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The best boning knives
Looking to improve your kitchen?
Then a good place to start is with your knife collection. After all, knives are the most important tools for any chef. So, if you want to increase the types of tasks you can accomplish in your kitchen, you might want to consider buying a couple more knives.
And one of the first knives to add to your collection is a boning knife. A chef’s, bread, and paring knife are the three standard knives in most kitchens, and a boning knife is a great option for a fourth knife.
This is because boning knives can do a whole lot of tasks. Specifically, they can handle more exact cutting and slicing tasks you may not be able to accomplish when using your standard large chef’s knife.
So, to help you find the best boning knife for your kitchen, we’ve scoured the market to compile a list of today’s top options. And in this list, we dive into the details of each model so you can determine which one suits your needs the best.
Best overall
Victorinox Curved Semi-Stiff 6-Inch Boning Knife
Victorinox Curved Semi-Stiff 6-Inch Boning Knife
If you’re looking for a knife that’s affordable enough for a home kitchen but high-quality enough for a pro butcher’s shop, then this is the model for you. The second you take this Victorinox out of the box, you’ll find it to be razor-sharp and capable of slicing just about any meat.
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The first knife we’re looking at today also happens to be one of our favorites on the market. If you’re looking for a reliable kitchen knife, you can’t go wrong with a Victorinox Fibrox. This is largely seen as one of the best knives for home kitchens and people starting their culinary journey.
This is because Victorinox Fibrox knives are high-quality and affordable. And we found that this Fibrox model is by far the best option for home cooks in need of a boning knife. The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel, has a non-slip handle, and comes out of the box razor sharp.
Typically, customers use this knife for butchering chickens, fish, and other meats. The blade is slightly curved and flexible. This gives you a better slicing angle that allows for more control and precision than usual.
The one complaint we had about this model its stamped blade. You want to get a forged blade for extra longevity if you’re getting into serious knifework. But aside from that one tiny complaint, this Victorinox model easily checked all our boxes.
Best affordable
Mercer Culinary Ultimate White 6-Inch Curved Boning Knife
Mercer Culinary Ultimate White 6-Inch Curved Boning Knife
This knife is very affordable,, but its quality seems like a true premium blade. So, if you want a high-quality knife without busting the bank, there aren’t many models on the market that compete with this one.
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You don’t have to bust the bank for a high-quality kitchen knife. And if you’re looking for proof of that statement, all you have to do is look at this Mercer Culinary knife. To start, it’s very affordable. And despite its low price, this model can easily compete with just about any of the more “premium” boning knives on the market today.
One of the cool features of this knife is the design. Customers found that this looks like a premium knife due to its unique white design. And since it has a non-slip handle that fits well in hand, the design is practical as well.
This knife comes out of the box very sharp. While it’s an affordable knife, Mercer paid close attention to quality in construction, so you can use it to slice meat right away. And even if the blade dulls out eventually, it has a hollow-point edge, which makes for much easier sharpening process.
The only complaint customers had with this knife was its edge retention. If you use this knife every day, you may have to sharpen it a bit more often than usual. However, considering the sharpness and price point of the blade, it’s an easily forgivable complaint.
Best for BBQ
Dream Reach Forged Butcher Boning Knife
Dream Reach Forged Butcher Boning Knife
This is a rugged knife that’s perfect for the outdoors. If you need something with a bit more body and strength for your BBQs and camping trips, this is a great option for you.
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This next option is different from the other knives on this list. The reason is that this knife is designed for outdoor use. So, if you host a lot of BBQs, go camping, or hunting, this could be a good knife for you. It has a strong blade, razor-sharp, and a curved blade profile that makes it great for various meats.
Additionally, it has an ergonomic design. Customers praised the fact that it felt very comfortable in their hands. And because of the way the blade is made, food doesn’t stick to it, making for a much more convenient cutting and slicing process.
The one thing we didn’t like about this knife was the size. Since it’s an outdoor knife, it isn’t as large as some kitchen boning knives. While this makes it more portable, you will have a harder time making larger slices on bigger pieces of meat.
This is a relatively short blade, but it’s also pretty wide. So, you won’t be able to be as exact and precise with this knife either. But for outdoor cooking and BBQs, this knife does the job extremely well.
Bbest premium
Shun Classic 6-inch Curved Boning Knife
Shun Classic 6-inch Curved Boning Knife
If you want a premium boning knife feor your knife roll, you can’t go wrong with this model. It’s incredibly sharp and has a beautiful Damascus blade that will last you a long time and stand out when placed next to your other blades.
