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10 Best Boning Knives 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Mercer Culinary M23850 Millennia Black Handle, 6-Inch Flexible, Boning Knife

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,368
Blade Material
Blade Flexibility
Handle Material

Most important from
44236 reviews

Blade Material
Its blade holds a sharp edge well and can be maintained effectively with regular sharpening.
Blade Flexibility
The blade's flexibility allows precise maneuvering around delicate cuts like chicken, fish, and ham.
Handle Material
The handle offers a secure, comfortable grip thanks to its textured finger points, enhancing control and safety.
Weight and Balance
The knife is impressively lightweight and cuts smoothly, making it easy to handle even during extended use.

The Mercer Culinary M23850 Millennia boning knife offers a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable tool to separate meat from bones. Its 6-inch blade is crafted from high-carbon stainless steel, which means it holds a sharp edge well and is easy to maintain. The blade is flexible enough to maneuver around delicate cuts like chicken, fish, or ham, making it versatile for various deboning tasks. The handle is made from Santoprene, featuring textured finger points to provide a comfortable, non-slip grip—important for safety and precision when working with slippery meats.

At just 4.2 ounces, this knife is lightweight, which helps reduce hand fatigue, and its balance feels well thought out for controlled cutting. However, the blade is stamped rather than forged, which might affect long-term durability compared to higher-end forged knives. Also, it requires hand washing and should never be put in the dishwasher, which adds a bit of extra care.

Designed to meet professional standards, this knife is also suitable for home cooks looking for a dependable boning knife without a steep price. If you want a flexible, sharp, and comfortable knife for regular kitchen use, this Mercer model fits the bill, though users seeking premium build quality might want to explore forged options.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,368
Blade Material
Blade Flexibility
Handle Material

Most important from
44236 reviews

Blade Material
Its blade holds a sharp edge well and can be maintained effectively with regular sharpening.
Blade Flexibility
The blade's flexibility allows precise maneuvering around delicate cuts like chicken, fish, and ham.
Handle Material
The handle offers a secure, comfortable grip thanks to its textured finger points, enhancing control and safety.
Weight and Balance
The knife is impressively lightweight and cuts smoothly, making it easy to handle even during extended use.
#2

Mercer Culinary M23820 Millennia Black Handle, 6-Inch Curved, Boning Knife

Rating
8.5
Blade Material
Blade Flexibility
Handle Material

Most important from
44237 reviews

Blade Material
Arrived razor sharp and outperformed legacy carbon steel boning knives in almost every way.
Blade Flexibility
The balance of flex and strength makes it ideal for breaking down whole chickens and trimming various meats.
Handle Material
The ample handle provides excellent ergonomics, making it both strong and precise.
Blade Shape
The knife's extremely fine tip is perfect for getting underneath silverskin and hard fat, peeling them away with ease.
Weight and Balance
Nice quality knife with a very sharp edge that slices meat with ease and feels good in the hand.

The Mercer Culinary M23820 Millennia Boning Knife is designed for both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts, making it a strong contender in the boning knife category. One of its key strengths is the high-carbon Japanese steel blade, which offers excellent sharpness and easy edge maintenance. With a 6-inch curved blade, it’s ideal for separating meat from bones and trimming fat, making it versatile for various meats like chicken, ham, and fish.

The ergonomic handle made of Santoprene is another highlight. It features textured finger points that provide a non-slip grip, which enhances comfort and safety during use. Weighing just 3.52 ounces, this knife is lightweight, allowing for better maneuverability while boning.

It is important to note that this knife requires hand washing and cannot be placed in the dishwasher, which may be less convenient for some users. Additionally, while the 6-inch blade length is suitable for most tasks, those looking for longer blades may find it limiting. The Mercer Culinary boning knife excels in sharpness, ease of use, and ergonomic design, appealing to anyone who regularly prepares meat.

Rating
8.5
Blade Material
Blade Flexibility
Handle Material

Most important from
44237 reviews

Blade Material
Arrived razor sharp and outperformed legacy carbon steel boning knives in almost every way.
Blade Flexibility
The balance of flex and strength makes it ideal for breaking down whole chickens and trimming various meats.
Handle Material
The ample handle provides excellent ergonomics, making it both strong and precise.
Blade Shape
The knife's extremely fine tip is perfect for getting underneath silverskin and hard fat, peeling them away with ease.
Weight and Balance
Nice quality knife with a very sharp edge that slices meat with ease and feels good in the hand.
#3

Dalstrong Slicing Carving Knife 12 inch + Boning Knife 6 inch - Shogun Series ELITE - Japanese AUS-10V Super Steel - G10 Handle - Fillet Kitchen Cooking Knife - Sheaths Inlcuded

Rating
8.2
Blade Material
Weight and Balance
Handle Material

Most important from
1775 reviews

Blade Material
The knife delivers exceptional sharpness, surpassing even razor-sharp standards for incredibly thin, precise cuts.
Weight and Balance
Outstanding build quality and heft give the knife a solid, well-made feel that enhances control and confidence.
Handle Material
The ergonomic design makes handling effortless, allowing smooth slicing whether carving meat or prepping vegetables.

