The Best Butcher Knife set | Top 5 Best Butcher Knives in 2022

Why Do We Need The Best Butcher Knife set?

That is a great question, isn’t it? Why do we need a specialized knife for butchering and hacking and so much more? Wouldn’t it be better to just stick to our hunting knife and call it a day?

Well, you would be right for thinking that way, and I don’t blame you. After all, they work as well as butchering knives, right? Wrong.

Although most hunting knives were designed to dress meat, they were also designed to perform a myriad of other functions. Their use is not limited to the disembowelment of the game, and this automatically makes them not as effective.

Butcher knives are knives that were designed for the dressing of animal carcasses. This sometimes involves splitting, stripping and sometimes cutting the meat down into smaller pieces. They are the standard tool for the average butcher and it has always been that way since the 18th century when they were initially made.

In the past, butcher knives have been used for a myriad of other things aside from the typical hacking and cutting. They are typically made of stainless steel and easily identifiable by their large, thick, curved blades and their solid handles.

In case you might be a little bit unclear as to what tasks butcher knives perform, here are some roles of them:

To break bones while butchering
Used in conjunction with a boning saw and knife for making cuts
Used to cut meat into smaller cuts
Used to level down chunks of meats when making primal cuts
Used for trimming off fat

Owning a top quality knife is essential for any butcher because it helps us work effortlessly, effectively, and safely.

Let’s take the practical benefits of best butcher knives below:

Best Butcher Knives Set - Top Brands Compared

Knife	Blade Size	Blade Material	Handle Material	Edge rendition	Rust resistance	Sheath
Victorinox Swiss Army Butcher Knife	10 in	HC stainless steel	Patented Fibrox Pro	Great	Great
Dalstrong Gladiator Butcher Knife	10 in Cimeter	HC German steel	Black pakkawood	Great	Good
Old Hickory Butcher Knife	10 in	HC steel	Hardwood	Normal	None
Rada Cutlery Butcher Knife	7.75 in	T420 HC stainless steel	Aluminum	Good	Good
Victorinox Swiss Army Bitcher Knife Set	5 blades	HC stainless steel	Patented Fibrox Pro	Great	Great	Cutlery roll

How To Pick The best professional butcher knife set

Having handled quite a few butcher knives in my time, I can definitely tell you what you need to look for and what to steer clear off.

The first thing is that you need to determine the blade length. The blade length must match the size of your game or pieces of meat. A typical butcher’s blade is 8 to 12 inches long. In my opinion, a 10-inch blade is ideal for most butchering tasks.

Also, you want to make sure that the handle has great grip and the tang blends into the handle perfectly. After all, the grip is the most important thing when handling a knife.

Aside from the basic requirements, here are some other crucial things to look for when picking out the perfect butchering knife and you won’t get swept away by the hundreds of options on the market now.

Handle material

I think this has to come first. After all, it’s the part of the blade that gives it most of its maneuverability and control. Butchering knives handles are usually made from plastic, metal or wood. Although each material has its strength and weaknesses, plastic is ultimately the way to go.
The steel isn’t just as comfortable and wood can really get funky if you give over time. Wood and plastic are recommended, metal is not; it’s not just as flexible or grippy.
A top butcher knife must also be a safe knife to use. Its handle should have an anti-slip design, finger-guards, etc.

The blade

All butcher blades are essentially made of stainless steel; there is no contest.
If the pack says anything other than high carbon stainless steel then be wary. Although they are all made of steel, the quality of steel differs greatly. There are knives made with 440HC or the 440C, but the VG-10 is clearly the superior steel in this environment.
Also, top quality butcher knives should have full-tang blades. This structure provides balance and certainty for our tool.
Besides, we appreciate the blade have Granton edges because they improve the anti-stick ability of our knife when cutting meat.

Bolster

There are ways a knife can be forged. It can be stamped, or it can be forged. Stamped knives are alright, but if you want better stability for a little extra weight and balance then pick a butcher knife with a bolster.

Edge rendition

When picking a knife, you should try to find out just how long the blade will stay sharp under constant usage. Try to find out what sort of measure is in place that ensures that the blade stays bright for an extended period.

Rust resistance

This is an essential requirement for great butcher knives. Although most blades are made of Stainless steel, it’s still important that there is some form of countermeasures in place to ward off rust.

What Are The Best Professional Butcher Knives Sets In 2021?

Now that we’ve looked at some of the features that any great butcher knife should come with, let’s look at some of the blades that were just simply outstanding this past year.

The 5 best butcher knives 2021 on the market:

I’ve had a chance to get my hands on each of the knives I am about to discuss extensively, and I’m telling you what to expect.

These products are all high quality from famous names in the industry. Some are entirely crafted with extremely sharp blades. Some are classic knives with simple designs but still great for butchering meat. A higher-end knife also usually has a higher price.

Let dive down to find the knife that best suits your needs and budget!