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While German and Western-style kitchen knives have been the industry standard for years, many chefs are now making the switch over to Japanese kitchen knives. This is because these blades are generally sharper and have better aesthetics than Western knives, which is why this Shun model made this list.
Before we continue, it’s important to understand that this isn’t an entry-level knife. This blade is worthy of a professional kitchen. So, you can expect it to cost a bit more than a typical kitchen knife. But rest assured that investing in this blade is a great idea for serious cooks and chefs and can make your kitchen much more functional and efficient.
When it comes to Japanese knives, Shun is one of the top brands on the market. Knives from this brand are consistently sharp. On top of that, it has a damascus-clad blade, which gives it more strength and beautiful pattern on the face of the blade.
This knife also comes with a Pakkawood ebony handle that feels very comfortable in the hand. So, you have a lot of balance and control when making exact cuts and slices on the meat.
Best for fish
Cutluxe 6″ Flexible Boning Knife
Cutluxe 6″ Flexible Boning Knife
This is a great boning knife for fish. Whether you’re filleting a salmon or carving smaller fish, this blade does the job exceptionally well.
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Fish meat is far more delicate than beef and chicken. So, when slicing fish and deboning the meat, you want to make sure you have a good blade. That way, you can easily slice through the meat and separate it from the skin and bone.
This is a very sharp blade. So, when you slide it on the meat you will isntantly make clean and precise cuts. And since the blade is so thin, it easily fits between the places between the meat and the bone,making it very easy to use in the kitchen.
One thing about this boning knife is that it’s straight. THere are some people out there who don’t have the best experience with curved blades which is why straight blades are a better option for them. With that said, keep in mind that you may not get as much flexibility if you opt for a straight blade as opposed to a curved one.
But despite the shape, many seasoned chefs and cooks stand by this knife. Many people claim that the knife is way sharper than you might expect due to the price, making it a very worthwhile investment.
Best for butchers
Victorinox Rosewood Curved Boning Knife
Victorinox Rosewood Curved Boning Knife
This is a great knife for professional use. It’s made of high-quality steel, has a classic design, and the knife is sharp enough to handle various slciing and cutting tasks for a very long time.
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Most of the knives we mentioned on this list would fit the bill for home kitchens. But if you’re a butcher that slices through a lot of meat daily, you need something a bit stronger. And this Victornix Rosewood Curved boning knife could be just what you need to slice meat as perfectly and exactly as you may need.
The Rosewood handle doesn’t just look good- it’s functional too. There are many chefs that prefer the feel of a wooden handle. So, if you would like to slice and carve your meat with the comfort of a real wooden handle, this knife will work very well.
On top of that, the blade shape and construction is truly top-tier. So, when you slice through meat it will be like carving through butter. And since it has a long and curved blade, you can easily get into the hard-to-reach places to create very exact cuts and slices.
Customers abosultely loves the three-bolster design of the knife. This is a very classic design that looks very professional and premium. With that said, the one complaint we have with this knife is that Rosewood can stink up if you don’t wash it and dry it properly, which is important to keep in mind.
Best sharpness
Victorinox 6 Inch Curved Fibrox Pro Boning Knife
Victorinox 6 Inch Curved Fibrox Pro Boning Knife
You won’t have many knives on the market that are as sharp as this one. But aside from sharpness, Victroinox made sure to pay close attention to the fine details as well which is why this is one of the most functional boning knives available today.
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Sharpness is arguably one of the most important qualities of any knife. And we found this to be one of the boning knives available on the market today. So, if you’re looking to easily carve through meats and separate it from the bone, this is a great option.
It’s a curved knife. So, aside from having an incredibly sharp blade to slice through meat, the shape makes it easy to control your slices. This is a great knife for fish and othe rmeats that require precise and accurate cuts.
With that said, the one complaint we had with this knife is the handle. While it has an ergonimic design, there’s no denying that it could be better quality. You won’t notice the handle too much if you use this knife sparingly. But if you use this to carve meat everyday, you’ll find that it isn’t the msot comfortable fit in the hand.
Best for professional
ZWILLING Professional “S” 5.5-inch Flexible Boning Knife
ZWILLING Professional “S” 5.5-inch Flexible Boning Knife
This is one of the go-to boning knives for professionals. While it’s expensive, it comes with a sharp, strong, and high-quality blade. So, you won’t run into any trouble at all when boning, skinning, and filleting your meat.
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Zwilling is considered the premier knife brand for many chefs. And if you really want to step up your knife collection with a high-quality model, this is a great option. It comes from the “S” series, which are some of the brand’ most premium models. So, you can rest assured that this knife delivers whn it comes to quality.
