Turkey Carving Tools: Carving Boards, Forks, Knives & Sets

Hollows ground along the blade set the Wüsthof Classic 2-piece hollow edge carving set apart. It pairs that carving knife with a straight meat fork for a turkey or a standing rib roast.The hollows create small pockets of air between the steel and the meat, so thin slices fall away from the 8-inch blade. That helps with moist meats and with anything you want to cut thin, like smoked turkey breast or roast beef for sandwiches. The 6-inch fork has straight tines to anchor the roast and move slices to the platter.If you prefer a plain blade, the Classic 2-piece carving set pairs the same fork with a straight-edge carving knife. For extra length on a large bird, there is the Classic 9-inch hollow edge carving knife on its own. A Classic Super Slicer handles brisket and whole hams.For tidy slices, let the roast rest first and carve across the grain in long strokes. Our guide to blade shapes explains carving knives and slicers. Learn More

A carving knife needs a long, narrow blade that draws through a roast in one stroke. Wüsthof’s Classic 9-inch hollow edge carving knife slices a turkey breast or a prime rib into even portions at the table.The narrow, 1.2-inch blade moves cleanly between slices, and a row of hollows along the edge keeps thin slices of ham or roast beef from clinging. Wüsthof also lists it for fruit and sausage, so it handles a melon or a dry salami on a party platter.Draw the blade in long, smooth strokes and let its length do the work. Pair it with a carving fork to hold the roast steady. The knife and a fork come together in the Classic 2-piece hollow edge carving set. For crusty bread as well as roasts, see the serrated Classic 10-inch Super Slicer. Our guide to kitchen knife shapes explains carving and slicing knives. Learn More

Messermeister pairs its 8-inch Kullens carving knife with a two-prong straight carving fork in this Meridian Elite set, the tools for carving a turkey, a roast or a ham at the table. The narrow, spear-point blade has kullens hollows that reduce sticking, and the fork keeps the meat steady as you slice.Both pieces share the series’ handle design, so they match on the table and in the drawer. Set the fork into the roast near the bone, then draw the knife in long, even strokes across the grain. Gift buyers choose it for weddings and holidays, and it is a practical upgrade for a home cook who carves a few times a year.
Larger RoastsFor briskets and large roasts, add the 10-inch Kullens Slicer. Learn More

The Shun Classic 2-Piece Carving Set is for cooks who carve at the table, whether that means a holiday turkey, a prime rib, or a Sunday ham. It pairs the 9-inch Hollow Ground Slicing Knife with a matching 6.5-inch Carving Fork in a gift box. The fork holds the roast steady while the long, narrow blade slices through in a single stroke, which produces even slices and keeps more of the juices, and more of the flavor, inside the meat. Hollow-ground indentations along the blade help each slice release cleanly. The set completes any Shun Classic collection and makes a lasting gift.
FeaturesLong, narrow slicing blade: Nine inches of edge carves wide roasts in one stroke, so slices stay intact instead of tearing.Hollow-ground indentations: The indentations reduce friction and help slices fall away from the blade.Matching carving fork: The fork steadies the roast as you slice, and its stainless steel tines are easy to care for.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is strong, fine-grained, and resistant to wear and corrosion, and it holds a very keen edge.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports the core, adds stain resistance, and helps food release from the blade.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handles: Both handles give a secure grip in either hand and do not harbor bacteria.Gift box: The presentation box makes the set ready to give and doubles as storage.Free lifetime sharpening: Shun offers free lifetime sharpening for the slicing knife whenever its edge needs restoring.
Tasks It Handles WellCarving roast turkey and chickenCarving prime rib, beef tenderloin, and pork loinSlicing hamServing roasts at the table
Choosing a Shun Classic Slicing KnifeFor whole briskets and very large roasts, the Shun Classic 12-inch Hollow Ground Brisket Knife adds three inches of length and includes a wooden saya. If you already own a carving fork, the Shun Classic 9-inch Hollow Ground Slicing Knife is available on its own. Learn More

Messermeister describes its 8-inch Kullens carving knife as long, hollow-edged and ultra-smooth on the slice for presentation-worthy meats. The hollows along the blade reduce drag, so thin slices of turkey breast or roast beef fall away cleanly from the steel.At 8 inches, it is easier to control at the table than a long slicer, which makes it a comfortable carving knife for a home cook serving a roast chicken or a pork loin. The pointed tip works around the breastbone and thigh joints of a bird. Slicing against the grain with long, even strokes gives the neatest results.
Carving OptionsThe Meridian Elite 2-Piece Carving Set pairs this knife with a carving fork. For larger roasts, see the 10-inch Kullens Slicer. Learn More

Messermeister notes that carving knives are made for slicing larger roasts and poultry. Its carving fork holds the meat steady for control and safety. This Oliva Elite set pairs the 8-inch Kullens carving knife with a 6-inch, two-prong carving fork, the tools for serving a turkey or a prime rib at the table.Set the fork into the roast near the bone, then draw the knife in long, even strokes across the grain. The kullens hollows keep thin slices from clinging, so each one lands neatly on the platter. With matching olive wood handles, the pair looks right on a holiday table, and gift buyers choose it for weddings and anniversaries.
Carving Knife OnlyThe 8-inch Kullens Carving Knife is also sold on its own. Learn More

The Shun Classic 9-inch Hollow Ground Slicing Knife is for cooks who carve roasts, poultry, and ham and want thin, even, presentation-quality slices. Its long, narrow blade completes each slice in a single stroke, so there is no sawing back and forth, and the cleaner cut keeps more of the juices, and more of the flavor, inside the meat. The narrow profile and a row of hollow-ground indentations along each side reduce friction so the blade glides through with even less drag and slices release from the steel. It shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesLong, narrow blade: Nine inches of edge carves wide roasts in a single stroke, and the narrow profile reduces drag through the meat.Hollow-ground indentations: The indentations reduce friction and help slices release from the blade rather than clinging to it.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is strong, fine-grained, and resistant to wear and corrosion, and it holds a very keen edge through extended carving.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports the core, adds stain resistance, and helps food release from the blade.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.Full composite tang: The composite construction keeps the knife light and balanced.Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan: Each Shun Classic knife requires at least 100 individual steps to complete in Seki City, one of Japan’s most important blade-making centers since the 13th century.Free lifetime sharpening: Shun offers free lifetime sharpening, so the knife can be professionally sharpened by the manufacturer whenever its edge needs restoring.
Tasks It Handles WellCarving roast beef, pork loin, and lambCarving turkey and roast chickenSlicing hamSlicing smoked meats and salmonPortioning large boneless roasts
Choosing a Shun Classic Slicing KnifeFor whole briskets and very large roasts, the Shun Classic 12-inch Hollow Ground Brisket Knife adds three inches of length for single-pass slices through wider cuts, and it includes a wooden saya for transport. To pair this knife with a matching fork for the table, the Shun Classic 2-Piece Carving Set is the complete carving solution. Learn More

Messermeister designed the 8-inch Oliva Elite Kullens carving knife for precision cutting, especially for carving meats like turkey, roast beef or ham. The kullens hollows along the blade let air between the steel and the meat, so thin slices release cleanly and keep their shape on the platter.At 8 inches, it is long enough to carve a turkey breast in smooth strokes and short enough to steer around the joints of a roast chicken at the table. The figured olive wood handle looks at home in a holiday dining room, and the knife is sold with a matching fork as a carving set. Slicing against the grain with long, even strokes gives the neatest results.
Complete the Carving StationThe Oliva Elite 2-Piece Kullens Carving Set pairs this knife with a two-prong carving fork. Learn More