Best knife for trimming brisket?

BeecaveKitchen

Getting ready to trim my first 10#  SRF brisket and I’m headed to get a knife. I’m already in almost $200 for the brisket so don’t want to screw this up! Suggestions for favorite knives to trim fat etc? Our local store carries Wusthof,Victorinox, Shun for the most part. 

smbishop

I use a cheap boning knife, it is sharp, and works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-S131F-6PCP-Boning-Knife-Sani-Safe/dp/B0001MRYDI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2MCZ7XZ1PHEQF&keywords=boning+knife&qid=1562346502&s=gateway&sprefix=boning+,aps,654&sr=8-5

ColtsFan

https://shun.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/premier-boning-fillet-knife

Probably my favorite knife

1voyager

My go-to knife:

Shun Classic 6" Utility knife.

BeecaveKitchen

1voyager said:

My go-to knife:

Shun Classic 6" Utility knife.

I’ve got the Shun utility and love it but don’t know if it’s good for fat trimming, mining projects etc. , 

pgprescott

smbishop said:

I use a cheap boning knife, it is sharp, and works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-S131F-6PCP-Boning-Knife-Sani-Safe/dp/B0001MRYDI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2MCZ7XZ1PHEQF&keywords=boning+knife&qid=1562346502&s=gateway&sprefix=boning+,aps,654&sr=8-5

This or something similar is what all the pros use. Sharp and comfortable handle to grip. What else do you need. I have a handful or two of those fancy knives too. I rarely use them though. Nothing wrong with the fancy knives of course. 

BugFreak72

I've been shopping these for a bit now. Do you guys look for flexibility in these? Some brands talk of flex like a filet knife while others don't. What seems best?

BeecaveKitchen

pgprescott said:

smbishop said:

I use a cheap boning knife, it is sharp, and works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-S131F-6PCP-Boning-Knife-Sani-Safe/dp/B0001MRYDI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2MCZ7XZ1PHEQF&keywords=boning+knife&qid=1562346502&s=gateway&sprefix=boning+,aps,654&sr=8-5

This or something similar is what all the pros use. Sharp and comfortable handle to grip. What else do you need. I have a handful or two of those fancy knives too. I rarely use them though. Nothing wrong with the fancy knives of course. 

I’ve got a Dexter cleaver and love it! May need to get inn amazon ASAP

TEXASBGE2018

No need to spend a ton of money. Head to the local restaurant supply store and pick up a $10 white handled boning knife. That's what Aaron Franklin uses. I think I've heard he knows a thing or 3 about Briskets.

northGAcock

That’s a job for a bonding knife. 

1voyager

BeecaveKitchen said:

1voyager said:

My go-to knife:

Shun Classic 6" Utility knife.

I’ve got the Shun utility and love it but don’t know if it’s good for fat trimming, mining projects etc. , 

@BeecaveKitchen - I've never considered using my knives for mining projects. 

Did the autocorrect monster get you?

Dondgc

smbishop said:

I use a cheap boning knife, it is sharp, and works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-S131F-6PCP-Boning-Knife-Sani-Safe/dp/B0001MRYDI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2MCZ7XZ1PHEQF&keywords=boning+knife&qid=1562346502&s=gateway&sprefix=boning+,aps,654&sr=8-5

I just ordered one. Been using a filet knife that's pretty dull. It was time for a refresh. 

stlcharcoal

https://shun.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/classic-boning-fillet-knife



Or if you're not looking to drop $100+, KAI has the same knife with the same steel, just not as pretty for 40% of the cost.  They are identical in shape and size and carry the same warranty.  Same company, KAI Pro is just made in China, while Shun is handmade in Japan.

https://housewares.kaiusaltd.com/products/kai-pro-6.5-in.-boning-fillet



I sell the hell out of both of these knives for brisket trimming.  The brisket carving knives are equally as awesome.  Give me a shout if you want either.
 

smbishop

Now I want the KAI, had no idea this was an option!

BeecaveKitchen

1voyager said:

BeecaveKitchen said:

1voyager said:

My go-to knife:

Shun Classic 6" Utility knife.

I’ve got the Shun utility and love it but don’t know if it’s good for fat trimming, mining projects etc. , 

@BeecaveKitchen - I've never considered using my knives for mining projects. 

Did the autocorrect monster get you?

Hahahahaha!!! Yes it sure did! It’s awful on the phone version. But one never knows if they need to prep BBQ whilst mining. 🤪

DoubleEgger

I used the Shun Classic boning knife mentioned above. I also use a Shun Classic little 4 or 4.5” paring knife. You’d be surprised what that little knife can do. It’s like an extension of your hand with total control due to it’s small size. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

smbishop said:

I use a cheap boning knife, it is sharp, and works great!

https://smile.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-S131F-6PCP-Boning-Knife-Sani-Safe/dp/B0001MRYDI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2MCZ7XZ1PHEQF&keywords=boning+knife&qid=1562346502&s=gateway&sprefix=boning+,aps,654&sr=8-5

This is what is use as well. I got the “fancy” rubber handle and paid $20 whole dollars. Great for breaking down briskets, butts, and bellies. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

BeecaveKitchen said:

Getting ready to trim my first 10#  SRF brisket and I’m headed to get a knife. I’m already in almost $200 for the brisket so don’t want to screw this up! Suggestions for favorite knives to trim fat etc? Our local store carries Wusthof,Victorinox, Shun for the most part. 

