Best boning knife

If you prepare poultry or other meat from scratch or ever fillet your own fish, you really need to invest in a decent boning knife. Here are our favorites.

Best boning knives
(Image credit: Victorinox)

The best boning knife should have a narrow blade, a sharp point, and be around the 6-inch mark in terms of length. A flexible blade is also something to look out for — this quality makes it easier to work around bones. Specially curved boning blades allow you to precisely cut meat away from the bone or flesh away from the skin, leaving you with perfectly prepared proteins read to cook. We have a razor-sharp selection of the best boning knives available now. 

Staff pick

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Victorinox)

Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro boning knife

With a flexible blade

This popular 6-inch option from Swiss Army knife expert Victorinox is a must-have. Its pointed tip is perfect for piercing meat, and the straight edge makes smooth, clean cuts. And the flexible blade gives you a better working angle. This knife boasts an ergonomic Fibrox Pro handle for a non-slip grip, even when it's wet. 

Hand-polished

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Tuo Cutlery)

Tuo Black Hawk Series boning knife

A longer seven-inch option

This high-quality selection from Tuo's Black Hawk Series is a long and narrow choice with a seven-inch blade. It's a full tang design (the metal extending into the handle) for a well-balanced feel. This knife is made from high-carbon stainless steel that endures a nitrogen cryogenic tempering process for superb hardness, yet it still retains flexibility. 

Pro quality

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Mercer)

Mercer Culinary ultimate curved boning knife

A curved blade for a better working angle

This is a contemporary choice from professional chef tools brand Mercer Culinary. It is a curved, 6-inch option that boasts a razor-sharp, high carbon, stain-resistant Japanese steel blade. The blade has a hollow ground edge for quick sharpening. Its handle is an ergonomic shape with textured finger points for a better grip.

Well-balanced

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Imarku)

Imarku boning knife

With a beautiful pakkawood handle

This 6-inch iMarku boning knife is made of high-carbon, ultra-sharp, German stainless steel that is corrosion-resistant and precision-forged from a single piece of steel. This knife's handle is a real selling point. It's made from highly polished pakkawood, which not only looks good but is durable, naturally waterproof, and non-slip. 

Flexible choice

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Cutluxe)

Cutluxe boning knife

Full-tang construction

Boasting full-tang construction, this is a slimline 6-incher with a flexible blade that tapers into a fine piercing point. This knife's blade is hand-sharpened at 14 to 16 degrees for maximum sharpness and edge retention. This option also boasts an attractive pakkawood handle that is triple riveted for long-lasting stability. 

Hygienic handle

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Dexter-Russell)

Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe boning knife

Especially curvy for cutting close to the bone

This 6-inch boning knife from Dexter-Russell is an especially curvy choice that means it offers a better working angle when you're cutting around bone. This knife features Dexter-Rusell's Sani-Safe handle, which gives you a textured, slip-resistant, sure grip that is easy to clean. The blade is made from Dexsteel and is hand-honed for a sharp edge. 

ThyssenKrupp steel

Best boning knives

(Image credit: Dalstrong)

Dalstrong Gladiator Series boning knife

Sharpened to the optimum angle

This high-end option is made from high carbon German ThyssenKrupp steel and boasts the favored full-tang construction for better balance. The blade is hand-polished to the optimum angle of 14 to 16 degrees on each side. This knife has an ergonomic, ambidextrous handle that is made of G-10 Garolite, which is a strong, military-grade material. 

Stay sharp

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All these blades will more than cover you in the meat and fish boning and de-skinning department. Our overall staff pick, the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro boning knife, is a popular choice that's high quality and a great value. 

Anyone who prepares a lot of bony meat, such as ribs, should consider a boning knife with a curvy blade like the Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe boning knife. The curved design greatly helps when cutting close to bone.

If you're ready to invest in a boning knife that will last you a lifetime, the high-end Dalstrong Gladiator Series boning knife is worth looking at. This knife's blade is crafted from world-famous ThyssenKrupp steel and the handle is made from military-grade materials. 

Freelance Writer

With over 10 years of experience writing for popular websites Amy-Mae is a freelance features writer with a focus on writing reviews, how-tos, and buyers guides. She lives near the sea in Devon with her family, two naughty cats, and two much-loved dogs. Her beloved daughter ensures she has very little spare time but if she manages to wrangle any you'll find her on the sofa watching box sets and drinking gin.