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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Breaking down and serving large portions of meat can seem like quite the daunting task for a home cook. But worry not—it’s actually quite straightforward to slice and serve your centerpiece protein. With the right tools, you’ll be carving and slicing up your turkeys, pot roasts, and tenderloins in no time at all. You don’t need to be a professional in order to properly carve out your cuts like a butcher or chef.
Whether you need something for the end-of-year holidays (looking at you, Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas prime rib roast) or you need the right knife to step up your weekly grilled steaks or roast chickens, equipping your kitchen with a proper carving knife is the way to go. Before purchasing, you should consider blade sharpness, grip comfort, safety, maneuverability, and durability.
To help you determine the best carving knives for your kitchen needs, we tested out several of the top options side by side with the help of our culinary experts. We evaluated each on appearance and how they felt in the hand before using them to carve turkeys, then rated each one on design, size, performance, ease of cleaning, and value.
Best Overall
Messermeister Avanta 2-Piece Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
Includes a matching carving fork
Forged bolster with even weight distribution
Blade is durable, sharp
Rust-resistant
Blade on shorter side
The Messermeister Avanta two-piece carving knife and fork set earns our top spot for its quality and price. This carving and slicing knife was developed for one of the leading culinary schools in North America, Le Cordon Bleu, and it holds up well to daily wear and tear.
The knife's 8-inch blade is made from one piece of German stainless steel. Not only is it incredibly sharp with superior blade/edge retention, but it's also resistant to rust and easy to maintain. Its curved blade makes cutting meat on the bone easier, and because it's designed to decrease friction, you won't have to deal with food sticking to the blade when cutting large pieces of meat.
It also boasts a forged bolster, which gives it balance, even though the pieces feel a little heavy. During testing, that weight didn’t affect the comfort level, and the set did a fine job with the turkeys we carved and sliced. Thanks to the knife's sharp tip, it worked particularly well for getting the breast meat off of the carcass.
The knife comes with a 7-inch, heavy-weight bolstered fork, and both have water-resistant handles made from pakkawood, an engineered wood that's particularly durable. They aren't dishwasher safe, but we found them easy enough to wash by hand and can see them lasting a long time—particularly if you only bring them out for big events.
Price at time of publish: $60
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 8-inch carving knife, 7-inch carving fork | Blade Material: German X50 stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood | Blade Edge: Kullenschliff | Care: Hand-wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse and dry immediately
Best Budget
Mercer Culinary M23011 Millennia 11-Inch Granton Edge Slicer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great for beginners
Granton edge helps food pull away
Versatile
Not ideal for detail-oriented cuts
If you want an option that will go easy on your wallet yet still get the job done, you really can’t beat the price for this Mercer Culinary knife. If you aren’t carving and slicing a ton of protein, there’s no need to shell out a ton of money for a decorative knife set that you will rarely use. The 11-inch, high-carbon steel blade boasts a Granton edge so that food will easily pull away from the blade as you’re slicing.
The polypropylene handle is ergonomic and comfortable, making this knife a great option for beginner cooks as it’s super easy to hold and use. The test blade was sharp upon arrival, but we felt it could use just a little extra honing with our favorite honing steel for the best performance. This was good for slicing turkeys during testing, but because of the rounded tip, it wasn’t as reliable for more detailed tasks like removing the breast meat from the carcass.
It's not dishwasher safe, but washing by hand was easy enough during testing. While we recommend sharpening upon arrival, this knife should hold its edge as well as other kitchen knives. After testing, we found this to be a great option for a budget-conscious carving knife.
