Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- December 8, 2023 , Last updated on : December 10, 2023
There are different types of meat-cutting knives, and all of them have different roles. However, not everyone needs to have all of these knives in their arsenal at once. The best knife to cut raw meat that you can get is a chef’s knife. Other than that, there are popular options like boning knives, carving knives, and cleavers.
Buying guide for the best knife to cut raw meat
The best knife to slice meat will make your life easier in the kitchen. However, there are a lot of meat-trimming knives on the market, and selecting the best knife to cut raw meat for yourself can be a challenge. As a result, check if the knives meet these requirements when buying one.
Knife Type
First and foremost, the knife you want to get must be able to perform the task you have in mind for it. Here are the different types of knives for cutting raw meat that you will come across.
Chef’s knife
If you do not have a specific requirement, then go for a chef’s knife. They are perfect for any kitchen and can perform a wide variety of kitchen tasks, including cutting raw meat. In fact, a chef’s knife is the best knife for slicing meat.
Cleaver
If you want a knife for cutting bones, a cleaver is your best option. Alternatively, electric knives are also an excellent option for cutting bones. However, a cleaver is preferred by some chefs because they can make big chunks of raw meat simply with their weight and momentum.
Boning knife
Boning knives are used for removing meat from bones. Alternatively, a paring knife can also be used for this purpose. The difference between these two is that the boning knife has a longer blade than the paring knife, so it comes down to personal preference.
Carving knife
Lastly, a carving knife is meant for cutting and serving cooked meat. However, some people also use carving knives to cut raw meat since they can be more precise. If you choose to do that, then you need to ensure that you do not use the same knife for both cooked and raw meat.
Weight
The weight of the knife also determines how easily you can perform your specific task. However, personal preference also comes into play here. If you prefer heavier knives that can cut raw meat with their momentum, go for cleavers.
Material
The material of the blade is directly related to the cost of the knife. Naturally, knives made from better materials will cost more. For example, stainless steel knives can last a long time, while carbon steel knives are sharper but can rust. Alternatively, you can also get a titanium knife.
Sharpness
The sharpness of the knife is very important since raw meat can be rather tough. However, it is something that you cannot test since most knives must be bought before you can use them. Thankfully, we have reviewed the best knives to cut raw meat and found the sharpest ones on the market.
Best knife to cut raw meat | Top Picks
The best knife to cut raw meat for you will be the one that caters to your specific kitchen needs under your budget range. There are a lot of good knives for cutting meat on the market. After you have singled out the specific types of knives you need, you will still be left with a lot of options. That is why we have selected the best meat knives based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best knives to cut raw meat
Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife
XYJ Butcher Knife
Hamilton Beach Electric Knife
Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife
PAUDIN Santoku Knife
MAIRICO Carving Knife
MOSFiATA Chef’s Knife
Utopia Kitchen Cleaver
PAUDIN Nakiri Knife
imarku Butcher Knife
Utopia Kitchen Chef Knife
Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife
Material: High-carbon steel
Size: 10 inches
Weight: 8.4 oz
The biggest advantage that Mercer Culinary has over the competition is that it offers a wide variety of options. Not only can you get the preferred color, but you can also get your specific type of knife with your choice of blade length as well.
Besides providing you with a lot of options, Mercer Culinary has an outstanding chef’s knife as well. Their knives are made from high-carbon steel that can cut meat like paper. Additionally, they have well-built handles that are both durable and ergonomic.
Pros:
Lots of options
Ergonomic and durable handle
Outstanding sharpness
Cons:
Requires high maintenance
The only drawback of the Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife is that it requires a lot of maintenance because it is made from high-carbon steel. While the material gives it the sharpness you are looking for, it can also rust easily. Other than that, its functional features and options make it the best knife to cut raw meat.
The XYJ Butcher Knife is a cleaver that you can use to easily cut raw meat of any consistency and size. It is not too heavy to cause discomfort. It has just the right weight to allow you to use it comfortably and also be able to cut meat with just the impact of its momentum.
Besides its optimal weight, the XYJ Butcher Knife also stands out because of its beautiful design. If you have an open kitchen, you do not need to hide this. It also comes with a sheath and a grindstone for sharpening. Overall, it is the best meat cleaver for cutting bones.
