The Best Butcher Knives in Canada
BBQ season is among the most anticipated ones. It means longer evenings on the deck, warm weather, good company and most importantly juicy, well-cooked pieces of meat. Julia Child once said: “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” And, while there is nothing that can stand against a properly cooked steak with some mashed potatoes, mushroom sauce and asparagus on the side, the main secret to that delicious dish (or any other meat-based course) is in preparation. Rightly so, cutting that piece of beef into smaller pieces or preparing pork chops requires the correct equipment. This is where the butcher knife comes in. Even though you might not be a professional chef or a butcher, if you have a passion for culinary experiments at home, a thick blade butchering knife can make the whole chopping and cutting experience easier and faster.
Butcher knives are known for their durability that prevents chipping when you cut in between meat and bone, and their curved shape cuts long, smooth slices of poultry. Thus, a solid butcher knife is a necessary addition to a kitchen where meat-based meals are a big part of a menu. However, knowing how confusing a process of choosing the right knife might be, we created this guide to help you to prepare for your next BBQ garden party. We selected only top-rated butcher knives in Canada that were approved by kitchen guides, professional chefs and customers’ reviews.
Our top choices
Why trust us
We value the importance of home-cooked meals and family gatherings where good food brings people together. That is why when we worked on this guide, we made sure to focus on people who are passionate about cooking at home and want the support of professional, well-made equipment.
We spent nearly 15 hours researching the best butcher knives on the market and based our decision on customers’ reviews and other trusted kitchen guides’ opinions (Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping).
What to look for in a butcher knife
- Blade material: Blade material affects both durability and price point. There are two types of butcher knife blade materials: stamped blades and forged blades. Stamped blades are lightweight, but less resistant to rust because they were cut from a piece of stainless steel sheet. Meanwhile, forged blades were physically forged from steel according to traditional techniques, and then shaped into a blade. That factor makes them more expensive, yet sturdier and longer-lasting knife than stamped blades.
- Handle material: Even though handles are not as important as blades, they cannot be neglected when choosing a butcher knife. Meat cutting is a messy process, and keeping that in mind you will want a handle that is either made from non-slipping materials like polymer, or one that has an ergonomic shape that makes it easy to control the knife.
- Design: If you are into cooking and aim to achieve a certain level of professionalism even in your homemade meals, most likely your kitchen already supports a certain aesthetic. The same applies to a butcher knife. The higher the quality knife you pick, the longer it will stay in your kitchen. In that case, you might want to make sure that the design of it is pleasing to your taste.
Best Japanese butcher knife
DALSTRONG Shogun Series Slicer
It does not matter if you are a professional butcher who searches for an upgraded tool or a home chef who values quality when it comes to knives; this Dalstrong 10” high-end butcher knife is made to perform. You can easily section and portion large pieces of meat, slice steak, trim briskets and cut off fat from beef, pork, fish and other meats. The curved shape of the blade is engineered to complete perfect cuts in a single motion. Speaking about the blade, it is forged from a single piece of Japanese super steel which promises durability, extra sharp edge and wear resistance. The blade also has rock-hollow divots that prevent stuck-on food and reduce friction.
However, not only the blade is made to perform. The handle, made from G10 Garolite, features an ergonomic design that is easy to hold and maneuver. The material makes it impervious to cold, heat and moisture, which means the knife won’t slip in your hand while butchering. The handle also has an engraving and mosaic to make you feel a little bit more like a professional chef. This Japanese butcher knife might be of a higher price, yet as one satisfied customer noted, it is the best knife in their kitchen, gliding through everything like butter.
Pros
- Japanese super steel.
- Approved by professionals.
- Edge retention.
Cons
- High price point.
Best butcher cleaver
Tuo Cleaver Chinese Chef’s Knife
While there are some certain cleavers that command a high price for their superior performance, we also want to introduce a budget option that some customers note is extremely sharp and excellent for cutting meat. Someone added that they made pork rind from 50lbs of pork belly and even after all that knifework, the TUO Chinese Chef’s cleaver is still sharp.
The cleaver is 7” long, which is an ideal length for mincing, cutting or chopping and gives you a variety of things you can prepare with it, from mushrooms to chicken (As I write this, my husband is cutting meat for dinner with this exact knife, and when I asked, he noted that this is his favourite one to use). The blade is made in a slightly curved shape which makes it easier to glide through meats. The knife arrives with an already sharpened blade, and as some customers confirmed, they used it out of the box and did not have to sharpen it for a long time after.
