10 Best Butcher Knives According to Experts – Updated 2022!
Butcher knives are important cutting utensils to have in a kitchen. They are used to cut up meat and other foods that need to be diced, chopped, or sliced into pieces before cooking with them. A butcher knife is typically short, has a thick blade, and can be sharpened easily for quick use.
In this article, we will be going over the best butcher knives that you should have in your kitchen.
How we tested & selected the butcher knives?
To give you comprehensive information about the butcher knives that we selected, we went online and looked at the best butcher knives, recalled what we liked about butcher knives we’ve used in the past, and phoned a few of our friends who are into the food business, to test and evaluate some knives for us.
These knives were used for a variety of tasks, including carving meat, trimming fat, etc. We rounded out our views and experience with online user reviews to get a thorough picture so you can make a better and informed decision.
10 Best Butcher Knives for 2022!
- Best Butcher Knife – Utopia Butcher Knife
- Best Under $100 – DALSTRONG Cleaver Knife Gladiator Series
- Best Heavy Duty – Damascus Steel 12″ Inches Cleaver style Knife
- Best for Cutting Meat – Wusthof Gourmet Butcher Knife
- Best for Beginners – Shun Classic Butcher Knife
- Best Inexpensive Butcher Knife – DALSTRONG Cleaver – Gladiator Series
- Best Budget & Easy to Use – Kessaku Cleaver Nakiri Knife
- Best Butcher Knife for Beef – Orblue Stainless Steel Butcher Knife
- Best Under $50 – Imarku Cleaver Knife
- Best Value Butcher Knife – Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife
The post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please visit our Disclosure Page
- Price: $11.9
- Rating: 4.6
Features:
- Utopia Cleaver is a 7″ long heavy duty meat cleaver
- Made from stainless steel
- Perfect for cutting thick chunks of food and bones
- Very solid and comfortable handle grip for easy maneuvering.
- Specially designed to be used in the professional kitchen to handle everyday jobs
- Dishwasher safe
- It is recommended to be hand washed to maintain its quality
Among all the best butcher knives, this 7 inches long Utopia Kitchen is overall the best of all. The weight of this butcher knife is 14.1 ounces, which is about 0.4kg.
This knife was first listed on Amazon in 2014, and since then, it has gathered more than 1100 customer reviews.
First, this knife has some outstanding qualities and features like; it has a lovely sharp blade which can cut perfectly and preciously.
Second, the stainless steel built is sturdy, and with proper care, this knife will last longer than you expect.
Third, the build quality is robust, and due to this excellent quality material, it prevents corrosion and rust.
Furthermore, the ergonomic design of this knife is impressive. For instance, if you look at the handle, it has a very comfortable and secure grip, which enables you to have a much more comfortable cutting and slicing experience.
At the same time, if we talk about the health of the knife, it can smoothly go through meat and bones and help you make excellent dinner for your family.
The stainless steel used in this knife is tarnish-resistant and rust-resistant, how to remove rust from stainless steel knives, which makes this knife very easy to clean and maintain.
Also, the knife is dishwasher safe, but it is highly recommended that it should be hand washed for long-lasting performance.
Hence, this is an excellent knife to have in your kitchen. Which will undoubtedly assist you with your daily cutting and chopping, and you probably be wanting this knife to stay with you for life.
- Price: $79.99
- Rating: 4.7
Features:
- Versatile / Multi purpose
- Medium Heavy duty
- Imported high carbon German steel
- 9″ Blade length
- Imported black Pakkawood handle
- Extra thick handle for perfect grip
- Extra chromium for stain resistance
Dalstrong, the best butcher knife under $100, presents its Gladiator Series butcher knife. It is a 9″ long heavy duty meat cleaver which can go through the meat and bone comfortably.
Dalstrong first listed this knife on Amazon in May 2017, and since then, it has gained and maintained the rating of a strong 4.8 level mark, which its self is a commanding position.
This powerhouse makes it so easy when you are dealing with heavy-duty chopping and cutting through large chunks of meat, bones, and the endless number of chicken.
This butcher knife is 3.15lbs heavy having 4mm spine thickness; it makes a perfect balance between hand grip and usability.
The knife is made of single piece high carbon 56+ Rockwell German steel, which has a razor-sharp edge and is ware and stain-resistant.
The handle of the knife is made of black Pakkawood, imported from Spain, laminated to make it extra durable, water and stain-resistant.
Also, the handle of this knife is slightly shorter than other Gladiator series knives to make it an excellent choice for perfect maneuverability and handling.
The tall blade gives this knife a knuckle clearance while preparing or chopping food.
Moreover, the blade is hand polished, which gives this fantastic meat cleaver an outstanding look and finish to outrun the competitors pretty comfortably.
