Your kitchen knife is one of the most versatile kitchen tools ever. For most kitchen tasks, you can always rely on it. However, adding a carving knife for meat to your knife collection will make your life a lot easier! The longer and thinner blade on a carving knife can slice through large roasts and maneuver around bones and cartilage with ease. Even better, you can use the best knife for carving a turkey to slice through bread, fruits, or even vegetables too. If you’re interested in getting one, you’re at the right place. Below are some of the best knives for carving that you can get. Some are cheap, and some are more premium with amazing features. But no matter which one you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
TUO Paring Knife
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The first best knife for carving a turkey on this list is the TUO Paring Knife. This carving knife for meat has a nice 12” length that comes to a tapered point, which allows you to cut more precisely. Meanwhile, the blade is a high-quality German stainless steel sturdy, durable, and has amazing edge retention.
We also love the pakkawood handle with a nice swirled pattern. The handle’s ergonomic shape and feeling good in the hand is a huge plus. Better yet, this product comes with a 100% money-back guarantee against manufacturer defects. What’s not to like about this knife? For more affordable knives, check out our best kitchen knives under 100!
Pros
- Long blade
- The tapered tip is great for precision cuts
- Pakkawood handle
- Affordable
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not the most durable option
Winco Acero Cutlery
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Just because the Winco Acero Cutlery is cheap, it doesn’t mean it’s any less superior than other best knives for carving listed here. Costing you less than 30 USD, this NSF-certified carving knife for meat is perfect for carving chicken or ribs. Not to mention, it provides a smooth cut! It makes preparing your meat much more enjoyable.
Like many other best carving knives for meat, this product is made of German stainless steel, which offers exceptional durability. Even after using it for years, it’ll still have life left to it. Apart from that, its POM injection molded handle helps the knife achieve a balanced weight distribution. Finally, it’s dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Cheap
- NSF-certified
- Durable
- Comfy to hold
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Shorter than most carving knives
Schmidt Bros. Heritage 8.5-Inch Carving Knife
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Reasonably priced and offering amazing features, the Schmidt Bros. Heritage 8.5-Inch Carving Knife is a carving knife for meat you’d want to have in your kitchen. This knife is fully forged from 100% Germain stainless steel, allowing you to cut, slice easily, and carve. Plus, the patented Transitional Bolster provides a smooth transition from a pinch grip to the palm of your hand.
Additionally, professionals and aspiring home chefs can use this best knife for carving a turkey. It’s incredibly durable and has amazing edge retention. You can use this product for years to come without any worry. Best of all, it’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty!
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Patented Transitional Bolster
- Versatile
- Long-lasting
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Too sharp for some people
Kamikoto 13-inch Yanagiba
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While the Kamikoto 13-inch Yanagiba costs you a pretty penny, you can rest assured that it’s well worth its price! As one of the best knives for carving, it’s made with hard Japanese steel, meaning it can keep its edge sharp for longer. On top of that, it’s pretty versatile. It can be used for all cuts of various meats and for everyday kitchen use.
Like some of the best carving knives for meat on this list, this knife is great when you’re cutting for precision with ingredients like sashimi and vegetables. Though it’s durable and can keep its edge sharp, you still need to take care of it properly. Best of all, it comes with a fancy knife box!
Pros
- Can keep its edge sharp
- Extremely durable
- Versatile
- Comes with a knife box
- Comfy handle
Cons
- Too pricey for some
TUO Meat & Carving Fork Knife
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Compared to other best knives for carving, we’re sure the TUO Meat & Carving Fork Knife is the most unique one! With a fork tip for serving or moving meat, a serrated edge toward the tip, and a straight edge toward the handle, this carving knife for meat is certainly one of a kind. Using it will certainly put you in the spotlight.
Made of German stainless steel, this knife is extremely sharp and durable. On top of that, it’s also rust-resistant! Meanwhile, the knife’s handle is polished by pakkawood, meaning the surface is smooth and comfortable to handle. It fits perfectly in hand and provides a firm grip.
