5 Best Scimitar Knife Reviews: Cut and Slice Like an Expert

Have you ever walked into a fully stocked kitchen; one belonging to a chef or a grill master, and seen those large knives that have curved blades? Ever wondered what they are called and what they are used for? That is a butcher knife.

Also known as a Scimitar knife. They are mostly used by professional chefs, hunters, butchers and enthusiastic grill masters keen on expertly breaking down large pieces of meat. If this sounds like you, then read on to find the best Scimitar knife for your current knife collection.

What is a Scimitar Knife?

If you are a chef, a grill master or just enjoy the occasional hunting and field dressing your kill, then you have probably considered buying a reliable butcher knife at some point.

Scimitar knives are not only perfect for cutting meat, but they are also designed to help you break down large chunks of meat with ease. They have a long curved blade that allows you to exert generously smooth slices; that curve is also perfect for getting around bones and under the skin.

The best scimitar (also known as cimiter) knives have thick blades made out of heavy-duty steel. They are often extremely sharp, durable and don’t chip very easily. I have used quite a few of these knives in my day, and the ones mentioned here have come out on top.

Scimitar Knife Uses

The fact that scimitar knives are large and have a curved blade which is thick, extremely sharp and sturdy means that they can be used for a wide variety of tasks when dressing meat. However, for the most part, they are used for:

• Cutting down large chunks of meat into smaller retail-size cuts
• Getting large chunks of meat off bones

Sometimes they can be used for other tasks around the camp (if you are hunting and field dressing meat outdoors).

These tasks could include splintering your firewood and chopping through bone. However, none of that is advisable since these actions tend to put a bit of wear and tear on the knife in question.

What I Always Look for Before I Buy a Scimitar Knife – Considerations

I pick my butcher knives the same way I choose all my other knives – it comes down to the quality, the size and the feel of the knife. Here are some tips you can use when choosing the best scimitar knife for your needs:

Size

For the most part, you will find butcher knives ranging in size from 6 inches to 14 inches. Depending on what you want to do with the knife, you should pick the size accordingly.

The smaller ones are perfect for dressing smaller pieces of meat from poultry or chops. The larger ones are excellent for larger pieces of meat such as venison.

You can also use the smaller knives to get around bone better, and you can use the larger ones which are ideal for skinning since they give you the ability to give one long swipe. If you are a hunter, you might want to have a few smaller butcher knives handy while home chefs will find the larger ones better.

Blade

The blade should be thick and sturdier than most knives. This thickness also allows for better sharpening of the edge.

Balance

Whenever you are looking to buy any knife, balance is a key characteristic that must be properly considered. For the most part, full tang knives (with the blades running through the handle) are typically heavier and better balanced.

Handle

When it comes to knife handles, it’s a matter of personal preference. You will find wooden handles, plastic handles and steel handles.

I prefer textured handles which are more slip-resistant since butchering large pieces of meat can get quite slippery.

Also Read: The Best Skinning Knives Reviews | Based on Years of Experience

Final Verdict and My Favorite Top 7 Scimitar Knives Reviews

Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Pro Curved Breaking Knife (10-Inch)

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Make: Victorinox
• Type: Curved scimitar knife
• Product Dimensions: 17 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches
• Expertly Made In: Switzerland
• Guarantee: Lifetime
• My Rating:5/10

This is a highly reliable knife produced by one of the best knife manufacturers in the world.

The 10-inch Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Pro Curved Breaking Knife is specifically designed to break down large pieces of meat thanks to the added weight thanks to the wider blade which makes uniformly slicing your meat easier.

For what kind of job?

Designed for both large and small kitchen tasks, including breaking down large and small chunks of meat from pretty much every type of animal.

How to clean this particular knife

Cleaning it is simple enough. It’s dishwasher safe which means you can just toss it in there or you could just use water, dishwashing soap and a soft brush to wash it yourself.

Lifetime of this steak knife / warranty

Made out of high carbon stainless steel by one of the most trusted brands in the industry, this knife comes with a Lifetime Guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.

Why should you buy this steak knife?

• 10-inch blade
• Lifetime warranty
• Comfortable handle
• Excellent balance
• Trusted brand

Price vs Quality

Anytime you buy from Victorinox Knives you know you are getting a high-quality product. While it might not be the cheapest knife in the market, it’s durability, ease of use, and sheer quality makes it well worth the price.

My personal experience with this knife

At 10 inches long, with a curved and sturdy blade, excellent balance and comfortable handle, I can say that this knife has served me well. It might not be the biggest nor the best for those extra tough bone-breaking jobs, but it does an amazing job cutting around them and even skinning meat.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Make: Ontario Knife
• Type: Plain edge scimitar knife
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 2 x 4 inches
• Expertly Made In:S.A
• Guarantee: Lifetime
• My Rating: 9/10

This is a 10-inch blade Old Hickory butchers knife made with high-quality material as well as craftsmanship. Designed with a wood handle, this knife is comfortable to hold and quite useful for heavy-duty meat cutting.

For what kind of job?

The blade and handle are designed so that this knife can cut through huge chunks of meat, bone and even skinning. It could also be used for cutting smaller chunks of meat.

How to clean this particular knife

This is a carbon steel blade knife from Old Hickory, and the company advises you to avoid putting it in a dishwasher or letting it soak to avoid rusting. To clean it, you can use a damp cloth or sponge and dry it thoroughly. You can also use a thin layer of vegetable oil before storing it.

