Not everyone needs Thanksgiving as an excuse to roast a good turkey. If you carve fowl on even a semi-regular basis, you’ll need a good carving knife to get the job done. On this page, we’ll be exploring the 7 best knives for carving a turkey in 2023.
We’ve gone on a carving knife deep dive, exploring price, performance, balance, durability, sharpness retention and so much more to bring you the list below.
Top 7 Knives for Carving a Turkey
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What Kind of Knife to Use to Carve a Turkey
Just in case there’s any confusion, the right knife to use when carving a turkey is a good general purpose carving knife. We explore some excellent options below. In brief, a good carving knife has the following characteristics:
- 🔪 Long, narrow blade.
- 🔪 Usually between 8 and 12 inches long.
- 🔪 Usually has a sharp pointed tip.
- 🔪 Some flexibility for getting around bones, etc.
- 🔪 Thinner than some other knives in your arsenal.
- 🔪 A good balance of weight across the handle and blade.
- 🔪 A comfortable, ergonomic handle.
Further reading: 5 Best Carving Knives – 2023 Reviews
1. HENCKELS Forged Synergy Carving Knife 8-inch – Editor’s Choice
Our editor’s top pick for the best overall knife for carving a turkey.
HENCKELS Forged Synergy Carving Knife 8-inch Specifications:
Anyone who wants an excellent carving knife at a reasonable price. A superb all-rounder carving knife. |
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About the knife
We absolutely love this 8-inch carving knife from Henckels. It’s perfect for carving a turkey or similar cooked meats. The satin-finished blade and single-piece construction go a long way in making this a product with enduringly high performance.
Expect sharp, precise cuts on day one, and on day 999. The single-piece design also helps the balance of this knife – it’s remarkably comfortable in the hand. The 55-58 HRC of this product’s blade offers the perfect amount of flexibility without sacrificing too much on sharpness.
At comfortably less than $70, the price-to-performance ratio on offer here is hard to ignore.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This carving knife is rated as dishwasher safe for those times when you really can’t be bothered to hand wash. That said, it’s best to wash manually and dry immediately whenever possible.
For sharpening guidance, click the manufacturer’s link here.
Pros:
- 🔪 Single-piece construction.
- 🔪 Satin-finished blade.
- 🔪 Great flexibility.
- 🔪 Very comfortable.
- 🔪 Excellent price-to-performance ratio.
Cons:
- 🔪 Requires regular sharpening.
- 🔪 A touch short for some.
2. HENCKELS Classic Carving Knife 8-inch
A razor-sharp option backed by 100+ years of German mastery.
HENCKELS Classic Carving Knife 8-inch Specifications
About the knife
Another great option from Henckels, is this 8-inch carving knife can usually be picked up for under $100. The difference between this knife VS its sister listed above is that it features a slightly higher HRC of 58. At this HRC level, you’ll have enough flex to carve most fowl, including turkey. A huge bonus is that you’ll also benefit from improved sharpness and sharpness retention.
Add these to this product’s excellent balance and comfort in the hand and you’re looking at a seriously compelling deal. Anyone looking to carve a turkey should consider this knife.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This knife can be safely washed in a dishwasher. However, hand washing will always deliver the best results in terms of durability, sharpness retention, and protection from rust. Sharpen your knife using a honing rod or sharpening stone.
Pros:
- 🔪 Optimal HRC of 58 (for a carving knife).
- 🔪 Fully forged construction.
- 🔪 Great for ham, turkey, and general roasts.
- 🔪 Very well balanced.
Cons:
- 🔪 Could be longer.
- 🔪 May need sharpening on arrival.
3. PAUDIN Carving Knife Set 8″
A fantastic option for carving turkey – fork included.
PAUDIN Carving Knife Set 8″ Specifications
About the knife
Paudin got a lot of things right here. The comfortable handle, overall balance, sub-$70 asking price, and included carving fork all help to make this an excellent option for those looking to carve a turkey. We think it’s especially good for beginners but will also work well in a more experienced pair of hands.
The 58+ HRC should deliver great sharpness retention and reasonable flexibility. The high-carbon stainless steel blade will be better than most at maintaining its edge. This seems to be a pretty durable knife which is great to see – the full-tang design certainly helps in this regard.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Paudin has rated this knife as dishwasher safe but also recommends against using your dishwasher for this carving knife too frequently. Hand wash with gentle soaps and temperatures and dry immediately for best results.
Use a sharpening stone for this knife at an angle between 10 and 20 degrees. Guidance from Paudin can be found here.
Pros:
- 🔪 Dishwasher safe.
- 🔪 Included carving fork.
- 🔪 58+ HRC.
- 🔪 Well balanced overall.
Cons:
- 🔪 12-inch option doesn’t come with a fork.
- 🔪 May arrive dull.
4. DALSTRONG Carving Knife & Fork Set – Shogun Series – Damascus 9″
A “ruthlessly sharp” carving knife that’s absolutely gorgeous.
DALSTRONG Carving Knife & Fork Set – Shogun Series – Damascus 9″ Specifications
About the knife
This $150 carving knife from Dalstrong is absolutely beautiful, but don’t go thinking that it’s just a showy gimmick. The 62+ HRC on offer here delivers exceptional sharpness and sharpness retention. Add this to the full-tang, forged design, and you’ve got a knife that’s durable, razor sharp, and in need of far fewer sharpening sessions.
