Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- December 5, 2023 , Last updated on : December 7, 2023
You must own the best deer processing knives if you are into hunting or if you are the one who butchers the hunts. For a complete solution, you can get the best knives for butchering deer in lucrative sets without breaking the bank. Alternatively, you can get standalone deer butchering knives or boning knives for deer.
Buying guide for the best knives for butchering deer
The requirements for buying the best knife for processing deer will not be the same as buying other types of knives. For example, if you want to get the best knives for cutting watermelons, you do not need to look for knives that can go through bones. Here is how you can choose the best knives for butchering deer.
Type
First and foremost, you need to get the right types of knives that will be ideal for butchering a deer. The best butcher knives for deer are, of course, butcher’s knives. However, if you want to process the entire deer optimally, you need other knives and even saws as well. For instance, the best boning for deer will let you easily separate meat from bones.
Material
Another important aspect you need to look for is the materials used to make the knife. Usually, different materials are used to make the handle and the blade. You need to focus on the materials used to make the blade. However, if you have money to spare, you can go for handles made from premium materials as well.
Maintenance
Cutting any meat, in general, can be a bloody business quite literally. As a result, maintenance of the knives that you use for butchering deer is very important. So, you can look for dishwasher-safe knives to make your life a little easier. More importantly, we suggest you get knives that you can easily sharpen.
Package Deals
Last but not least, since you need various types of knives for butchering a deer optimally, you can go for package deals that contain all the required knives. Additionally, these sets cost considerably less than the prices you would have to pay if you got those knives individually.
Best knives for butchering deer | Top 11 Picks
Since a lot of manufacturers are making knives for butchering deer, it can get quite hard to select the best one for yourself. That is why we have selected the best knives for butchering deer among the competition and ranked them based on our personal testing and user reviews.
Top picks of the best knives for butchering deer
Victorinox Swiss Army Field Dressing Kit (Best Curving Set)
Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing Kit (Best Butchering Set)
Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife (Best Boning Knife)
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife
Jero Meat Processing Set
Dalstrong Butcher Knife (Best Butcher’s Knife)
Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing Kit
TUO Scimitar Butcher Knife
KNINE OUTDOORS Field Dressing Kit
Outdoor Edge Game Processing Knife Set
Old Hickory 705 Knife Set
Victorinox Swiss Army Field Dressing Kit (Best Curving Set)
Blade Material: High carbon stainless steel
Number of Knives: 7 (Including honing steel and bag)
The Victorinox Swiss Army field dressing kit is the overall best curving set that you can get for butchering a deer. This is because it provides a lot of versatility so that you can butcher the entire deer without any hiccups. Additionally, the knives provided in the set are resistant to corrosion, so they last longer without proper maintenance. If you do not prefer a curving set, they have other options as well.
Besides the knives that come in the set, the accessories that are provided in the set are functional as well. It comes with a durable bag that lets you securely carry the knives anywhere you want without any issues. Furthermore, you can use the bag to store the knives as well. Lastly, it includes honing steel that you can use to sharpen the knives.
The knives in this set hold their edge for a very long time. Even the case they come in is very well constructed and keeps the knives safe. So, you can easily take the whole set with you when you go hunting. Lastly, the knives that come in the set will allow you to curve the whole deer without any issues.
Pros:
Versatile set
Bag for securely storing or carrying the knives
Resistant to corrosion
Includes a honing steel
Cons:
Very expensive
While the Victorinox Swiss Army field dressing kit has some of the most desirable features you can expect in a knife set for butchering deer, it is also very expensive. However, if you can meet the price tag, their versatility, combined with their resistance to corrosion, makes them the best knives for butchering deer.
Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing Kit (Best Butchering Set)
Blade Material: Stainless steel
Number of Knives: 5
The Mossy Oak Hunting field dressing kit is the ideal butchering set that you can get if you want to get through the bones of the deer as well. This is because it comes with a sturdy saw that you can use to cut any bone in the deer’s body. Other than the saw, the kit contains other knives that you can use to cut different types of meats off the deer. It also comes with a durable box for carrying and storing the knives
Besides the knives in the set, the Mossy Oak Hunting field dressing kit also contains various accessories that come in handy when butchering a deer. For instance, it comes with red cleaning gloves that let you easily clean the knives after you are done butchering the deer. The knives themselves are made from stainless steel, which makes them easy to maintain. Lastly, the blades have aesthetic handles attached to them.
This field dressing kit is ideal for smaller games. So, if you are trying to hunt an elk, this might not be ideal. However, this set is perfect for games like deer, which is why we included it on this list. They provide a handy knife sharpener and a set of extra large gloves in the set to make your life easier.
