That 'bargain' boning knife cost me $80 in ruined meat

Picked up a cheap boning knife at a flea market in Tulsa for $12. Thought I was being smart. Thing was dull as a butter knife after two deer, tore up more meat than it cut clean. Had to trim away maybe 5 pounds of shredded venison. Any of you fellas got a go-to brand for a boning knife that actually holds an edge?

3 comments

3 Comments

tylerpark9d ago

Wait, so we're supposed to call $15 "cheap as dirt" now? That's like half a tank of gas. I think I need to downgrade my whole life.

taylor.sean9d ago

Bought a cheapo Dexter Russell for $15 at a restaurant supply store a few years back. My buddy Dave borrowed it for processing a hog and swore it was better than his fancy Wusthof. Thing is, that knife has been through hell and back, still slices through silverskin like nothing. Dave said he spent like 40 minutes just cleaning up the mess his old knife made on one shoulder. I've seen him sharpen it maybe twice in five years, just a quick steel before each use. Cheap as dirt but it works better than anything I've paid triple for.

claire_hart539d ago

Okay but your buddy might be sharpening it more than you think. A good steel doesn't sharpen a knife, it just realigns the edge. Over five years with only two actual sharpenings? That blade has GOT to be getting dull, even if it feels sharp. You can get away with a lot on a cheap blade because it's softer steel, but it's not magic.