Whether you’re new to butchery or are a seasoned professional, you need tools that keep preparation streamlined yet enjoyable – and that’s where we can help! At Butchers Equipment Warehouse, we’ve been supplying premium butchers’ knives, equipment and machinery for nearly 35 years now, and we’re dedicated to helping you produce your best work with every cut. When it comes to processing meat and fish, bone saws and boning knives are two of the most useful tools in a butcher’s arsenal. Let’s explore how you can make sure you're using both safely and efficiently!

Choose strong, ergonomic knives and saws to make work more efficient and comfortable

Whether you’re trimming around bones or sawing through them, you shouldn’t underestimate how physically challenging butchery can be – choosing an expertly designed piece of butchery equipment can make your work a lot more comfortable!

When it comes to boning knives, something like our Giesser 12cm Straight Boning Knife, for example, has a thermoplastic elastomer handle, designed with grip and comfort in mind to reduce fatigue and slipping. Its first-grade chromoly steel blade provides superior strength and durability, and is built to withstand the daily rigours of tough butchery jobs. Best of all, it’s put through a vacuum heat treatment and a manual finish to ensure a Rockwell hardness rating of 56 HRC, enabling you to make effortless cuts with less force.

Design also has an important part to play when choosing a bone saw. Our 19.5" F. Dick Butcher's Handsaw is well-balanced and features an ergonomic handle, providing control and precision when breaking down carcasses and bones without wearing you out and causing strain or discomfort. Similarly, our 17.5" Butcher's Kamlock Stainless Steel Handsaw features a Kamlock lever, enabling you to change blades swiftly while maintaining the optimum tension needed to produce consistent, quality cuts at all times.

Always use a proper technique

Using the correct technique enables you to do your best work efficiently, preventing accidents or injuries. When using a boning knife, it can help to wrap your middle finger, ring finger and thumb around the handle, placing your index finger on the top of the blade to maximise control. At the same time, hold the meat or fish with your other hand, pulling it away from the bone as you work so that you can stay safe and see exactly what you’re doing. Generally, you should use smooth, slicing motions, following the bone to produce neat cuts and minimise waste. For tougher cuts of meat, a gentle sawing motion is best. It’s also important to adapt your grip based on what you’re processing. For example, a tough cut of meat like lamb will require a firm grip and more force; on the other hand, if you’re deboning a fish, it helps to use a lighter touch.

When using a bone handsaw, technique is similarly important. Make sure the meat is secured to avoid slipping, and maintain a balanced stance with your feet wide. To prevent fatigue and increase power, use your core and lower body strength rather than just depending on arm strength. For better leverage, it also helps to stand straight and keep your elbows close to your body, maintaining a firm grip and using long, even strokes.

Prioritise proper maintenance

If you’re looking to keep your work safe and efficient, prioritising proper maintenance is essential. Even the most durable butchers' tools require regular care and upkeep to help them work at their best, producing cuts you can be proud of and maintaining all-important safety standards. Fortunately, our boning knives and saws are made of premium steel, making them long-lasting, easy to clean, and rust-resistant.

Keeping your blades sharp at all times also helps to improve efficiency and safety. At Butchers Equipment Warehouse, we sell a range of sharpening tools, including knife sharpening stones and electric knife sharpeners, so that you can keep your boning knives cutting their best. We also offer a range of replacement handsaw blades.

Take the time to choose the right tools for the job

As with any butchery task, it’s important to use the right tool for the right job. For example, if you’re processing larger cuts of meat like beef, lamb or pork with a boning knife, you’ll benefit from a stiffer, straight blade to provide leverage and strength and produce clean cuts. On the other hand, if you’re removing bones from something more intricate, like poultry or fish, you’ll need a more flexible, curved boning knife to work quickly and precisely.

Of course, if you’re looking to really up your efficiency, why not consider one of our electric bandsaws? Bandsaws are perfect for processing high volumes of meat easily, ensuring consistent and uniform cuts.

That’s the key points covered! Of course, if you still have questions about what tools and equipment would be best for tackling bones, our friendly team of experts are always here to help! From bandsaw blades and mincer machines to butcher blocks, all of our products are reliable and professional-grade, and we’re proud to stock renowned brands at great prices. You can even take advantage of our free UK mainland delivery with no minimum spend and express delivery options, so that you can get what you need, when you need it. Don’t hesitate to give us a ring on 01254 427 761 today, and we’ll make sure you find the right tools for your job!