Hey everyone. For starters I am new to the trade. I began my apprenticeship 6 months ago so my technique still needs much work. I am right handed and start cutting on the right side and make my way left. Many of the older cutters have told me I am cutting backwards and I should be cutting left to right. I find this to be extremely uncomfortable and my cuts come out wedged. I have practiced for weeks at a time cutting left to right but I just cant get the hang of it. For me cutting right to left is comfortable and my cuts come out neat and presentable. Does anyone have any advice, wisdom or comment on the subject? Thank you all!
-- Edited by Patriotsfan on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 10:17:09 PM
im right handed too- and i recommend anyone new to cut left to right also....
when you arent use to using a steak knife,,,it is easy to bevel away -as with cutting thru a top butt(if cutting right to left)
when cutting left to right, you can use you left hand, to assist in cutting,,,- for ex, when cutting thru a top butt, as you start slicing thru the top of the top butt, take your left thumb and index finger to grab the meat, and put some tension on it-this will slice easier- and slice straighter down thru
2 other fundamentals, hold the knife with a power grip -with your thumb on the left of the handle, and your index finger (knuckle) on the right..this is a power grip, you can lock your whole arm up with this, and use your weight as leverage
you cant do this if you place your thunmb on top of handle
sawing- most everyone "saws" to some extent- slice forward, then bring the blade back-
when sawing you get "waves" in the meat,,,to reduce these waves,,,hold the knife at a steep bevel/angle-do not pull back knife, horizontally- this contributes, to the waves,,,
its ok to saw,,,but keep the blade to a steep angle,,this reduces waves
also be sure your knife is sharp- if you are issued your knives,,,then put them away between shifts,,,if you have "community" knives...come in early, sharpen them before your shift-even if you have to -off the clock.
when i was a young buck,,,some head cutter set me straight on the grip.....felt awkward as hell- i use to place my thumb on top of the handle,,,, but he was right- its much more of a power grip