- Price: $49.99
- Rating: 4.2
Features:
- Handmade knife
- Nice broad edge bevel
- Nice comfortable grip handle
- A bit heavy, will take some to time to adjust
- Specially designed for chopping
So let us talk about Poshland RK CP 338 chopper knife. The look of the knife is pretty neat and polished.
It’s a handmade carbon steel chopper knife. The knife comes with a hard leather sheath, which has double spots to access the knife, and its like unique to Poshland, like most of there knives come with some sheath.
Also, it is a full tang chopper knife with a micarta handle, and the handle is specially designed to give a comfortable and stable grip.
In addition, the handle has a special place where you can place your index finger, and that increases the comfort and grip.
This knife is not designed to do delicate or fine tasks; this is explicitly designed to do the hard work like chopping.
Hence, the knife looks robust and meaty, comfortable for both hands, and with the given price tag, this is an excellent choice for the chopping and doing some heavy stuff.
- Price: $155.99
- Rating: 4.6
Features:
- Blade length 7.5″
- Blade, Bolster & Tang all forged out of single high carbon stainless steel.
- Riveted handle for extra strength and durability
- Laser tested edge for extremely fine cutting
- Make in Germany
Wusthof is a well known German knife manufacturer who has its history of making high-quality knives for professional users.
Wusthof Classic 7.5” meat cleaver is solid hard steel to have in your hand and ready to do some cutting and chopping of large meat chunks and bones.
It is a full tang knife made from high-quality stain-resistant German carbon steel, which is built to stay with you for a long time.
Also, the blade is laser tested to make sure it cuts uniformly and that the edge holds longer than usual.
In addition, the handle is made of synthetic material having three rivets to give you strength, comfort, and grip while you do chopping.
To conclude, Wusthof is a well known and trusted knife brand that has its history. While reviewing the customer reviews, we have found that the majority of the customers are pleased with it, and they were having no problems with it. According to some, the knife is more than what they expected.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.7
Features:
- Shun classic is a 6″ cleaver knife
- Suitable for heavy duty tasks
- It is made of high quality carbon stainless steel
- Handle is made of black laminated Pakkawood for better grip and durability
- Moisture resistant polished handle
- Made in Japan
Initially, the knife is heat-treated. That is invisible, but Shun knives are made in a different way than usual so that the user gets a premium quality product, which will be the most trusted and vital tool in your kitchen.
In heat treatment, the blades are heated at a precise temperature, and then cooled in room temperature, this is done to change the molecular structure of the steel, which makes the steel even harder, the edge stays longer than usual, and knife gives you the best performance for a long time.
The handle of the knife is made of black Pakkawood, having two rivets to give you a comfortable grip.
Hence, Shun is a trusted brand and that’s why we have choosen this knife to be among the top 10.
- Price: $59.99
- Rating: 4.8
Features:
- Multi purpose cleaver knife
- Full tang
- High carbon German steel
- 56 Rockwell hardness
- Hand polished superior edge
- Laminated Pakkawood handle
- Comfortable & solid handle grip
- Tall blade height provides useful knuckle clearance
- Money-back guarantee
Dalstrong knives are undoubtedly one of the top knife brands worldwide. They strictly follow their manufacturing methods to make sure every product meets the Dalstrong standards.
Here we are reviewing their 7” medium duty, not heavy duty, cleaver knife which is perfect for cutting and chopping larger chunks of meat and bones.
The vegetables and fruit cutting is done effortlessly. The extra-wide blade of this cleaver knife gives you a better knuckle clearance, and this also helps in scooping the food from the cutting board to the pan.
The blade of this knife is hand sharpened, and it is precision-forged from a single piece of a premium quality imported high carbon German steel to make sure the durability is not compromised.
The handle of the knife is made of a beautiful and ergonomic black Pakkawood, imported from Spain and laminated to make it water and stain-resistant. It is designed to give you comfort, grip, and easy maneuverability.
The knife gives you a very comfortable feel while you are holding it. It is perfectly engineered and balanced that gives a heavy hit to the food on the chopping board but doesn’t feel heavy at all in your hand and takes the stress away from your wrist.
To conclude, we have to admit that Dalstrong is a great brand which makes some fantastic knives for both professionals and even for the starters. Dalstrong knives gives you a sence of quality, confidence and durability.
- Price: $34.99
- Rating: 4.7
Features:
- Designed in Japan
- Hand crafted by highly trained technicians
- Made from high carbon stainless steel
- Corrosion and rust resistant
- Mirror polished Pakkawood handle
- Handle is heat, cold, and moisture resistant
- Full tang
- Percision forged hand sharpened blade
- 58 Rockwell hardness
- Life-time warranty against manufacturing defects
If you are looking best budget chef’s knife, your search could end here. Kessaku, the best budget butcher knife, has designed this Samurai series cleaver knife in such dynamics that you can do all of your cutting, slicing, chopping, etc. with it very quickly, and you don’t even have to change the knife for different purposes.
