Every kitchen is incomplete without a sharp carving knife. Usually a big knife, about eight to fifteen inches long, a carving knife is mainly used for slicing purposes. It tends to be more useful when slicing meat such as roasts, ham, poultry, beef, and pork. Boasting a thinner and narrower appearance, particularly, at the spine, the best carving knife is designed to cut very thin, accurate slices.
Discovered centuries ago, when man discovered metal, the carving knife has evolved a lot over the years. Now it is not just stronger, but also sharper and long-lasting. Boasting a straight-edge, instead of a serrated edge, carving knives have shorter and thinner blades than slicing knives. What’s more, these appliances are longer than the normal kitchen knife.
If you get yourself the best carving knife, you will be able to cut thin slices of meat when you wish. One thing to be concerned about when selecting your knife is the material it is made of. The most commonly sold knives have high carbon stainless steel blades and forged high-carbon blades. The two construction materials create very strong resilient blades.
Another thing to focus on is whether the knife blade is sharp. It should be usable right after being delivered to your house. When the blade becomes a bit blunt, it should be easily sharpened so it could continue to cut thin, shapely and tender slices. They only way to know deeper details about a given carving knife’s sharpness is to read internet reviews
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Top 5 Carving Knives on the Market 2021
We have created a list of top 5 carving knives that we believe are excellent picks. Each of these knives makes a perfect addition to your current kitchen knives collection. However, you should pick just one knife that will change how you carve your meat. Slicing will never be the same when you finally pick one of these knives. Without further ado, read the following 5 reviews and then decide on the product you want to purchase first.
1. Victorinox 12-Inch Granton Edge Slicing Knife with Fibrox Handle
Victorinox is a well-respected brand and the 12” Granton slicing knife is considered to be as effective as an electric carving knife. The tip is safe and rounded, and the blade sculptured from high carbon stainless steel. The knife is easy to sharpen and due to the fact that it is ice tempered it will maintain its sharpness.
The cutting surface is maximized so the cut will be clean and there will not be any tearing and as it is also bolsterless the entire length of the blade can be utilised. Raw meat can also be cut but it is recommended that it is still partially frozen. As well as this, it can be gentle enough to cut through cakes and pastries without damaging them.
The handle is Fibrox and will not slip out of your hands during use. The design is such that it is comfortable to hold and is balanced allowing total control when slicing. The knife may be sharp but it is safe to use and is NSF approved. The knife is manufactured in Switzerland and so sure are the company that there will not be any issues, they provide a life time guarantee – this is against defects rather than damage caused by misuse.
2. Mercer Culinary Genesis 8″ Forged Carving Knife, Steel/Black
If you enjoy cooking, then this knife made with all the expertise of German technology will be just for you. This 8” carving knife will be ideal for carving up the Sunday roast as well as slicing through other meat and fish with ease. The blade is single piece forged and has high carbon steel, as well as being non staining. The edge is hand polished and has a substantial bolster and as it has a taper-grind edge that has been hand polished.
The handle is black Santoprene and is none slip. When holding it, is it comfortable and safe to use. It must not be put in a dish washer, but can be washed by hand quite safely. It is also strong and durable as well as giving superior balance. While it was made in Taiwan, it is German steel and technology that has been used, and the manufacturers are so sure that there will not be any problems, they have given it a 12 month guarantee. As you would expect with a top of the range knife, it is NSF certified and they deem that it meets the standards when it comes to performance, safety and quality.
3. Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Carving Knife
Wusthof is a German knife brand that has existed since 2014. A family-run business, Wusthof has kept its top designing principles all these years. It has a wide range of functional knives that last for several years. The Wusthof Classic eight inch knife is one of those knives that have a tough blade made of forged high carbon steel.
A knife with a red Trident logo just like any other from this brand, Wusthof Classic carving knife has a very strong handle, which features the traditional design and three rivets for extra strength and durability.
The black handle with rivets and a red logo is nice to look at too. Since the blade is narrow and long, the knife is suitable for slicing meat, including poultry, and vegetables if you wish. It is a dishwasher safe knife, but you can hand-wash it when cleaning other cutlery. In case this knife will develop some faults or will have mechanical faults, when it is delivered, use the lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
If you have doubts about ordering this knife, just relax. Wusthof has made over three hundred and fifty forged steel knives and sells items like kitchen scissors, blocks and cutting boards. Their knives take different forms as they are made for varied purposes.
