Think of those old movies from the 30’s and 40’s and those gallant and showy sword fights, Errol Flynn maybe?

In any case, a boning knife is more of a sword than a knife.  Its thin blade allows you to tackle small space tasks with the élan of a swordsman (swordswoman).  Rather than just cutting downward you can remove a bone from a leg of lamb, fillet a chicken thigh or breast, carve away the bones of a fish. 

If you have that artist’s bent and would rather do it all yourself artfully, this is the knife for you, a wonderful compliment to your battery of chef knives that gives you a greater diversity of skills.