When it comes time to cut, it's nice to have many different knives and to know which knife to use in each instance. People come across a common piece of confusion when they contrast a slicing knife vs carving knife.

Slicing knives and carving knives come with a few similarities, but it’s useful to know the differences and familiarize yourself with their proper uses. It wouldn’t hurt to do a little bit of research before you go ahead and buy that carving or slicing knife for your thanksgiving turkey or your roast.

Using just one knife for all your slicing and your carving might seem to work, but it can compromise the taste and presentation of the food you make. A carving and slicing knife will be the extra touch you need to make your food extraordinary. If you aren't quite sure how to select the best slicing and carving knives, this page will be helpful.

Keep reading as we demystify slicing knives and carving knives.

What is a Slicing Knife?

A slicing knife is one of the knives you’ll need in your collection. A slicing knife is used for cutting thin slices of different types of meats, whether cooked or smoked. It can also work well for vegetables or slicing herbs, and even slicing bread. This type of knife is handy when cutting ultra-thin precise slices of boneless roasts or boneless meat. This versatility makes it similar to a chef’s knife (or kitchen knife).

A slicing knife has the length you need to cut uniform portions even with bigger cuts.

Blade

The blade length on a slicing knife is typically 8-12 inches long. A long blade gives you the space to maneuver and cut uniform slices without exerting too much pressure. Depending on the manufacturer, carving knives can either have a flexible blade or a rigid blade.

A flexible blade is usually favored when slicing dense meats or firmer meats like sausages. Rigid blades are a better option for more delicate meats with a more moist texture.

Build

The ultra-sharp long blade on slicing knives either has a rounded tip or a pointed tip. Most slicing knives have a Granton edge which comes in quite handy when it comes to lessening friction and preventing sticking. Slicing knives are typically made out of stainless steel, which can be high-carbon German steel, Japanese steel, or alloy steel.

What is a Carving Knife?

A carving knife is used for carving thin slices of meat, fruits, vegetables, and even pumpkins. They are highly versatile like a chef’s knife, which means it makes a great kitchen knife. Carving knives come in handy when you need to carve roasts or fillet large fish.

Blade

The ultra-sharp blade on a carving knife is typically 8-15 inches long, and the blade length helps with easy carving and maneuvering. Carving knives have narrow, thin blades that can be smooth or beveled.

The narrow blade on a carving knife can either be rigid or flexible, and it’s also useful for cutting thinner slices. When it comes to carving knives, a flexible blade works better for roasts, and a rigid blade is a better fit for poultry. The straight blade is usually made out of high carbon stainless steel, and it usually has a Granton edge.

Carving knives usually come with a carving fork. This knife and fork combo help you to keep the meat steady while slicing and carving, and it also promotes safety by removing the need to have your hand anywhere near the blade.

Build

Carving knives can be made out of either stamped blades or forged blades. The difference between stamped blades and forged blades is that stamped blades are made out of multiple pieces of stainless steel, and forged blades come from one uniform piece. Precision-forged blades are usually more durable than stamped stainless steel blades.

A carving knife usually has either a sharp point or a rounded tip. The shape of the blade is designed to carve close to the meat bones.

Slicing Knife vs. Carving Knife: Each of the Main Differences You Need to Know

These two kitchen knives are highly similar, and some believe either one of the two can do high jobs efficiently. They are also highly versatile, like the chef’s knives. There are notable differences between a slicing knife and a carving knife. Let’s talk about a couple of them.

Uses

Slicing and carving knives both have long blades, and they sometimes look similar, but the functions are different. A slicing knife’s main purpose is to slice thin & even slices of meat, and it works better on boneless meat.

Of course, you can do this with a chef’s knife or a carving knife, but there’s a distinct difference in the quality of slices that you will produce. A slicing knife also works for slicing thin slices of fruits and vegetables. Slicing knives also work for slicing herbs, and the best slicing knives usually have flexible blades.

Carving knives, on the other hand, are for slicing and carving denser meats. They usually come with a knife and fork combo to hold the meat in place safely while you cut from the same angle.

Carving knives are strictly for meat. Although you can also use a chef knife for meat, carving knives tend to give better results. Carving and cutting meat using a carving knife allows you to carve meats that contain more fat, such as turkey and flank steak, and you can easily maneuver around the bone in roasts.

Shape of the Blade

Carving knives have narrow blades that taper to a sharp point. This is to make it easier when cutting around meat bones. The blade is typically thin to allow for easy cutting around meat bones. A flexible blade is better for denser meats, and a rigid blade is better for more delicate meats.

On the other hand, slicing knives tend to have a blade with a uniform width with a rounded or a bullnose tip. The blade is also long to allow for clean cuts, and it can either be flexible or rigid.