Pros:
Stain-resistant
Comfortable weight
Beautiful design
Comes with various accessories
Cons:
Must be stored in a dry place
Similar to the Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife, the XYJ Butcher Knife is also made from high-carbon steel and needs to be maintained accordingly. Other than that, the design, combined with the provided accessories, makes it the best knife to cut raw meat.
The Hamilton Beach Electric Knife can cut through both bones and meat with equal ease. As a result, if you want an electric knife for cutting meat and bones, this is the perfect option. Additionally, it comes with a fork that you can use to hold the raw meat in place.
Besides the fork, the Hamilton Beach Electric Knife also comes with a case where you can store the knife. It is wireless, so you do not have to navigate your kitchen with the risk of tripping on a wire with your electric meat knife in hand.
Pros:
Comes with a fork and case
Wireless
Durable blade
Versatile function
Cons:
Very heavy
The biggest drawback of the Hamilton Beach Electric Knife is its weight. Additionally, the majority of its weight is in the handle and not the blade, which is very unconventional. However, since it is an electric knife, the weight of the blade does not affect how easily it can cut through raw meat. As a result, it is the best knife to cut raw meat that you can buy.
The Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife has a pointy tip with a flexible blade, which makes it perfect for removing meat from the bone. The pointy tip allows the blade to pierce the meat from any direction. Additionally, the flexible blade lets you follow the curvature of the bone while cutting the meat with ease.
The nonslip grip on the handle of this knife ensures you never lose your footing. As a result, beginners can easily use the knife. It meets the public health protection standards set by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), so you can use it without any worries.
Pros:
Pointy tip to easily pierce the meat
Handle with a nonslip grip
Flexible blade for easy boning
Cons:
Sticker on blade hard to remove
The only issue we had with the Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife was that the blade had a sticker on it, which is hard to remove. Other than that, the knife’s flexible bade, combined with its handle, makes it the best knife to cut raw meat.
The PAUDIN Santoku Knife is also known as a Santoku knife, which is a Japanese chef’s knife. It is made from high-carbon stainless steel, which gives it some of the most desirable features you can find in a knife. The blade is both sharp and durable enough to last a lifetime.
The blade of this knife has a beautiful engraved design. So, you can present the knife in front of your guests. This is why it is a very versatile knife. You can not only cut raw meat with it but also use it to serve steak. However, we suggest that you do not use the knife for both one after another.
Pros:
Excellent edge retention
Long-lasting blade durability
Beautiful pattern
Cons:
The handle’s wood quality could be better
Even though the high-carbon stainless steel blade is durable, the wooden handle is still susceptible to decay. However, it will not be an issue if you keep the knife clean. Other than that, its sharpness, combined with its design, make the PAUDIN Santoku Knife one of the best knives to cut raw meat.
The MAIRICO Carving Knife lets you do precise cuts with minimal effort, thanks to the blade’s length. Additionally, the weight of the knife compared to the length of the blade is perfect, which lets you cut without having to exert too much force on the knife.
The ergonomic handle on this knife lets you grip the knife securely when cutting raw meat. So, you can easily go through tougher meats without any issues. Furthermore, you can easily resharpen it to tip-top sharpness thanks to its excellent stainless steel build.
Pros:
Optimal length-weight ratio
Secure handle grip
Premium stainless steel build
Cons:
Difficult to sharpen
The biggest drawback of the MAIRICO Carving Knife and any other carving knife is that they lose their sharpness rather quickly. As a result, it might be difficult to maintain its sharpness on a regular basis. Other than that, its optimal length-weight ratio makes it the best knife to cut raw meat.
If you hate cleaning your utensils separately, the MOSFiATA Chef’s Knife is the best knife for cutting meat that you can get. This is because it is a dishwasher-safe chef’s knife that you can chug in the machine with your pots and pans. Besides that, it has a balanced body with an aesthetic design that you can show off in your kitchen.
We noticed that the balanced body makes it a beginner-friendly knife. While a heavier blade makes it easier to cut through tough meat, it also makes the knife harder to handle. That is why we suggest this knife to beginners who are starting out with softer meat.