Pros:
Good for getting through bones
Aesthetic design
Easy to maintain
Includes various accessories
Cons:
Needs to be sharpened before use
The only issue you might have with the Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing Kit is that the blades on the knives come unsharpened out of the box. As a result, you need to sharpen them before you use them for the first time. Other than that, their aesthetic design, combined with their ability to go through bones, makes them the best knives for butchering deer.
Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife (Best Boning Knife)
Blade Material: High carbon steel
Blade Length: 6 inches
If you do not want to get sets, instead you want an affordable knife that will allow you to seperate the meat from the bones, you can get the Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife. Even if it is an affordable knife, it still performs as well as some of the more premium knives that cost a fortune. This is because it has a curved blade that lets you optimally cut meat.
The Mercer Culinary Red Millennia deer fillet knife stands out from other knives because of its blade with long-lasting sharpness for such an affordable price. Additionally, the handle of the knife is also functional because of its nonslip ergonomic grip that ensures that the knife stays locked in your hand. The ergonomic handle also makes the knife easy to use.
Removing the meat from the bones is one of the main tasks of dressing a deer. If you do not want to carry the entire deer with its bones back after hunting, you can simply take this knife with you. After bagging a hunt, simply use this boning knife to get rid of those heavy bones and take all the meat back with you.
Pros:
Long lasting sharpness
Very affordable
Ergonomic handle with nonslip grip
Easy to use
Cons:
Can rust if not maintained
You might have an issue with the Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife if you hate regular maintenance. While the high carbon steel lets the knife retain its sharpness, it also makes it prone to rust. Other than that, its long-lasting sharpness, combined with its ergonomic handle, makes it one of the best knives for butchering deer.
If you hate maintenance, you can get the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife instead of the Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife. Both of the deer boning knives have similar structures. What sets them apart is their build materials. The Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife is made from stainless steel instead of high-carbon steel, which is why it does not rust. However, the Mercer Culinary Red Millennia Knife provides outstanding features at a more affordable price.
Besides a durable stainless steel build, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife also has great build quality. As a result, it has optimal balance, which lets you cut your meat with ease. Lastly, it has a sharp point edge that lets you pierce your meat and start cutting from the middle instead of from the sides.
We found this knife to be very comfortable to use. The blade is flexible and super sharp. As a result, it can easily get in there without too much pressure. Additionally, the flexibility of the blade allows you to use a significant amount of force without any issues. The blade will not permanently deform even if you hit the bone.
Pros:
Optimal balance
Durable stainless steel build
Easily pierces meat
Cons:
Needs to be sharpened occasionally
While high-carbon steel knives can retain their sharpness for a long time, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife is manufactured from stainless steel that needs to be sharpened occasionally. Other than that, its optimal weight balance, combined with its durable build, makes it one of the best knives for butchering deer.
While high-carbon steel knives can retain their sharpness for a long time, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife is made from stainless steel that needs to be sharpened occasionally. Other than that, its optimal weight balance, combined with its durable build, makes it one of the best knives for butchering deer.
If you do not have sufficient cabinet space to store all the knives in big knife sets, the Jero meat processing set is the ideal setting for you. It contains the three most popular knives that will take care of all of your deer butchering needs. Additionally, the knives are made from durable German high-carbon stainless steel that does not rust.
The knives have low-profile handles that are not only easy to use but also make the knives easy to store. If you prefer more versatility than what this set provides, you can go for the Mossy Oak Hunting field dressing kit. However, if you are under a budget, this will act as the perfect replacement for them. So, get the set that falls under your budget range.
Pros:
Has all the popular butchering knives
Made from durable German high-carbon stainless steel
Has low profile handles
Cons:
Does not come sharpened out of the box
The only issue we have with the Jero Meat Processing Set is that the knives in the set do not come sharpened when you buy them. As a result, you need to sharpen the knives before using them for the first time. Other than that, their low-profile handles, combined with their durable build, make them the best knives for butchering deer.
If you want a premium standalone butcher’s knife that will last a lifetime, you can go for the Dalstrong Butcher Knife. It is made from Japanese AUS-8 steel, which contains vanadium to boost its hardness. It can easily go through bones without a scratch. Additionally, the blade is resistant to corrosion. If you prefer a more aesthetic design, you will love the knife’s hand-polished Pakkawood handle, which you can proudly display in front of your guests.
Pros:
Hand-polished Pakkawood handle
Has enhanced hardness and flexibility
Corrosion resistant blade
Cons:
Comparatively expensive
While the Japanese AUS-8 steel used to make the Dalstrong Butcher Knife makes it very durable and corrosion-resistant, it also makes the knife very expensive, especially considering it is a standalone knife. Other than that, its hand-polished Pakkawood handle, combined with its strong blade, makes it one of the best knives for butchering deer.
