Many knives can be used to accomplish kitchen-related tasks.
However, the best kitchen knife for cutting through bones should make things easier, more enjoyable, and less laborious.
The same knife can slice through large cuts of meat, butterflying chickens, or handle lots of bone-in foods.
This article will discuss which knives are best for cutting through bone and how to use them.
How to cut bone?
Bone saws deliver the cleanest, safest cuts through bone, with the fewest bone chips left in the animal’s flesh. The secret to cutting through bone is that it is vital to use the appropriate tool. This is especially true of larger, heavier bones. However, the cleaver is most people’s preferred cutting tool, though it does leave more bone chips and flakes behind.
Fast facts about cutting bone
Hacksaws vs. bone saws. Which tool is best to cut bone?
A hacksaw’s fine, narrow, tightly spaced teeth can quickly clog up if used to cut meat or bone.
A bone saw has wider, deeper, more powerful teeth. It can quickly and easily cut through bones, with splinter-free, slick, results.
How do you cut beef bones? Use a meat cleaver or a boning knife to cut through beef bone.
Can these cutting tools make it through bone?
Can pocketknives cut bone?
Technically, certain pocket knives can cut through bone.
A pocketknife is a good tool for cutting through bone if it has a long and strong blade.
It is, however, pocket knives aren’t up to the job in most cases.
Can bandsaws cut bones?
Vertical wood band saws are different from vertical meat saws.
Wood saws have a miter slot or fences that allow precise cuts.
They can also cut curves (with the appropriate blade).
With meat band saws, such precision isn’t possible.
Also, it is necessary to move the meat towards the blade instead of moving the blade towards the meat.
Can boning knives cut bones?
There are many variations between different models of boning knives.
Common characteristics, however, include a straight-edged, long-lasting, non-serrated blade that measures between five and seven inches in length.
Another commonality is a flat cutting edge with a slight curve at the sharp end.
A small finger guard is typically available to keep vulnerable fingers away from the blade.
Can a meat cleaver cut bones?
The most widely used and most effective tool for cutting through bones, the meat cleaver, is undoubtedly one of the best bone-cutting implements.
It is designed to be sharp and heavy with a thick spine to cut efficiently.
Meat cleavers are deliberately heavy so that enough force is generated without a lot of force when used in cutting bone.
This feature is also particularly useful when dealing with larger cuts of meat or when separating bones and joining ligaments.
Meat cleavers also do a great job breaking down whole chickens into half-or-quarter chunks.
Can a chef’s knife cut bones?
Trusted chefs’ knives can be used in the place of good meat or butchers’ knives.
The chef knife is perfect for 90 percent of kitchen tasks, such as cutting through bones.
Do not attempt to force a chef’s knife through large cuts of meat.
It is important to ensure that the blade is sharp and long enough to complete the job safely for whatever is being cut.
Can a butcher’s knife cut bones?
A butcher’s knife can be described as a mini-cleaver with a large rectangular blade that resembles a hatchet.
Butchers’ knives come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they are primarily used to cut through bones with a butcher’s knife.
Savvy cooks use the knife’s broadside to crush food ingredients such as garlic and onion.
Can an electric knife cut bones?
Electric knives can easily cut through light poultry bones, but they cannot cut through red-meat bones.
However, an electric knife can still cut through small bones when the meat is frozen.
Can a bone saw cut bones?
This heavy-duty bandsaw makes meat processing quick and easy.
The blade is sharp, heavy-duty steel and can withstand the most demanding butchering operations.
It normally features ten teeth per inch for consistent, clean cuts.
Three ways to cut bone with a cleaver or knife
The proper way to cut meat with meat cleavers is to use one of the three standard methods of cutting meat with a cleaver.
Depending on how big the bones are and how much prep work is required, make the appropriate choice of the hammer swing, batoning, or pinch grip.
Pinch Grip
This involves holding the knife in one hand while pinching the blade by its heel.
This gives the person wielding the knife complete control over the pressure exerted on the knife and its movement.
The pinch grip is not suitable for cutting through strong or big bones.
Instead, this grip is best suited for separating bones from flesh or cutting through smaller, weak bones (like fish bones).
To execute the pinch grip properly, simply line up the knife blade with where the cut should be made, then apply pressure while keeping the wrist absolutely steady.
Batoning
This is a precise and enjoyable great way to cut right through cartilage, bones, and meat.
Use this technique on smaller to medium bones and connective tissues or tough meats.
Place the knife’s edge on the meat or bone, and then use a mallet to smash down on the spine along the back of the knife, force the knife through the target in one swift, decisive move.
Hammer Swing
The hammer swing, which is powerful but imprecise, is another way to cut through large meats or medium-sized bones.
This method uses the weight of the knife to work.
Begin by raising the cleaver up to chest height. Then, keeping the forearm straight, swiftly chop downwards with the cleaver.
There’s no need to hold the knife tightly or squeeze it. Just hold it steady throughout the entire chopping motion.
Kitchen shears as a light bone cutter
More often than not, cooks need only to cut through small bones like poultry and fish.
A pair of heavy-duty kitchen shears will do just fine for such purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Cut Bone
Can katanas cut through bone?
Katanas can definitely cut through bone, and the person wielding this weapon doesn’t even have to be particularly powerful to cut through bone–including theirs! So handle katanas with extreme caution. After all, katanas are weapons, not kitchen tools.
Are reciprocating saws useful for cutting through bone?
Stainless steel reciprocating saws are specifically designed to cut turkey, bones, meat, and frozen foods. Reciprocating saws are easy and safe to use for cutting through bone.
Afterword: How to cut bone?
Cut bones by employing the right tool for that purpose.
A reciprocating saw is a good option, but some may find them a bit pricey, so look into meat saws (which are excellent for cutting through large bones) and cleavers.