Pros:
Dishwasher safe knife
Aesthetic design
Includes a knife sharpener
Cons:
Not original Damascus steel
While the MOSFiATA Chef’s Knife is advertised as Damascus Steel, it is not the real deal. However, this is not a deal breaker because the knife is just as sharp and costs a lot cheaper than an original Damascus steel knife. Other than that, it is a solid chef’s knife for cutting meat.
If you want something lighter than the XYJ Butcher Knife, the Utopia Kitchen Cleaver is perfect for you. Even if it is lighter, it is still able to easily cut through everything from meat or bones with ease. Additionally, it has a durable build with a sharpness that lasts a long time. As a result, you can consider this cleaver as a one-time investment.
Even though this knife is made from stainless steel, it retains its sharpness for a long time. However, while the knife can easily go through bones, it can affect the sharpness faster than if you did not use it on bones. Since it is a cleaver, its weight is enough to go through meat.
Pros:
Easily cuts through bones
Retains sharpness for a long time
Durable build
Cons:
The handle could be more ergonomic
While the handle on the Utopia Kitchen Cleaver is durable because of its stainless steel build, the metal handle can be uncomfortable to use for a long time. Other than that, its sharpness, combined with its durability, makes it one of the best knives to cut raw meat.
The PAUDIN Nakiri Knife is a cross between a chef’s knife and a cleaver, which is known as a Nakiri. As a result, you can both cut and chop raw meat with it, depending on the size. Other than that, it has a rust-proof blade that reduces friction with raw meat, allowing you to cut with less strength.
The blade of this knife has an elegant design that will add to the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. It does not only have an appealing design but also an excellent build quality, which is why it will last a long time. Overall, this knife is both functional and aesthetic.
Pros:
Less friction with raw meat
Rust-proof blade
Elegant design
Cons:
Handle leaks color
The only drawback of the PAUDIN Nakiri Knife is that the handle leaks colors since it is not real wood. However, this will not be an issue unless you plan to keep the whole knife soaked in water. Other than that, it has some of the most outstanding features you can find in a raw meat-cutting knife.
The Imarku Butcher Knife is the most expensive cleaver on our list. However, the knife is well worth its price tag. It comes with a leather sheathe to ensure both you and the knife are safe when you are not using it. Additionally, the full tang wooden handle with the aesthetic hammering pattern makes the cleaver suitable for any good-looking kitchen.
This meat cleaver can cut through meat without the requirement of unnecessary sawing and hacking. It can meet the daily requirements of any commercial kitchen without much damage. We attribute this quality to its high carbon stainless steel build.
Pros:
Leather sheathe provided
Full tang wooden handle
Aesthetic hammering pattern
Cons:
Hard to use
While the imarku Butcher Knife works wonders in the hands of a professional, it can underperform in the hands of someone inexperienced. The bottom line is that the imarku Cleaver is the best knife for slicing meat if you are experienced in handling cleavers.
If you are a beginner looking for the best knife for cutting raw chicken, the Utopia Kitchen Chef Knife is an affordable option for you. Even if it is affordable, it still has a rust-resistant stainless steel build. Additionally, the knife is dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean it with the rest of your cookware.
This knife has a balanced build. The distribution of weight that this knife has between the handle and the blade is just perfect. As a result, you can easily cut meat with it without worrying about accidentally cutting yourself. If you are just starting out, we think this is the best knife for meat slicing that you can get.
Pros:
Tarnish and rust-resistant
Dishwasher safe
Very affordable
Cons:
Handle heavy knife
The biggest setback that puts the Utopia Kitchen Chef Knife last on our list is that it is a bit handle-heavy. However, it is the perfect knife for beginners since they will barely notice the heavy handle because of a lack of experience. As a result, if you are just starting out, this is the best knife to cut raw meat that you can get.
The best knife to cut raw meat for you will be the one that meets your specific requirements. A good meat-cutting knife will also be easy to clean and affordable. If you are an experienced cook and want the best cleaver on the market, go for the Imarku Butcher Knife. Alternatively, if you want versatile options, go for a knife from Mercer Culinary. If you liked this list of knives, check out our top picks of the best knives for slicing brisket.