Price at time of publish: $24
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 11 inches | Blade Material: High-carbon steel | Handle Material: Santoprene | Blade Edge: Granton | Care: Wash by hand with warm water and mild- to medium-strength soap; rinse and thoroughly dry it with a soft towel
Best Set for Turkey
Wüsthof Classic Two-Piece Hollow Edge Carving Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
Includes a fork
Hollowed edges for easy slicing
Blade is sharp and durable
Expensive
If you’re simply in the market for a Thanksgiving Day carving knife, this two-piece set that includes both a knife and a fork is going to make slicing a breeze. The high carbon stainless steel blade is super sharp, making it ideal for carving the toughest, hardest-to-reach meat off the bones of your bird—even those cooked using more intricate techniques, such as spatchcock turkey. The 8-inch knife comes with a triple-riveted, synthetic handle for absolute firm support, balance, and comfort when carving deeply into a turkey. While it may not be as aesthetically pleasing as pakkawood, the classic black handle has its own charm.
The included 6-inch, two-pronged fork helps guide the carving knife away from your hands and efficiently slice large pieces of meat, and when serving, it's perfect for holding each piece in place. During testing, we noted that the fork tines were much shorter than others, but it wasn’t a detriment—they were plenty long enough to hold the meat securely. Overall, the knife and fork worked really well together and felt well-balanced.
We could see this duo becoming an everyday set for chicken, pork, and beef roasts, and even for cutting pot roasts or for slicing ribs into portions. It's not flashy or showy, but the two pieces work really well together. Based on other Wüsthof knives we've tested in the past (not to mention the brand's outstanding reputation), we expect this knife to hold its edge well and be easy to sharpen when the time comes.
Price at time of publish: $240
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 8-inch carving knife, 6-inch carving fork | Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Stainless steel and polypropylene | Blade Edge: Hollow | Care: Hand-wash
Best Japanese
Shun DM-0720 Classic 9-Inch Hollow-Ground Knife
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Courtesy of Amazon
Granton edge helps food release
9-inch blade is super sharp and pointed
Pakkawood blade is stylish, comfortable, and durable
No carving fork included
Pricey
For the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with Shun, a classic, top-of-the-line Japanese knife brand. This hollow ground, 9-inch blade is an absolute pro when it comes to navigating all different types of proteins and cuts. Its sleek look, unrivaled durability, and incredibly sharp blade make it a tool that you’re going to be excited to pull out for your next roasted bird or tenderloin.
In testing, the knife felt well-balanced and made clean cuts with ease. The sharp tip did a great job carving meat away from the bones to remove the breast and working with the legs and wings. Not only did we like it with freshly cooked turkey, but it equally excelled when making super-thin slices for sandwiches the next day.
The small dimples along the blade make it easy for food such as smoked salmon or brisket to pull away when slicing. The stylish pakkawood handle is designed for consistent and heavy use. It's also made from hardwood with resin to protect against unwanted water or moisture damage. It's not dishwasher safe, but based on other Shun knives we own, we believe this knife will stand the test of time with the proper care.
Price at time of publish: $160
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 9 inches | Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood | Blade Edge: Granton | Care: Hand-wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse and dry immediately
Best for Gifting
Hammer Stahl Carving Knife and Fork Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
Good for beginners
High-quality German carbon steel
Attractive pakkawood handle
No Granton edge on the blade
If you want to make a purchase that includes both a knife and fork, this set is a great option, and the box it comes in makes the set ideal for gifting. Opting for a knife and fork set is a wonderful choice for beginners if you’re worried about your protein slipping or moving around on your carving board while you’re trying to slice through it. Made with high-quality German carbon steel, this is a durable set of tools that will last you a long time.
The pakkawood handles are designed for comfort and longevity so that every time you pick up the knife, it’s comfortable and feels natural. Because of the way that the blade is forged, this knife is extremely durable and is sure to last you through many, many years of heavy usage.
We thought the blade could have arrived sharper, but that’s certainly easy enough to fix. And let’s be honest here—some cooks don’t want a super-sharp knife. Another thing to note is that both the knife and fork are very heavy, giving them a feel of quality. In testing, we didn’t find the weight a detriment, but some users might prefer lighter utensils. It worked well slicing a turkey but wasn't quite as smooth as some of the sharper knives we tested. If you're giving this as a gift, consider sharpening beforehand. The elegant design and quality feel, though, will ensure a happy recipient.
