When it comes to perfectly removing meat from chicken, turkey, beef or pork and filleting fish you need to have a super sharp boning knife. A boning knife is a necessary tool for any kitchen and obviously, a top grade is preferred by any chef, butcher or for home use.
Go through this boning knife buying guide and choose the best boning knife that will meet your preferences and requirements. After going through this guide, you will know the best boning knife and the best budget boning knife on the market.
Contents
Best Boning Knife Comparison Table
List of the 10 Best Boning Knives
1. Dalstrong-Gladiator series- Forged German Thyssenkrupp High Carbon Steel – Boning Knife
The Dalstrong gladiator boning knife is one of the best boning knives on the market. It is a must have for your butchery, restaurant and even for your home. It is handcrafted to handle all small or large demands of a professional kitchen. It is extra sharp, made of Germain steel and its edges are polished at 14-16 degrees on each side. Its narrow blade shape allows you to glide along the outlines of bones and separate meat with precision without tearing it. With the tip you can manoeuvre around smaller bones and cartilage. The Dalstrong gladiator boning knife’s handle is made of imported Pakkawood plus its grip offers comfortability and manoeuvrability. It is laminated and hand polished to a satin finish. This boning knife has an award-winning design with premium materials and a quality feel. The blade has an extra length that acts as an extra hand that helps reduce fatigue so that you can cut long single slices of meat on large chunks of meat effortlessly. The boning knife is carefully made for improved hardness, flexibility and minimal slicing resistance.
This battle-ready boning knife is made of high carbon Thyssenkrup German steel, it has an ultra-sharp edge which is resistant to wear and tear plus it doesn’t stain easy. The boning knife ensures high performance in the home kitchen or restaurant with minimal effort, maintenance or cleaning. This knife is perfect in handling heavy duty cuts and delicate work. In addition, its hand polished bolster adds counterweight and offers finger protection. Its triple rivets ensure strength and robustness. The Dalstrong gladiator boning knife has a water and stain resistant protective sheath that is BPA free. The only downside to this boning knife is that it is not ideal for a beginner, especially because of its large handle and razor sharpness. The Dalstrong gladiator is the best boning knife on the market.
2. Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Flexible Boning knife
The Mercer Culinary genesis forged flexible boning knife is another one of our best boning knives on the market. It is also made of high carbon no stain Germain cutlery steel that is rust resistant and doesn’t discolour easy. Its tapper ground edge allows for stability, easy honing, sharpness and efficiency which is crucial for cutting and chopping meat. This boning knife is also corrosion resistant making it an ideal knife for your kitchen. Its handle provides comfort and a non-slip grip even with wet hands. In addition, the Mercer culinary boning knife is able to withstand kitchen oils, hot and cold temperatures. The bolster strengthens the knife and provides balance for better handling. The Mercer Culinary genesis boning knife is easy to clean with soap and warm water; it must not be washed in the dishwasher. It is a high-quality and affordable knife for chefs and food enthusiasts. This boning knife is quick and easy to use and separates meat from the bone effectively. Although the boning knife’s handle may be too short for some, it is designed for several uses and it is effective in slicing meat with no resistance. Moreover, the handle is designed with safety features making it ideal for anyone to use including beginners. This is the best budget boning knife on the market.
3. Zwilling J.A Henckels Professional S Flexible Boning knife 5.5 Black Stainless steel
This boning knife has been manufactured with precision with high carbon stainless steel. The knife offers edge retention, with a 57 Rockwell hardness and made of Germain stainless steel it is razor sharp to ensure an ideal cutting angle. In addition, the knife is corrosion and chip resistant plus it stays sharper for longer. Also, the bolster gives the right balance and protects you by acting as a finger guard to ensure safe cutting. The Zwilling J.A Henckels boning knife is easy to maintain and clean plus it is dishwasher safe. However, handwashing knives is always best in order to retain their cutting edge for a longer period of time. Its stain resistant steel makes the maintenance and cleaning process much easier. The boning knife’s 3 rivet handle provides balance and safe handling, thus, the Zwilling J.A Henckels boning knife is best for chefs and for home use. The handle is ergonomically designed that way it ensures fatigue free everyday use. This ice hardened friodur blade has superior resistance and its laser-controlled edge ensures ideal slicing of meat. It is a flexible knife that bends between big bone and joints. It works well with meats and poultry. This knife will fit perfectly in your hand even after using it for a long period of time or when completing multiple boning tasks. As much as the knife is quite pricey you get value for your money. The Zwilling J.A Henckels boning knife is a little shorter than other boning knives however, it does a pretty good job in slicing your meat, maybe even better than some boning knives on the market.