Lifetime of this steak knife / warranty

Old Hickory knives have a limited lifetime warranty that is warranted to be free of any defects in both workmanship and material for the life of the owner.

Why should you buy this steak knife?

• 10-inch blade
• Reliable brand
• Made of carbon steel
• Affordable

Price vs Quality

It’s extremely affordable because it comes from a highly reputable company known for its excellent quality.

My personal experience with this knife

I’m an Old Hickory fan, and it’s safe to say that I own quite a number of their knives with good reason. They are tough, easy to sharpen and long-lasting.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Make: Mercer Culinary
• Type: Curved scimitar knife
• Product Dimensions: 17 x 2 x 2 inches
• Expertly Made In:S.A
• Guarantee: Lifetime
• My Rating: 8/10

This is a big knife! With a 12-inch blade made out of formidable German steel, this Mercer Culinary BPX Cimeter (12 Inch) is perfect for butchers who take on heavy-duty meat cutting jobs.

For what kind of job?

It has a long, sturdy blade designed to help you chop through huge chunks of meat and even go through bone if need be. It’s excellent for breaking the meat down to retail size as well as skinning.

How to clean this particular knife

It’s simple enough to clean. All you need is a bit of water (warm or cold), some soap and a soft dishwashing cloth to thoroughly clean between the groves and the entire blade. It’s also dishwasher safe.

Lifetime of this steak knife / warranty

It’s made out of high-quality German steel and stamped for high carbon plus a polypropylene handle which means that it’s built to be tough. The company provides you with a lifetime guarantee against defects in material as well as workmanship.

Why should you buy this steak knife?

• 12-inch blade
• Good balance
• Comfortable handle
• Heavy and sturdy blade
• Lifetime guarantee

Price vs Quality

For the kind of quality, it brings to the table and the size, this knife is surprisingly affordable.

My personal experience with this knife

I need to use a big knife for big jobs every now and again, and this 12-inch Mercer Culinary BPX Cimeter is yet to disappoint me!

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Make: Bestech Knives
• Type: Folding scimitar knife
• Product Dimensions: 89MM (Blade Length)
• Expertly Made In: China
• Guarantee: Lifetime
• My Rating:5/10

If you are a camper and would like to carry your butcher knife with you when you go outdoors, then you might find this Bestech Knives Scimitar Linerlock Folding Knife perfectly ideal.

For what kind of job?

With an 89MM folding blade, this knife is perfect for field dressing meat whenever you are outdoors. It’s small enough to work on smaller chunks of meat such as wild turkey, rabbit and even fowl yet sturdy enough to take on bigger chunks. It’s small designs also makes it ideal for skinning animals.

How to clean this particular knife

Since this is a folding knife, you should avoid soaking it or putting it in a dishwasher. Simply use a damp cloth with some soap and make sure it’s completely dry before storing it.

Lifetime of this steak knife / warranty

It comes with a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.

Why should you buy this steak knife?

• Wonderful design
• Open standoff construction allows for easy maintenance and cleaning
• Reliable grip handle with scales
• Stylishly curved D2 blade

Price vs Quality

The knife is reasonably priced; gives you excellent value for money.

My personal experience with this knife

I’m an old school kind of butcher knife user which means that I like them big and heavy. However, when it comes to something light enough for the occasional camping trips, this knife is my go-to!

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Make: Jero Cutlery
• Type: Curved scimitar knife
• Product Dimensions: 16 x 2 x 1 inches
• Expertly Made In: Portugal
• Guarantee: Lifetime
• My Rating: 7/10

The Jero Butcher Series P3 10″ Cimeter Butcher Knife is a gorgeous scimitar knife made out of German stainless steel and a polymer handle which brings your slicing game to life.

For what kind of job?

This knife has a 10-inch blade which is big enough to comfortably slice and dice through large trim meats. Thanks to the blade’s size, this knife is best used in a busy kitchen or by a professional chef.

How to clean this particular knife

It’s easy enough to clean. All you need is to use a soft washcloth with some soap. Rinse it and dry thoroughly before storing away.

Lifetime of this steak knife / warranty

The knife comes with a lifetime warranty against any defects in material or workmanship.

Why should you buy this steak knife?

• 10-inch blade
• Comfortable textured meat processing style handle
• Made out of German high-carbon stainless steel
• Lifetime guarantee

Price vs Quality

Considering how much quality and history Jero Cutlery brings to the table, this knife is reasonably priced and would be a good addition to anyone’s kitchen.

My personal experience with this knife

Even though it’s not my number one butcher’s knife, it’s still up there and valued addition to my collection.

Best Scimitar Knife Comparison

Product Image	Product Name	Dimensions	Guarantee	Price	Rating
	Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Pro Curved Breaking Knife (10-Inch)	17 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches	Lifetime	$$	5
	Ontario Knife Old Hickory Butcher Knife (10 inches)	5 x 2 x 4 inches	Lifetime	$24.05	9
	Mercer Culinary BPX Cimeter (12 Inch)	17 x 2 x 2 inches	Lifetime	$41.00	8
	Bestech Knives Scimitar Linerlock Folding Knife	89MM (Blade Length)	Lifetime	$52.00	5
	Jero Butcher Series P3 10″ Cimeter Butcher Knife	16 x 2 x 1 inches	Lifetime	$36.89	7