The best butcher knives are well-balanced, slice cleanly through meats and vegetables, work the fat off a bone, and are a favorite tool in the kitchen for every home and professional chef. If you've yet to invest in a high-quality butcher knife or need to upgrade your tools, we have five of the best butcher knives to share with you.
XYJ full-tang hand-forged butcher knife
The ergonomic, non-slip handle of your dreams
Even the best butcher knives can get slippery when working with meats. XYJ's full tang butcher knife is solid in hand, never slick, and comes with a leather knife sheath.
Pros:
- Manganese steel blade
- Unbreakable handle
- Full-tang ergonomic handle
- Easy to maintain
- Holds a sharp edge
Cons:
- Needs to be cleaned immediately after use
Whether you're separating chicken, cutting through thick slabs of meat, or dicing root vegetables, the XYJ full-tang hand-forged butcher knife will make your life easier. The blade is straight and true, made of high carbon steel, and the full tang handle is balanced, comfortable to hold, and unbreakable. This is a complete kit that includes a leather knife sheath for safe storage and portability.
Utopia Kitchen 7-inch butcher knife
A bargain you'll treasure
Utopia Kitchen's 7-inch knife is a stainless steel wonder that cuts, chops, and cleaves.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Nicely balanced
- Goes through anything
- Cuts, chops, and cleaves
- Easy-grip handle
Cons:
- Requires frequent sharpening
Utopia Kitchen's 7-inch butcher knife can take the place of several knives. The sturdy stainless steel blade slides through meat, effortlessly cleaves, chops vegetables, handles bone cutting with ease, and maneuvers cleanly through anything you dish at it. The handle is easy to grip and never gets slippery, making this inexpensive butcher knife a joy to own and use.
TUO 8-inch butcher knife
Outstanding craftsmanship
TUO's 8-inch butcher knife is handcrafted of German HC steel and manually ground to 18 degrees on each side to form a perfect curve.
Pros:
- Superb craftsmanship
- Razor-sharp
- Comfortable Pakkawood-wrapped handle
- Rust and oxidation-resistant
- Rivals more expensive options
Cons:
- Rivets aren't flush with the handle
The TUO 8-inch butcher knife has a full tang Pakkawood-wrapped handle that's easy to grip and hold, even when fingers and hands are wet. The German steel blade with a Rockwell hardness of 56+ is bitingly sharp and able to carve its way through thick cuts of meat, handle firm root vegetables, and remove fat from the bone.
Dalstrong 10-inch butcher knife
The sharpest knife in the drawer
The Dalstrong 10-inch butcher knife is constructed of German HC steel and is sharp enough to glide through raw steaks right out of the box.
Pros:
- German HC steel blade
- Glides through meat like butter
- Handle is triple riveted and strong
- Does precise work
- 56+ Rockwell hardness
Cons:
- Steel tang protrudes from the handle
Dalstrong's butcher knife is 10-inches long and made of German HC steel. With a satin finish and G10 full-tang handle, this is a gorgeous knife that breezes through meats, breaks down large game, and powers through tough vegetables. It's a big knife that doesn't get stuck in foods and is equally efficient and precise for butchery work or chopping veggies. With a Rockwell hardness of 56+, this isn't just a butcher knife but an investment.
Ontario Knife Old Hickory butcher knife
It'll be your favorite kitchen knife
This is a do-anything kitchen knife from Ontario Knife. It's 7 inches, has sharp edges, and a hardwood handle that stays in your hand from start to finish.
Pros:
- Will last a lifetime
- Holds an edge
- Carbon steel blade
- Easy to sharpen
- Good with everything
Cons:
- Handle should be oiled between uses
If you want one knife that will do it all, throw the Ontario Knife Old Hickory in your cart and get on with your day. The 7-inch carbon steel blade is honed to perfection, easy to sharpen, and keeps its edge. It handles everything from vegetables and fruits to raw meat and bones. The natural wood handle is comfortable to hold, secured in place with brass rivets. This one will last a lifetime and quickly become your favorite knife in the kitchen.
Bottom line
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Dull knives make it hard to do any real work in the kitchen. If you're ready to update your utensils, investing in one of the best butcher knives is the perfect place to start.
The XYJ full-tang butcher knife is the best in class. It's well-balanced, has an ergonomic handle, and keeps a sharp edge.
If it's an all-purpose butcher knife you need, the Ontario Knife should be top on your list. It handles fruits, veggies, and meats and is a cinch to sharpen.