7 Best Carving Knives - Expert Reviews [Upd. Winter 2023]

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If you love to serve large cuts of meat at dinner parties, then you need a carving knife as part of your kitchen arsenal. As much you will not use it as often as a chef’s knife or a serrated knife, a carving knife does an excellent job at carving big roasts. Carving knives are specially designed to cut large pieces of meat like turkey, Easter ham, a whole salmon and barbecued brisket. The best carving knife will save your energy and time. Plus, most of them can perform other functions like portioning baguettes, bread, and cake, as well as slicing large melons and oversized tubers.

There is more to buying the best carving knife than just walking to the market and picking the first one you lay your eyes on. There are certain aspects that you have to consider, and since there are so many of them in the market, choosing the best carving knife can be the trickiest of tasks. We came up with this guide to help you make the right choice easily. We reviewed seven products, and the TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife was our best overall pick. Its exceptional craftsmanship, durability, sharpness, excellent value and convenience could not be matched.

Some of the features on which we based our choices and ranking include; weight, blade length, and material, and handle material, among others. These features determine the durability and efficiency of the knives. In the comparison table, detailed product reviews, and a comprehensive buying guide provided, you will find all the ideal information you need to know before buying a carving knife.

Quick Summary

Editor’s Choice: TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife

"Razor-sharp and rust-resistant, this carving knife is well-designed and provides minimal slicing resistance."
Premium Pick: Wusthof Carving Set

"Made in Germany, this knife’s blade is constructed with high carbon steel, while its handle is triple-riveted."
Best Value: MAIRICO UltraSharp Carving Knife

"This a durable knife is corrosion and rust-resistant, which also makes it easy to clean and maintain."
Best for Professional Chefs: Zelite Infinity Slicing Carving Knife

"Ergonomic design in every detail of this non-stick knife that has minimal slicing resistant and convenient edge retention."
Best for Large Roasts: Kessaku Slicing Carving Knife

"This carving knife has premium construction with its Japanese etched high-carbon steel blade and sturdy pakkawood handle."
Best Traditional Carving Knife: Wusthof Classic Carving Knife

"Great looks and thought-through design come with a triple-riveted handle and well-balanced high carbon stainless steel blade."
Most Versatile : DALSTRONG Slicing and Carving Knife

"This is a razor-sharp vacuum treated carving knife that has a narrow tip and an ergonomic handle."

Top 7 Carving Knives Review 2023

9.7

Editor’s Choice

TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 12 inches
Blade material: German stainless steel
Handle material: Pakkawood
Weight: 1.1 lbs.

More features: razor-sharp; well-designed; rust-resistant; non-stick blade; provides minimal slicing resistant

This knife tops the list for all the right reasons. It is very affordable, yet one of the best-designed china made knives in the market. On top of its sleek look and great value, it offers exceptional durability and versatility.

The TUO knife comes in an elegant, robust design with a sharp non-stick blade and an ergonomic Pakkawood handle. The handle not only adds to its beauty but also offers a comfortable and firm grip so you can cut a lot of meat for a large party without any discomfort.

Additionally, the ergonomic handle allows you to manipulate the knife for straight or diagonal slicing easily.

What’s more, the knife doubles as a slicing and carving knife. With an 8-12 degree blade angle, it cuts with high precision, especially meat and fish dishes.

The non-stick blade is highly flexible. Thus, ideal for a couple of tasks, including filleting, de-boning, skinning, and trimming. Its durability cannot be questioned as it is made from German stainless steel metal, which is rust and corrosion-resistant. It also maintains its color and shines longer than most knives.

The knife’s button nose tip is replaced by an edge that you can use to chop and dice ingredients.

In conclusion, the TUO carving knife is a fantastic affordable option that delivers pretty well when it comes to design, control, and efficiency.

What are our favorite features?

Durable build
Corrosion and rust-resistant
Great for slicing, carving and chopping ingredients
Easy to clean
Very affordable

What could be better?