The handle also contributes to smooth movements. Its ergonomic design prevents it from slipping from your hand while cutting through thicker pieces of pork or chicken. The handle is made from pakkawood material that is waterproof, dense and does not warp or split as common wood does. The TUO cleaver is a versatile tool that can perform well in both, commercial and home kitchens.
Pros
- Multi-purpose cleaver.
- High carbon German steel.
- Affordable.
- Pakkawood ergonomic handle.
Cons
- Some people found it a bit heavy.
Best commercial butcher knife
Victorinox Cutlery 10-Inch Straight Butcher Knife
Victorinox is a genius of European cutlery making, being on the market since 1884. Every tool you purchase from Victorinox ensures high quality and uncompromised quality. That is the reason why their butcher knife is on our list. One satisfied customer – a professional butcher – said that he used lots of knives over the years, and this one is worth it, even with the steep price tag. With its straight 10-inch blade, this knife cuts through big pieces of meat of any kind easily.
The blade is made from cold-rolled high carbon stainless steel that provides edge retention and ultimate sharpness. That allows you to cut thick meat pieces with one easy slide. The Victorinox butcher knife also ensures safety while cutting: the handle is made from patented fibrox that is a slip-resistant material. It is also designed with an ergonomic shape that provides balance and comfort and lays comfortably in your hand.
Pros
- Swiss quality stainless steel blade.
- Ergonomic non-slippery handle.
- 10” blade for ultimate cutting.
Cons
- As per some customers the blade is not as thin as expected.
Best BBQ butcher knife
Hoffritz 5226091 Commercial Butcher Knife, 10-Inch
Affordable, durable and precise in its performance, this Hoffritz butcher knife is an ideal choice for those who look for a tool to elevate their home BBQ skills. The 10” German steel blade is designed to cut through thick pieces of meat and poultry with smooth ease. Most of the time, it makes perfect sense to buy one solid piece of meat and then slice it before cooking, especially if you are throwing a BBQ party for a group of people or cook for your family.
With that in mind, you might not need the most professional, high-end tool, but the one that will do its job, and then you can throw it into a dishwasher. It is not only easy to use and care for, this Hoffritz butcher knife also has an ergonomic nylon handle that is slip-resistant and provides maximum comfort as you hold it.
Pros
- German steel blade.
- 10” ultimate size for cutting big pieces of meat.
- Affordable.
- Ergonomic slip-resistant handle.
Cons
- Have to sharpen it before using for the first time.
Best boning knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife
Another Victorinox knife on our list, this one is a perfect addition alongside the butcher knife. The curved boning knife is a small 6” blade tool that is ideal for delicate cuts and deboning. Like all other Victorinox knives, this one was made from cold-rolled stainless steel that ensures long-lasting use, durability and a sharp edge. Whether you are a home cook or a professional butcher, tools like a butcher knife and boning knife are two essentials to have when you work with different types of meat. A customer noted that he uses the knife to debone a whole chicken. It works wonders: the razor-sharp blade cuts through meat with very little pressure.
The Victorinox boning knife is also crafted with an ergonomic handle that is made from slippery-resistant material to ensure easy maneuvering despite how messy the job might be.
Pros
- Swiss quality stainless steel blade.
- Ergonomic non-slippery handle.
- 6” blade for ultimate deboning and cutting.
Cons
- Make sure to have sharping stone on hand become some customers noted the blade gets dull sooner than expected.
Best curved butcher knife
Mercer Culinary BPX M13715 American Butcher Knife, 8-Inch
Mercer Culinary offers ultimate strength and durability in all its knives. The company has been on the market for over 30 years and during those years they have become a favourite among professional chefs, butchers, and home cooks. This particular 8” butcher knife has a forged high-carbon German stainless steel blade that does not bend or chip when you cut thicker meats or slice through bones. The knife also features a classic taper-ground curved shape that stands for long-lasting sharpness and effortless smooth slicing. In fact, we find this Mercer as the best small butcher knife. Comparing to bigger knives, it can perform for skinning and deboning with much greater ease. As one customer noted, he loves this knife and uses it to trim meat before smoking, to slice ribs, brisket, and pork loin after cooking.
The reinforced nylon handle is designed in an ergonomic shape that prevents slipping and provides a confident grip.