Pros
- Unique design
- Durable
- Pakkawood handle
- Super sharp
- Versatile
Cons
- A bit hard to use
Hammer Stahl Carving Knife and Fork Set
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Another carving knife for meat that’s worth buying is the Hammer Stahl Carving Knife and Fork Set. This best knife for carving a turkey isn’t only designed to look great but also to perform excellently. As one of the best knives for carving, it allows precise carving and slicing of roasts, poultry, and other proteins. Moreover, the top-quality German high carbon stainless steel material means this knife can last a super long time.
Furthermore, the pakkawood handle is designed for comfort and longevity. Every time you pick up this knife, it’s comfortable and feels natural. Though it’s not the most lightweight knife, the weight gives it a feel of quality. Also, like many other options on our list, this best knife for carving a turkey isn’t dishwasher safe. However, we don’t think it’s a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Extremely durable
- Pakkawood handle
- Lifetime warranty
- Stunning design
Cons
- Might be a bit too heavy for some
WÜSTHOF Classic 2-Piece Carving Set
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If you’re searching for the best knives for carving for Thanksgiving, we highly recommend the WÜSTHOF Classic 2-Piece Carving Set! The high carbon stainless steel blade is extremely sharp, making this knife great for carving the toughest meat off the bones of your Thanksgiving turkey. Apart from that, the eight-inch knife also comes with a triple-riveted, synthetic handle for better support and balance.
As the best knife for carving a turkey, you can rest assured that this product is durable. It can hold its edge well and is easy to sharpen using a knife sharpener when the time comes! However, you should note that it isn’t dishwasher safe. Best of all, this amazing item is backed by a limited lifetime warranty!
Pros
- Comes with a fork
- Hollowed edges for easy slicing
- Sharp
- Durable
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Hefty price tag
Shun HG Classic 9-Inch Hollow-Ground Knife
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No one can go wrong with the Shun HG Classic 9-Inch Hollow-Ground Knife! This best knife for carving a turkey might be on the pricier side, but it will never let you down. It does an amazing job when it comes to navigating different types of cuts. Its sleek design, praise-worthy durability, and sharp blade make it a tool that you’re proud to use!
This carving knife for meat feels well balanced and makes clean cuts a piece of cake. Whether it’s for cooking turkey or making super-thin slices of sandwiches, you can always rely on this amazing knife. As one of the best knives for carving, it also comes with a stylish pakkawood handle that’s designed to last a long time.
Pros
- Pakkawood handle
- Popular brand
- Durable
- Extremely sharp
- Stylish design
Cons
- No carving fork included
ZWILLING Pro Carving Knife & Fork Set
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Though it’s still more expensive than many other options out there, we think the ZWILLING Pro Carving Knife & Fork Set is a nice choice for professional chefs looking for budget-friendly carving knives. The design of this carving knife for meat is to die for, and it also performs extremely well. This set can last a lifetime easily when taken care of properly.
As one of the best carving knives for meat, the knife performs reliably when breaking down poultry and slicing roast beef. Apart from that, the POM handle is both durable and comfortable to hold. Meanwhile, the curved bolster allows you to cut and carve with better precision, safety, and comfort.
Pros
- Relatively affordable for professional use
- Stunning design
- Well-balanced
- Comfortable handle
- Durable
Cons
- On the pricier side
DALSTRONG Ultimate Sujihiki Slicing Knife
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The DALSTRONG Ultimate Sujihiki Slicing Knife is unlike other best knives for carving on the market. Featuring a slightly angled tip, this knife is an excellent option for detailed carving work. To add, it’s extremely efficient for slicing too! You only need up to three slicing motions to be able to cut through an entire roast beef. Pretty awesome, right?
In addition, this premium carving knife for meat is hammered to finish to minimize friction. Plus, the ergonomic handle sits well in hand, allowing you to use the knife comfortably. On top of that, this best knife for carving a turkey comes complete with a knife guard and a cleaning wipe!