Not so sharp

9.6

Premium Pick

Wusthof Carving Set

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Features

Blade length: 8 inches
Blade material: high carbon stainless steel
Handle material: not specified
Weight: 13.3 oz

More features: a set of a knife and a fork; made in Germany; 58 Rockwell hardness; triple-riveted handle; precision-forged; full tang

If you are in the market for a premium quality carving knife upgrade, this is your best shot. The Wusthof set is a beautiful and sturdily-built set that offers impeccable efficiency and versatility.

The 2-piece carving set is a perfect addition to your holiday dinners. It is made with high-carbon stainless steel. Both the 8-inch knife and the 6-inch fork feature a triple-riveted handle made of tough material that looks and feels like wood.

Also, featured is a full tang and a weighted bolster that give the knife strength and great balance, making it easy to use the knife.

This knife is the ideal option for cutting ultra-thin slices. Its Granton edge prevents proteins and other foodstuffs from sticking on the blade, thus allowing you to cut thin slices with ease.

Wusthof Carving knife is one of the best steak carving knives, and you will enjoy slicing and curving other big roasts like turkey, ham, and pot roasts as the knife are designed to offer precision cuts.

All considered this is a good pick if you want a high-quality carving set you won’t be replacing any soon. It will give you an easy time spreading that gourmet Christmas or thanksgiving dinner.

Why did it make our list?

Durable build
Cuts ultra-thin slices with ease
Dual function slicing and carving
It is a 2-piece with knife and fork
Great design
Well-balanced and easy to use

What is not ideal about it?

Inconsistent blade sharpness

9.4

Best Value

MAIRICO UltraSharp Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 11 inches
Blade material: stainless steel
Handle material: not specified
Weight: 14.4 oz

More features: ultra-sharp; ergonomic design

This is an ideal choice for anyone looking for an ultra-sharp carving knife on a low-budget. It delivers convenience, durability, strength, and cutting precision as good as many other high-end knives.

The 11-inch knife comes in an ergonomic design and a body tough enough to withstand frequent and heavy use. Its blade is made with stainless steel that is not only durable but also rust and corrosion-resistant. It is also easy to clean and requires minimum maintenance.

The stainless blade is ultra-sharp, thus an ideal choice for ultra-thin and accurate slices. You can use it to cut various food items from large roasts like steak, turkey, ham, and other barbeque meats. You can also use it for daily cutting of bread, cakes, and large fruits like pumpkins and melons.

The knife will maintain its glimmering sheen for long, and it is easy to sharpen whenever it gets dull.

The handle offers superior comfort and a firm grip, thus allowing to work with the knife for long periods without any discomfort. It also allows you to maneuver the knife with ease.

All considered, this is the best carving knife you can get at its price. It offers great strength and efficiency common with high-end carving knives, thus a worthy investment.

What are its best features?

Offers excellent value for its price
Ergonomic design
Corrosion and rust-resistant
Easy to clean and maintain
Ultra-sharp
Comfortable and firm grip handle
Durable build

What could be improved?

It is not flexible enough

9.2

Best for Professional Chefs

Zelite Infinity Slicing Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 12 inches
Blade material: German high carbon stainless steel
Handle material: not specified
Weight: 1.54 lbs.

More features: comfort-pro series; minimal slicing resistance; non-stick; edge retention; money-back guarantee

Are you a professional chef or a lover of good old fashioned cooking? Well, here is a suitable knife that doubles as a slicing and carving knife and offers the best design and cutting precision. It will also be at your side in the kitchen faithfully for a very long time thanks to its uncompromising durable build.

The knife comes in a sleek design with robust construction. Its blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel that is corrosion and rust-resistant. It is easy to clean and also keeps the knife looking new and shiny for a longer time.

Additionally, the blade has been designed with minimal slicing resistance to give you the best precise cuts of your poultry, steak, fish, hams, and many other large barbeque types of meat.

