A carving knife is so useful to have in the kitchen, especially if you cook a lot of grilled meat and roasts. The best carving knife sets are quite hard to find, with so many models coming to the trade at once.
That said, we have conducted several tests over the course of hours, with confidence that we have found the perfect sets for everyone - home cooks or professionals.
Since we got rid of the hard work, all you have to do now is to just read! Without further ado, let’s get started on today’s article.
Table of Contents
- Best Carving Knife Sets: Top 6
- 1. DALSTRONG 8” Slicing Carving Knife Gladiator Series - Best Overall
- 2. Victorinox 47645 Pro Slicing Knife - Best For Carving And Slicing Meat
- 3. Mercer Culinary M20410 Genesis 10-Inch Carving Knife - Best For Ease Of Use
- 4. Hamilton Beach 74277 - Best Electric Carving Knife
- 5. Dalstrong Shogun Series 12” Granton Edge - Best For Professional
- 6. Wusthof 1120160212 Classic Carving Set - Best For Carving Poultry
- All about Carving Knives
- What's the best carving knife for me?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Best Carving Knife Sets: Top 6
1. DALSTRONG 8” Slicing Carving Knife Gladiator Series - Best Overall
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 8 inches
- Blade Material: Forged ThyssenKrupp HC German Steel
- Blade Angle: 16-18 degrees
- Handle Material: G10
- Weight: 1 pound
Dalstrong has always been known for its quality materials and craftsmanship. This 8” knife is no exception.
It is a well-rounded knife with a 56+ Rockwell hardness rating and an ergonomic Pakkawood handle that makes it easy to hold. Pakkawood handles aren’t just there for the aesthetics; they’re strong, durable, and, more importantly, blend in perfectly with the quality.
Weighing about 1 pound, the knife feels just right in hand. Just like most Dalstrong products, the handle is made of ultra-premium G-10 material, ensuring optimum heat, cold, and moisture-resistant.
The forged ThyssenKrupp HC German steel blade cuts through thick slabs of meat like cutting butter. Not only that, but the blade also works really well on different kinds of food, including fruits, vegetables, etc. The fit and finish are also good, but not great. For knives of this price range, this is the best meat carving knife you can get.
However, you may find that this tool is not long enough to slice through large-sized briskets without leaving some saw marks on the finished slice.
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2. Victorinox 47645 Pro Slicing Knife - Best For Carving And Slicing Meat
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 12 inches
- Blade Material: High carbon steel
- Handle Material: Thermoplastic rubber
- Weight: 1 pound
Similar to a carving knife, a slicing knife is another style you should consider. Let’s have a look at this candidate from Victorinox.
At first glance, this knife has the same elongated blade as most carving knives, but instead of having a pointy tip, the blade has a rounded edge, which makes it excellent for its intended purpose - slicing! This is because the rounded edge prevents accidental piercing of the meat when cutting.
The blade is made of high-carbon, stamped stainless steel with increased flexibility, aiding in cutting thin, uniform portions without sawing or blade flexing, making uneven spots.
For the size, this 12-inch knife is incredibly easy to hold, with the weight well-balanced and evenly distributed, giving a firm grip and centered feel. It is also the 12-inch length that contributes to the quick, smooth movements, creating fantastic pieces of roasts and briskets.
Notice the ridges on the blade? They’re there for a reason - establishing air pockets to minimize friction. As a result, you can cut more smoothly. Meats like steak and brisket are more likely to stick to the blade because of their moisture. A decrease in friction will help make the meat fall off more easily when slicing.
All things considered, hands down, this knife from Victorinox is the best carving knife for meat.
The downside? The blade doesn’t seem to perform well with poultry, which is a common problem with most slicing knives. Probably the packaging. Since it’s plastic, it allows for a good view of the knife while keeping the edges protected during delivery. However, it lacks the elegance of a box that some people desire.
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3. Mercer Culinary M20410 Genesis 10-Inch Carving Knife - Best For Ease Of Use
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 10 inches
- Blade Material: High carbon steel
- Blade Angle: 15-18 degrees
- Handle Material: Santoprene
- Weight: 8.4 ounces
The knife may not be that special to look at, but it is a winner in terms of ergonomics and ease of care.
The 10-inch size is usually the best size to get for a carving/slicing knife, so we have a good start there. This Granton edge blade has just enough length to slice meat and poultry in one sweeping stroke, leaving nothing but clean, even slices of juicy, tender meat. That’s the tip to the ultimate roasted turkey, my friends.
Also, have you noticed the sharp end? It contributes to breaking cartilage. Thus, when it comes to carving briskets, the pointy tip penetrates the crust like a champ. What is more, the ergonomic handle improves efficiency and safety when carving brisket or turkey as it is designed with curves to fit more comfortably in hand.