Just keep in mind that you’ll have a little less flexibility to work with here when carving your turkey. If you prioritize sharpness and don’t need the flex, go with this one.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This knife is not dishwasher safe. Hand wash with warm soapy water and dry immediately for best results. Check out Dalstrong’s sharpening guidance.
Pros:
- 🔪 Phenomenal sharpness and sharpness retention.
- 🔪 Absolutely beautiful.
- 🔪 Great durability.
- 🔪 Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- 🔪 Not quite as flexible.
- 🔪 Not our cheapest option.
5. Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Knife and Fork Set
A beautiful Pakkawood option, also with an included fork.
Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Knife and Fork Set Specifications
About the knife
Messermeister produces knives that are phenomenal in our opinion. Priced between $50 and $70, this German-designed carving knife is no exception. It features a kullenschliff edge with slightly oval depressions for a razor-sharp slice that doesn’t “cling on” to the turkey that you’re carving.
Overall, we love the balance and comfortable feel of this carving knife. The full-tang, forged construction offers much better durability than you may be expecting at this price point. We think this knife is perfect for those more stubborn meats that can stick to your blade while slicing.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This knife is not dishwasher safe. Pakkawood will warp over time if washed in a dishwasher. From time to time, you might like to oil your handle with tung or mineral oil. Sharpen this carving knife with a honing rod or fine grit whetstone. The manufacturer also offers a sharpening program if you have a Messermeister collection.
Pros:
- 🔪 Oval depressions prevent meat from sticking.
- 🔪 Super-sharp kullenschliff edge.
- 🔪 Durable with a full-tang, forged construction.
- 🔪 Very affordable.
Cons:
- 🔪 Offers little in the way of flexibility.
- 🔪 Pakkawood takes a bit of maintenance.
6. Global G-313, Classic 2pc Carving Set
A carving fork and knife set that’s exceptionally well-balanced.
Kai Shun Pro Sho Deba VG-0003 Specifications
Those looking for premium performance and a fork that’s just as well-balanced as the knife. Hams, turkeys, roasts. |
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About the knife
We’re huge fans of this carving fork and knife set from Global. While the $170-$230 asking price might seem a bit rich when compared to the other options on this page, the performance on offer here is hard to argue with. The 56-58 HRC blade on this knife has been sharpened to perfection. It’s single-edged and offers a comfortable ratio of sharpness to flexibility.
The one-piece, forged design used for this product makes it very durable. Time after time, this carving knife won’t let you down. Both the knife and included fork are very well balanced and comfortable to hold. We think this option is perfect for those looking for their next “lifetime carving knife.”
Maintenance and Cleaning
It’s perfectly fine to wash this knife in the dishwasher, but you may notice that it dulls and degrades more quickly if you do so regularly. For best durability results, hand wash in warm soapy water and dry immediately. Use a honing rod, whetstone, or sharpening tool to keep this product in top condition.
Pros:
- 🔪 Very well-balanced.
- 🔪 Carving fork included.
- 🔪 Great durability.
- 🔪 Exceptional performance.
Cons:
- 🔪 Not cheap.
- 🔪 Not everyone will love the slightly curved blade.
7. Shun TDMS0200 Carving Set
And now, time for a carving knife and fork set that’s really quite something.
Shun TDMS0200 Carving Set Specifications
“Show-stopping” dinner parties that still need an excellent carving knife. |
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About the knife
Not everyone needs their turkey carving knife to be a showstopper, but this $320-$450 option from Shun certainly is. The handle is available in either a walnut color or Pakkawood. When combined with the double-bevel, forged blade, both look absolutely stunning.
This is the perfect carving knife for those special occasions – those nights where you really want to dazzle your guests. As for durability, the full-tang, fully forged design of this knife means it’s unlikely to slow down on you any time soon.
Last but certainly not least, the walnut color/ Pakkawood handle feels fantastic while you wield this exceptionally well-balanced tool. If you’ve got the budget, we strongly recommend this one.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Do not wash this knife in the dishwasher. Use light dish soap and moderate temperatures when hand washing. Treat your Pakkawood handle with tung or mineral oil from time to time. US customers can take advantage of Shun’s free sharpening service.
Pros:
- 🔪 Absolutely beautiful.
- 🔪 Includes carving fork.
- 🔪 Feels amazing in the hand.
- 🔪 Very durable with proper care.
Cons:
- 🔪 Pakkawood must be kept dry.
- 🔪 More brittle than some other options.
7 Best Knives for Carving a Turkey – Conclusion
We’ve tried our best to list the best knives for carving a turkey above. Before you pull the trigger and pick one up for yourself, it’s worth reflecting on the following:
- 🔪 Whether you want a curved or straight blade edge.
- 🔪 How much you’re willing to spend on a carving knife.
- 🔪 Whether a particular knife is covered by a warranty (see our tables).
- 🔪 How durable your knife will be.
- 🔪 How well your knife will maintain its edge.
- 🔪 How to look after your knife.
Use our guidance in the sections above to inform your decision. If you go with one of the options we’ve recommended, we’re confident you’ll love it just as much as we do!
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