• Tools such as the meat cleaver may not represent modern technology, but they still work.a meat cleaver image by rufar from Fotolia.com
  
  Most slaughtering takes place in modern facilities with power tools. But people have been using animal products since long before power tools were available. From ancient times, the tools used in animal slaughter have been simple but effective. In some cases, such as slaughter that must conform with certain religious practices, such tools are still used.
  
  

Knife

• A sharp knife has always been the most useful slaughtering tool. During a kosher slaughter, Jewish law further specifies the use of a knife that is not only sharp, but also free of nicks so the animal may be killed swiftly and efficiently.
  
  

Sharpening Stone

• Since keeping a knife sharp is a continuous job, "Mother Earth News" recommends keeping a stone handy and using it occasionally during the slaughtering process. "The job will be easier, and you'll be less likely to cut yourself," the magazine states.
  
  

Saw

• Bone is too much of a challenge for even the sharpest knife. To cleanly cut through bone, the most useful tool is a saw. Modern processing plants use power saws, but before such tools the handsaw served the purpose.
  
  

Hooks

• A curved, metal hook with a sharp point holds the carcass for aging or inspection. Different sizes may be used for various sizes of animals.
  
  

Cleaver

• When a simple knife isn't quite enough but a saw might be too much, a large blade called a cleaver becomes necessary. The cleaver is useful for separating large parts, such as the head from the neck.