TL;DR: The best knife for carving a turkey or a roast is a carving knife. They have long, thin blades, a pointed tip, and are razor-sharp to slice the meat away from the bone. The incredibly sharp blade also makes them effective for thinly slicing vegetables.

For as long as I can remember, I've loved meat. Chicken, pork, and steak are regulars at my table. If you like to serve whole poultry, roast beef, or ham, then you'll want to use a carving knife. For those who prefer boneless cuts of meat, you should look into a slicing knife – though a carving knife can handle those, too.

Picking out the best knife isn't just a matter of intuition or looks; there's a whole lexicon that goes along with knife making. But that's why we have Curated Kitchen Experts! All of our Experts can answer questions, make recommendations, compare brands, and go over proper care and maintenance. And as it's part of Curated's guarantee that you'll love whatever you buy from us, it's totally free!

How to Pick the Best Knife for the Job

While carving a roast, turkey, or duck isn't something that you do every day, it's important to have the right tool to do it properly. Carving a ham, roast beef, or turkey is a holiday tradition, and if you host – or have carving duty – then having the right knife will make a huge difference.

I recommend the unsurprisingly named carving knife to carve roasts. These knives have a long, narrow blade and pointed tip. The narrowness of the blade makes it easy to slice turkey breast or get into the joints of the thighs or wings. Having a pointed tip facilitates getting close to the bone to get all of the meat off and can make it easier to get into joints.

There are a few important factors to consider to make sure that you’re picking the best carving knife for:

Blade Length

Carving knives can range in size a fair amount, but most of your options will range from 8-inch to 10-inch.

• 8-inch: A knife this size is easier to handle, and works better on smaller roasts and chickens, as you have more precision.
• 9-inch: This is a nice compromise, as it gives you more length to deal with larger roasts or turkeys, but isn’t long enough to feel unwieldy or difficult to control.
• 10-inch: This size is more common in slicing knives, which have a thinner blade and rounded tip (though most manufacturers use the terms carving knife, slicing knife, and slicer interchangeably). A carving knife this length is best for large pieces of meat, turkeys, and legs of lamb.

Carving Set

A number of carving knives will come in what's called a carving set; all that means is that it’s a carving knife and carving fork set. You may be wondering: is a carving set better than buying a single carving knife? The answer is, unsurprisingly: it depends.

There are a few advantages to a carving knife set. As with most sets, purchasing them collectively will be less expensive than buying them individually. The knife and carving fork will also have matching handles, making them look coordinated. If you know that you like a particular handle material, it’s a good way to ensure comfort.

Blade Sharpness

One of the most important features of a carving knife is its sharp edge. While that may seem incredibly obvious – what good is a kitchen knife with a dull edge? – for cutting knives, it's essential. Cutting meat effectively requires a sharp edge, which is why a knife that's expected to be used for meat should be sharpened to a finer edge than one that's just for vegetables (in most cases).

Carving knives need to remove meat from a poultry carcass or a bone. Slicing through the meat without applying pressure prevents it from tearing, so you get clean cuts. This is important for presentation and so that the knife won't slip when you're using it, potentially causing injury.

Top Recommended Knives for Carving Roasts

If you’re looking for the perfect carving knife for the Thanksgiving turkey, I've compiled a list of my top picks for carving knives and carving sets.

1. Zwilling Pro Carving Knife

Made in Germany from high-carbon steel, this knife has a classic design that allows it to fit into any kitchen. The synthetic handle and Zwilling’s special steel blend make it dishwasher safe, though handwashing it will preserve the edge for longer.

The 8-inch blade is large enough to handle most any turkey or roast, though there is a 10-inch option if you feel like you need more blade. This forged knife also has a full tang to ensure durability and good balance and a bolster to help with a sure grip.

2. WÜSTHOF Classic Carving Knife, Hollow Edge

This knife is made in Solingen, Germany, which is known to be one of the knife capitals of the world. The scalloped edge makes it so that meat won’t stick to the knife as you’re slicing, and the pointed tip gives you the ability to easily separate meat from bone.

The stainless steel blade and synthetic handle means that it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, though that will tarnish the blade and dull the knife more quickly than hand washing. It also comes with a white handle if that suits your fancy.

3. Shun Classic Carving Knife Set

Shun makes high-quality Japanese-style knives in Seki, Japan. This carving set includes a 9-inch carving knife and a carving fork with matching ebony pakkawood handles. The knife is sharpened at 16 degrees, allowing for more precision for thin, even slices.

The pointed tip makes it easy to guide the meat away from bones, and the Granton edge creates air pockets that prevent the meat from sticking to the knife. The knife isn't dishwasher safe, and it should be dried immediately after washing.

4. Global Forged Carving Knife

This knife is drop forged, which is a mix between standard forging and stamping. That makes it sturdier than a stamped knife and less expensive than a standard forged knife, giving it some of the benefits of both. Global makes its knives all from one piece of steel and then fits them with their distinctive metal handle. The handle is weighted with sand to make sure that the balance is perfect.

The 8.75-inch length ensures it'll be large enough to handle most any turkey or roast without being difficult to handle. It has a full tang, is manufactured in Japan, and has an HRC rating of 57, so it can hold an edge well.

5. Cangshan TC Series Carving Knife

Cangshan is a relatively new American knife manufacturer, so not everyone has heard of them. They manufacture their knives in China with Swedish steel, and prioritize high-quality knives at an affordable price. This carving knife has a tapered tang, which means that it gets thinner as it moves towards the end of the handle. That does have the benefit of making the knife lighter, but this type of tang isn’t as durable as a normal full tang.

The knife has a sleek profile with a raked handle. The divots on the blade make it so that what you’re slicing will fall away from the blade rather than sticking, and the pointed tip aids in maneuvering around bones.

6. Shun Premier Carving Set

If the Shun Classic set didn’t have enough pizzazz for you, then the Premier carving set is a good way to go. It comes with a 9.5-inch carving knife and carving fork, making the blade large enough to deal with any poultry or roast. It’s sharpened at a 16 degree angle on both sides, making it easy to turn carving a turkey into a presentation.

The set comes in a box, making it a wonderful gift – so long as you don’t mind spending money. The pakkawood handles have an elegant walnut finish and the hand hammered blade has the dual benefit of being gorgeous and preventing food from sticking to it as you slice.

7. Kramer By Zwilling Euroline Damascus Collection Carving Knife

Zwilling went all out with this knife collection. The blade is made from a 100-layer Damascus steel with a chevron pattern, making it a stunning addition to any collection. The micarta handle is comfortable and easy to care for, with a wood grain design to lend the knife elegance. The full tang balances the blade and ensures it’ll last for decades.

All that aside, this isn’t a knife for everyone. It’s the most expensive item on this list, with a higher sticker price than even the carving sets. While it’s an extremely well-made knife, it’s really only for those who are willing to spend extra money on craftsmanship and beauty.

Find the Right Knife for Carving Turkeys or Large Roasts for You

There’s more to finding a knife than just making sure it’s sharp. You also want an ergonomic handle, durable construction, and a good price. If you need any help with your search, start a free chat with a Curated Kitchen Expert! All of our Experts are knowledgeable in terminology, different handle materials, and what makes a good knife.