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Best Knives for Thanksgiving (Prep to Carving)
What knives do you need for Thanksgiving? Three cover the whole day: a chef's knife for prep, a carving knife and fork for the turkey, and a paring knife for small jobs. Our pick for the bird is the Dalstrong Gladiator Series Carving Set ($119), a German X50CrMoV15 carving knife (54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge) with a matching fork. Add the Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife ($79) for the sides and you're set.
Thanksgiving is the biggest knife day of the year. Here's what you'll use, hour by hour, so you can sharpen and buy ahead. Prices are from dalstrong.com as of November 3, 2026.
Your Thanksgiving knife timeline
| When | Job | Knife |
|---|---|---|
| The weekend before | Sharpen everything | 1000/6000 whetstone ($59) |
| Wednesday | Onions, celery, herbs for stuffing; pie apples | Chef's knife, paring knife |
| Thursday morning | Spatchcock or truss the turkey; trim | Kitchen scissors, boning knife |
| Thursday afternoon | Potatoes, squash, Brussels sprouts | Chef's knife |
| Dinner | Carve the turkey; slice ham or roast | Carving knife and fork |
| Dessert | Pie and bread | Bread knife or long slicer |
Best carving set: Gladiator Series Carving Set
Carving Knife & Fork Set 9", Gladiator Series, NSF Certified ($119). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, full tang, G10 handle. A long carving blade and fork to steady the bird.
Best upgrade carving set: Shogun Series Carving Set
Carving Knife & Fork Set 9", Shogun Series, ELITE ($199). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. A finer edge for very thin, clean slices of breast meat.
Best long slicer: Gladiator 12" Slicing Knife
Slicing & Carving Knife 12", Gladiator Series, NSF Certified ($99). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified. A 12" blade slices a whole breast or a ham in one long stroke. Also great for brisket the rest of the year.
Best prep knife: Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife
Chef's Knife 8", Gladiator Series, ELITE, NSF Certified ($79). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified. Handles the mountain of onions, celery, potatoes and squash.
How to carve a turkey in 6 steps
- Rest it 20–30 minutes so juices settle.
- Remove the legs: cut through the skin, pull the leg out and cut through the hip joint.
- Split thigh and drumstick at the joint.
- Remove each breast whole by cutting along the breastbone and down the ribs.
- Slice the breast across the grain into ½-inch slices, steadying it with the fork.
- Take off the wings at the shoulder joint.
Full photo guide: how to carve a turkey. Cooking times: how long to cook a turkey.
Thanksgiving knife tips
- Hone right before carving. A few passes on a ceramic honing rod ($79) makes a visible difference.
- Carve on a board with a juice groove, set on a damp towel so it can't slide.
- Don't carve with a serrated bread knife; it tears the meat.
- Wash and dry knives by hand at the end of the night, not in a packed dishwasher.
FAQ
What knives do you need for Thanksgiving?
A chef's knife, a carving knife and fork, and a paring knife. The Dalstrong Gladiator Series Carving Set ($119) covers the turkey, and the Gladiator 8" Chef's Knife ($79) covers prep.
What is the best knife to carve a turkey?
A long, straight carving or slicing knife, 9 to 12 inches, with a fork to steady the bird. Avoid serrated knives, which tear the meat.
Should I sharpen my knives before Thanksgiving?
Yes. Sharpen the weekend before, then hone right before carving.
Can I carve a turkey with a chef's knife?
Yes, a chef's knife works, but a longer carving knife gives cleaner slices of breast in fewer strokes.