The non-stick edge resistance also contributes to the knife’s ability to cut perfectly thin slices. Because of this, it is one of the best pumpkin and watermelon carving knives.

With this knife’s rare grip handle, you will be able to work on your meat cuts for extended periods comfortably. It features a unique tapered bolster and a round edge that allows you to hold the knife steadily and comfortably in your hands.

All in all, this is one of the best meat carving knives out there for professional chefs or any cooking enthusiasts looking for durability and high-quality cutting performance.

What are our favorite features?

Durable build
Corrosion and rust-resistant stainless steel
Easy to clean
Firm and comfortable grip handle
High-precision cuts
Great design

What could be better?

Lacks flexibility
Lacks a smooth transition between scales and tang

9.0

Best for Large Roasts

Kessaku Slicing Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 12 inches
Blade material: Japanese etched high-carbon steel
Handle material: Pakkawood
Weight: 9.9 oz

More features: premium construction; hand-crafted; designed for professionals; resistant to corrosion and rust; lifetime warranty

This is another high-quality carving knife designed for professionals and anyone looking to cut large roasts with high precision. Its premium construction, high efficiency, and versatility set it apart.

The 12-inch knife boasts of a premium hand-crafted body that will outlast most of your cutlery. Its blade is made with Japanese etched high-carbon steel that is not only durable but also resistant to corrosion and rust.

The knife’s 16 degrees cutting angle gives it a high-quality sharpness and exceptional edge retention. You can sharpen it by hand at 16 degrees on both sides. The blade is also well-balanced, and you won’t feel dragged down whenever you are using the blade. The blade works well with different types of meat from thin layers to big chunks of turkey, steak, ham, or fish.

With the Pakkawood handle, you are guaranteed of a super comfortable and firm grip that will enable you to work for longer periods. Thanks to its ergonomic design, you can forget about the aches and fatigue caused by the continuous use of a carving knife. It also enhances the overall beauty of the knife and is heat, cold, and moisture resistant.

This is one of the best brisket carving knives out there as it is razor-sharp, and it cuts with high precision. You can, however, use it for various tasks, including filleting large fish and carving the turkey, chicken, and other barbeque meats.

In conclusion, this is one of the best carving knives you can get for carving your large roasts. It is also reasonably priced; thus, one of the most valuable carving knives you can add to your cutlery collection.

Why did it make our list?

High-quality build
Rust and corrosion-resistant
Ergonomic design
Comfortable and firm handle grip
Razor-sharp
Easy to clean and maintain
Reasonably priced
Well-balanced
Versatile

What is not ideal about it?

It lacks flexibility

8.9

Best Traditional Carving Knife

Wusthof Classic Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 8 inches
Blade material: high carbon stainless steel
Handle material: synthetic polypropylene
Weight: 4.8 oz

More features: full tang; triple-riveted handle; from family-owned brand

If you are looking for a traditional and simple carving knife to add to your kitchen arsenal, this should be your prime pick. It is one of the most promising carving knives in the market when it comes to durability and efficiency.

There isn’t much whistleblowing on the knife’s design, but it is built to last you a good while as well as offer you ultimate comfort, good balance, and adequate strength. The knife’s blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel, which is corrosion and rust-resistant. It also gives the knife a long-lasting shine and does not require high maintenance.

Moreover, cleaning the knife is such a breeze thanks to the stainless steel.

With the high-quality 10-inch blade, you will be able to make precise cuts of your big dinner party roasts like turkey, fish, and other barbeque meats.

Another plus for this knife is its premium quality full tang that has been completely forged to give the knife enough strength and adequate balance. This makes it extremely easy to use in various situations.

Furthermore, the knife features a riveted Hostaform-C handle that offers superior comfort and firm grip. It comes in handy when you have to cut a lot of meat for a big party or commercial purposes.

