The 8 Best Boning Knives of 2023

If you’re a cook who oftentimes finds themself tasked with breaking down poultry, pork, beef, or fish, it can be helpful to have a knife other than a classic chef’s knife to help you navigate these tasks. Not only is breaking down your own meats and fish a great way to save money, but it’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with different parts of what you’re eating. While chef’s knives are great all-around knives, they tend to leave a lot of flesh behind when it comes to cutting around bones. Enter, the boning knife.

Known for their thin, sharp, and sometimes flexible blades, boning knives are extremely proficient in helping you safely cut around bones and flesh. The flexibility offers a little forgiveness, but the best boning knives are still sturdy enough to go up against tough bones, joints, ligaments, and other connective tissues in meat. Most knife sets don’t include a boning knife because it’s not the most popular style of knife for the average home cook, but if you want to improve your butchery skills or you’re looking for a way to cut costs when buying proteins, a boning knife is a great place to start.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Wusthof Classic Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Inch Flexible Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Flexible:

Victorinox 6-Inch Fibrox Pro Flexible Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Japanese:

Shun Cutlery Classic Gokujo 6-Inch Boning and Fillet Knife at Amazon

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Best for Camping:

Kitory Forged Meat Cleaver Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Multipurpose:

Zwilling 5.5-Inch Flexible Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Professional:

KYOKU 7-Inch Daimyo Series Boning Knife at Amazon

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Best Design:

Berghoff Ron 6-Inch Boning Knife at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Researched
What to Look for
FAQs
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

4.8

Amazon

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What We Like

Sharp blade
Easy to handle
Finger guard for protection

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This is a knife that’s loved by professionals and home cooks alike. Its blade is comfortable for a wide range of cooks and the arched blade makes for seamless trimming and slicing. The protective finger guard is a great assurance and the synthetic handle is easy to hold and super comfortable. The blade offers a little bit of flex, but not so much that it can’t withstand the toughness of gamier cuts. While this knife does fall on the higher end of the price spectrum, if you’re looking for a durable knife that will last you for years, this is a great investment tool. Reviewers rave about the sharpness of the blade and how easy it is to nimbly move around any cut of protein with this knife.

Price at time of publish: $115

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Polypropylene | Blade Length: 5.5 inches | Handle Length: 5 inches | Weight: 4.5 ounces

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Inch Flexible Boning Knife

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What We Like

Inexpensive
Available in multiples lengths
Non-slip grip

What We Don't Like

Not made of stainless steel

It’s hard to match the reasonable price on this highly praised boning knife. The handle provides a natural and comfy fit while high carbon forged steel ensures that the knife won’t rust or break over time, though this material is not as durable as stainless steel. The arched blade makes for a seamless maneuver around tough bones and joints. The handle is made with Santoprene, which is known for great comfort and a non-slip grip, even with oiled hands.

Price at time of publish: $31

Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Santoprene | Blade Length: 6 inches | Handle Length: 6.25 inches | Weight: 6.2 ounces

Victorinox 6-Inch Fibrox Pro Flexible Boning Knife

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What We Like

Inexpensive
Flexible blade
Comfortable handle

What We Don't Like

Very small arch on the blade

If you want a boning knife that errs on the side of flexibility, this Victorinox model could be a great knife for you. The stainless steel blade is lightweight, easy to maintain, and super durable. The knife is equipped with a nonslip Fibrox handle that boasts a comfortable, firm grip, and you don’t have to worry about any food getting stuck. The flexible blade allows you to easily maneuver around delicate foods and trim, snip, and butterfly even the most gentle items. The blade is just barely arched, so if you're wanting a knife with a strong arch or curve, this isn’t for you.

