Made from high-quality stainless steel, these heavy-duty poultry shears will be your go to tool for breaking down boned raw or cooked poultry. It’s robust spring-loaded mechanism, sharp blades and comfortable handle make it easy to crack through larger larger chicken bones such as thigh and keel bones and certain turkey bones, taking much of the fatigue out of cutting. The blades grip well and cut cleanly—with no problematic splintering of the bones—and the strong spring keeps the shears open and ready to tackle your next tough job after each cut (and it’s removable for detailed washing and drying). Plus, the tool comes with a durable locking mechanism that secures each side of the handle closed for safer and tidier storage.

These shears have a heavy-duty build and comfortable rubber-edged handles, so they are a pleasure to use—I can spatchcock a chicken in mere seconds and don’t feel as if I just had my hand put through the wringer! The 3.5-inch cutting edge is relatively short compared to the weight and length of the rest of the scissors, which means you can exert a lot of force without a lot of effort (much like having a long, heavy crowbar to turn over a rock). And they easily come apart for cleaning but will not fall apart during use, unlike some models. You can also use these shears for cutting up a chicken or trimming off fat or bones. Hands down, this is my favorite pair of poultry shears. — Christopher Kimball

I sat down with Zwilling J.A. Henckels to produce three everyday knives that meet the needs of every home cook. Manufactured in Albacete, Spain—where Henckels has been making knives since the 18th century—these knives feature comfortable, midsize polymer handles and tough high-carbon stainless steel that will hold an edge and resist rust. They are constructed from German stainless steel with a forged one-piece design and triple-rivets in the handle. The set includes a 7-Inch Chef's Knife inspired by the lightweight Japanese santoku knife; 5-Inch Utility Knife with a microserrated edge; and 4-Inch Paring Knife with a Japanese-style, acutely pointed kiritsuke tip. — Christopher Kimball

8 inch Chef Knife: Literally translated as “cow sword,” this 8-inch Japanese gyuto from Kikuichi is an analogue to the European chef’s knife and is designed for any and every kitchen task. Lighter, leaner and more nimble than Western-style knives, gyutos are as thin as possible—without sacrificing rigidity—and feature a more acute blade angle for cleaner, crisper slicing. These 8-inch knives are designed for any and every kitchen task. We love the gentle curve to the blade shape for mincing and the bolster-less design, which makes thorough sharpening easier and the overall weight of the knife lighter. 5 inch Petty Knife: If you’ve only ever used small, Western-style paring knives, Kikuichi’s 5-inch petty knife will feel revelatory. Japanese knives are lean, durable, and more precise than their Western counterparts. The extra length and taller blade on this knife makes it more adept than shorter knives for a broader range of tasks, yet it is still incredibly lightweight for better control. This is the ideal picnic or camping knife; it is also great for everything from dicing small vegetables to breaking down roasts for stew meat or making sandwiches for school lunches.

The solid construction and tactile feel of David Mellor cutlery is transformative for heavy-duty jobs like carving a holiday turkey. The carving knife in this set in particular feels exceptionally balanced in the hand despite the long blade, which is ideal for cutting larger portions—the arced handle swells to the bottom end to fill the palm for a secure grip, and the acetal resin material feels smooth to the touch. The set's carving fork is a perfect complement to the knife, with two fine-pointed prongs that are great for piercing crispy skins or thick roasts. We like that the steel is especially thick and rigid, so the fork's extra-long tines won't bend when you use it to anchor or serve meat. The pieces in David Mellor's Black Handle series are made from high-carbon stainless steel using a special ice-hardening process, which results in strong, durable tools that will stay sharp over time. This set also comes in a beautiful birchwood box with a sliding lid, for easy and safe storage. The late David Mellor was one of the biggest influences of mid-century British design, with the high distinction of Royal Designer for Industry. In addition to architecting Britain's traffic light system and bus shelters, Mellor had a passion for metalwork and designed iconic flatware from the 1950s until his retirement in 2005. The company—now run by David Mellor's son, Corin Mellor—is known for combining a classic, modern aesthetic with the latest manufacturing technology to produce knives that are built to last.