There are many people around the world how doesn’t like Nakiri knives for various reasons, but I personally love them. So if you are looking for the best Nakiri chef knife Under $100, Kessaku Nakiri cleaver can be one of the best options you have.
This particular knife was hand crafted in Japan by highly trained technicians using the finest of materials.
High carbon stainless steel is used in this knife, making this knife corrosion and stain-resistant. Also, the handle is made of superior quality Pakkawood and is mirror polished to give you a premium quality, water, and stain-resistant knife handle to perfect grip and maneuverability.
The technicians of Kessaku have designed this knife perfectly balanced so that you don’t feel dragged down while you are busy in your cutting and chopping. The ergonomics of this knife makes it a lot less stressful for your wrist and arm while going through the heavy workload.
Also, the blade is precision forged, and hand sharpened at a 16-degree angle, which makes the edges sharper, and the edge stays longer than usual.
Also, Kessaku is offering a genuine Lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defect.
- Price: $16.97
- Rating: 4.5
Features:
- High carbon stainless steel
- Heavy duty cleaver blade
- A bit heavier on the blade side
- Ergonomic design from blade to handle
- Hand wash is recommended for durability
The analysis of the Orblue 7 inch stainless steel chopper knife is pretty straight forward.
It has everything that makes it a good quality cleaver knife to have in your kitchen for your routine cutting and chopping.
Now, if you ask us, why have we shortlisted this knife? The answer is simple. This knife has a reasonable length of 7 inches, its price tag is pretty cheap, the knife has gathered an impressive number of customer reviews, and with this number of reviews from its customers, this knife is standing on an excellent ground of 4.6 ratings.
Now coming to its features.
The stainless steel blade is razor-sharp, which helps in cutting and chopping without putting pressure on your wrist and arm.
The shiny polished blade is slightly on the heavier side, which is good because it hits the food hard without making you put extra pressure with your wrist.
Also, the knife is well balanced from blade to handle. The cleaning of this knife is pretty straightforward. Just use regular dishwashing soap and warm water and make sure you dry the knife after cleaning so that it performs flawlessly for many years.
- Price: $45.99
- Rating: 4.7
Features:
- Multi-functional cleaver
- 60 Rockwell hardness
- Premium quality high carbon German steel blade
- Rust resistant
- Superior quality Pakkawood handle
- Very decent 7″ blade length
- Blade thickness 2.5mm
- Total length 12″ blade length 7″
- Money-back guarantee
Over the years, Imarku, the best butcher knife under $50, has proved that they know what they are doing. Without stressing upon the price tag, they always make sure that the end-user of their product is satisfied and happy. And here they have proved it again by presenting this 7” stainless steel chopper knife.
Imarku cleaver knife is perfect for all sorts of purposes, like cutting, chopping, dicing, mincing, etc.
High-quality carbon steel in used to make the blade of this knife, which has a thickness of 2.5mm. The overall length of this cleaver knife is 12 inches, and the blade length is 7inches.
It is a well-balanced knife that reduces the stress from your wrist and arm while you do your cutting and chopping.
Below are some necessary precautions you need to take if you want to keep this knife at its best for ages.
Don’t use this knife on firey surfaces or cut frozen meat because it can make the blade go blunt, and the knife will lose its sharpness.
Its not recommended to clean the knife in a dishwasher, instead hand wash it with mild dishwashing soap and warm water and dry it immediately after clean.
Never use this knife to cut wood or hard and big bones because this cleaver knife is not designed for this job.
Always use wooden or plastic cutting boards while cutting with this knife.
To conclude, this knife is a perfect choice if you are looking for a good quality, budget-friendly cleaver because everything is great about this knife. E.g.
- Its made of high quality carbon steel
- Very reasonable 7” of blade length
- Well balanced from blade to handle
- Polished Pakkwood handle
- Multifunctional
- Reasonable price
- More than 2200 customer reviews
- And a solid 4.3 rating
- Price: $45.97
- Rating: 4.8
Features:
- The blade is best for thin and soft bones.
- Blade is extra sharp than most of the traditional western knives.
- Its made of 32 layers of high quality high carbon stainless steel
- Handle is made of black laminated Pakkawood for better grip and durability
Zlite has yet again proved that they are among the best in the business by producing the Zlite Infinity Comfort Pro series cleaver knife.
It has some fantastic and very recommendable features which we are going to discuss below.
First, look at the overall look of this knife.
This visually stunning design gives this knife a very premium look. This is a Chinese style 7” cleaver knife which is actually for multi-purposes like cutting, chopping, slicing, dicing, cleaving light bones, etc.
Zlite is using a high carbon stainless steel blade with 56 Rockwell hardness, which makes the blade rust and corrosion-resistant.