Pros
- Ideal for cutting through large pieces of meat.
- Made of high-carbon German stainless steel.
- Ergonomic non-slip handle.
Cons
- Might have to sharpen it before every use.
Best budget butcher knife
Ontario Knife Company Old Hickory Butcher Knife, 10-Inch Blade
This butcher knife from Ontario Knife Company is worth your attention for three main reasons: it comes at an affordable price, it is versatile and durable. Some customers support that fact by saying that they use it for both butchering portions of meat and for preparing camping meals. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur and only start with culinary experiments or if you are a professional; this forged from high-quality steel blade will do the job. It possesses exceptional functionality and can be used to slice, chop and skinning any type of meat and poultry.
The wooden handle comparing to other knives on our list requires a bit more care than synthetic materials. Make sure to oil it regularly and keep it away from moisture to ensure it stays in its best condition.
Pros
- Forged carbon steel blade.
- Affordable.
- Wooden handle looks aesthetically pleasing.
Cons
- According to some customers it comes dull and requires sharpening.
- Non-ergonomic handle shape.
Best chef butcher knife
Update International KGE-11 11-Inch Forged Butcher Knife
The butchering knife from Update International is another budget option on the list, but also it is the best large butcher knife. Thus smaller, more detailed butchering may be difficult, but you can expect exceptional performance for those big cuts of meat. Together with a handle, this knife is closer to 16” in length and is an ideal choice for thick, large pieces of pork or beef. The blade is made from forged stainless steel that ensures its strength and durability. Although, some other customers noted that when the knife arrived, it required sharpening before use.
This knife is a popular choice among professional chefs, and home cooks who want to elevate the level of their meat preparation. Its handle, compared to our previous budget option, is shaped to fit perfectly into your hand, and made from slip-resistant synthetic material.
Pros
- High carbon stainless steel material.
- Slip-resistant ergonomic handle design.
- Long 11” blade.
Cons
- According to some customers they found the handle feeling too small in a hand comparing to a blade.
Best butcher knife for hunting
Outdoor Edge Butcher-Lite BL-1 Lightweight 8-Piece Butcher Kit
If you are into hunting or spending a lot of time in the wild outdoors, this Outdoor Edge butcher kit, which also earned five stars on Amazon, is an indispensable set to have. One customer noted that he processed about six deer from start to finish, filleted tons of fish, and the set is still his go-to knives. The set includes a caping knife, gut hook skinner, boning/fillet knife, wood and bone saw. Besides knives, you will also receive a belt scabbard that conveniently will hold all necessary tools while you are butchering.
All blades are made from stainless steel that provides surgical precision as you cut. Meanwhile, rubberized handles are easy to hold and control. One other attractive fact about this butchering kit is a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer when it comes to defects in materials.
Pros
- Stainless steel blades.
- Rubberized handles.
- All necessary butchering tools in one set.
Cons
- Have to sharpen knives before every use.
How we picked the best butcher knives
Throughout our research, we selected knives that were approved by professional chefs and other kitchen guides. Besides that, we focused on analyzing customers’ reviews and choosing knives that have been used not only in commercial but also in domestic kitchens. Another factor we always consider when creating a buying guide is to select items that have at least four Amazon stars and many positive reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the butcher knife used for?
A butcher knife is used primarily for turning a large chunk of animal meat into thin slices. You can also use it for trimming, chopping and cutting through small bones. However, some people noted they use a butcher knife for cutting pizza because the blade is wide enough to keep your hands away from the sizzling pie.
What are the best butcher knife brands?
Some brands that have a reliable reputation, decades of production and known to be the best butcher knives on the market are Dalstrong and Victorinox and Mercer Culinary.
What are the types of butcher knives?
Most butchers would operate using such knives as a cleaver, a boning knife and a butcher knife. However, there are also such types as filleting, carving and slicing knives that also fine purpose at commercial butcher shops.
Is a butcher knife worth it?
A butcher knife is worth the price, especially if you prefer buying large pieces of meat and cutting them at home. Such an approach also saves money and makes your food taste much better than if you would buy pre-cut meats.
Butcher knife vs. cleaver: What is the difference?
A butcher knife has a heavier, curved blade that works ideally for cutting and stripping meat. A cleaver usually has a bigger, yet lighter blade that works well for chopping meat and vegetables, and for thinner precise cutting.
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