Since it’s a Zwilling knife, it has a forged blade that can alast you a very long time. On top of that, the forged construction makes for better edge retention. So, you can rely on this blade to stay sharp for a long time coming without needing constant resharpening.
Additionally, this blade has a classic professional design. With the black handle and triple-bolsters, you won’t have any complaints when it comes to feel. This is why there are many butchers, chefs, and homecooks who enjoy this blade.
With that said, Zwilling is one of the pricier brands. So, when considering this knife, be ready to pay a bit more than usual. However, rest assured that this knife is definitely worth the money, especially if you need a blade for professional use.
What to look for in a good boning knife
There are many knives available on the market today. No matter what type of knife you’re buying, there’s a high chance that you’re going to have a hard time choosing between all the different options.
Boning knives are no exception.
These are very popular knives because they are designed for a specific task. Separating the bones from the meat is tough, but developing this skill opens up a range of opportunities in the kitchen. If you know how to use a boning knife properly, you can fillet a fish, carve meat, and perform a bunch of precise slicing tasks.
And the better your boning knife, the easier it will be for you to accomplish these tasks.
So, before you hit the market and look through the different options, it’s important to know what makes a good boning knife. That way, you understand the qualities to look out for that will simplify your search.
When shopping for a boning knife, here are some of the key factors you need to consider:
Steel
First and foremost, you need to make sure the knife is made of high-quality steel. The steel determines how long your knife will stay sharp and its overall durability. And since there are many types of steel available, it can be hard to determine what kind of steel works best for boning knives.
Ideally, you want to choose boning knives made of high-carbon stainless steel. This is considered the industry standard for a high-quality boning knife.
High-carbon steel is very hard. This allows the knife to retain its edge for a very long time, reducing the need for constant resharpening. Additionally, it’s a very strong material that can last you many years.
It’s also important to find stainless steel knives as you can rest assured that they won’t rust. You never want to run the risk of slicing your meat with a rusty knife, so make sure you to find boning knives made of high-quality steel.
Tang
The next thing to consider is the knife’s tang. The tang refers to the blade itself and ideally, you would want to get a full-tang knife. If you have a full-tang knife, this means that the blade runs throughout the entire handle. This gives you much more stability and balance when slicing the meat and also allows the knife to last you much longer.
With that said, full-tang knives tend to be expensive. But if you’re looking for a top-quality boning knife for your kitchen, you will have to spend a bit more money than usual.
However, rest assured that if you invest in a full-tang boning knife for your kitchen, it will be very worthwhile as you will instantly feel the difference.
Sharpness
You can always sharpen your knives after buying them. However, it’s always best for the knife to be sharp right out of the box. That way, you can start slicing right away. Remember, sharper knives are safer knives and you don’t want to slice meat with a dull knife in your kitchen.
For boning knives, you want the blade to be exceptionally sharp. This is because these knives are designed to make precise cuts and slices, which is tough to do if you don’t have a sharp knife.
Ideally, you want the knife sharpened to an angle between 10-15 degrees on both sides. This is a sign that your knife is razor-sharp and will instantly cut through any ingredients you need.
Flexibility
One of the most unique features of a boning knife is its flexibility. For the knife to cut between the bone and the meat, it needs to be thin and flexible. However, if you aren’t used to boning knives, make sure to find the right balance, as a knife that’s too flexible might be a bit difficult to use.
For first-timers, we recommend getting semi-flexible knives. These blades bend just enough that it will easily slide between the meat and bone without being too flexible to control. But if you’re an experienced butcher ready to do unique cuts, you may want to get knives that are a bit more flexible.
FAQ
How do I use a boning knife?
Using a boning knife is easy. However, you need to make sure you’re using it for the right tasks. As the name suggests, these knives are meant to slide between the meat and the bone, helping you create unique cuts and fillets. So, you need to make sure to be as careful as possible since these knives are very sharp and small mistakes can result in nasty accidents.
Are sharper knives safer?
The sharper the knife, the safer it is. This is because dull knives can slip and tear your ingredients. If you have a razor-sharp knife, it will easily cut through any ingredinet. This reduces the risk of slipping and accidents in the kitchen.
Is a boning knife necessary?
Technically, a boning knife isn’t a necessary blade for the kitchen. In fact, most people won’t need this knife in their kitchen. However, if you want to make precise cuts of meat and remove the meat from the none with absolute precision, then there;s no knife that can do the job as well as a handy boning knife.