Tony (Faraday’s) carries that shun boning knife that stlschsrcoal is talking about. It’s really nice. 

Wolfe

Have two of theses with the 6” blade.  Works well for trimming. 

1voyager

@Wolfe - That takes me back 50+ years. My Dad always carried his when we went fishing for drum in Brunswick, GA. I think I still have it. Time to rummage through my tool boxes.

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

BeecaveKitchen

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

BeecaveKitchen said:

Getting ready to trim my first 10#  SRF brisket and I’m headed to get a knife. I’m already in almost $200 for the brisket so don’t want to screw this up! Suggestions for favorite knives to trim fat etc? Our local store carries Wusthof,Victorinox, Shun for the most part. 

Tony (Faraday’s) carries that shun boning knife that stlschsrcoal is talking about. It’s really nice. 

centex: Faradays is our go to and I stopped by today. Ended up getting the Wusthof as it was on sale and I liked the way it felt in my hand. And then we bought a whole bunch of other stuff which is why his store always get me in trouble 😏 Super excited to get to trimming! Thanks for all the feedback.

Wolfe

@1voyager. Yep same memories here. For 18-20 bucks it stays sharp for a long time and easy to sharpen. 

MaskedMarvel

stlcharcoal

I had about 15 wusthofs.....sold them all to switch to the Shuns.  It's not that they were junk, but that bevel angle between eastern and western knives makes all the difference.

bgebrent

stlcharcoal said:

I had about 15 wusthofs.....sold them all to switch to the Shuns.  It's not that they were junk, but that bevel angle between eastern and western knives makes all the difference.

Agree 100% Jonathon. I still have my Wusthofs but love my Shuns. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

BeecaveKitchen said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

BeecaveKitchen said:

Getting ready to trim my first 10#  SRF brisket and I’m headed to get a knife. I’m already in almost $200 for the brisket so don’t want to screw this up! Suggestions for favorite knives to trim fat etc? Our local store carries Wusthof,Victorinox, Shun for the most part. 

Tony (Faraday’s) carries that shun boning knife that stlschsrcoal is talking about. It’s really nice. 

centex: Faradays is our go to and I stopped by today. Ended up getting the Wusthof as it was on sale and I liked the way it felt in my hand. And then we bought a whole bunch of other stuff which is why his store always get me in trouble 😏 Super excited to get to trimming! Thanks for all the feedback.

Ha ha. I know the feeling. We teach bbq classes there so we are in there all the time. We should get together sometime and swap notes (we live in Lakeway) 

1voyager

stlcharcoal said:

I had about 15 wusthofs.....sold them all to switch to the Shuns.  It's not that they were junk, but that bevel angle between eastern and western knives makes all the difference.

I sold my Wusthofs and switched to Shuns also. It was shocking how quickly they sold, especially at a premium price.

gdenby

Its worth noting that knives in a restaurant kitchen are maybe not the best. They get the job done, may get sharpened in batches by a service, if they fall on the floor, only the knife and not the cook will be bent out of shape, and the knife won't be tempted to walk off on its own.

Dexter-Russell is a good fit for that.

Around the house, something a little nicer can be a treat.

stlcharcoal

gdenby said:

Its worth noting that knives in a restaurant kitchen are maybe not the best. They get the job done, may get sharpened in batches by a service, if they fall on the floor, only the knife and not the cook will be bent out of shape, and the knife won't be tempted to walk off on its own.

Dexter-Russell is a good fit for that.

Around the house, something a little nicer can be a treat.

Victorinox is another good one for that.  I have a couple of those for hacking on stuff.

BeecaveKitchen

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

BeecaveKitchen said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

BeecaveKitchen said:

Getting ready to trim my first 10#  SRF brisket and I’m headed to get a knife. I’m already in almost $200 for the brisket so don’t want to screw this up! Suggestions for favorite knives to trim fat etc? Our local store carries Wusthof,Victorinox, Shun for the most part. 

Tony (Faraday’s) carries that shun boning knife that stlschsrcoal is talking about. It’s really nice. 

centex: Faradays is our go to and I stopped by today. Ended up getting the Wusthof as it was on sale and I liked the way it felt in my hand. And then we bought a whole bunch of other stuff which is why his store always get me in trouble 😏 Super excited to get to trimming! Thanks for all the feedback.

Ha ha. I know the feeling. We teach bbq classes there so we are in there all the time. We should get together sometime and swap notes (we live in Lakeway) 

No way! Small world. When do you teach? My hubby is the introvert, but I’m totally there for the next class. 

GoooDawgs

@stlcharcoal do you know if the Shun premier boning knife can be sharpened by them? The blade has a beautiful design on it and I'm worried if I send it in that hammered look will go away.