We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Knives The Best Carving Knives of 2024, According to Our Tests The best knives for easy slicing, no matter the occasion. By Jennifer Zyman Updated on November 22, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Carving Knife Factors to Consider How We Tested Carving Knives Other Carving Knives We Considered FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Mary Claire Larogue You might wonder if it's worth investing in a carving knife. After all, most people already have a chef's knife and a bread knife, so why do you need another one? We think a carving knife, like a carving board, is essential for anyone who loves cooking meat regularly. Whether carving a turkey for Thanksgiving, slicing roast beef for Christmas dinner, or simply preparing a weeknight meal of chicken breasts or steaks on the grill, a carving knife will make the job easier and more efficient. Carving knives are designed specifically for carving meat. They often have a long, thin blade perfect for slicing through large pieces of meat without tearing them. Since a carving knife is designed to be easy to control, they are safer, which makes it less likely that you'll cut yourself when using it. While a carving knife is ideal for carving meat, it can also be used for other tasks, such as slicing bread, cheese, and vegetables. And since they are normally quite durable, they’ll last many years, so it's worth investing in a good one. After testing them side by side, these are the best carving knives we recommend. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Wüsthof Classic 9-inch Hollow Edge Carving Knife at Amazon $170 Jump to Review Best Value Set: Messermeister Avanta Kullenschliff Carving Set at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best Value: Mercer Culinary 10-Inch Carving Knife at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Splurge Set: Shun Carving Knife & Meat Fork Set at Amazon $330 Jump to Review Best Electric: Cuisinart Electric Knife Set With Cutting Board at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best for Gifting: Shun Classic 9-Inch Hollow-Ground Knife at Amazon $180 Jump to Review Best Overall Wüsthof Classic 9-inch Hollow Edge Carving Knife PHOTO: Wayfair $170 at Amazon $170 at Williams Sonoma $170 at Wayfair Pros It is the perfect length for both large and small hands, and we found it strong and durable while testing. Cons The knife is so sharp we sliced our finger while testing, so make sure you exercise care. Wüsthof is known as a classic German kitchen brand and the company's Classic Carving Knife is a high-quality knife perfect for carving poultry, roasts, and other large pieces of meat. It has a long, thin blade with a slightly curved edge and sharp tip. We liked the length because any more would be unwieldy. The hollow oval-shaped indentions along the edge are designed to leave air between the food and the blade for a smoother slice. The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel and is very sharp. It is also full tang, meaning it runs the entire knife length and is triple riveted to the handle. This makes the knife very strong and durable. The handle is made of synthetic polypropylene and is comfortable to hold, even when wet or greasy. Material: High-carbon and stainless steel | Blade length: 9 inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Mary Claire Larogue PHOTO: Food & Wine / Mary Claire Larogue PHOTO: Food & Wine / Mary Claire Larogue Best Value Set Messermeister Avanta Kullenschliff Carving Set PHOTO: Amazon $60 at Amazon $60 at Ace Hardware Pros The rounded pakkawood handle is comfortable to hold, and it makes even, consistent cuts. Cons The blade could be more flexible, and larger hands may find it awkward to hold. The Messermeister Avanta Carving Set is an excellent value for the price. We were surprised by how solid this set felt when we first handled it out of the box. It includes a 9-inch carving knife and a carving fork, both made with high-quality materials and construction. The knife has a long, thin blade made of high-carbon stainless steel. The blade is also hollow-ground, which helps to reduce friction and makes slicing easier. The handle is made of pakkawood, which is a durable and comfortable material. The fork has two sharp tines perfect for holding meat in place while slicing. The handle is the same size as the knife handle, making it easy to hold both pieces simultaneously. The set is an excellent option for a high-quality carving set. Material: Stainless steel and pakkawood | Blade length: 8 inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Dana Fouchia PHOTO: Food & Wine / Dana Fouchia Best Value Mercer Culinary 10-Inch Carving Knife PHOTO: Amazon $40 at Amazon $54 at Wayfair $51 at Walmart Pros The length is suitable for larger cuts and is a reasonable price, too. Cons One potential downside is that it does not come with a meat fork, and you need a larger cutting board to accommodate blade length, The Mercer Genesis Carving Knife is an excellent value for the price. It is a sleek, well-made knife with a blade perfect for carving large roasts and holiday birds. The blade is flexible enough to navigate tricky angles but sturdy enough to slice through thicker proteins and twine. It is not the lightest carving knife on the market, but it is well-balanced and comfortable. The Mercer is sharp and can easily slice through meat without shredding. It is long enough to tackle large birds and roasts and is well-balanced and comfortable in hand. We wish we had a little more heft. It is also affordable, making it an excellent value for the price. However, this is a minor inconvenience, and the knife is such a good value that it is still worth purchasing. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality carving knife at a reasonable price. Material: Santoprene and high carbon steel | Blade length: 10 inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll Best Splurge Set Shun Carving Knife & Meat Fork Set PHOTO: Sur la table $330 at Amazon $330 at Williams Sonoma $330 at Sur La Table Pros The balance on this knife is immaculate, like an extension of your own limb. Cons It is a major splurge for most cooks, but it should last generations if cared for correctly. If you're looking for the best of the best in carving knives, the Shun Premier 2-Piece Carving Set is the way to go. This set includes a 9-inch carving knife and an 8-inch carving fork, both made with Shun's signature stainless steel blade and a pakkawood handle. The carving knife is the perfect length for carving large roasts and poultry, and the balance is immaculate. The blade is thin and flexible, making it easy to slice through meat without tearing or shredding. The blade is also incredibly sharp, so you can get clean, even slices every time. The carving fork is the perfect companion to the carving knife. The tines are sharp and sturdy, so they can easily hold meat in place while you're slicing. The fork also has a comfortable handle, so you can use it for extended periods without getting tired. Material: Stainless steel and pakkawood | Blade length: 9 inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll PHOTO: Food & Wine / Megan Soll PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jason Horn Best Electric Cuisinart Electric Knife Set With Cutting Board PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon $50 at Williams Sonoma $50 at Wayfair Pros Electric knives make easy work of intimidating carving for any beginner. Cons You might have some snags since the blades are serrated. The Cuisinart Electric Knife Set with Cutting Board is an excellent choice for a powerful, easy-to-use electric carving knife. The set includes a 9-inch serrated blade, a carving fork, and a wooden cutting board. The knife has a black plastic body with a few simple controls: a power button, a trigger switch, and a release button for the blade. The handle is comfortable to hold, even for people with small hands. The powerful knife can easily slice through large roasts, poultry, and bread since it is basically a mini chainsaw. The serrated blade helps to prevent food from sticking to the knife, and the sawing motion ensures that you get even, uniform slices. The carving fork is also handy for holding meat in place while slicing. The wooden cutting board is an excellent addition to the set, providing a sturdy surface for carving, although it was too small. Material: Bamboo and stainless steel | Blade length: 10.5 inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jason Horn PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best for Gifting Shun Classic 9-Inch Hollow-Ground Knife PHOTO: Amazon $180 $155 at Amazon $180 at Williams Sonoma $180 at Sur La Table Pros The design is visually striking, and it feels luxurious when you are handling it. Cons It is very sharp, so be careful not to nick yourself during unboxing. The Shun Classic 9-inch Hollow-Ground Knife is a stunning, versatile carving knife perfect for gifting. It has a long, narrow blade with hollow-ground indentations along the edge, which helps to reduce friction and make slicing easier. The blade is also made from Shun's layered and forged Damascus steel, known for its edge retention and durability. We loved the handle, made of black pakkawood, a durable and comfortable material. It is also D-shaped, which provides a good grip and makes it easy to control the knife. This knife is perfect for carving roasts, poultry, and fish. It is also sharp enough for delicate tasks like slicing avocados and tomatoes. It has flexibility, but not a ton. Yet, it’s still easy to maneuver. Material: Damascus steel and pakkawood | Blade length: 9-inches PHOTO: Food & Wine / Danielle St. Pierre PHOTO: Food & Wine / Danielle St. Pierre PHOTO: Food & Wine / Danielle St. Pierre Our Favorite Carving Knife We awarded Best Overall to the Wüsthof Classic 9" Hollow Edge Carving Knife because it performed so well it will convince anyone they need a carving knife. It’s a reasonable price given the cost per use of a carving knife. Most cooks will find it lightweight and easy to control. Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Factors to Consider Blade Material and Shape High-carbon steel is the best material for carving knives, as it is durable and holds an edge well. High-carbon steel blades are known for their sharpness and edge retention but may require more maintenance to prevent rust. Stainless steel is also a good option, but it may need to be sharpened more often. We also like hollow oval-shaped indentions along the edge of the blade, which leave air between the food and the blade for a smoother slice and prevent sticking. Some people also prefer a full tang blade, which helps prevent snapping and distributes weight more evenly. Handle The handle of a carving knife should be comfortable to grip and provide reasonable control. Popular handle materials include wood, synthetic materials, and rubber. The overall ergonomics of the knife are essential, as you will be using it for extended periods. Ensure the knife feels comfortable and the blade is well balanced. The handle should be comfortable and ergonomic for extended use. It can be made of various materials, such as wood, plastic, or composite materials. Choose one that feels good in your hand. Maintenance and Storage Check if the knife requires special care or can be easily sharpened at home. Some knives may need regular honing and sharpening. Carving knives should be sharpened regularly to keep them in good condition. Be sure to hand-wash your carving knives and dry them immediately after use. Some are dishwasher safe. More excellent knives or intricate models often come with storage boxes, which can be nice instead of storing them loose in a knife drawer. If you need further tips on knife care, we wrote about that here. Price Carving knives can range in price from around $20 to $200 or more. Finding a knife that fits your budget and needs is essential. Once you've decided to buy a carving knife, research to find the best one for your needs. Sets will cost you more since they come with multiple pieces and a storage box. How We Tested Carving Knives Our editors and writers took these knives into their kitchens to see how they handled various items. Some favorites emerged while some fell woefully short. We sliced steaks, whole roast chickens, pork roasts, hunks of slow-roasted beef, and even crusty sourdough. Here are the criteria we looked for while testing: Ease of use and control: We valued comfort and ease of use since these can sometimes be longer and heavier knives. It was also important that the handle was not slippery during use since meat tends to be juicy. While slicing, it was important the knives felt well-balanced in hand so we could get consistent slices or maneuver around bones. Sharpness: Many knives arrived super sharp, but not all did. We don’t want to have to sharpen a knife before we even use it. We looked for clean, consistent cuts throughout various types of meat, including grainy, firm, tender, and juicy cuts. Level of care: Since many knives were pricier, care was also a consideration. If any parts of the knife, like the handle, for example, required a level of special or extra care in order to keep it looking nice, we took note. Other Carving Knives We Considered One of the knives we tested that didn’t make the list was the Tuo Slicing Knife. The Tuo arrived in a handsome box with a matching fork. The knife is beautiful but has a sharp upward curve, which we never mastered. It looked like a weapon more than a carving knife. It also arrived incredibly dull, shredding even the most tender of roasts. We also considered others that didn’t make it to the testing stage. While some beautiful, premium-made knives are available, we felt the desired quality could be achieved at a lower price. Beyond that, we also decided to limit testing to brands whose quality and construction we've valued in the past. Food & Wine / Megan Soll Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a carving knife? If you cook meat regularly, a carving knife is a must-have. It will make your life so much easier and safer. What kind of meat do you cook? A carving knife is essential for cooking large pieces of meat, such as whole turkeys and roasts. However, a carving knife can still be helpful even if you mostly cook smaller pieces of meat, such as chicken breasts and pork chops. What types of carving knives and blades are there? Carving knives come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific task. For example, a general-purpose carving knife will have a long, thin blade for precise cuts. Straight-edge blades are suitable for precise slicing and carving. Granton Edge or scalloped has small divots or scallops along the edge to reduce friction and help prevent the meat from sticking to the blade. There are also electric knives, which many people prefer, especially for big holidays. Some come in sets with a carving fork, but you don’t need one. A knife is enough, but a carving set is nice to have. How much should I spend on a carving knife? Carving knives can range in price from $20 for more commercial knives to over $100. Set a budget before you start shopping so that you spend your money wisely and know that premium brands have premium prices. Our Expertise As Food & Wine's Testing Editor, Jennifer Zyman's work focuses on finding the best new products for all sorts of cooks. She's vetted hundreds of products, including side-by-side testing of essential kitchen gadgets like can openers, salad spinners, potato mashers, and tortilla presses. She's written about food and restaurants for over 15 years and is a proficient home cook with a culinary school degree who is always on the hunt for the latest and greatest kitchen technique, trick, or tool. 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