Saw a guy at a farmer's market in Portland trimming brisket with a curved blade instead of straight

He swore by it for getting into the deckle without waste, but I've been using a straight knife for 12 years and never had a problem. Which side are you on for trimming brisket, curved or straight blade?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordanl822mo ago

That curved blade might work for some, but twelve years of clean trimming tells me my straight knife knows its job just fine.

wright.taylor27d ago

My buddy Mike out in Austin had a straight knife for about 9 years and swore by it, said curved blades were a gimmick. He finally caved and grabbed a cheap curved one from a restaurant supply store just to test it out. First brisket he trimmed with it, he cut right into the fat cap on the flat and lost maybe 2 inches of meat. He was so mad he threw the thing in the trash and went back to his old straight blade the same day. I think it's one of those tools where if your muscle memory is totally locked in, switching can mess you up worse than it helps. Not saying curved is bad, just saying I saw someone have the exact opposite experience.

rosek442mo ago

The 12 year thing is interesting because I've been doing this for about 8 years at home and 3 years helping a buddy at his BBQ joint on weekends. Have you ever actually tried a curved blade for a full packer, or are you just going on principle? Because I was ALL straight knife until I borrowed a curved Victorinox from a guy who does competition briskets and he showed me how the curve lets you follow the fat cap contour WAY better around the point. I'm not saying switch forever, but I am saying it changed my mind after one try. What's your actual objection to the curve? Is it just habit or did you have a bad experience with one?