Choosing and caring for your barbecue knives

Jason Webster
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If you host BBQ’s regularly, then you know that certain things are just good to have on hand. Your guests will appreciate having drinks, plates, napkins and some condiments on hand, but what about your BBQ tools?

I’m talking about utensils, spatulas, tongs, and yes, even knives. You’ll want a good set of quality tools for cooking and serving that will last well into the future.

For this post we rounded up our top five favorite BBQ knives and spatulas.

NameCategoryProduct
Dexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe WhiteBest OverallDexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe White
MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose ScissorsBudget PickMAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose Scissors
Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's KnifeUpgrade PickVictorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's Knife

1. Dexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe White

Our rating: 9 / 10

Dexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe White

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Pros:

  • Blade length: 6.38 inches
  • Blade thickness: .18 inches
  • Overall length: 8.75 inches
  • Weight: 0.6 pounds
  • Handle: plastic
  • Blade material: high carbon steel
  • Pocket Clip: No
  • Warranty: 10 years/No Breakage
  • Country of origin: USA
  • Model: S131F-6PCP

Cons:

  • You have to be extra careful when using the plastic handle.
  • You have to be extra careful when using the plastic handle.

If you are one of those people who love to host a lot of barbecues at home then you need a good set of kitchen knives. And if you are a meat lover, then you need a knife that is not only sharp, but also sturdy and durable.

One of the most important things to remember while shopping for a set of kitchen knives is that you get a product that is worth its price. And more importantly, the product you buy should not only last but also remain as good as new for several years.

2. Victorinox Swiss Army

Our rating: 9 / 10

Victorinox Swiss Army

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Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable handle
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Sturdy locking mechanism
  • Ergonomic design
  • Great blade

Cons:

  • Edge cannot be sharpened
  • Blade lacks locking mechanism
  • Blade coating eventually wears off
  • Plastic handle gets heated up after frequent use
  • Blade coating on larger models can eventually wear off

The Victorinox Swiss Army knife comes with high quality knife blades, locking skewers and can be used for almost all kitchen and household tasks. This particular model comes with a Fibrox pro slieing blade. It is 12-inch long and made from high carbon stainless steel. This blade is color coded so you can easily spot the blade type.

The black Fibrox handles are ergonomically designed to be comfortable even during prolonged use. This model can be used for both left-handed and right-handed people. The scissors have a 45-degree opening system and are extra sharp. The knife is lightwieght and can be easily stored in a pocket or attached to a belt.

3. Victorinox 10 Inch Swiss Classic Chef's Knife

Our rating: 9 / 10

Victorinox 10 Inch Swiss Classic Chef's Knife

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Pros:

  • Premium quality stainless steel blade
  • 100% made in Switzerland
  • BPA-free dark red handle
  • Non-slip finger guard
  • Rust-resistant
  • Hand-wash only
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to other brands
  • Victorinox's warranty service may not be available in certain country (e.g. some Asian countries and South America countries)

When it comes to quality knives, one thing comes to mind: Victorinox. The company has been producing quality knives for over 100 years now. While some people may find their prices a tad too steep, others know that it’s worth investing in a superior product.

So if you're looking for a very precise and high-quality knife that can cut through pretty much anything, this 10 inch blade knife should be on your list. With a stainless steel blade and non-slip finger guard, you can be sure this knife will hold up over time.

The blade is sharp out of the box, and can be used for a variety of different purposes whether you're chopping veggies, cutting steak, or slicing tomatoes. And even if you need to cut more meat, this knife will survive.

4. EXTRA LARGE Organic Bamboo Cutting Board

Our rating: 9 / 10

EXTRA LARGE Organic Bamboo Cutting Board

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Pros:

  • Convenient size
  • It is made by a reputable brand
  • It can serve you for many years
  • Its cuts are clean

Cons:

  • It is a bit heavier than the usual varieties of cutting boards

The Cutting board is a great addition to any kitchen, especially if it is one of the largest that you have had so far. It is made out of a combination of bamboo fibers and coconut shells, which gives it a natural look and top quality durability. The beveled border of the board and handles make it very practical to work with.

5. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's Knife

Our rating: 9 / 10

Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's Knife

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Pros:

  • Rosewood handle
  • High-carbon stainless steel
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Forged by hand in Switzerland

Cons:

  • Blades are duller out of box
  • The silver coating wears off easily
  • Fatter handle can be slippery

The Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef Knife has an extremely sharp, high-carbon stainless steel blade that allows you to cut through any food without much effort. The rosewood handle allows for a sturdy grip. The handle can be slippery when wet, so always make sure to hold it with a firm grip. It’s recommended to hand wash and hand dry the knife to prevent it from rusting.

The Victorinox Cutlerry Rosewood chef knife comes with a lifetime warranty so that you can buy with confidence. The blade has been forged by hand in Switzerland, so you know it’s been made with care. It’s one of the best-selling knives because it’s made with high-quality materials that come from generations of knife-making expertise, making it a solid choice that will last lifetime.

6. Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel

Our rating: 9 / 10

Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel

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Pros:

  • Combines 5 functions into one handy tool
  • Holds position on the board through magnets or friction
  • High strength magnet holds the steel in place
  • Sharpens, hones, stroping, and polishes your knives
  • Made of highly durable stainless steel

Cons:

  • Cannot be left wet
  • Needs occasional manual sharpening
  • Not suitable for serrated edges

The WinWare sharpening steel is a multitasking stainless steel tool that functions as baker, butcher, peeler, and cultivator. It features a long handle to reach the integral sharpening steel, a ricasso, a tapered point for peeling, and corrugations on the opposite end for cultivation.

The steel is hooked into a wooden stand, plastic, or steel board to hold it securely in place. A convenient magnet secures it to ferrous metal surfaces such as refrigerators, or buffing wheels mounted on a drill press.

7. MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose Scissors

Our rating: 9 / 10

MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose Scissors

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Pros:

  • Ultra sharp premium stainless steel
  • Mairico scissors cut through paper, plastic and even thin metal sheet
  • Heat resistant handles for easy gripping
  • Folds up neatly for easy storage and portability.

Cons:

  • Not dishwasher safe
  • Can scratch countertop

These quality kitchen scissors are perfect for home butchers who want to cut through bones, meat, or thin-skinned veggies without irritating the cut.

They can also be used for opening any kind of package as they have a very sharp tip that pierces objects easily.

Their design is also heat resistant so you can easily cut through heated food items without worrying about the handles getting too hot to handle. They're also good for use on non-heated items.

8. Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone-Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Water Stone-Sharpener and Polishing Tool

Our rating: 8 / 10

Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone-Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Water Stone-Sharpener and Polishing Tool

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Pros:

  • Sharpens any blade in seconds
  • Works on kitchen, hunting, sports utility and pocket knives
  • The perfect sharpening tool for all your pocket, kitchen, hunting and sports utility knives
  • The professional sharpener takes all the guess work away
  • A quick stroke on the fine grit side of this sharpener will help you maintain a sharp edge while a classic stroke through the coarser grit stone keeps your knife sharp
  • Knife sharpener and stropping for a sharp edge
  • Lubricates the edge of your knife
  • Made in the U.S.A

Whetstone has been making quality sharpening tools for generations and this is one of their latest creation.

This dual-grit whetstone has a fine grit side to sharpen your knife or other edged tools and a coarse side to refine the edge. It’s simple to use and does a great job sharpening your blades. It comes with complete instructions on how to do it correctly.

When you use this sharpening stone, just remember: the longer you keep the blade pressed against the stone, the sharper it will be. A helpful tip is to sharpen your knife regularly.

9. Lansky 2-Rod Turn Box Crock Stick Sharpener

Our rating: 6 / 10

Lansky 2-Rod Turn Box Crock Stick Sharpener

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Pros:

  • Improve sharpness/edge retention
  • Produce substantial/ling edge
  • Multi-use design
  • Portable & compact design

Cons:

  • Only two rods
  • Aluminum body

The Lansky 2-Rod Turn Box Crock Stick Sharpener is an amazing sharpening tool. This product is compact and simple to use.