Overall, the knife is very well-crafted and sharp with just enough flex and also feels well-balanced in the hands. It would make a great addition to anyone’s culinary set.
The only drawback to this model would probably be the plastic handle. For some people, plastic is not their first choice for aesthetic purposes. But the handle has proven to be very practical, especially with the firm grips it gives despite your wet hands.
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4. Hamilton Beach 74277 - Best Electric Carving Knife
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 8 inches
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Blade Angle: Reciprocating blades
- Handle Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 2.29 pounds
If you want an electric alternative, this electric carving knife from Hamilton Beach is a solid option.
Be prepared with the noises this knife is going to make. Like most electric counterparts, it comes with lots of caveats, while the whirling blades are apt to spray some juices. For large, essentially boneless cuts in the kitchen, this unit should do it.
The 120W motor is powerful enough to slice through most meats and bread without much effort. For an electric knife, 74277 has a good weight to it, around 2.3 pounds. The sleek handle makes the knife easy to hold for a long time without giving you hand fatigue from the vibration.
It is worth mentioning that the serrated blade is quite bad at cutting through joints and around bones. So, in case you plan to serve a whole roast turkey, you’ll need something sharper to give precise cuts.
Overall, this electric knife does the work better than most options in this price range. But don’t get your hopes up too much. Since the design is also not that good-looking, the knife is not ideal for tableside carving.
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5. Dalstrong Shogun Series 12” Granton Edge - Best For Professional
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 12 inches
- Blade Material: Alloy Steel
- Blade Angle: Round-edge
- Handle Material: G-10
- Weight: 9.9 ounces
Dalstrong is now quickly gaining a lead in the kitchen knives segment, known to be producing only the best carving knives.
A highly planned exhibit of this 12-inch knife will make it clear. Precisely crafted from a single piece of high carbon Japanese steel, with a 66-layer Damascus facade in the center, it offers exceptional stain resistance, durability, and splendor.
Cryogenic processing up to 62HRC creates a translucent steel structure that provides long-lasting strength, hardness, and durability. Exceptionally hard steel is cleaned, up to 12 degrees on each side for surgical blade excites and smooth, clean cuts.
Tightened edges lessen surface opposition, and Granton's scored pits along with Damascus steel cover decrease the drag. Furthermore, an edge with a flimsy cross-segment twists enough to effectively follow shapes, however not frail enough to twist.
The tough G10 fiberglass handle provides great control, mobility, and comfort in hand. It is triple-bolted along the entire length of the knife, contributing to its weight, thus providing a counterbalance.
Another thing we like about this kit is the complete set of sheaths. Made of BPA-free polymer for a secure hold and sharp edges.
The Shogun cuts evenly in one go, making it ideal for bulk meats like brisket, cooked meat, ham, poultry, and whole salmon. Put this premium and productive blade in your kitchen, and you'll feel like a pro.
However, is there a catch to this product? Unfortunately, the chromium-rich blade doesn’t maintain its sharpness very well. The blade gets dull too often for knives of this price range. In return, chromium steel has a better rust-resistant ability than stainless steel.
Also, some people may find the knife to be a bit heavy. No worries, though. You’ll get used to it after some time.
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6. Wusthof 1120160212 Classic Carving Set - Best For Carving Poultry
Our rating:
- Blade Length: 8 inches
- Blade Material: High carbon stainless steel
- Handle Material: Polypropylene
- Weight: 13.3 ounces
With this two-part engraving set from the Wüsthof classic line, you can engrave any meat beautifully. The set includes a carving knife and a carving fork.
The blade of this set is made from one plate of high carbon stainless steel and manufactured using Wüsthof or PEtec's precision edge technology to create a very sharp blade that keeps the edge 30% longer.
The edge is cut to a blisteringly sharp 14 degrees, which might even be sharper than some Japanese knives. This explains why the blade can glide through any type of poultry you’re cutting, namely chicken or turkey. In fact, poultry is way tougher than normal meat since its fibrous tissue is chewier. But with this set, you’ll hardly have to put any pressure on the knife to get the cut.
Each classic line knife also has a black polypropylene handle with continuous triple rivets, ergonomically and comfortably designed. The jaws provide weight and balance, making this set the best knife for cutting meat.
However, those who own other Wusthof knives made several complaints about the sharpness of this blade - it just doesn’t hold the sharp edge as well as other Wusthof knives.
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All about Carving Knives
It's not the knife you would use until it's the holidays or something. That's right, it's the one knife you need when you cook turkeys, ham or other large roast meats.
