THE SLAUGHTERMAN’S KNIFE GUIDE - WITH GUEST LEGENDARY SLAUGHTERMAN AARON WATERS
With insights from Richard at Green Fields Home Kill and Butchery and world-renowned slaughterman Aaron Waters.
When it comes to home kill, slaughtering, and butchery, the right knife isn’t just equipment — it’s an extension of the butcher’s hand. Every cut relies on precision, safety, comfort, and the feel of a blade that responds exactly how you need it to.
Expert Insight from the Legend Himself: Aaron Waters
How Aaron Discovered Victory Knives
Aaron first came across Victory Knives while watching his friend Nick Vukojevich — widely regarded as one of the best slaughtermen on the planet. Nick’s choice of knives immediately stood out, and after further research, Aaron ordered several directly from Auckland to try for himself.
The result was immediate.
“Once they arrived and I used them for a week — BINGO! I realised I was now using the best knives I have ever used!”
Why Victory Knives Stand Out
- Outstanding edge retention
- Unmatched handle comfort, reducing fatigue during long days
- The ‘Bump’ handle provides excellent grip, especially in slaughter work
- A huge range of blade shapes and designs
- Exceptional hollow-ground blades — ideal for siding knives
Aaron has used Victory Knives for more than a decade and has even collaborated with the Victory team on specialist blade designs, including a hog-skinning knife based on his own concept.
“After 13 years using Victory Knives, I’m proud to stand behind them.”
Aaron’s Full Take on Victory Knives
“I actually discovered Victory by accident. While watching videos on YouTube I came across my good buddy Nick Vukojevich from New Zealand, who is basically the best slaughterman on the planet. I was able to find out what knives he was using and a brief Internet search later I found Victory.
I was able to order a few from a dealer in Auckland and once they arrived and I used them for a week — BINGO!! I realized I am now using the best knives I have ever used!! Edge retention like no other brand and handle comfort which both lead to less fatigue!!
The Bump handle is unmatched for grip, especially with slaughtering. The variety of blade shapes and designs, as well as their broad range of hollow-ground blades, is incredible! Nothing better for a siding knife than a hollow-ground blade!!!
I was even fortunate enough to have an idea for a hog-skinning knife that Gareth and the team made into reality! After using Victory for 13 years, I’m definitely proud to be part of the team.”
Richard’s Trusted Knife Brands
For Richard, knives became a passion long before Green Fields existed.
“I started collecting knives at 13. A good knife isn’t about the brand on the handle — it’s how it performs in your hand, day in, day out.”
Through years of hands-on work on smallholdings, these brands have proven themselves:
- F. Dick
- Victorinox
- Opal
- Swibo
Richard’s go-to knife types include:
- Boning knives – precision trimming
- Skinning knives – efficient, clean removal
- Slicing knives – perfect for finishing cuts
- Steak knives – finer detail work
And for serious force? His beloved 9-inch cleaver — the ultimate heavy-duty tool.
Handle Preferences: Why Full Tang Wins
Richard’s knife preference is simple:
Full tang + wooden handles = unbeatable control.
Full-tang knives offer balance, durability, and a confident, solid feel — exactly what a slaughterman needs when every cut matters.
Sharpening: Richard’s Method
Preferred sharpening steels:
- F. Dick
- Victorinox
Sharpening method: Richard avoids wet stones and instead uses a grinding stone to achieve a crisp, reliable edge quickly.
Knife care tips:
- Wash and dry carefully after each use
- Store in a dedicated knife box
- For carbon steel blades: rub with sheep fat to oil and protect the metal
How to Choose & Use Knives for Butchery
- Match the blade to the task — boning, skinning, slicing, or presentation
- Choose full tang for balance and control
- Pick a handle with strong grip, especially when working with wet hands
- Sharpen regularly for safety and precision
- Maintain blades properly to extend their lifespan
Where to Buy These Trusted Knife Brands in the UK
Victory Knives
Jarvis UK – Victory Knives Range
Victorinox Knives
KitchenKnives.co.uk – Victorinox Range
Victorinox UK Official
F. Dick Knives
ButchersEquipment.co.uk – F. Dick Range
Swibo Knives
ButchersEquipment.co.uk – Swibo Range
Final Thoughts
At Green Fields Home Kill and Butchery, we believe that great meat starts with great tools and great care. The knives you choose — and how you maintain them — shape the safety, efficiency, and quality of your butchery work.
Need help or advice?
If you're a smallholder or livestock keeper and you’d like help choosing knives, learning about safe home kill techniques, or booking sheep or goat slaughter and butchery on your own land, feel free to reach out — we’re always here to help.
👉 Click below to learn more about our Sheep & Goat Home Kill & Butchery Services
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to dive deeper into the craft, both Aaron Waters and Gareth from Victory Knives have appeared on the Butchers Bible Podcast with Ant the Butcher — sharing insight into slaughter work, knife design, craftsmanship, and technique.
👉 Aaron Waters on the Butchers Bible Podcast:
Listen on Spotify
👉 Victory Knives episode with Gareth:
Listen on Spotify
Richard is also recording his own episode with the Butchers Bible Podcast tomorrow — stay tuned for the release.
— Richard at Green Fields Home Kill and Butchery
