If you want to get the task done quickly, effectively and efficiently, it’s vital to have the right tool on hand for the job. That’s a great rule of thumb for almost any hands-on industry, but it’s especially true for butchery as well. To make sure you’re prepared for every situation, we’ve collated a list of the five best butcher’s knives you can always rely on to get the job done. Here’s what we recommend!

1. The BEW 7” Butcher’s Knife

bew knife

This is, as you may have already guessed, our own brand of butcher’s knife here at Butcher’s Equipment Warehouse. And you can trust us to provide you with the best! The BEW 7” Butcher’s Knife is a brilliant, inexpensive all-rounder that’s been especially designed for trade use. It strikes the perfect balance with a high-quality, carbon stainless-steel blade that does an excellent job of limiting any potential cross-contamination between cuts.

Its comfortable-grip handle is made of double-injected polypropylene, making it ergonomic and versatile. If in doubt about which knife to use, you could always do worse than tackling the job with this one first!

2. Dexter Russell 10-Inch Cimiter Steak Knife

dexter russell knife

With its flat back and slight scimitar curve, the Dexter Russell 10-inch cimiter steak knife is a mainstay of the professional butcher, made by American manufacturer Dexter Russell. Its blade is forged from proprietary DEXSTEELTM high-carbon steel, individually ground and honed. Because of the micro-pore reduction process used in its manufacture, the carbon steel stays reliably stain-free. Meanwhile, its textured polypropylene handle repels actively bacteria, and is capable of withstanding both high and low temperatures alike.

Properly maintained, the blade itself has some serious cutting power. It’s incredibly useful, and not to be underestimated!

3. F. Dick Ergo-Grip 8.5” Butcher’s Knife

f dick knife

As a nation, the Germans have always had a reputation for being fiercely efficient. We have to say, it’s a reputation that’s well earned! Once you’ve had a chance to take a closer look at the F. Dick 8.5” Butcher’s Knife, we think you’ll agree. It’s a neat little design which makes life a lot easier for commercial and in-house butchers; its durable, comfortable handle is complete with an extra-large thumb rest, giving you the grip and leverage you need for work that otherwise might be particularly tough or tiring, potentially saving you from a lot of pain and fatigue. It’s attached to a high-carbon, stainless-steel blade that won’t carry contaminates across jobs. (As a nice bonus, it’s also available in a couple of colours!)

4. Victorinox 12” Butcher’s Steak Knife

victorinox butcher's knife

Hugely popular amongst our customers and a favourite of the majority of Britain’s butchers, the Victorinox 12” Butcher’s Steak Knife is an invaluable tool to have on hand for tackling whole roasts, sides of spare ribs, or particularly tough carcasses. Its non-slip, comfortable Fibrox handle is attached to a razor-sharp, cold-rolled Swiss steel blade. One of the most notable aspects of this particular Victorinox is that it’s got a bolsterless edge. Most knives have a bolster; a thick junction between the handle and the blade itself, typically for a counter-balance. However, the bolsterless edge of the Victorinox means that it can be sharpened quickly in seconds, making it perfect for fast-paced commercial environments. Trust us – it’s included in a lot of professional roundups of the best butcher’s knives!

5. Swibo 26cm Butcher’s Knife

swibo knife

The first thing you’ll notice about the Swibo 8.25" butcher’s knife is that it deviates slightly from the traditional Western butcher knife design. It doesn’t quite resemble a scimitar, but has a fixed-blade knife build that’s strongly reminiscent of lots of Japanese designs (even though it’s made in Switzerland!). Basically, that means you probably won’t be getting the raw power on the big swings you’d get from something like the Victorinox, but the flipside is that it makes the Swibo better suited for more delicate work, as the flat backing gives you more delicate control. The stainless steel has also been heat-treated, so it has more flex than others. There’s a lot to love about it!

Of course, depending on your work, you might have your own opinion of what makes the best butcher’s knife! If one of your favourites didn’t make the list, don’t take it too much to heart. There’s a good chance you’ll still be able to find it amongst our extensive range of butcher’s equipment, including cleavers, boning knives and steak knives. Shop online for them now, or place your order by giving us a quick ring on 01254 427 761.