Sure, you probably have an entire set of knives in your kitchen. But when it comes time to cut through a big old slab of brisket, or to trim the Thanksgiving turkey, how confident are you in that knife set that has been sitting on your counter for years?
And while the goal is to always end up with a tender cut of meat, cooking doesn’t always go so smoothly. You need to know that you have a reliable, sharp and durable meat trimming knife. But a good knife for cutting meat can be hard to find so read on to learn about the 7 best knives for trimming meat.
1. Mairico Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Carving Knife – 11 Inch
Editors’ Choice: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
The first entry on our list comes from Mairico – a trusted name in cutlery. This is a premium, 100% stainless steel meat carving knife that features an 11 inch blade which makes it perfect for cutting through larger or longer cuts of meat.
There are also dimples that run the length of the blade which makes it very useful for chopping vegetables too – the dimples make it so thinly sliced vegetables like cucumber and carrots don’t stick to the side of the blade.
2. Dalstrong Butcher’s Breaking Cimitar Knife
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a knife for serious cooks. It features a curved, scimitar-shaped blade that allows for maximum leverage and to complete cuts in a single stroke. The blade is made of high-carbon German steel and the handle of Spanish Pakkawood.
This knife is completely BPA free and ranks at 56+ on the Rockwell hardness scale. This is an excellent knife for slicing through cartilage and there are also divots that run the length of the blade to keep food from sticking to the side.
3. Mosfiata Titanium Plated Chef’s Knife – 8 Inch
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is one of the more strikingly-designed meat processing knives on our list. It is made of German stainless steel and includes a titanium coating that protects it from undue wear and rust. The blade itself is 8 inches long and 2.5 millimeters thick.
It features an ergonomic, ambidextrous handle with a finger guard so you won’t cut yourself slicing through particularly tough cuts of meat. This is one of the most durable professional meat cutting knives and is sure to hold up no matter what kind of meat you cut through.
4. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife – 8 Inch
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Victorinox meat cutting knives are known for quality and durability and this particular model does not disappoint. It features an 8 inch blade and a thermoplastic elastomer molded handle that provides secure grip whether its wet or you are cutting through a tough piece of meat.
This is a tapered blade that gets thinner near the tip which is handy for breaking through meat flesh and getting the size cut you want. The Victorinox logo is printed handsomely on the side of the blade which, we won’t lie, makes it fun to show off to friends and family.
5. Wusthof CLASSIC Cook’s Knife – 6 Inch
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Next on our list is a more compact knife but that doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done. This Wusthof blade is 6 inches long and is crafted from fine high carbon stainless steel. The handle is triple riveted and made of a durable synthetic material so it will last for a long time and stay secure through all your cuts.
The handle also features a full bolster and finger guard to give you maximum leverage while keeping your appendages safe. This is a very handsome knife too – with the red Wusthof logo printed on the handle between the rivets.
6. Victorinox Knives for Trimming Meat
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Victorinox makes another appearance on our list with this premium boning knife. If you frequently find yourself struggling against bones in your meat, this will be a supremely helpful knife. The sharp tip is ideal for getting through to the bone and the curved design allows you to cut close to it.
This Vicorinox knife features a flexible blade too which is handy when making cuts around and alongside tricky chicken and turkey bones. The stainless steel 6 inch blade stays sharper longer than other de-boning knives too.
7. Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife 7 Inch
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You didn’t think we’d end our list of the best knives for trimming meat without mentioning a cleaver did you? This Zelite blade is one of the best meat cleavers money can buy. It features a large, 7 inch high carbon stainless steel blade and a rounded handle with a full, tapered bolster.
The blade width is 3 and 3/8 inches wide which makes it the perfect size for amateur butchers and serious cooks alike. It has a good weight to it and feels wieldy in the hand. The width of the blade at the edge is 2.2 millimeters.
Meat Trimming Knife Buyer’s Guide
There is a lot of confusing terminologies associated with knives which can be helpful for the professional, but confusing to the home cook. But you can forget the terminology so long as you make sure your knife has:
A Tapered Blade
A tapered blade is especially important if you are buying a cleaver. A tapered blade edge will ensure that the knife penetrates meat easily and separates it with minimal effort. Tapered edges will also be easier to sharpen time and time again.
Stainless Steel Design
Stainless steel is the gold standard as far as knives for trimming meat go. Since stainless steel is food grade so it won’t impart any metallic flavor to your meats. It’s easy to clean and it tends to be very durable. With minimal maintenance, you can easily get good use out of a stainless steel meat cutting knife for decades.
Finger Guards
Now this is a feature that we would recommend to people who aren’t super experienced with cutting large pieces of meat but it can be very helpful for professionals as well. A finger guard usually comes in the form of a rounded, flat edge at the bottom of the blade that juts out over the handle. And as you can imagine, it’s purpose is to prevent cuts on your leading finger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best knife for trimming meat?
A: Victorinox is a brand that is known for making high quality knives. But the Mairico blade at the top of our list will be especially helpful for large meat cuts.
Q: Can I use a bread knife to cut meat?
A: If you don’t mind shredding the meat in the process, then yes. Bread knives have heavily serrated edges that can make a mess of your meat.
Q: Can you use the same knife to cut meat and vegetables?
A: No. Not without thoroughly washing it at least. Never use the same knife to cut raw poultry, seafood, or pork and vegetables without washing it.
Some Final Advice
Getting knives for trimming meat specifically is a good idea for many reasons. Firstly, it will spare your other knives that weren’t meant for meat and bone from dulling. Investing in a good meat trimming knife will also make it easier to prepare your favorite meat dishes.
A good meat cutting knife may be the last blade you need in your kitchen arsenal but don’t make a purchase capriciously. Be sure you read up on the features very carefully before making a purchase. And to ensure you get the best blade possible, reference our list of the best knives for trimming meat as often as you need to!