Also, the knife ergonomic full tang built gives an excellent look.
The knife has a big forged rounded, well-polished black handle with a comfortable thickness to give you a solid grip while you do your routine work in the kitchen.
This 7” blade has an 18-20 degree edge that ensures long-lasting performance.
In the end, the Zlite Infinity Comfort Pro Series cleaver knife is a lifetime partner if you take care of it as recommended.
What features to look for in a butcher knife?
If you don’t know much about butcher knives and how to buy the right one, a buyer’s guide is what you need. The one below has everything you should consider when going knife-shopping!
Length and Size
The average length for butcher knives is 6 to 14 inches. Small knives are better for chops, poultry, and other kinds of smaller meat. They are also great for carving, cutting around the bone, and other precise jobs. Larger knives are ideal for bigger pieces of meat like venison, and quick skinning.
Small knives have the benefit of being portable. You can take them out for camping, hunting and store them easily in little drawers. For this reason, home chefs usually prefer using knives as long as 8 to 10 inches. The ones bigger than that are typically common in professional kitchens.
Comfort and Safety
When you’re working with a knife, safety is a priority. Make sure that the handle fits perfectly in your hand and doesn’t slip. Opt for handles that have texture on them because they’re less slippery.
Nylon would be the best choice in this regard. It has a non-slip grip, and it ensures maximum safety. Other than that, ensure that it is the right size and the ergonomic design is perfect for your grip.
Moreover, it shouldn’t be too heavy for you to maneuver, or it won’t be fun to use at all.Pakka handles are a good choice. They’re antibacterial, safe to use, and aesthetically pleasing.
However, as ideal as it is, wood is harder to maintain. It gets rough over time, so you have to take extra care of it. (Rubbing mineral oil on the handles after washing and drying them is a very classic hack.) Similarly, steel has its pros and cons as well.
Stainless steel knife handles are strong, extremely durable, and resistant to corrosion. However, they’re heavier, and they can be slippery because of the smooth finish. Other popular options include aluminum, titanium, and carbon steel.
Performance
The blade’s material, sharpness, and thickness directly impact the knife’s cutting performance. It’s better to opt for a steel blade if you want to be more precise and quick. Remember, your butcher knife is not supposed to cut through bones; that the job of a saw! So, don’t rate the tool’s performance on this particular ability.
Design and Aesthetics
“Looks aren’t important.” Well, if you’re spending good money and have to use the tool every day, they might just be! Every chef has their own preference when it comes to aesthetics and designs.
Some like bright colors and catchy shapes because they want to display their knives. Others prefer a more low-key design and like to keep it simple. So, determine your style and get a knife that you like.
Maintenance
Your knife should look good when you buy it, but it should also stay like that! Consider how easy or difficult it is to maintain your tool and keep it in its best condition.
Some blades retain their edge, even after you use them numerous times. Others will require frequent resharpening. Some tend to become dull over time, no matter how often you resharpen their blades. If you want a low-maintenance high-quality butcher knife, opt for carbon steel.
It can go on for months without sharpening. Similarly, opt for a handle that’s easy to maintain. As mentioned earlier, wood needs extra care to sustain that shine and aesthetic.
Durability and Reliability
Butcher knives can be expensive. Needless to say, if you are investing so much money into an everyday-use tool, you want it to last long. Blades with chromium make knives very resilient to corrosion and other such problems.
Moreover, consider the material of the handle as well and how well it’s been constructed. Is it plastic, steel, or wood? Does it look rusty and old? Make sure it doesn’t look like it’ll fall apart after a dozen uses. If you notice loose screws or glue anywhere, move on to another option.
Brand
Some chefs are brand conscious because they’ve bought from a specific company before. They trust it and prefer buying its products only. But apart from this personal bias, a brand’s accreditation is also important. If a brand’s knives are NSF-approved, it means they’re safe medically and ergonomically.
Prices
How much money would you be willing to spend on a butcher knife? Professional chefs prefer going all out on essential tools like this one. In contrast, home chefs usually have a budget.
If you have a fixed amount of money you want to spend, it’s better to determine the limit before going shopping. This way, you can look for knives that lie within your price range. You can narrow down your options efficiently, and you don’t accidentally overspend.
Warranty
Just like accreditation, warranties are a bonus. If a brand offers a warranty on its knife, it gives you extra security. It means you can return the tool within that set time frame if you find a manufacturing fault. A warranty doesn’t guarantee quality. But having a warranty is always better than not having one.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, you must know that butcher knives are no regular kitchen knives. They are heavy, they need your attention, and they will go miles.
No butcher knife is perfect. It purely depends upon the preferences and usage of the end-user. One knife might be on the higher rank and value for us, but that may have less importance for you.
So, if you still need to decide what’s the best butcher knives for you, you need to know what is your usage, preferences and budget.