The Mossy Oak Hunting field dressing kit stands out from the competition because of the rubberized ergonomic handles on their knives. Besides the handles, the knives also have blades with excellent edge retention and hardness. Lastly, the set includes a blade sharpener and cleaning gloves.
The kit comes in a sturdy case that lets you store and carry the knives wherever you want. Unlike most of its competitors, the case of this set is not too big, so you can easily fit it in your backpack when you are out hunting. It comes with everything that you need to dress the deer right after you hunt it.
Pros:
Rubberized ergonomic handles
Blades have excellent hardness and edge retention
Includes blade sharpener and cleaning gloves
Cons:
The handles are harder to clean
While the rubberized handles make the knives in the Mossy Oak Hunting field dressing kit more comfortable to use, they also make them harder to clean because they retain stains easily. Other than that, their excellent edge retention, combined with their outstanding hardness, makes them the best knives for butchering deer.
If the Dalstrong Butcher Knife is too expensive for you, but you still want a quality standalone butcher’s knife, the TUO Scimitar Butcher Knife is the one to get. It also has an ergonomic Pakkawood handle. Additionally, it has a full tang build, which makes the knife very durable since the blade is directly connected to the handle. The build of the knife lets you cut with ultimate precision. You can get the exact size of meat from the deer you hunted with this butcher knife.
Pros:
Ergonomic Pakkawood handle
Durable full tang build
Lets you cut with precision
Cons:
Can be too heavy for beginners
The only issue you might have with the TUO Scimitar Butcher Knife is its weight, which is not ideal for beginners. However, if you are moderately experienced in butchering deer, its weight will not be an issue for you. Other than that, its durable full tang build, combined with its ergonomic Pakkawood handle, places it among the best knives for butchering deer.
The KNINE OUTDOORS field dressing kit has one of the most versatile combinations of knives and accessories, totaling up to 12 pieces in the set. Besides providing you with a lot of options, the blades of the knives are also resistant to corrosion and rust. Additionally, all of the knives have nonslip ergonomic handles. Besides the features of the knives themselves, the most prominent selling point of this kit is the number of knives and accessories that it provides.
Pros:
Blades are resistant to corrosion and rust
Nonslip ergonomic handles
Lot of knife options
Cons:
Needs to be sharpened before initial use
The only issue you might have with the KNINE OUTDOORS field dressing kit is that the knives in the set do not come sharpened out of the box. However, they are really easy to sharpen. Other than that, their corrosion-resistant blades, combined with their nonslip ergonomic handles, make them the best knives for butchering deer.
The Outdoor Edge game processing knife set has knives with durable full tang builds. This means that the metal on the knives runs all the way from the end of the blade to the handle. However, the metal on the handles is covered with rubberized nonslip TPR handles. So, the handle is durable and comfortable to use as well. You can use it continuously for cutting a lot of vegetables without getting blisters on your hand. Lastly, the set comes in a hard-side carry case.
Pros:
Durable full-tang knives
Rubberized nonslip TPR handles
Includes hard side carry case
Cons:
Handle color might not be ideal for everyone
The only issue you might have with the Outdoor Edge Game Processing Knife Set is the color of the handles. It only comes in one bright color, so if you do not like orange, it is not for you. Other than that, their full tang builds, combined with their rubberized nonslip TPR handles, make them the best knives for butchering deer.
If you like wooden handles on your knives, you can get the Old Hickory 705 Knife Set, which has aesthetic hardwood handles on the knives. Additionally, the edges of the blades stay sharp for a long time thanks to the 1095 carbon steel build. Besides edge retention, the build material also makes the knife more durable. Lastly, you can easily clean the knives with your hands using soap and water. However, ensure that you thoroughly wipe the blade after cleaning it so that it does not rust.
Pros:
Aesthetic hardwood handles
Has long-lasting edges
Can be easily hand-washed
Cons:
Not as ergonomic as its competitors
The only issue we have with the knives in the Old Hickory 705 Knife Set is that the handles are not as ergonomic as its competitors. Since comfort is very important for butchering a deer, we have placed this last on our list. Other than that, their long-lasting edges, combined with their aesthetic hardwood handles, make them the best knives for butchering deer.
The best knives for butchering deer that will fit your hunting style will depend on your specific requirements. For example, if you want the best boning knife for butchering deer, you can go for the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Curved Boning Knife. Alternatively, if you want the overall best knives on the market, you can go for the Victorinox Swiss Army Field Dressing Kit. If you liked our top picks, check out our choices of the best BBQ knife sets and spring assisted knives.
