3 Best BBQ Knife Sets

Hey smokers and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best BBQ knife sets for some precise meat preparation this year. Now, as you may or may not know, when it comes to smoking meat, there is generally a bit of preparation to be had such as trimming fat etc. from it prior to cook. Not to mention any slicing needs once it is all ready as well.

In my experience, the better the knife you have, the better you will be able to meet all of your chopping, slicing and trimming needs. However knives are one area that you can spend a real lot of money on, so, for those looking for a good set at a good price, I have had a look around and come up with 3 really good kits below.

Let’s check them out…

My Three Recommended 3 Best BBQ Knife Sets

I will review these in more detail below however if you want to get chopping without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience: 

03/25/2025 10:16 am GMT

What are BBQ Knife Sets?

As the name suggests, a BBQ knife set is a collection of knives designed to handle different aspects of BBQ or smoked food preparation and serving, such as slicing meats, trimming fat, or carving cooked dishes.

Generally, these kits will include a good generalist knife that can cover most requirements as well as BBQ specific options such as Brisket slicing knives, boning knives (which I like for trimming) and carving knives. Some include cleavers and smaller utility knives as well.

Most of us have a favorite knife or two – for me it is a boning knife and light butcher’s knife – and if I am being honest, a solid chef’s knife can accommodate most meat prep and serving needs. However there are times when different types just make things a little easier (as we will discuss below).

What Should You Be Looking For?

When selecting a BBQ knife set, the material and construction quality of the knives are crucial factors where high-carbon stainless steel is often preferred for its durability and ability to hold a sharp edge. Knives should also feel comfortable in hand and allow for good control while cutting.

Other things to consider include:

Blade Material

As above, a good knife is one that will not only hold its edge, but also remain free of blemishes and rust as well. Good options to consider include:

1. Stainless Steel: Popular for its rust resistance and affordability. High-carbon stainless steel blends are especially favored for their hardness and ease of maintenance.
2. Carbon Steel: Known for excellent sharpness and edge retention. Although it should be noted that these are not always as rust proof as stainless steel.
3. Damascus Steel: Combines layers of steel to create a tough, beautiful blade with excellent edge retention, though often at a higher price.
4. Ceramic: Lightweight and extremely sharp but brittle and best suited for delicate tasks – you will not find this in many BBQ knife kits but they are around if you really want them.

Knife Types

We touched on this above but in general, a good BBQ knife set will include some, or all of the following:

• Chef’s Knife – This is a versatile ‘go-to’ knife (usually 8-10 inches) that can be used for chopping, dicing, mincing, and slicing most ingredients. Its broad blade provides control and stability, making it perfect for most prep tasks as well as slicing.
• Butcher’s Knife: Usually larger and thicker (but not always), often with a straight, rigid blade that’s heavier. It’s made for breaking down large cuts of meat, slicing through bone, and handling tougher jobs that require more force.
• Paring Knife – Small, typically 3-4 inches, a paring knife is essential for detailed work like peeling, trimming, and precision cuts. Its short blade allows chefs to handle intricate BBQ tasks like removing membranes and trimming fat.
• Boning Knife – My second ‘go-to’, these are slim and slightly flexible and designed for separating meat from the bone with precision. I find them particularly helpful for trimming beef fat and cutting between ribs etc.
• Serrated Knife – With a saw-like edge, this knife is ideal for foods with a tough exterior and soft interior. The serrations grip the food, making it easy to slice without crushing delicate items. I don’t use one of these myself but I have seen them used to cut between well cooked pork ribs etc.
• Santoku Knife – These are typically shorter and lighter than a chef’s knife, with a straighter edge that’s ideal for slicing, dicing, and chopping. Santokus often have a Granton edge (small indentations) to prevent food from sticking.
• Brisket Slicing Knife – The must have of the YouTube BBQer, these are a long (10-14 inches) slicing knife with a narrow, slightly flexible blade that’s perfect for cutting large, cooked meats like brisket. Its length and flexibility allow chefs to make smooth, continuous cuts, preserving the integrity and presentation of the meat.