The carving knife is long and narrow, has a thin blade that can cut even uniform slices of cooked meat. This knife can come in handy when you want to slice perfectly even slices, so that you know how much meat there is.
If you're wondering how it compares to, let's say, a chef's knife, here's the difference. Chef knives have blades that are thick and wider than carving knives. It also creates resistance while slicing the meat, making uniform slices almost impossible.
Some carving knives have pointed tips, and some have rounded tip. It all depends on the type of meat you are cutting. If you are trying to cut around bones and joints in the meat, using a rounded carving knife will be beneficial. Such meats that would benefit from a rounded carving knife would be ham or boneless roasts.
Carving knives that are longer is always a good thing. This means that there is less "sawing" of the meat. Sawing the meat, as you can imagine, basically destroys the meat. So, naturally, you'll want something longer so that you are slicing the meat, which looks nicer.
These knives range from 8 to 14 inches, but you'll commonly see 12" knives for sale and are easier to find. You'll notice that many knives have a granton edge on the blade. It is a row of little indentations that runs along the knife blade. It helps to prevent friction, and it prevents food from sticking to the knife.
You may hear the term slicing knives and slicer, but they are almost similar to a carving knife and can be used as a carving knife if there isn't one around.
What's the best carving knife for me?
Do you know what to look for with carving knives? The problem is, there are so many great options, it can be hard to choose. It is your preference for the knife and depends on what types of meat you'll be cutting.
If you are only cooking large meats for special occasion, you will want to look into a carving knife set that also includes a fork. However, if you are making large cuts of meats often, you'll want to look into the knives that will be sturdy enough to deal with the constant use.
What will matter the most is having a carving knife that will last you a long time. This means investing in a high-quality knife instead of the cheaper ones. High quality carving knives are very hard, and it has a very sharp blade, to where you can cut yourself if not careful. If the blade is not sharp enough when you shop for one, avoid that brand as that knife won't last you a long time. The knife needs to be hard (made out of steel) so that it can be sharpened when it's time to be sharpened.
The Rockwell Scale usually tells you the steel's hardness on the knife. This means while looking for the perfect carving knife, you'll want to ensure that the knife you are shopping for has a rating of 56 or above. Any lower you should ignore, as you'll be replacing it often.
Some people care if the carving knife is forged or stamped when it comes to quality. What is the difference between the two? Here are the differences:
Forged Blade
- Made from a single piece of steel
- Carefully crafted into shape
- Heavy
- High quality
- Harder
- Better edge retention
- Expensive
Stamped Blade
- Cut or stamped out of a large sheet of metal
- Lower quality
- More filmsy
- Less expensive
It depends on your budget and personal preferences what type of knife you should get. But if you want a carving knife that will last for years, you'll want to invest in a forged carving knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a serrated carving knife in place of a regular bread knife for bread?
You may wonder what is a serrated carving knife. A serrated carving knife is similar to a saw that can cut through hard exterior but the inside should be soft. For this reason, it works great on crusty bread.
Can chef knives be used as a replacement for carving knives?
Chef knives are thicker and create uneven cuts when it comes to meats. It's great for cutting smaller portions of meat, dicing vegetables, slicing herbs, and chopping some nuts. Is it good for cutting a whole turkey? In short, no. You'll want a high quality forged carving knife to cut larger meats like that.
Do I need other knives in my knife set?
A carving knife is just one of the knives you should have in your knife set. However, you can't use it for everything. As you saw in this guide, we have mentioned chef knives. We recommend that you have at least a chef's knife or two. There will come a time when you need a paring knife for cutting small fruits or veggies or peeling them. Of course, you'll want the typical bread knife or utility knife to cut small slices of meat and bread (sandwiches, anyone?). If you want to add more knives to your set and are comfortable with your knife skills, you can invest in Japanese knives.
Does the quality of carving knives matter?
It truly depends on your budget and your personal needs. If you are going to be using the knife on a regular basis, you'll want to invest in a knife that will last you years to come. However, if you only use carving knives for a special occasions, perhaps a lower quality one may work as you won't be using it as much.
Do I need an electric carving knife?
This depends if you want the ease of cutting meat without any injuries. Keep in mind that they are harder to clean because of the electricity part but they are generally easier to use if you do not have good carving skills.
Conclusion
We hope this article on the best carving knife sets has been helpful for you. Before the final verdict, we want to thank all our readers for sticking with us until the end.
You now have a list of the top 6 carving knives for both home cooks and professionals with our in-depth reviews. Just choose your favorite!
If we can choose, the DALSTRONG 8" Slicing Carving Knife Gladiator Series is perfect since it offers a very balanced combination of quality and price. What about you? Which knife sets are you having in mind? Let us know!
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