The Best Carving Knife - 2021
We looked at the top 11 Carving Knives and dug through the reviews from 83 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Carving Knives.
Why Trust The DWYM Score?
DWYM is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to.Learn more.
Our Picks For The Top Carving Knives
- The Best Carving Knife
- 1. MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife
- 2. Cutluxe Forged High Carbon German Steel Carving Knife
- 3. Dalstrong Quantum 1 Series High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife
- 4. Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer
- 5. DALSTRONG Slicing & Carving Knife
- 6. Victorinox Swiss Army Carving & Slicing Knife
- 7. Mercer Culinary Forged Carving Knife
- 8. Jerky.com Meat Cutting Knife
- 9. KUMA Chef Knife
- 10. PAUDIN Slicing Carving Knife
- 11. TUO Carving Knife
Best for Everyday UseIf you're looking for a knife that can tackle every type of food, consider this carving knife.
Ergonomic HandleSince this carving knife arrives in an elegant gift box, it's ideal for housewarming, wedding and Christmas gift giving.
Solid CraftsmanshipThis carving knife comes with a protective sheath to prevent accidental cuts when storing the knife in a utility drawer.
Best for SafetyThe slip-resistant handle and protective finger guard on this carving knife will keep you safe while you're preparing food.
Why we recommend these carving knives?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 11 Carving Knives and also dug through the reviews from 83 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Carving Knives.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife
Our Take
The versatility of this carving knife makes it popular with those looking for an everyday knife. You can easily slice through everything from large cuts of meat to fruits and vegetables. The ergonomic handle keeps you both comfortable and safe while you prepare food.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Overall Product Rankings
3. Dalstrong Quantum 1 Series High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife
Our Carving Knife Findings
MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife
What We Liked: The versatility of this carving knife makes it popular with those looking for an everyday knife. You can easily slice through everything from large cuts of meat to fruits and vegetables. The ergonomic handle keeps you both comfortable and safe while you prepare food.
Cutluxe Forged High Carbon German Steel Carving Knife
What We Liked: Slicing a brisket or Thanksgiving turkey is no problem for this high-quality carving knife. It’s constructed from a durable high-carbon German steel and then hand sharpened along the edge at 14 to 16 degrees per side. The handle is made out of pakkawood, so you can count on it being sturdy and reliable for a long time to come.
Dalstrong Quantum 1 Series High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife
What We Liked: You won’t need strong arm muscles to use this carving knife, as it effortless cuts through even the toughest meats. The knife is constructed from an ultra-premium hyper-steel that won’t bend, rust or retain odors. The G10-carbon fibre hybrid handle is also designed to impress by providing an anti-slip grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer
What We Liked: Safety is top priority with this carving knife, which not only has a slip-resistant surface but also includes a finger guard. The Japanese steel blade is perfect for slicing your meats extra thin. You’ll also get a limited warranty and a blade that resists rust.
Victorinox Swiss Army Carving & Slicing Knife
What We Liked: Handling this carving knife is a breeze, as it’s ergonomic design not only provides a solid anti-slip grip, but also a comfortable hold that won’t leave your wrists feeling fatigued. The blade is a nice 12-inches and comes with a rounded tip for easier meat separation. After using the carving knife, all you need to do is toss it in the dishwasher for easy clean up.
Our Expert Consultant
Culinary Expert
Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.
Our Carving Knife Buying Guide
If you spend any time at all in the kitchen, you know the value of a good carving knife. A good blade means every cut will be precise and effective. A bad blade forces you to saw your way through the items you’re preparing, which can be both time-consuming and dangerous. Although you can sharpen a dull blade, some blades sharpen more easily than others, and some simply don’t need to be sharpened quite as often.
What is the difference between a carver and a slicer? According to our expert Julie Chernoff, the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine, the not-so-simple answer is that the terms are virtually interchangeable in the industry. “They both have long, thin, narrow blades with pointy tips. Unlike the thicker chef’s knife blade, the thin knife has less resistance when cutting back and forth through the meat,” Chernoff says. “That’s important for a carving — or slicing, depending on the manufacturer — knife, because you want the consistency of even, thin slices of meat.”