Butcher Knives - HC+ Reviews

1. Victorinox Swiss Army Butcher Knife

Check Price

This Swiss Blade is made of stainless steel that has been forged by Victorinox (formerly FORSCHNER) since the 19th century.

This Victorinox knife stands out from the lot because of its patented Fibrox Pro Handle non-slip grip. This provides better overall flexibility and makes sure that it doesn’t get difficult to handle when it gets wet.

The butcher knife is hollowed out on both sides to reduce friction between the blade as it cuts through the meat. This technology is called the Granton Edge and it promises a clean cut every time.

It comes with the standard 10” blade. It also has a 7” handle.

The blade of Victorinox was made with high carbon stainless steel and ice tempered to prevent rust and maintain sharpness for long-term use.

It also comes with a flat spine for that extra boost in power should you ever need it.

Advantages

The Victorinox butcher knife comes with a patented grip.
It has a hollowed blade that reduces friction.
It comes with a lifetime warranty.
It is ice tempered.
Made of high carbon stainless steel.
The knife is also comfortable to sharpen its entire edge.

Disadvantages

The butcher knife is not full tang.
It is not suitable to cut through the stuff that is too thick.
It’s particularly light and doesn’t have a broad tip so it can’t handle bone all that well.

This Victorinox blade checks all the boxes if your goal is to cut through a large steak or a slab of unbelievably tough meat. However, this bad boy doesn’t handle bone well because it’s not a cleaver. It’s not also designed for dressing; it is not just flexible enough.

But like I said, the Victorinox butcher knife is beyond excellent. It comes with everything on our features list and a Granton edge; this is quite rare for its price point.

So, if you are looking for a companion that can cut through the toughest meat like it was butter, then look no further. The Victorinox is one of the best butcher knives around us.

This next knife is top scimitar knife for butchering. This masterpiece by DALSTRONG seems to have everything.

2. Dalstrong Gladiator Butcher Knife

(Best For Professionals)

Check Price

The Dalstrong butcher knife comes in a 10” high carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel. It boasts of a sharpness that can only be tempered by its sturdiness.

The blade of Dalstrong comes in full tang so swinging it around shouldn’t pose much of a challenge.

Its blade comes with several oval-shaped holes on both sides of the blade to reduce friction and help users complete their cuts in a single swift movement.

The distinctively curved blade was designed in such a manner that introduces leverage and assures a clean cut every time. With this butcher’s knife, trimming fat and cutting through cartilage will be a cinch.

The Dalstrong cimeter knife comes with a premium Pakkawood handle that was imported from Spain. The handle has a pleasantly shaped for maneuverability and increased grip.

This butcher knife comes chromium plated and is, therefore, stain resistant. It also comes with a leather sheath straight out of the store.

Advantages

The Dalstrong butcher knife is full tang, durable and very sharp.
It has evenly spaced holes on both sides of the blade to reduce friction.
The butcher knife is carefully hand-polished to make it both shiny and anti-dirty.
It is also effortless to clean.
And it comes with a BPA free knife guard for safety.

Disadvantages

The knife’s handle is excellent, but the slip resistance is not very good.
The blade curved tip makes it more difficult to store.

Final thoughts

The Dalstrong butcher knife lives up to the hype and flashy packaging; however, it’s not the most comfortable blade to handle out there.

Aside from those things that barely matter, the blade is truly amazing! It is strong, sharp and comes with a bolster for excellent balance. You’ll be cutting through roasts, briskets, and pork like it was made of water.

With top quality craftsmanship, I have rated the Dalstrong is the best professional butcher knife for deer, hogs or beef.

The 3rd place is a traditional butcher knife manufactured in the United States.

3. Old Hickory Butcher Knife [Affordable]

Check Price

This Traditional looking blade from Old Hickory brings a whole new meaning to the word sharp.

The blade comes mostly in the standard 10” blade with a 7” variant also possible.

Unlike most of the knives in this lineup, this one is better suited for technical work than the first two.

The Old Hickory butcher knife comes with a wooden handle made of hickory with a shaft designed to accommodate the fingers.

Its blade is made of Carbon steel, and it is not rust resistant like most blades on the market.

Also, the blade was designed for extended use, and its edges can only be described as razor sharp; able to slide through meat like it were nothing.

This butcher knife weighs approximately one pound, so, it’s lightweight and easy to use.

Advantages

This knife has a very affordable price for quality on the market today.
It is made of High Carbon steel.
Its blade is full tang, razor-sharp and easy to sharpen.
The blade of Old Hickory performs outstandingly well when coupled with other knives and cleavers.
Remarkable when breaking down chunky slabs of meat.
Exceptional when trimming the fat from venison, beef, pork, mutton, etc.

Disadvantages

The Old Hickory knife doesn’t have the sturdiest handle.
It’s not rust-resistant.
The wooden handle has to be continuously maintained and cared for since its subject to all sorts of infections.
The blade needs to be sharpened more often than I would like.
Its handle has no finger guards so be careful.

