife features a solid black resin handle with a finger guard and a black matte finish designed for the dishwasher.
  • The stainless steel blade is hand sharpened for a razor edge, which make it ideal for use on meats, as well as large fruits and vegetables, such as thick-skinned pineapple, yams or cantaloupe.
  • The handles create a ‘feel good in your hand’ balance for superior comfort.
  • Comes individually packaged with a fitted cardboard storage sleeve.
  • Rada Cutlery products are made in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee from defects in materials and/or workmanship.

Cons:

  • You can use this for fruits and some light meat cutting but not something like goat, lamb, or deer.
  • Not dishwasher safe. Dulls the handle and leaves black stuff on your hands.
  • Razor sharp but very lightweight.
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10. Dexter Russell Sani-Safe 12″ Butcher Knife

The Dexter Russell Sani-Safe product line offers the foremost standard for professional cutlery. A textured, slip-resistant, easy-to-clean polypropylene handle withstands both high and low temperatures. An impervious blade-to-handle seal provides the utmost in sanitary performance. Blades are manufactured from proprietary DEXSTEEL stain-free, high carbon steel that are individually ground and honed, and excel in commercial use. Dexter Russell Sani-Safe handles are used in commercial kitchens all over the world. You must have seen that signature white handle in all types of restaurants, sub shops, pizza shops as well as home kitchens? That’s the testament to the Dexter Russell Sani-Safe product line. No wonder they have been making quality products since 1818. They are the largest manufacturer of professional cutlery in the United States.

Features:

  • Sure grip textured handles
  • Protective finger guard
  • Proprietary DEXSTEEL blade
  • Hand honed to the ultimate edge
  • Sanitary Polypropylene Handle
  • NSF Certified
  • High Carbon Steel Blade
  • Blade Length: 12″
  • Handle Length: 4 1/2″
  • Edge Type: Straight Edge
  • Handle Material: Plastic

Pros:

  • The Sani-Safe handle features a textured, slip-resistant, easy to clean polypropylene construction that withstands both high and low temperatures.
  • An impervious seal of blade and handle provides the utmost sanitary bonding and prevents the blade from pulling out.
  • An impervious blade to handle seal provides the utmost in sanitary qualification and earns the NSF seal.
  • Blades are manufactured from proprietary DEXSTEEL stain-free, high-carbon steel, are individually ground and honed, and excel in commercial use.
  • Blades hold an edge well and can be resharpened easily.
  • Unique edge geometry for long-lasting easily, restored performance.
  • The Grip-Tex handle allows slip-free usage. The handle grip is very comfortable with rugged handle to prevent accident slip.
  • Ideal for slicing large roasts swiftly into thin even portions. Great for cutting tuna and shark.

Cons:

  • Arms get tired after repeated use as it’s quite heavy.
  • The carbon steel is prone to corrosion.
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Decision Time

A quality butcher knife that fits the task at hand can improve your productivity in the kitchen. However, it may be hard to find the best butcher knives with so many of them available in the market today. That is why we have come up with this ultimate guide to help you choose the best butcher knife for your needs.