The 2-Rod Sharpener set is created for hunters, fishermen, outdoorsmen, and survivalists. The Lansky 2-Rod is made out of a corrosion resistant aluminum and features a non-skid rubber feet.

10. Accdata Knife Sharpener

Our rating: 5 / 10

Accdata Knife Sharpener

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Pros:

  • 3 stage sharpening system restores your blades
  • Includes a rugged case that safely stores your sharpening tools
  • 100% lifetime warranty on all sharpening attachments
  • Made in the U.S.A

Cons:

  • Doesn’t include mounting hardware
  • Some reviewers have complained that the Lansky sharpener level 5 protection glove is too small for larger hands

The Accdata Knife Sharpener is an excellent sharpener that will have your kitchen knives slicing like new in no time. It’s easy to use and comes with a lifetime guarantee for free replacement.

It has a patented 3-stage sharpening system that makes dull blades extremely sharp in minutes. This knife sharpener only uses water to sharpen your knives, and it includes a rugged case to ensure safety in transportation and storage.

The set includes 3 sharpeners:

  • Doesn’t include mounting hardware
  • Some reviewers have complained that the Lansky sharpener level 5 protection glove is too small for larger hands

11. Yosoo Safety Cut Resistant Butcher Glove

Our rating: 1 / 10

Yosoo Safety Cut Resistant Butcher Glove

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Pros:

  • Protects hands against cuts, punctures and abrasions
  • Made from heavy duty stainless steel with added fiberglass for incredible strength
  • Keep your hands safe and protected in an open or closed position
  • Three finger touch control remains sensitive to touch
  • Ergonomic design ensures close fit and freedom of movement
  • Lightweight and portable

The Yosoo safety cut resist butcher glove is a super-effective meat safety glove that can provide your hands with protection from any sharp or splintering tools and utensils when preparing meals at home or in the kitchen.

It is made from heavy-duty stainless steel mesh which is not only incredibly strong but also very lightweight and flexible.

The steel mesh glove for butchering is completely resistant to cuts, punctures, and abrasions yet the material is thin enough to ensure your hands can still feel and use tools freely inside; while still keeping them safe from sharp objects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What knives do I need for BBQ?

Not just any kitchen knife will suit a grill master. For the most part, you’ll need 4 knives; a good chef knife , a bbq spatula , a carving knife , and a paring knife .

A chef knife, often referred to as the workhorse of the kitchen, is the best choice for carving, chopping, and slicing meats. Usually 8 to 10 inches long, a chef knife is perfect for backyard bbq-ing.

A barbecue spatula is a must have. With a strong construction and a firm handle, a spatula will remain strong and durable. The corners are designed not to leave any metal exposed which means they’re safer on the grill. A spatula with a myriad of options is a great idea because it allows you to incorporate a grill scraping tool and scraper into one.

What is the best knife for trimming meat?

Most chefs and butchers agree that the best knife for trimming meat is a boning knife. It will allow you to trim off excess fat and gristle without causing harm to the meat underneath. The knife has a curved blade that's ideal for cutting along meat's natural grain.

Things to look for include a width of 3 inches or less, and a blade that's about 6 to 10 inches long. A curved tip blade is also ideal for cutting and trimming all parts of beef. The thicker the tip, the deeper the blade can plunge, which is ideal for lifting the cuts of beef you want to trim off.

Also, you should look for a short to medium length blade, with a thick and wide heel. This will give you better balance and control when cutting the meat.

Which knives do you really need?

What brand of knives do professional chefs use?

Professional chefs and barbecue masters use Victorinox knives. These are lightweight and are constructed to be comfortable to handle. Because of their superior design and quality, choosing other designs over Victorinox will prove to be futile.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing your knives, here are just a few tips to keep in mind:

The first rule is to never cut on a plate. In fact, try and get a cutting board.

If you are using a cutting board, make sure you are cutting on a smooth surface.

Another great tip is to keep a small container near your cutting board. This way, you can place the scraps inside of it. There’s nothing worse than walking over to the trash can and cutting your toe.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
Dexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe WhiteBest OverallDexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe White
MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose ScissorsBudget PickMAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi Purpose Scissors
Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's KnifeUpgrade PickVictorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Rosewood Chef's Knife