4. Dexter – Russel X131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sunny Safe white
The Dexter boning knife is another one of our best boning knives on the market. It is a curved flexible boning knife made of stainless steel and it has a grip-tex handle for user safety. Also, the handle is sealed around the blade to make maintenance and cleaning easy. The steel used in making this boning knife is high carbon steel. The 6th inch Dexter-Russel knife is super sharp with a handle that is easy to control. It is great for trimming fat off brisket plus it is lightweight. In addition, the boning knife has great balance and a good feel. Its extremely sharp blade is hand sharpened so you should exercise caution when using it. The white grip-tex handle is sealed around the blade to prevent bacterial build up. Also, the boning knife is easy to clean plus it is dishwasher friendly. On the other hand, the Dexter Russel boning knife needs to be honed frequently because it doesn’t stay sharp for a long period of time. Washing it in the dishwasher may stain it or cause rust, thus it is better to hand wash it. Overall the Dexter-Russel boning knife is one of the best affordable boning knives on the market.
5. Mercer Culinary Millenia 6-inch curved Boning knife
The Mercer Culinary Millenia boning knife is made of high-quality stainless steel. This boning knife has an ergonomic handle which is made of a combination of santoprene and polypropylene for both comfort and durability. Its textured finger points provide slip resistance, a comfortable grip and safety. The Mercer culinary Millenia boning knife is made of Japanese stainless steel and it is razor sharp plus it provides easy blade maintenance. Also, the stainless steel is made of high carbon which makes it stain, rust and corrosion resistant. It is one of the strongest and most durable boning knives on the market. The handle widens at the point where the blade begins in order to protect your fingers. This boning knife was designed with the user’s safety in mind. In addition, it has textured finger points to provide slip resistance and a better grip. It slices your meat cleanly with little effort, with it, you can cut thin slices with precision. It is easy to use and clean plus it can slice different types of meats. With its comfortable handle, you can use it for an extended period of time. However, the Mercer Culinary Millenia boning knife is very sharp and may be dangerous for first timers or beginners. Also, it tends to dull overtime but with good maintenance and sharpening it should last a long time. This knife still remains one of the best boning knives on the market due to its durability and ease of use. Just like every other sharp object, the boning knife should be used with care. It has a hallow edge for easy maintenance and sharpening plus its blade is easy to manoeuvre around the bones.
6. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Pro Boning Knife
This Victorinox Fibrox boning knife is another quality knife that is preferred by cutlery professionals and chefs. It is made of high quality lightweight European steel. It has a comfortable handle that gives you a comfortable balance when slicing your meat. Also, it is flexible with a razor-sharp edge that hardly requires any frequent re-sharpening unlike a lot of boning knives. With it you can remove meat from the bone with ease. The pointed tip allows you to pierce the meat cleanly even through joints and cartilage. This boning knife is especially ideal for deboning fish and for cutting thin cuts of meat. The handle gives you a comfortable grip even when wet and it is designed to reduce hand and wrist fatigue. It is expertly crafted in Switzerland and the manufactures offer a lifetime guarantee. It is a flexible blade that gives you a better working angle. In addition, the Victorinox Swiss knife is easy to clean, although it is dishwasher safe, you can simply wash it with a soapy cloth. Overtime you will need to hone the boning knife for optimum performance. The shape and texture of the Victorinox Swiss Army boning knife allows you to skin chicken safely because of its texture and built in finger guard. Its tip and cutting edge make it easy to cut through odd shaped bones with minimum waste. The boning knife is super sharp and can slice through tough meats with ease.
