A lot of kitchen essentials are multifunctional. Just as you don’t need a different pot for each dish, a different knife isn’t necessary for every occasion. Usually, a chef’s knife, a small utility knife, and a serrated knife are enough to take care of all that slicing and dicing.
However, if you’re one for Sunday roasts or are someone who always serves turkey at Thanksgiving, then a more specialized cutting tool is required. A carving knife set allows you to produce even slices from the bone or the bird.
Carving knife sets are usually composed of a carving knife and a slicing fork. Accessories like a knife sharpener and bone saw or cutter can be included or purchased as an add-on.
Best Carving Knife Sets Comparison & Rating
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Want to Learn More?
Buying your first carving knife set online can be a bit daunting. Like other kitchen tools, there are just too many options out there. Well, your worries end here. We scoured Amazon for the best of what’s out there. Below are five of the best options out there, whether you want the basic knife and fork combo or want something a bit fancier. The pros and cons of each item on the list are detailed, so it would be easier for you to buy the right knife set for your specific needs. Also, don’t forget to click the yellow buttons below to get their best price on Amazon!
WÜSTHOF Classic Two-Piece Carving Set
The WÜSTHOF’S CLASSIC makes cutting a breeze. You don’t have to put a lot of pressure to get even, servable slices. The carving fork that comes with this set also feels really sturdy. The carving knife also feels well balanced and light. Finally, the hollow ground edge not only removes some of the heft but discourages whatever it is you’re cutting from sticking to the blade. Truly a carving set that will last for years and allow you to enjoy finely sliced pieces of steak.
Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood Two-Piece Kullenschliff Carving Knife and Fork Set
This carving knife set is very attractive to look at. The handles are smooth and comfortable to hold. The blade is made with food service steel and is quite stain resistant. The edge is sharp, although not uniformly. Still, nothing a few minutes with a sharpener won't fix. The tang and Pakkawood are beautifully smooth and flush, making the knife much more comfortable to grip and hold.
Henckels Statement Carving Set
The knife from this Statement Carving Set is as advertised. It is truly very sharp so you can expect that it will glide through meat like butter without you having to put in too much effort. It also has a nice weight. It’s the perfect size for most meat cutting jobs. Lastly, the fork has no curve to it so having leverage to hold meats in place is not as easy.
Saruma Three-Piece Set
Each piece (12" Carving knife, 6.5" boning knife, and Carving fork) boasts a sleek, minimalist look that will catch eyes and complement your other cooking utensils. The triple rivet and full-tang design further extend each piece’s quality and attractiveness. Last but not the least, the ergonomic knife handle is made with Super Hygienic molded polymer resin which is lightweight, sturdy, and gentle on your hands, yet it promises a firm grip to ensure precision when cutting.
Slitzer 3-piece European Style Carving Set
The Slitzer 3-piece European Style Carving Set makes for a beautiful under $20 gift for weddings and anniversaries. It makes a wonderful housewarming present too. Not only does it look great but really does the job. Carving that Thanksgiving turkey was never so easy with the Slitzer slicing knife. The knife has a good weight and feels comfortable when you’re using it. When you’re done you can wash over the sink, dry, and sharpen before placing back in its elegant box.
Carving Knife Sets Buyer's Guide
Choosing a knife with a solid build ensures you have a cutting tool that will not only last forever but will also live up to its potential. The choice of course depends on your preferences as well as usage. For example, if you plan on doing a lot of carving and slicing, you should go with a lower carbon content stainless steel to ensure the strength and durability of the knife will last.
Most quality knife makers offer a lifetime warranty with their knives because they are confident it will last forever. If it doesn’t, they will either fix the knife for you or replace it completely.
Carving and slicing knives should have a sheath so they can be stored properly and safely. A slicing fork and sharpening stone or steel are other must-haves.
Excellent edge retention goes without saying for every knife but more so with a slicing knife. The blade is usually very thin and similar to a fillet knife which makes the blade very flexible. This helps with cutting around the bone and on larger portions of meat.
The type of metal will affect price and performance. Stainless steel is the cheapest but requires regular sharpening. Carbon steel, on the other hand, is more expensive and easier to keep sharp.
FAQs
Carving knives are used for slicing and carving dense meats. Slicing knives are used for cutting thinner slices of roast, fruit and vegetables. All knives aren't used for cleaving meat bones or smaller precision tasks.
Using soap and a soft cloth or sponge start cleaning but make sure to keep the tip faces the other way. Also, mind the sharp edge of the blade. Wash the soap away and rinse the blade make sure the blade is dry before storing it away.
Hold your meat using a carving fork and start to slice from top to bottom carefully to avoid injury. The knife should not be facing you but face away from you. Avoid sideways movements with the knife so you don’t damage the edge. So make sure you pay attention to the fact that you only move up and down with the knife.
When cutting large pieces of roast meat, use a carving fork to hold your ham in place. Always start from the top to the middle. Then slice it across to ensure a thin slice of meat.
Use a knife guard or buy a knife magnet or knife block placed beside your wooden chopping block. Never store individual food prep knives in a kitchen drawer. They could bump into other hard objects that could leave you with burrs on the edge. In addition, it is probably not a good idea to blindly reach into a drawer that houses a sharp knife.