That $20 boning knife I laughed at in the discount bin... now it's my go-to

I used to think cheap knives were just asking for trouble, but last month I grabbed a no-name boning knife from a hardware store clearance rack for $18. Figured it'd be fine for breaking down chickens at home but not much else. Three weeks later I'm using it for pork butts and even a leg of lamb, and it holds an edge way longer than I expected. The steel is softer than my Wusthof so it sharpens up fast on a ceramic rod, no fuss. Sliced through a chuck roll yesterday without that annoying drag you get with a dull blade. I'm not saying ditch your fancy set, but has anyone else found a hidden gem from a random bin that just works?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jennifer1d ago

My $160 Victorinox broke after six months of home use, so I'd argue that discount bin knives are a gamble, not a gem. That soft steel you like for quick sharpening? It's exactly why that edge won't last a year of regular work - it's just wearing down faster than a decent mid-range knife. I watched a buddy go through three clearance specials in eight months before he gave up and bought a single Mercer. Maybe your $18 find works for chicken and pork butts, but try breaking down a tough brisket or a deer, and that soft steel will roll on you. Cheap knives are fine for light tasks, but calling one a go-to for heavy butchery is like using a butter knife to chop carrots - it'll work for a bit, then fail when you need it most.

torres.grant1d ago

Man, Jennifer over here acting like we're all professional butchers carving up a whole steer every weekend. Not everybody needs a knife that can survive a war zone. If my $20 bin knife dies in a year, I'll just walk back to the clearance rack and grab another one. That's three years of knives for the price of one Victorinox that apparently broke on her anyway. Soft steel isn't a flaw if you know how to use a sharpening rod without crying about it. But hey, you keep buying your fancy Mercers and I'll keep saving my cash for actual food to cut.

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alicehernandez1d ago

Nah fr just get a $30 kiwi knife, they hold an edge way better than the bargain bin junk and you won't cry if you chip it or something cheaper to replace than a victorinox anyway.