7. Global 6.25 Boning knife
This lightweight, precisely balanced boning knife has a flexible blade and a razor-sharp edge. Its handle is made of stainless steel for comfort and dimpled for a safe grip. The flexible blade is made of hard molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel. This boning knife’s blade is ground face down to ensure sharpness lasts for a long time plus the edges are ground at a more acute angle which makes it razor sharp. The handles are smaller which is even better for small handed cooks to grasp and maintenance and cleaning is easy. It is best to handwash the knife in order to protect the edges. It carries a lifetime warranty against defects and breakage. In addition to boning meat, removing fat off brisket with ease and deboning chickens, the knife can be used to slice tomatoes with precision. On the downside, the Global 6.25 boning knife requires frequent sharpening specifically with a whetstone for it to remain sharp. This boning knife easily cuts through tendons and cartilage plus it can go through tight spots. It debones fish in less time, it is easy to hold, and also stays sharp for a long period of time. The boning knife although perfect for chefs and professionals, is not ideal for beginners. However, its finger notch works well as a finger safety guard and its stainless-steel dimpled handle gives you a good grip even when wet. Also, it is a pretty expensive knife compared to other boning knives on the market but worth the price.
8. Shun Cutlery Classic boning and Fillet knife
The Shun Cutlery Classic boning and fillet knife is another one of the best boning knives on the market. The narrow part of the blade offers close and easy cutting whilst the narrow part performs deboning and filleting much quicker. It is made of high-performance Max-VG stainless steel to boost edge retention. Its razor-sharp edge easily cuts through the skin and flesh of fish to quickly remove bones and skin. With this boning knife you can precisely separate meat from bones. The curved blade easily cuts close besides the bone and its sharp edge can trim or skin off tenderloin, roasts and other cutlets. The D shaped handle made of Pakkawood gives you a comfortable grip and control. Together the handle and the blade give you a stunning deboning knife. This premium knife can be used by anyone, from beginners, aspiring chefs and professionals. Also, it is much easier to sharpen than other boning knives on the market. The knife can cut through any type of meat with ease. It can slice through the toughest meats and easily cut soft meat with precision. You should be careful when using this knife because it can cut through anything. However, the knife is stiff so filleting smaller fish or deboning delicate pieces may be a bit challenging. Overall, the Shun Cutlery Classic boning knife is an efficient and easy to use filleting knife especially in slicing select cuts such as tenderloin, ribeye and cubing meats for stir-fries.
9. iMarku Boning Knife
The iMarku boning knife is made of high carbon Germain stainless steel. It is super sharp, corrosion resistant, strong and durable. It is a properly balanced boning knife that allows you precise slicing close to the bone. Perfect for trimming, filleting, skinning and butterflying. The boning knife, with its rockwell hardness, performs excellently. The handle is also made of Pakkawood and gives you a non-slip comfortable grip that is easy to clean. Also strong, the boning knife gives you a maximum movement control with ease. To clean the knife, it is recommended to rinse the knife thoroughly with warm soapy water and a cloth. The boning knife is not limited to slicing meats, it can be used to cut bread, toast, bagels, cakes and more in addition to deboning meats. The imarku boning knife has excellent wear and edge resistance. It is designed to give you a comfortable balance between its handle and the blade for comfort and performance. In addition, it gives you a comfortable control so that chopping mincing and slicing is made easier and safe. The imarku boning knife has been made with precise craftmanship for quality performance. This elegant looking knife is perfectly weighted and handles well. Although it is an ideal all-purpose kitchen knife, due to its extreme sharpness, the boning knife cannot be used by newbies or people without experience using knives. It is rust and corrosion resistant and can be used to make sushi. The iMarku boning knife is a must have for your kitchen or restaurant.
10. Enso HD 6” boning Knife
The last blade on our best boning knives list is the Enso HD Japanese boning knife made of VG10 stainless steel. It’s hard and made of quality steel which is ideal for edge retention. It also has a double bevel edge for right and left-handed users. Its black canvas micarta handle gives you a comfortable grip and balance for efficient use. The handle has 3 stainless steel rivets, a bolster and end cap. Its seamless full tang handle ensures strength, durability and balance. This handcrafted boning knife combines advanced technology and traditional craftmanship. The Enso HD boning knife can be seen as one of the finest boning knives on the market. It is extremely sharp and great for filleting any kind of meat. Compared to other boning knives on the market, it is relatively affordable yet with superior quality. It is ideal for your home kitchen and restaurant plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. The boning knife can easily pierce through poultry, beef and any other kind of meat. The blade’s slender shape is designed to closely follow the contours of bones and tendons. Its tough and durable micarta will guarantee years of use without chipping. Cleaning and maintaining it is simple, simply hand wash it with soapy warm water. This boning knife is ranked highly for its components, quality and construction techniques in addition to its aesthetics. The only downside to this boning knife is that it is not safe for first timers because it is super sharp.