4. Ontario Knife 7111 Old Hickory Butcher Knife, 10-Inch Blade
Manufactured in the United States there is a long history of the butcher’s knife being used on farms were farmers butchered their own livestock. There is a risk that the knife will rust if it is not properly looked after – this is due to the fact that it is made of high carbon steel – but if it is washed with warm soapy water, it will last for many years. Rust can be kept at bay by using vegetable oil when it will not be used for a while. The 10” blade is long enough to cut through any meat and is capable of cutting off chunks or the thinnest slices you could want.
It is lightweight, weighing just 8 ounces, but is robust enough for daily use. Some users were initially disappointed when they received the knife as it was not very sharp, but having sharpened it themselves they are more than happy with the result. It does need to be sharpened regularly but the results you get mean that it is more than worth the effort. The brown handle is small compared to the blade, but still large enough to allow a good grip and due to it being made of hickory wood is flame burnt.
5. Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 8-Inch Slicing/Carver Knife
Not all knives will be suitable for slicing cooked meats, but this one is ideal. The 8” blade is thin yet incredibly strong. It is made of high carbon, 420-stainless steel, and unlike blades made from other types of steel, this will not rust. Rust will be hard to remove from a blade and fortunately there is no need to worry about that if you purchase this knife. Sharpness will not be an issue either as the taper grind edge does not become blunt easily and on the occasions it does need to be re-done, it is quick and easy to do.
Due to the full tang blade that reaches from the end of the handle down to the tip of the blade there is balance and therefore it is easy to use. The handle is ergonomic and has been shaped from solid walnut. This is kept in place thanks to brass rivets that have triple compression. It cannot be put in the dish washer, but this is a small price to pay for such a great knife. The style of the knife is classic and manufacturers are so proud of their product they have covered it by a lifetime warranty.
Things To Keep In Mind When Buying
If you like what you have read on this page, about carving knives, perhaps you are thinking of buying one item. We encourage you to get a carving knife, too, as it will simplify your cookery when dealing with meat. All the same, there are things to keep in mind when selecting and buying your knife. Some of these things are described as shown below.
- Focus on choosing just one carving knife that can handle the amount of work you do in your kitchen when cutting meat. If you already own a boning knife, a carving knife will complement it. Unless you own a restaurant, one carving knife is enough for now. However, make sure that you order the most appropriate, high-quality knife.
- Research about manufacturers – Since there are so many knife brands, you should sort through them before selecting just one brand with great carving knives. Read reviews on blogs and forums, solicit answers from friends and relatives, and do anything else you can to learn more about various knife manufacturers. American and Japanese knife industries tend to produce great cutlery for modern kitchens. As you do your investigation, therefore, consider them.
- Safety when in use – Safety for everyone who uses your kitchen is a priority, especially, when the subject of discussion is a long knife with a narrow blade. It could also be electric, too, making it even more dangerous when mishandled. Is the knife safe to use regardless of its sharpness level? Does it have an ergonomic design that guarantees user’s safety?
- Budget – Some carving knives are too expensive, yet they are not exceptional in any way. On the other hand, certain knives are affordable and effective in slicing meat. The best thing is to read various product reviews to know whether prior users were able to get value for their money. Did they pay too much for a useless knife or did they spend much for a great carving knife?
- Strong blade – The fact that you need a top quality carving knife with a strong blade is not debatable. Even if the blade is not removable, it should be robust, long, sharp and narrow. High carbon stainless steel blades are the first options to consider. Electric carvers may offer a design that makes the blade removable. This is a great consideration because a detachable blade can enable the user to chop meat that is hidden in the bones.
- Handle – It is imperative to consider the handle of your carving knife. You want to hold an ergonomic handle that feels comfortable and safe in your hand. Moreover, the handle has to be properly riveted and fastened. A nice handle boasts a tang about half-way down.
- Accuracy when slicing – As well as being safe, a good carving knife should produce slices that are between a quarter-inch and half-inch big, as these produce best results in cookery. It provides good balance when working and makes the carver’s work amusing and easy.
Final thought
As we conclude this review, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of checking our top 5 carving knifes. Ensure that you read more reviews about them, view more photos, prior to buying any of them. We are very positive that you will enjoy using any of them just as we did. If you dislike carving meat, chances are that your knife is not designed for this work. The solution is easy: get the best carving knife. Once you do, you will no longer buy minced or sliced meat. Instead, you will enjoy roasting more meat on your BBQ, as the knife will save your time and keep you from accidents and fatigue.
I love Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Carving Knife as it offers lifetime warranty and dishwasher safe, unlike the Wusthof Classic 2-Piece Hollow-Ground Carving Set