Final thoughts

The Old Hickory knife is one of the top-rated butcher knives with the sharpest blades on the market. It just glides through meat like it was nothing. There is no friction despite not coming with grooves on both sides. We can make most of your cuts in a single movement; it’s quite refreshing for something in its price point.

The blade, however, isn’t equipped with the most appropriate handle out there. It’s quite aesthetic and sometimes tricky to handle once it becomes soaked in blood. Aside from that, it feels almost perfect.

I would recommend this Old Hickory knife if you don’t mind sharpening and looking out for rust. It is suitable for both hunters and butchers.

The next one is a classic butcher knife with a short blade.

4. Rada Cutlery Old Fashioned Butcher Knife

Check Price

This knife reminds me of the more traditional iteration of the butcher’s knife.

Aside from its slightly indefinite length, it’s absolutely outstanding when splitting, chopping large cut of meat.

The blade of the knife is made from high-quality T420 carbon stainless steel- the type used to make surgical tools. It’s able to cut through the toughest slabs of meats with ease.

Its blade is hand-sharpened to ensure that it stays sharp for an extended period.

The butcher knife of Rada Cutlery comes with an aluminum handle. Its overall is about 12,” but the blade length is just 7 3/4 “.

This short butcher knife suitable for not only meats, but it’s also great for fruits and vegetable.

Advantages

Its price is unbeatable.
It is hand sharpened.
Comes in a maneuverable yet effective 12”.
Surgical grade carbon stainless steel.
Durable metal handle.
Handle designed for increased handling.

Disadvantages

It’s a little bit on the smaller side.
It is metal handle can get incredibly slippery.
When you add the metal handle and no bolster, it’s not the easiest knife to control.
No finger grooves.

Final thoughts

After using the blade for several months, I noticed just how vital hand sharpening is. I haven’t had to sharpen the blade once since I bought it.

The blade’s compact size makes it feels more like a vegetable knife and less like a butcher knife. It’s one of the only products I am comfortable cutting fruits.

The high-quality stainless steel is rust resistant so, I am pleased. However, the Rada blade is limited because of its novel size. This short knife will be great for butchering small animals or poultry.

I think the handle is the biggest limiter of this best butcher knife for the budget. The aluminum handle gets incredibly slippery, and a plastic handle with grooves will serve you much better.

Lastly, it is impossible not to mention one of the best butcher knife sets for any butchers and meat cutters:

5. Victorinox Swiss Army Butcher Knife Set

Check Price

This set from Victorinox has everything you could ever need when butchering, breaking, and processing meat.

The Victorinox set includes:

10-inch cimeter butcher knife
8-inch breaking knife
6-inch boning knife
25-inch paring knife
6-inch fillet knife
10-inch honing steel

The entire set is made of high carbon stainless steel.

The Victorinox comes with a cutlery roll for safe storage and easy to carry.

The entire set is just around 2.2 pounds. It comes with plastic handles that have finger grooves.

They are perfectly fitted for cutting and boning.

The butcher’s knife set is equipped to break down the meat entirely.

Advantages

It comes with a complete set that is equipped to handle the whole butchering process.
All knives are sharp, and the handles have a great grip.
They are suited for breaking bones and cutting slabs of meat.
An amazing price for high-quality materials.
The set comes with a handy cutlery roll.

Disadvantages

This Victorinox set lacks a skinning knife.
They are not full tang.
The knives also don’t have Granton edges.
I hope the knives are all equipped with sheaths.

Final thoughts

This Victorinox butcher’s set comes with knives capable of cutting bones and cartilages. The only drawback is that they don’t come with a skinning knife.

The set is made of high-quality carbon stainless steel and a plastic handle that is grooved for better control. The knives are not full tang, so they aren’t so strong.

Although they are a bit limited by this feature, they have still proved very useful. Often here is the only set I need when I am dealing with large slabs of meat. Aside from being just a great knife set for all your butchering needs, it’s also reasonably priced.

Comparison And Conclusion

High-quality butchering knives are part of the bare essentials that every butcher or avid hunter must have in his arsenal. It could be the short yet potent Rada or the traditional Hickory, or even the bold and curved Dalstrong; as long as we have an excellent butchering knife we set to go.

In this review, we’ve gone over a few top butcher knives, and I can assure you that they all do their jobs quite well. But which knife will best serve your purposes?

Is it the high-end knives like the Dalstrong and the Victorinox or low-end knives like the Old Hickory and the Rada Cutlery knives?

-> The high-end knives are no doubt sharper, more comfortable, better preserved and more precise, but we can’t count out the low-end blades too.

-> The low-end blades also come in durable steel and are amazingly sharp. They don’t come with a Granton edge or anything special like that, but they are bright and sturdy enough to handle most cuts.

Unless you are planning to go pro, the Old Hickory and Rada should do just fine. They are not the best out there, but they are high enough. With that said, any knife on this review will serve you well enough. They are all really professional in their own way.

Other reviews:

Best Chinese Cleaver – Top 6 Must-Considered Suggestions