The Dalstrong Shogun Series set includes a 12-inch slicing carving knife and a 6-inch boning knife designed to handle detailed tasks like carving roasts and breaking down poultry or fish. The blades are made from high-quality Japanese AUS-10V super steel, known for sharpness and durability, with a hard 62+ Rockwell rating that helps the knives stay sharp longer. The 6-inch boning knife offers a good length for precise trimming and filleting, featuring a plain and finely sharpened edge ideal for smooth cuts without tearing.

One standout feature is the G10 handle, which is strong, water-resistant, and ergonomically shaped for comfort and better grip. The knives have full tang construction for balance and strength, providing good control during use. The set also comes with protective sheaths, making storage and transport safe and easy. Weighing 2.55 pounds total, the knives might feel a bit heavy to some users, which could affect comfort during prolonged use.

This set fits well for serious home cooks and BBQ enthusiasts who want precise, high-performance tools, though beginners might need some practice to handle the sharpness and weight confidently. The lifetime warranty and positive reviews emphasize the product's quality and reliability.

Rating
8.2
Blade Material
Weight and Balance
Handle Material

Most important from
1775 reviews

Blade Material
The knife delivers exceptional sharpness, surpassing even razor-sharp standards for incredibly thin, precise cuts.
Weight and Balance
Outstanding build quality and heft give the knife a solid, well-made feel that enhances control and confidence.
Handle Material
The ergonomic design makes handling effortless, allowing smooth slicing whether carving meat or prepping vegetables.

Buying Guide for the Best Boning Knives

Choosing the right boning knife can make a significant difference in your kitchen experience, especially if you frequently prepare meat, poultry, or fish. A boning knife is specifically designed to remove bones from meat, and its unique features make it more efficient for this task compared to other types of knives. When selecting a boning knife, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Here are the key specs to look out for and how to navigate them.
Blade MaterialThe blade material of a boning knife is crucial as it affects the knife's sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. Common materials include stainless steel, high-carbon steel, and ceramic. Stainless steel is resistant to rust and easy to maintain, making it a good all-around choice. High-carbon steel is extremely sharp and holds its edge well but requires more maintenance to prevent rust. Ceramic blades are very sharp and lightweight but can be brittle and prone to chipping. Choose a material based on your willingness to maintain the knife and your preference for sharpness and durability.
Blade FlexibilityBlade flexibility refers to how much the blade can bend without breaking. This is important because a more flexible blade can navigate around bones and joints more easily, making it ideal for poultry and fish. Stiffer blades are better for tougher meats like beef and pork. If you primarily work with delicate meats, opt for a more flexible blade. For general use or tougher meats, a stiffer blade will provide better control and strength.
Blade LengthBoning knives typically range from 5 to 7 inches in length. The length of the blade affects how maneuverable the knife is and how much control you have. Shorter blades (around 5 inches) offer more precision and are easier to handle, making them suitable for smaller cuts of meat and intricate work. Longer blades (6-7 inches) are better for larger cuts and provide more leverage. Consider the types of meat you usually work with and choose a blade length that matches your needs.
Handle MaterialThe handle material affects the comfort, grip, and durability of the knife. Common handle materials include wood, plastic, and composite. Wooden handles offer a traditional feel and good grip but require more maintenance to prevent damage from moisture. Plastic handles are durable, easy to clean, and often have ergonomic designs for comfort. Composite handles combine the best of both worlds, offering durability and a good grip. Choose a handle material that feels comfortable in your hand and suits your maintenance preferences.
Blade ShapeThe shape of the blade can influence how well the knife performs specific tasks. Curved blades are excellent for making precise cuts and working around bones, while straight blades provide more power for cutting through tougher sections. If you need a knife for detailed work and maneuvering around bones, a curved blade is ideal. For more general use and cutting through larger sections of meat, a straight blade may be more suitable.
Weight and BalanceThe weight and balance of a boning knife affect how comfortable it is to use over extended periods. A well-balanced knife will feel comfortable and natural in your hand, reducing fatigue. Heavier knives can provide more cutting power, while lighter knives offer more control and precision. Consider your own strength and comfort preferences when choosing the weight and balance of your knife. Holding the knife in your hand before purchasing can help you determine if it feels right for you.

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