Best Boning Knife Brands
With so many competing good quality knives on the market it is difficult to pinpoint the best boning knife brand. Based on performance and reputation the Victorinox Swiss army brand is one of the most liked and respected brands. It debones meat to professional chef standards. Victorinox knives deliver precision at home, in a restaurant and in a butcher. The handles to most Victorinox knives are comfortable and give you a good grip for precise cutting without resistance. It is no surprise that this is one of the brands that is preferred by many chefs and professionals. Another competitive brand when it comes to boning knives is the Japanese Shan Gokujo classic brand which comes on top when it comes to sharpness, slicing and comfortable handling. It is perfect for cutting thick chunks of meat and for filleting large fish. Not to forget to mention Germain stainless steel, another superior boning knife brand is the Zwilling J.A Henckels brand. The chip and corrosion resistance of the knife makes it strong and durable. In addition, the Zwilloing J.A Henckels is a flexible knife that easily bends between bone and joint. Apart from being razor sharp the Zwilling J.A Henckels knife has been manufactured with precision. The above 3 brands offer some of the best boning knives that are easy to use maintain and clean in addition to quality performance.
The Best Boning Knife
When it comes to the best boning knife overall, the Dalstrong-Gladiator series takes the spot. It has an award-winning design, a razor-sharp blade, amazing flexibility and it is strong. Its handle bolster adds counterweight and finger protection. The boning knife with its award-winning design has a handle made of imported Pakkawood. It is designed with improved hardness and minimal slicing resistance. The boning knife’s Germain steel is rust, stain and corrosion resistant. This boning knife is one of the best on the market.
The Best Budget Boning knife
The best budget boning knife on the market is the Mercer Culinary Genesis boning knife. It is a good quality knife that is also made of high carbon stainless steel. It is best for beginners and home use as well as professionals. The Mercer Culinary Genesis boning knife is able to withstand oils hot and cold temperatures. It is quick and easy to use, and it is designed for several uses. Its sharp blade can easily manoeuvre around bones. The non-slip grip handle provides comfort and stability, easy honing sharpness and efficiency. In addition to its quality and performance it is affordable.
What is a Boning Knife?
A boning knife is a knife with a pointed tip and a narrow blade. It is used to remove meat from bones on poultry, fish and meat. Boning knives are normally 4 to 7 inches long, they are also thin and strong. Their thinness allows you to remove meat from the bends and curves of the bone effectively. When using one, never attempt to cut through the bones of the meat. Boning knives are just one of the several types of kitchen knives. Some of the kitchen knives include fillet knives, cleaver knives, mince knives and bread knives to name a few. However, boning knives and fillet knives are similar and often used interchangeably. In some cases, they might be advertised as one thing. The main difference between a boning knife and a fillet knife is in their intended uses. A boning knife, as mentioned earlier is meant to remove meat from bones and a fillet knife on the other hand is used to pull away skin from meat, poultry and most often fish. A boning knife may be rigid or flexible, but a fillet knife is always flexible.
How to use a Boning Knife
When using a boning knife to separate meat from bones, you can either place your hands on the handle grip with all your fingers wrapped around the handle or pinch the blade between your thumb and forefinger with the rest of your hands wrapped around the handle. The pinch grip or blade grip gives you a firm grip that shouldn’t slip as you work. However, the way you hold a boning knife when filleting is slightly different from the way you hold it when removing meat from bones. Whatever the case always ensure that you have a standard grip and keep the blade against the meat when using a boning knife.
Why do you need a Boning Knife?
In order to effectively prepare meat, poultry or fish for cooking, you need a boning knife. The flexibility and shape of a boning knife enables you to remove meat in tight places and the boning knife’s tender tip can break away the cartilage in joints. That is essential especially for chicken cuts and for carving turkey. With a boning knife you can easily break the drumstick and thighs from the backbone as well as remove the breast from the carcass. Moreover, the boning knife can be used to peel skin and remove excess fat from meat including lamb, beef and pork cuts without carving away the flesh underneath. The uses of a boning knife are not limited to meat and poultry, you can use it to prepare fruits such as pineapples and for carving cakes and other baked goods. Therefore, a boning knife is essential in any kitchen.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Burger Press
Weight
In order to ensure that you are purchasing a boning knife of good quality you should make sure that the boning knife is reasonably heavy. A boning knife that is too light may indicate poor quality. That being said, a reasonably lightweight knife is easier to handle than a heavy one. Carbon steel blades are lighter than stainless steel blades. However, a heavy knife can eventually grow on a person although a lightweight knife is always better.
