The Butcher's Handbook

Expert Butcher Guides

In-depth articles on butchery techniques, knife skills, and whole-animal fabrication — written from 20 years of hands-on experience.

The Essential Butcher Knife Guide
18 min readFeatured

The Essential Butcher Knife Guide

A master butcher's comprehensive guide to essential butcher knives — their construction, steel types, blade geometry, and proper selection for different tasks.

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Boning Knives: Selection, Technique, and Mastery
16 min readFeatured

Boning Knives: Selection, Technique, and Mastery

An expert guide to boning knives — their specialized geometry, steel selection, flexibility considerations, and advanced techniques for precise meat separation.

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Breaking Down a Whole Beef: Step by Step
25 min readFeatured

Breaking Down a Whole Beef: Step by Step

A master butcher's complete guide to breaking down a whole beef — from initial hanging to final primal separation, with detailed techniques for each step.

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Knife Sharpening: From Whetstones to Steels
20 min readFeatured

Knife Sharpening: From Whetstones to Steels

A complete guide to knife sharpening — from understanding grit progression to advanced techniques for maintaining razor-sharp edges.

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Seam Cutting: The Art of Following Nature
17 min read

Seam Cutting: The Art of Following Nature

An advanced butchery technique that follows natural muscle separations, maximizing meat yield while minimizing waste and preserving cut integrity.

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The Complete Guide to Meat Cleavers
15 min read

The Complete Guide to Meat Cleavers

A comprehensive guide to meat cleavers — from design characteristics to proper technique for splitting bones and heavy-duty fabrication.

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Frenching, Tying, and Presentation Cuts
18 min read

Frenching, Tying, and Presentation Cuts

Advanced techniques for frenching bones, proper trussing methods, and presentation cuts that enhance both appearance and cooking performance.

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Japanese vs Western Butcher Knives
22 min read

Japanese vs Western Butcher Knives

A comprehensive comparison of Japanese and Western butcher knives — their design philosophies, steel types, and best applications.

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Setting Up a Home Butchery Station
16 min read

Setting Up a Home Butchery Station

Complete guide to creating a professional-quality home butchery station — from workspace setup to tool selection and safety considerations.

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The Butcher's Grip: Hand Position and Safety
14 min read

The Butcher's Grip: Hand Position and Safety

Essential techniques for proper hand positioning, grip methods, and safety protocols that protect both the butcher and the product quality.

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