Hankotsu?

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Joined
Dec 22, 2022
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Good morning all,

I have been hesitant to pull the trigger on a hankotsu, or similar boning knife. I do a lot of simple meat fabrication (peeling/cutting filets, trimming tri-tip, trimming brisket, etc) and would like to try something different.

I have been using a Victorinox 6" boning knife for years, but would like something that holds a better long lasting edge.

What are your opinions, does the lack of a finger guard of sorts hinder or help?
 
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Hey hey. While I haven't been a professional butcher myself, I sharpen a ton for the butchers coming into my shop. I think it depends a lot on the grip you're using. The hankotsu is a good muscle separator and for boning, but I think the victorinox is probably a better trimmer. There is a dead spot on hankotsu's at the heel where it isn't sharpened, so you can't get full heel to tip pulls for trimming.

But I say go for it, misono makes a good carbon one that doesn't break the bank and I think Jon at JKI has one too in stainless for around $75
 
Hey hey. While I haven't been a professional butcher myself, I sharpen a ton for the butchers coming into my shop. I think it depends a lot on the grip you're using. The hankotsu is a good muscle separator and for boning, but I think the victorinox is probably a better trimmer. There is a dead spot on hankotsu's at the heel where it isn't sharpened, so you can't get full heel to tip pulls for trimming.

But I say go for it, misono makes a good carbon one that doesn't break the bank and I think Jon at JKI has one too in stainless for around $75
Thank you! I was looking at the Misono this morning, might be a good place to start. I don't live close to any shops that carry anything like this, so I have been hesitant to buy before at least holding. I have seen a few western style boning knives come up on Bloodroot once in a while, but I'll be amazed if I ever win that lottery.
 
There's some fun stuff here too. Silverthorns are nice, if maybe more than you might want to spend. Herders have a good reputation too are very affordable. If you want solid stainless performers, Victory Knives are used by lots of butchers I know and come in a variety of sizes, stiffness, handle options, and blade shapes.

https://bernalcutlery.com/collections/boning?sort_by=created-descending
 
There's some fun stuff here too. Silverthorns are nice, if maybe more than you might want to spend. Herders have a good reputation too are very affordable. If you want solid stainless performers, Victory Knives are used by lots of butchers I know and come in a variety of sizes, stiffness, handle options, and blade shapes.

https://bernalcutlery.com/collections/boning?sort_by=created-descending
Thank you! I really like the shape of the Silverthorns, I could see that working great for some of the fish work I do too. I appreciate the recommendations!
 
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