Price at time of publish: $22

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Fibrox | Blade Length: 6 inches | Handle Length: 5 inches | Weight: 3.5 ounces

shun-premier-6-inch-boning-and-fillet-knife

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What We Like

Flexible
Sleek appearance
High-quality Damascus steel

What We Don't Like

Pricey

It’s no surprise that one of the leaders in Japanese knives makes a reliable, well-made boning/filet knife. This knife is quite flexible, making it a great option for fish and poultry, though its flexible nature may not be so ideal for tougher cuts like beef or lamb. The curved blade offers a slightly different feel than the arch, but it mostly comes down to personal preference. The D-Shaped handle (made of ebony pakkawood) has a sleek look and allows for a secure grip with excellent control. We especially love the convenient upward curve of the blade, the superfine tip, and the ultra-sharp edges.

Price at time of publish: $125

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood | Blade Length: 6.5 inches | Handle Length: 4.5 inches | Weight: 4 ounces

The 8 Best Japanese Knives of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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What We Like

Inexpensive
Curved blade and handle
Sleek pear wood handle

What We Don't Like

Blade is carbon steel instead of stainless

If you’re looking for a blade to bring into the great outdoors, this boning knife is durable for even the most rugged cooking adventures. The blade and the handle are both curved, making it super easy to run the knife around hard-to-reach angles. The sleek handle is made of pear wood for a comfortable and practical feel. The small hanging hole also allows for convenient storage between uses. The blade is made of carbon steel, which means that you’ll need to keep it super clean and dry to avoid any rusting. Reviewers appreciate how comfortable and natural it feels in their grip and the versatility of what it can do.

Price at time of publish: $19

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Pear wood | Blade Length: 6.69 inches | Weight: 10.4 ounces

zwilling-pro-55-inch-flexible-boning-knife

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What We Like

Durable and super sharp blade
Comfortable handle
Versatile

What We Don't Like

Expensive

If you’re in the market for an all-around boning knife that can do it all, Zwilling’s 5-inch model is a great option. Equipped with a curved bolster, this knife also has added finger protection, precision, and comfort. This knife has some flex to it, but not so much that it can’t slice away at the bones of beef, pork, lamb, or game. That said, it has enough flex that it can still gently maneuver around fish and skin trimmings. The handle is designed to be extremely natural and comfortable for any cook to grip. While this knife does fall on the pricier end of the spectrum, many reviewers agree that it was worth the extra money because of all the things that they’re able to use it for, as well as the fact that the knife has lasted them a long time.

Price at time of publish: $118

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: POM | Blade Length: 5.51 inches | Handle Length: 5.08 inches | Weight: 5.28 ounces

The 7 Best Knife Sharpeners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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What We Like

Sharp and durable blade
Handle is treated to be heat and moisture resistant
Approachable price point

What We Don't Like

Heavier than average boning knife

At such an approachable price point, this Japanese steel blade is of the utmost quality. The flexible blade allows for it to tackle all sorts of prep work, from boning to filleting to skinning to trimming to butterflying. The handle is chemically treated to be heat and moisture resistant, plus it offers incredible sturdiness and comfort. The blade is crafted with professionals in mind—intense edge retention, sharp scalpel-like edges, and high-quality durability. Reviewers are impressed by how long the blade has stayed sharp, even after heavy usage. For such a great price, the reviews for this knife are completely outstanding and users love their product.

Price at time of publish: $58

Blade Material: Alloy steel | Handle Material: G10 | Blade Length: 7 inches | Handle Length: 5 inches | Weight: 4 ounces

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What We Like

Sleek, stylish look
Affordable
Two handle options to choose from

What We Don't Like

No arched blade or curved handle

For a sleek, stunning addition to your knife collection, this modern matte knife is the only option. Unlike most boning knives, this blade does not have an arch or a curve, yet it does offer some flexibility for improved maneuvering. You can opt for a contrasting wood handle or an all-matte black look. While the most appealing part of this knife is probably its looks more than its handling or practicality, it could be a nice gift for someone wanting to bulk up their knife collection. At a budget-conscious price, it’s a great piece for home cooks of all levels. The steel blade is covered with a nonstick coating, and the heavy bolster makes for added control and comfort.

