Old timer at the shop changed my mind about electric knives

I always thought electric knives were just for carving turkeys at Thanksgiving. But last week this retired butcher named Hank was buying a new one and told me he uses it for breaking down primals when his hands are sore. He said why fight a sharpening steel at 5am when a blade that moves itself saves your wrists for the fine work. That hit me because I've been dealing with tendon pain in my right hand after 12 years on the block. Has anyone else here switched over for health reasons?

3 comments

3 Comments

smith.parker1mo ago

Morgan, bet that old timer also used em for trimming fat caps when his arthritis flared up.

jakeb811mo ago

Admit I was skeptical at first too, figured electric knives were just a gimmick for home cooks. But hearing Hank's reasoning about saving your wrists for the fine work makes a lot of sense after years of repetitive motion. I might grab one to test out on some tough stuff around the house and see if it really helps.

morgan_king361mo ago

Grabbed my dad's old electric knife to cut a watermelon last summer and that thing tore through the rind like butter. Ended up using it to break down a whole brisket for a party and it actually worked better than my regular chef's knife for the straight cuts. Not saying it's gonna replace my main blades but there's definitely a spot for them in the kitchen.