Like the other options on this list, the set isn't dishwasher safe (but that should be expected). The knife will require the same sharpening maintenance as other knives you might own, but it's a durable set that should last for years.
Price at time of publish: $90
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 8-inch carving knife, 6-inch carving fork | Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood, stainless steel, and phenolic resin | Blade Edge: Straight edge | Care: Hand-wash
Best Long Blade
Kessaku 12-Inch Slicing Carving Knife
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Courtesy of Amazon
Blade is durable and sharp
Food pulls away easily
Budget-conscious
Not ideal for beginner cooks
The advantage of a Granton edge is that the small dimples along the side of the blade are proficient in releasing food from the blade so that nothing sticks to the knife and everything pulls away clean and intact. The sleek pakkawood handle on this knife is comfortable and effortlessly stylish. The knife also comes with a blade guard for added protection when your knife is not in use so that it can be stored safely in a drawer rather than taking space in the knife block. The high carbon stainless steel blade is unrivaled for its sharpness and durability, and we were very impressed with the way this knife looked, considering the lower price tag.
While the blade is certainly on the longer side, it’s great for large cuts, such as brisket, ham, or a hefty turkey breast. For smaller, more precise cuts (like a roast chicken), this might be too much blade. The knife comes with a lifetime warranty, and the way that it’s constructed is intended for a lifetime of heavy use.
In testing, we liked it best for slicing turkey breast and for cutting a turducken neatly in half. Because of the rounded front, it was less successful at cutting around bones, but the slight point helped somewhat. Washing by hand is easy, and since this is somewhat of a specialty knife and it's unlikely someone would bring it out to cut vegetables, this probably won't need sharpening very often.
Price at time of publish: $40
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 12 inches | Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood | Blade Edge: Granton | Care: Hand-wash
Best for Barbecue
TUO Meat & Carving Forks Knife
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Courtesy of Amazon
This knife is certainly unique, with a fork tip for serving or moving meat, a serrated edge toward the tip, and a straight edge toward the handle. Speaking of handles, this one is comfortable to hold, and it’s attractive. During testing, it took a little time to get used to the knife’s features, but we came to appreciate the different edges and liked using the fork tip to stab slices to move them to a serving plate.
When cutting long slices of turkey, we would have preferred a completely straight edge, but when making the first cuts through turkey skin, the serrated part of the blade “bit” in and made a good cut without tearing the skin. It would be even better for barbecue, using the serrated portion to get through the bark, and the straight part of the blade to finish the cuts. There's a bit of a learning curve with this knife, and it might not be for everyone, but you'll definitely find it useful if you do a lot of meat smoking at home.
This doesn’t include a carving fork, but one is available if a matched set is desired. We hand-washed this easily, but do warn that sharpening will be a bit tricky due to the two different edges. You'll definitely want to sharpen by hand as opposed to using an electric sharpener because of the serrated edges.
Price at time of publish: $35
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Length: 8 inches | Blade Material: German stainless steel | Handle Material: Pakkawood | Blade Edge: Serrated | Care: Hand-wash
The Messermeister Avanta Carving Set is durable, more affordable than others, and will tackle most cuts of meat with ease. If your main mission is carving the Thanksgiving turkey and you're willing to spend a little more, we recommend the Wüsthof Classic Two-Piece Carving Set.
How We Tested
After thorough research, we sent these top-rated carving knives to our at-home tester, who rated them on design, size, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. She tested each knife or knife set by slicing turkey and also evaluated their ability to slice other cuts of meat. Then, she provided additional insights into each knife's strengths and weaknesses so we could determine which carving tool stands out in a variety of categories.