Overall, this is not a bad choice at all if you are looking for the best turkey carving knife. It is simple and efficient. You also don’t have to dig dip into your pockets to own one.

What do we love it for?

Simple and easy to use
Extremely durable
Corrosion and rust-resistant blade
Cuts with high precision
Strong and well-balanced
Comfortable handle grips
Affordable

What were we disappointed with?

It gets dull quickly with frequent use

8.8

Most Versatile

DALSTRONG Slicing and Carving Knife

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Features

Blade length: 14 inches
Blade material: stainless steel
Handle material: G10
Weight: 1 lb.

More features: vacuum treated; razor-sharp; durable; narrow tip; maneuverable; ergonomic handle; lifetime warranty

Nothing screams high-quality like German products, and this German steel carving knife is no exception. It is not only razor-sharp but has also been designed with an exceptional flexible blade technology, which makes it easier and quicker for you to make the most desirable cuts.

The 14-inch blade has an outstanding design and an incredibly sturdy build. Its blade is made from high-carbon German steel that has been hand polished. The steel gives it an everlasting sheen that will add a beautiful glimmer to your kitchen.

Additionally, you will never experience rust or corrosion with this knife. Cleaning it will also be a breeze as it is made with chromium for additional stain resistance.

With the G10 ergonomic handle, you will be able to make cuts for a longer period with maximum comfort. It also offers a firm grip and allows you to maneuver the knife easy to make both straight and diagonal cuts.

Other than making precise cuts of your meat delicacies, you can use the knife to cut into cakes with high precision or slice bread and large fruits like melons and pumpkins. In fact, it is one of the best pumpkin carving knives because of its size, strength, and cutting precision.

The knife is also remarkably lightweight, thus easy to maneuver.

The manufacturer backs up this knife’s features with a lifetime warranty making it one of the best carving knives in the market.

What do we love it for?

Sturdy build
Rust and corrosion-resistant
Comfortable and non-slip handle grip
Tapered blade minimizes slice resistance
Reasonable price
Strong and flexible
Lifetime warranty

What were we disappointed with?

Does not fit in a normal knife rack

Things to Consider

There is more to buying a carving knife than just walking into a supermarket and picking the long thin knives hanging in the kitchen section. There are critical aspects that you must consider for you to make the right choice, and since there is a myriad of carving knives in the market, buying the best can be daunting. Especially if you are a beginner cook who is trying to learn different knives and their purposes. In this section, you will know the advantages of owning a carving knife and the features you need to consider before buying one.

Advantages of a carving knife?

As much as a chef’s knife can be used to cut almost every piece of food in the kitchen, a high-quality carving knife comes in handy when you need highly precise cuts for your meats. Here are some of the advantages of owning a carving knife:

Precise and thinner slices: Carving knives are designed in a distinctive thinner and longer form to allow them to carve the thinnest and most precise cuts from large cooked meats like barbeque, ham, turkey, chicken, and fish.

Boning: Some carving knives are ideal for boning. They come with rounded tips and a smooth edge that can easily cut meat around the bone. This saves you time and energy. Those with pointed tips cut meat from ham and roasts better.

They can be used for other cutting purposes: Carving knives that double as slicing and carving knives can be used for daily cutting of bread, cakes, and large fruits like melons and pumpkins.

They are easy to use and maintain: Most carving knives are made with high-quality material in ergonomic design, making them easier to use and maintain than regular kitchen knives. They are easy to clean and require little to no maintenance.

Durable: Since most of them are made with stainless steel and tough but comfortable handles, they last a good while before needing an upgrade or replacement. They also maintain their sheen and razor-sharpness for long, and you can easily sharpen them when they become dull.

Features to consider before you buy a carving knife

There are certain features that you must look out for before paying for a carving knife as they determine its efficiency and durability. They include:

Blade length

The blade length for carving knives ranges between 8 and 14 inches. A blade that is too short will not be able to handle large cuts of meat without sawing. It will also need extra effort from you to insert it right to the hilt. Longer blades, on the other hand, can be somewhat awkward and unwieldy. For you to pick the right length of a blade, choose one that is as long as the largest meat you can cook.