Handle Comfort

This is probably something that is not considered as much – especially by us manly BBQ cookers, but a comfortable knife handle is actually crucial for control, safety, and reducing hand fatigue.

A good handle allows us to grip securely and reduce strain on hand muscles, making precise cuts easier and preventing repetitive strain injuries. Additionally, a well-balanced handle distributes weight evenly, enhancing the knife’s maneuverability and allowing for more efficient use as well.

Maintenance Requirements

In my experience, a quick sharpen before every use makes for a much better cutting result. That said, some knives require more frequent sharpening and care than others.

If you want something that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance, then a good quality stainless steel might be the best option for you as they offer excellent resistance to rust and stains while maintaining sharpness reasonably well.

What do I use?

I started with a good lightweight butcher’s knife which I basically used for everything. Then, my wife bought me a Char Griller knife kit which consists of a large and small boning type knife and a brisket knife.

I use the smaller boning knife almost exclusively during prep and the chef’s knife for slicing – unless I am doing Brisket then of course it is the brisket knife for sure.

My Three Recommendations Broken Down

So, based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:

1. Cutluxe BBQ Knife Set

This knife set is a great addition for anyone who enjoys barbecuing with a 12″ brisket knife and 6″ boning knife for both trimming and slicing. Both are made from high-quality German steel for last lasting use and good edge retention.

Pros

• Exceptional blade sharpness.
• Ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip.
• Built with durable German steel and includes a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• Not dishwasher safe, requiring handwashing.
• Slightly heavier than others on the market.
• Limited to specific cutting tasks; may not replace all kitchen knives.

Why have I chosen them?

With its German steel construction and ergonomic design, and premium, this set is perfect for those looking for some decent knives to meet most BBQing needs. Additionally, the razor-sharp granton blades on both knives reduce friction and prevent meat from sticking, making cutting and slicing effortless as well.

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2. HENCKELS BBQ Knife Set

This next set features a 9-piece collection, including an impressive buffet knife and a specialized rib knife. And for extra assistance, it also includes powerful bear claws for shredding meats and the precision of the hollow-edged knife for slicing brisket as well.

Pros

• Well-balanced knives for ease of use.
• Durable German stainless steel blades.
• Convenient canvas roll bag for storage and transport.

Cons

• Individual blades may require careful handling to avoid dulling.
• Higher price point compared to basic sets.

Why have I chosen them?

All in all, the 9-piece set includes an 11-inch buffet knife, 10-inch rib knife, 7-inch rocking santoku, 5.5-inch prep knife, carving fork, shears, set of 2 bear claws, a sheath for each blade, and canvas roll bag. Which to be honest, should cover everything you may need as a pitmaster of any level.

The canvas roll bag is another plus as it allows for greater protection and storage which along with the German stainless steel build, should keep these knives nice and ready for use for many years.

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3. Cangshan S1 7-Piece BBQ Knife Set

As with the previous option, this last set comes with a great array of knives made from High Alloy German Steel that are also incredibly sharp and durable (they measure a 58 +/- 2 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale). Furthermore, the heat-treated blades are long-lasting in terms of durability and edge retention too.

Pros

• High-quality German steel ensures durability.
• Comfortable and well-balanced handles improve cutting precision.
• Versatile set caters to various BBQ and cooking needs.

Cons

• Plastic sheaths may not be the most durable.
• The weight might be a bit hefty for some users.

Why have I chosen them?

The kit includes an 11″ Slicing Knife, 10″ Butcher’s Knife, 7″ Vegetable Cleaver, 6” Boning Knife, 6” Carving Fork, 3.5” Paring Knife, 5 Plastic Knife Sheaths, and a Cut Resistant Knife Bag for protection and storage. All knives are also All knives are National Sanitation Foundation [NSF] Certified with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects as well. 

They are extremely sharp (to the point that some care is needed when using), balanced and durable and a great option for those who like a slightly heavier knife.

Conclusion

There you have it, my three best BBQ knife sets for some great food prep and management this year. And as usual, let me know of your experiences here.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time.

Have fun

Paul