There are quite a few things to consider when you’re in the market for a new carving knife. One is the material used to make the blade. You’ll find many top blades feature stainless-steel construction, which tends to hold its sharpness longer than other types of blades. However, stainless steel is tougher to sharpen when you do get to the point where you have to give it a refresh. Another type of blade is made from high carbon, which is easier to sharpen. The tradeoff on that, though, is that it needs sharpening more often.
When your knife isn’t in use, you’ll need to be able to safely store it. Some knives come with sheath guards, which are available in a variety of builds. But even if your chosen knife doesn’t come with one, you can buy it separately. Make sure the knife you select has a cover available unless you have other plans to store it.
Ergonomics are also important when you’re choosing a knife. It can be easy to spend most of your time researching the blade itself, but the handle is important, as well. Look for a knife with a handle that you can grip comfortably for the time it will typically take to prepare food. If it has an anti-slip grip, it’s especially valuable. A well-designed knife handle not only makes the process more enjoyable for you, but it also helps keep you safe.
DWYM Fun Fact
You may go for a sharp knife for the convenience of it, but there are many other benefits to a blade that easily slices through your food. Dull knives can damage the food you’re cutting, getting in the way of the taste and texture of the final product. You’ll also find that cutting onions is even less pleasant with a dull knife. With the right set of sharpening equipment, you can keep your blades at peak performance, but it will also help you customize your blade to the exact angle that works best for you as a chef. Over time, you’ll learn more about the blade design that you prefer, and you’ll build a sharpening routine that ensures you have it.
The Carving Knife Tips and Advice
- The build of your carving knife will determine how it performs. Stainless steel knives, like the MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife and the Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer, resist rust even when you don’t allow them to fully dry before putting them away.
- The Dalstrong Quantum 1 High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife is made from Japanese high-carbon steel to keep stains at bay and hold up through years of use.
- The Dalstrong Quantum 1 High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife is cooled using precise cryogenic tempering with liquid nitrogen to strengthen it.
- Blade sharpness factors heavily into how well your knife performs. The ultra-sharp blade on the MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife allows it to slice right through a wide variety of meats. It’s also a long blade, which is perfect for large cuts of meat like roasts.
- The Dalstrong Quantum 1 High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife has a scalpel-like edge to ensure the blade retains its sharpness through many cuts.
- The Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer has a Japanese steel blade designed for making thin cuts of meat. If accuracy is a goal, this is the perfect knife, as its 17-degree bevel promotes thin, straight lines.
- There are knives that are specifically designed for those making homemade beef jerky, which means they come with a uniquely dimpled blade. Although you can execute other cuts using this knife, if you don’t make homemade beef jerky, this might be one to skip.
- The last thing you need when you’re preparing a meal is a knife with a handle that starts rubbing your hand the wrong way. The ergonomic handle of the MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife balances your weight as you cut to keep you both safe and comfortable. The Dalstrong Quantum 1 High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife also has an ergonomic handle shape, as does the Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer. The Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicer also builds in slip resistance and a protective finger guard for an additional layer of safety.
- Before you buy, make sure your chosen knife will be able to tackle all the food types you plan to make. The MAIRICO Stainless Steel Carving Knife will probably be the most useful for everyday use. The 11-inch blade can handle turkey and chicken, as well as pork loins, brisket, vegetables and fruits. The Dalstrong Quantum 1 High-Carbon Steel Carving Knife is also versatile, handling roasts, barbecue and salmon as well as fruits and vegetables.
- Although it’s generally advised to hand wash your knives, some can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Keep in mind that even though these knives can be placed in the dishwasher, the life of the steel itself is shortened by doing so.
About The Author
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and professional writer. She's also a foodie who loves trying out new cooking techniques and tools. She is addicted to meal preparation kits and regularly shares photos on social media of her creations. Her favorite thing about traveling is trying out new restaurants and tasting different cuisines.