Pros
- Versatile
- Great for detailed carving work
- Ergonomic handle
- Comes with a knife guard and cleaning wipe
- Long-lasting
Cons
- A bit hard to use for beginners
Shun TDMS0200 Carving Set
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Shun is a popular brand known for designing hand-hammered knives with style and efficiency in mind, and the Shun TDMS0200 Carving Set is no exception. As one of the best knives for carving, the blade is stunning, and the finish helps to prevent the meat from sticking. This is something unique for a carving knife, which often comes with smooth blades.
Meanwhile, the pakkawood handle gives is extremely durable and water-resistant. The 9.5-inch forged blade is slightly longer than some best carving knives for meat on this list, making it a nice option for carving poultry and slicing through roasts. However, you should note that this carving knife for meat is expensive! But if you’re searching for an elegant option with unparalleled performance, this is the one.
Pros
- Elegant option
- Meats won’t stick to the knife
- Pakkawood handle
- Durable
- Slightly longer blade
Cons
- Costs you hundreds of dollars
Global Knives Carving Set
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Considering its look, durability, and efficiency, we think the Global Knives Carving Set is one of the best carving knives for meat out there. The knife’s eight-inch blade is stamped from hard Cromova 18 high-carbon stainless steel. Meanwhile, the stainless steel handle has a different finish for a better grip. Thanks to this well-balanced and lightweight knife, carving and slicing is a piece of cake!
Furthermore, the wider blade on this carving knife for meat allows the knife to slide seamlessly through roast beef. Unlike your regular cooking knife, it can slice a variety of widths without any sticking, which is a huge plus. Taking care of this best knife for carving a turkey is easy. Simply handwash it with warm water and soap, then towel-dry! For sharpening, we recommend using a whetstone or knife sharpener.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Lightweight
- Can slide seamlessly through roast beef
- Can slice a variety of widths without any sticking
- Easy maintenance
- Good grip
Cons
- Cutting small pieces of chicken with precision is a bit hard
Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Knife and Fork Set
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Though hard to pronounce, the Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Knife and Fork Set is easy and convenient to use! This carving knife for meat is an excellent value at just a third of the price of our previous pick. The eight-inch blade is forged from German stainless steel and features a pakkawood handle, often used for premium knives.
Another thing that we notice about this knife is how well-balanced it is, mostly thanks to the weighty bolster. Don’t worry, though, as it’s not so heavy that it’s unwieldy to use. This knife provides more agility with trickier knife work. As one of the best knives for carving, it also performs well when used to slice through roast beef!
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable construction
- Well balanced
- Pakkawood handle
- Versatile
- Comes with a fork
Cons
- Doesn’t provide the thinnest slices
How To Choose The Best Carving Knives for Meat
Just like the best knives for carving pumpkins, there are some important things you should consider before deciding which carving knife to get!
Blade material
The best knives for carving are mostly stainless steel and carbon steel. Stainless steel knives are a reliable option, as they’re extremely durable and rarely rust or corrode. Carbon steel knives are also long-lasting and a better choice for those who want a more substantial weight to their knives. However, they rust more quickly.
Blade length
Most knives for carving are 8 to 12 inches long. The shorter the blade is, the more you’ll have to cut. However, you should note that a long blade can also be hard to maneuver around the bone. That’s why most carving knives tend to be around eight inches.
Handle
If your knife has a textured handle, it can help to prevent slippage when your hands are moist or wet. Some of the most popular and beloved materials for handles include pakkawood, textured steel, and thermoplastic polymers.
Maintenance
When taking care of your best knife for carving a turkey, most people usually want to avoid washing it in the dishwasher, though some knives are dishwasher safe. Instead, handwashing the knife with gentle dish soap can make the knife more durable. Also, you’ll want to regularly sharpen your blades.
Can you use a carving knife to cut raw meat?
Yes, you can. Apart from cutting cooked meat, carving knives are also specifically designed for cutting raw meat.
What is the difference between a carving and slicing knife?
The main differences are in thickness and flexibility. Slicing knives are usually thinner than carving knives, making them more ideal for thinner, more delicate cuts of meat or cooked food that doesn’t need to be disjointed from the bone.
Can a chef’s knife be used for carving?
Yes, it can. However, it’s super important to make sure the blade is sharp so it won’t tear the meat.