Pros

• Scalloped blade pockets
• High-quality Japanese Steel
• Ultra-sharp 8-12 degree edges
• Very strong and durable

Cons

• A bit expensive

Now that we have talked about what a slicing knife is, let’s talk a little about the best slicing knife on the market. Our top choice is the CUTLUXE Shinobi Series 12-inch Slicing Knife

Blade Length: 4.9/5

The blade is made out of Japanese super steel. This high carbon stainless steel is engineered with strength in mind. Its performance is exceptional, and it has a Rockwell hardness that lands comfortably above 60. The blade is made out of 66 layers of vacuum-treated stainless steel for exceptional strength. The stainless steel material means high durability and high resistance to stains and corrosion.

Blade Material

The blade is made out of Japanese super steel. This high carbon stainless steel is engineered with strength in mind. Its performance is exceptional, and it has a Rockwell hardness that lands comfortably above 60. The blade is made out of 66 layers of vacuum-treated stainless steel for exceptional strength. The stainless steel material means high durability and high resistance to stains and corrosion.

Sharpness

The Cutluxe slicing knife has a straight blade with Granton edges, a rounded or pointed tip, and a hollow edge. The razor-sharp blade is sharpened to perfection by highly trained professionals. Each side is sharpened to an angle between 8-12 degrees using the ancient Honbazuke method.

The Japanese blade is nitrogen cooled for that added strength and sharpness. The double riveted design is also perfect for a firm and sure grip. The ergonomic handle is also shaped and created with comfort in mind.

Durability & Warranty: 4.9/5

A sharp knife such as this might typically run into issues when it comes to durability. After all, a good straight blade knife will only retain sharpness if you do a good job taking care of it.

Although the design has all the makings of a long-lasting knife, be sure to practice basic knife care and maintenance. That being said, there is an excellent lifetime warranty on this knife.

The Best Carving Knife

Pros

Sandvik 14C28N steel
• High carbon stainless steel
• Very sharp blade
• 12-inches long
• Full tang blade
• Sandvik 14C28N steel
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Cannot be used in a dishwater
• A little pricey

What makes a carving knife stand out is the quality of the blade, sharpness, efficiency, and durability. Now let’s talk a little about the best carving knife on the market – the CUTLUXE Olivery Series 12-inch Carving Knife

Blade Length

This Cutluxe beauty has a blade with a straight edge and is12-inches long, and the blade edge is hollow, which comes in handy when carving and slicing meat. The long blade makes it easier to maneuver and carve without exerting too much pressure on your wrist, so this is useful when carving poultry.

Blade Material

The long blade is made out of high-quality Sandvik steel. This kind of steel performs exceptionally well in edge retention, corrosion resistance, and hardness. The Cutluxe slicing carving knife also has an olive wood ergonomic handle.

The handle is also treated with wax for maximum comfort as it rests in the palm of your hand. The blade is a precision forged full tang blade made from one block of high-quality stainless steel for durability.

Sharpness

The sharpness makes it perfect for carving cooked meats and dense meats. The blade is sharpened by hand by skilled professionals. Each side is sharpened with the highest precision to 14-16 degrees. The carving knife has a Granton edge which refines the cutting and carving experience by lessening friction between the meat and the blade.

Durability & Warranty

This Cutluxe brisket knife is made of the most durable materials. This means that the blade is highly durable. It also has a lifetime warranty. So you can easily make your purchase and start carving meats without worrying.

You can hand wash this Cutluxe knife without worrying about corrosion.

Slicing Knife vs Carving Knife: How To Choose The Right Knife

Picking the right knives can make a huge difference in your cooking when deciding on which kitchen knives to get. You should always know which knife to use for any particular purpose. Let’s talk a little about how to pick the right knife.

The Intended Purpose

The intended purpose will greatly influence the kind of knife that you buy. If you are an individual that favors denser meats in your diet, then you might find yourself leaning more towards a carving knife as it is perfect for slicing through denser meats.

If you don’t eat much of the denser meats and are looking for something more versatile, then a slicing knife is for you. A slicing knife works when you have to slice through meat, fruits, and vegetables.

Traits of Each Knife

The features that each knife has can also tip the scales when deciding what to buy. Even if you’re just looking for a carving knife, you will find so many versions that you might become a little confused and undecided.

If you value comfort, go for an ergonomically designed knife that prioritizes comfort. There are brands that offer all in one, such as our knives here at Cutluxe. They offer everything from comfort, high maneuverability, durability, and more, but deciding which brand to go for might be tricky. When you’re shopping around for a knife, be sure to check for the following qualities:

• Edge retention
• The type of edge (Granton or not)
• Ergonomic design
• The material and its resistance to corrosion
• Length and maneuverability

Your Budget

This will directly influence the kind of knife you decide to buy. Different knives are made out of different materials, and some materials are more expensive than others. Knives made out of materials like alloy steel and have hard plastic handles are typically cheaper, but they might lack in other aspects like durability and resistance to scratching.

If you need knives made out of materials like Japanese steel and have olive wood handles, you might need to cough up a little more cash. You can still get good knives at affordable prices depending on the brand you decide to buy.