Blade Length
For effective cutting and filleting, a boning knife should be at least 6 inches long. Depending on a person’s preference, a full tang knife is best. A full tang is a knife that has steel that runs through the handle to the base of the knife. Without a quality boning knife trimming and filleting becomes extremely difficult.
Blade and Material
The right material is very important when it comes to selecting a top-quality boning knife. It is best to choose a boning knife with high carbon stainless steel. That way you can be sure that the blade is stain, rust and corrosion resistant. The design of the blade is a matter of preference. A curved blade with the front tip pointing upwards is ideal for removing bones whilst a straight blade that is long and narrow is perfect for poultry and fish.
Handle and Grip
With the various types of handles on boning knives it is important to select the right one that gives you and comfortable feel when using the knife and one that helps in reducing fatigue. Wooden handles have an elegant look and provide a comfortable grip however, they are not water resistant and can break off easily from the blade. Other handles can offer better resistance but may not be as appealing as wooden ones. Handles that are full tang and those that have triple rivets that strongly hold the handle in place are the best handles because they strong and hardly break off.
Flexibility
Another important factor to consider when shopping for a boning knife is its flexibility. Most boning knives are either flexible or semi stiff. A highly flexible boning knife can bend easily without breaking and it is ideal for filleting fish. A semi stiff boning knife is strong and versatile, but it is not flexible. It can be used to remove bones from meat, separate bone joints and slicing poultry. The stiff boning knife can cut through thick meat and provides superior performance.
Safety Feature
The last important feature to consider when choosing a boning knife is the safety features. All knives are sharp, so if not used with care they will cut you. A safety feature such as a bolster can help prevent accidents especially for people who do not know how to use super sharp boning knives. Other knives have a finger notch that can work as a safety feature.
How much do Boning Knives cost
The cost of boning knives depends on the types of brands the materials used and the manufactures. Boning knives can be as little as $18 and can go up to $200. There are plenty of affordable boning knives on the market of good quality. The premium ones do boast of superior quality, higher performance and durability. However, from the top 10 best boning knives you can choose a good quality knife from the lowest to the highly priced depending on your budget. It all comes down to your personal preference.
Boning Knives Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Can you wash boning knives in the dishwasher?
A: Not all boning knives can be placed in the dishwasher although they are some that are advertised as dishwasher safe. However, it is not advisable to wash boning knives in the dishwasher because they might rust and cause damage to the cutlery. The intense heat and harsh detergents in a dishwasher will damage the cutlery and cause the handle to deteriorate. Handwashing is always best in order to retain the knives cutting edge. A boning knife is very sharp, so it is important to be careful whilst using and washing it.
Q: How can I take care of my boning knife?
A: It is always best to wash your knife soon after you use it with warm water and soap. Afterwards pat dry it with a dry cloth. Boning knives should not be left with dirt over a long period otherwise stains may start to develop. Always store the boning knife in a sheath but if one is not available store the knife in a safe place where no one will get cut whilst trying to access it.
Q: How do you sharpen a boning knife?
A: All knives become dull overtime especially after regular use. When it comes to sharpening boning knives you can either do it at home or make use of professional services. If sharpening a boning knife at home, make sure you are using the correct tools. Some boning knives need to be honed with a sharpening rod or a honing steel whilst others require the use of a whetstone. Whichever way, make sure you familiarise yourself with the type of steel used and the sharpening angle for the knife.
Conclusion
Choosing the best boning knife can be challenging. The right boning knife should be comfortable to use and should provide a precise cut that will not tear the meat. It is important to select a blade that has suitable pliability for the type of work you intend to do often. Whether you are a professional chef, an amateur cook or a butcher you need to have a suitable boning knife that will make your life easier. For our selection, we took quality, material used and customer reviews in order to come up with our top 10 best boning knives.