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
What to Look for in Carving Knives
Handle and Grip
When it comes to grip comfort, this is mostly up to personal preference. It’s always helpful to hold the knife in your hand to get a better idea of how it feels, if the grip feels natural, and if the size and weight works well with your hand size. You want something that is easy and comfortable to hold onto so that it doesn’t slip out of your (likely greasy) hands while you’re carving a large piece of meat.
"When using a carving knife, always allow the carving knife blade shape to work for you," says Matt Matsushima, Director of Operations at Shun Cutlery. "There is typically a slight recurve to the cutting edge, and this is to help carving on contoured surfaces, like a turkey breast, as well as around round joints and bones. The blade tip is also usually very upswept, which allows for detailed slicing in tight areas with the tip of the blade, without digging into the meat. The most important step in selecting any piece of cutlery is to make sure it feels right to you in your hand.”
Size
Carving knives typically range from 8 to 14 inches in length, and the ideal length largely depends on personal preference. The smaller and shorter the blade, the more control you’ll have, but a longer blade is oftentimes more adept at making longer cuts and getting into harder-to-reach places. A longer blade also helps avoid any sawing-like motions, which can damage the meat.
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Blade Design
According to Matsushima, what makes a carving knife blade different from that of a chef’s knife is that “the narrow blade width on a carving knife...causes less drag when slicing thick portions. The pronounced tip sweep makes the blade shape very different from a chef's knife."
“If you carve a lot of turkey, blade length and tip sweep may be more important than if you are frequently carving whole chickens," he says. "Besides the recurve and upsweep of the tip, blade thickness and blade rigidity are important if you are going to be using it on other proteins.” Always consider the types of protein that you’ll be carving before purchasing a new knife.
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Granton Edge
You may notice that some carving knives have Grantons along the blade, similar to what you might see on a santoku knife. These small dimples are helpful when slicing meat because they help the meat to pull away from the blade as you’re slicing. The dimples cut down on any resistance and make it much easier to slice through the protein.
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
FAQs
Are carving knives serrated?
Generally speaking, carving knives are not serrated because the jagged edges can be rough on tender cuts of meat. Serrated blades make for ideal bread knives, not carving knives. Carving knife blades are toothless and typically straight or slightly curved. The long, pointed blade makes it easier to cut even slices and maneuver around bones or cartilage. Most of them also have a Granton edge to keep food from sticking to the blade as you carve or slice.
What is the difference between a slicing knife and a carving knife?
The term "carving" typically refers to breaking down the denser parts of the meat off the bone, while "slicing" refers to creating thinner, more uniform cuts of meat, but also fruits and vegetables. Carving knives and slicing knives both have long, thin, and narrow blades with straight edges. The most obvious difference between the two is in the knife's point; A carving knife tapers into a sharp tip that can be helpful for starting cuts, while a slicing knife usually has a rounded or blunted point, sometimes featuring a more flexible blade. Most of the time, however, carving knives and slicing knives are used interchangeably, so the difference is still up for debate.
How do you sharpen a carving knife?
Carving knives are sharpened like you would sharpen any chef’s knife. They should be regularly honed to keep the blade straight, and when the blade begins to dull, it should be sharpened on a whetstone until the blade is fresh and pointy. Keep in mind that a slicing or carving knife normally doesn't have to be sharpened as often as your chef's knife or other multipurpose knives since it's only being used for specific tasks (and, in some cases, only once a year at Thanksgiving)—unless you're someone who cooks or barbeques dense cuts of meat more 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 worked in restaurants and test kitchens. After researching different carving knives and their designs, she can help you find the best carving knife for all of your poultry and meat slicing needs. She also interviewed Matt Matsushima, Director of Operations for Shun Cutlery, for additional research and insight into carving knives.
Donna Currie, who has tested over 100 products for The Spruce Eats, personally tested all of the carving knives on this list. She also tested carving boards and mail order turkeys, so she knows how to stock your kitchen for Thanksgiving meals and much more.
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