Price at time of publish: $40

Blade Material: Stainless steel with Titanium non-stick coating | Handle Material: Lightweight stainless steel | Blade Length: 6 inches | Handle Length: 6.2 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces

The 9 Best Paring Knives of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

For a reliable and professional-quality knife that will last you a lifetime of uses, look no further than the Wüsthof Classic 5-Inch Boning Knife. And the Mercer Culinary Genesis Flexible Boning Knife is a great budget pick that will protect your hands and effectively take care of your kitchen needs.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

What to Look for in a Boning Knife

Length

Boning knives range in length from 5 inches to 8 inches. For the most part, the ideal length of a knife comes down to personal preference. The shorter the blade, the more control you have, but the longer the blade, the easier it can be to make long, swift motions. Before buying a knife, you should try holding a few different size blades and determine what feels comfortable and natural in your hand.

Flexible vs. Stiff Blade

Boning knives are available in varying flexibilities, so you should consider what kinds of foods you’ll be de-boning. Semi-stiff blades are ideal for beef, lamb, goat, game, and pork or anything that requires extra power to get through thick/large bones and joints. Too much flex in your blade for a piece of meat like this could result in damage to the blade or an accident. For less tough projects, like deboning chicken thighs or breaking down fish, you may be better off with a more flexible blade because they offer more give. This way, it can gently move across the contour lines and easily trim fat and skin.

Arched Blades

Another design aspect of most boning knives is the arch in the blade around the heel of the knife. This allows for more curvature and can help you more easily move around bones and joints. This shape is particularly proficient at skinning meats and trimming fat because just one pass-through of the blade can remove skin and slice through layers or fat without any excessive sawing motions. Some boning knives don’t have this blade design, so that’s something to consider when purchasing.

Material

Almost all boning knife blades are made with stainless steel because it is incredibly durable and can stand up to the wear and tear of coming into contact with tough bones. Handles can be made with synthetics or wood, but keep in mind that wood handles can become damaged if subjected to an excessive amount of water. Even though some knives may be labeled as dishwasher safe, it’s always a better idea to hand wash knives in warm, soapy water.

FAQs

What's the difference between a boning knife and a filet knife?

Fillet knives are known for their flexibility and thin blade. This makes them a better tool for meats that are more delicate to handle, such as fish. Boning knives are still comparatively thin compared to other kitchen knives, yet not as thin as fillet knives. They also do not possess the flexibility of a filet knife. Boning knives are ideal for tougher cuts of meat such as poultry, pork, or beef.

Should a boning knife be flexible?

Compared to other kitchen knives, boning knives are more flexible than others, yet not as flexible as a filet knife. That said, there are both stiff and flexible boning knives available. You want a sturdier blade for tougher cuts of protein like poultry or beef because it allows the knife to get close to the bones of a meat product without succumbing to the tough texture. In this particular instance, a flexible knife could cause injury.

What is a boning knife used for?

Boning knives have long, semi-flexible blades that are useful for boning meats, pork, poultry, and fish. The thin blade allows them to pierce meats easily, and their sharp blades are efficient in working around bones. The curved blade allows you to cut meat away from the bones.

How do you sharpen a boning knife?

If you don't want to pay for a professional knife sharpening service, it's possible to sharpen your boning knives at home with a whetstone, manual knife sharpener, or electric knife sharpener. Another way to keep your boning knife sharp is to use a wooden cutting board with a softer material that's easier on your knife's edge. Likewise, use a honing rod or sharpening steel to restore and straighten the edge so the knife doesn't have to be sharpened as frequently.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Sara Tane has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats, understanding what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their culinary adventures. She is a professionally trained chef and has tested and used many different knife varieties and blades. After researching different knife sets, blade materials, and boning specs, she can help you find the best boning knife for your kitchen.

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