A 14-inch carving knife is a perfect choice for extra-large briskets and a 10-inch one appropriate for a 4 pounds roast.

Blade material

For a carving knife to serve you for long, it must have the strongest blade. The best blade material is stainless steel, whether stamped or forged. It is corrosion and rust-resistant as well as easy to clean. It is also strong and durable with the best edge retention.

Go for carving knives with high-carbon stainless steel like the Wusthof Classic Carving Knife reviewed above for exceptional durability and efficiency.

Handle material

The materials used to make the handle usually reflects the knife’s construction quality. Many stamped blades have handles made from thermoplastic polymers that keep the knife agile and airy. This material is also easy to contour and texture for a non-slip grip and ergonomic comfort.

As for forged blades, the handles are usually made with polymers as well but with great density to accommodate a full tang. Other materials used to make forged knife handles include, wood, steel, and composites made of resins and epoxy.

When buying a carving knife, look for handles that offer a comfortable but firm grip. It should also have a deep-finger guard to protect your fingers from direct contact with the sharp cutting edge.

Weight

Carving knives have different dimensions and weight. They require high precision and accuracy, and as such, weight is a critical aspect to consider. It will determine the ease with which you can handle the knife.

When it comes to choosing the weight of a carving knife, it is more of a personal preference thing. Some people are comfortable with heavy knives, while others prefer lighter ones. It is up to you to pick what feels right in your hands, and you can easily maneuver it. Regardless of your choice, it is essential to check that the knife is evenly balanced for an effortless and faster cutting experience.

FAQ

What can you do with a carving knife?

You can do so much with a carving knife. However, what it does best is cut large meats into thin slices with high precision. Other than that, Carving knives can bone. Those with a pointed tip can cut meat form roasts and ham efficiently while those with a rounded tip can cut meat from bones perfectly. They can also fillet, and cut other foodstuffs like bread, cakes, and large fruits. There are carving knives that can carve pumpkins and melon pretty well. Quite simply, carving knives offer you the opportunity to prove how creative you can be with food.

Which length of a blade is the best one for a carving knife?

There is no specific blade length that is good for a carving knife. It all depends on what you want to use the carving knife for. The best length of a blade is the one that can take care of the largest meats you intend to cook with ease. For instance, if you intend to make extra-large briskets, then a 14-inch blade would be the best length. If you intend to cut a 4-pound turkey, then a 10-inch blade would do.

Do carving knives need any maintenance?

Yes. Just like any other tool or equipment, carving knives need maintenance for them to last longer. You have to wash them with your hands in warm soapy water, to avoid any damage and quick dulling in the dishwasher then dry them off before storing them properly. Ensure you store them on a knife rack or shelf away from other utensils to avoid dulling and accidents. Just like other knives, they will become dull with frequent use. You can sharpen them with a manual knife sharpener to bring them back to life and polish them to maintain their sheen.

Overall Verdict

A carving knife is a must-have tool for anyone who loves meat and barbeque parties. There is no better way to get the best precise and thin slices of your large roasts than with a carving knife. The best carving knife will last you for a long time without replacement, and for you to get one, you have to consider a couple of things which make the whole choosing and buying process pretty challenging. The multiple brands and models in the market make it more difficult. The information in this guide should help you make the best buy without much hassle.

Of all the products we reviewed, the TUO Cutlery Slicing Carving Knife was our best overall pick. Its durability, excellent value, strength, and cutting precision set it apart. The Wusthof Carving Set and the MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Carving Knife followed in the ranking with premium quality construction, affordability, convenience, and high efficiency.

Buying the best carving knife is one of the greatest investments you can ever make as your sliced meats will never look, feel, and taste the same. You will be able to make delicious, tender portions of your large roasts effortlessly in no time.