Buying a slicing knife may seem easy but getting a quality one can be at times daunting. With the ever-increasing brands in the market, most people have fallen prey to crappy deals. What most people don’t understand is that a quality slicing knife is more than just its looks. And for you to identify the best slicing knife for your culinary tasks, you need to be well versed with what makes a great slicing knife. To make it easy for you, we have compiled a list of the top 10 quality slicing knives along with a shopping guide to help you identify the right brand that suits your cooking needs.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Slicing Knives
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1. Mercer Culinary Forged Carving Knife
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Mercer carving knife is one of the NSF approved models which have been crafted to deliver unmatched performance. Used to design this amazing knife is a stain-free, high carbon Germany steel blade which is resistant to rust and discoloration, a feature which helps retain its lustrous look. Its taper-ground edge facilitates easy honing and a lasting cutting edge for a hassle-free slicing.
The knifes bolster has been perfectly positioned to give it exceptional strength and balance. Its Santoprene handle is ergonomically designed to provide you with a secure grip even when your hands are greasy or wet giving you the confidence to complete the task at hand.
Better still; the handle does not suffer from any temperature changes in your kitchen, a great feature which makes it stand out from its peers. This 10" full Tang knife is a blend of technology and contemporary craftsmanship which makes it a great addition to your kitchen.
2. Mercer Culinary Slicer Knife
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Designed with superior quality materials, this slicer knife is constructed to make your culinary tasks simple. The blade is a one-piece superior quality Japanese steel which is rust and stain free. Its ability to maintain its ultra-sharp edge makes its maintenance easy.
Its handle is a combination of Polypropylene and Santoprene for comfort and high durability. With its well-textured finger points, you can enjoy a secure non-slip grip without worrying about your wet hands. The knife also has a protective finger guard for user safety. Adding this Mercer Culinary series to your kitchen will bring efficiency and style.
3. Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Slicing Knife
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With a black triple riveted handle, this Mercer Culinary knife delivers great performance to help you get the task at hand done effortlessly. Its Derin handle is ergonomically crafted to provide perfect balance, comfort, and secure grip. Its blade is made of a high carbon Germany steel which is resistant to stain, rust, corrosion, and discoloration. With this slicer knife, you will enjoy a sharp edge for long.
Thanks to its taper ground edge which facilitates easy honing, provides efficiency and helps retain the cutting edge which not only allows you to enjoy better slicing efficiency for long but also makes its maintenance simple. A shorter bolster helps prevent your hand from accidental slips towards the blade preventing any injuries.
4. TUO CUTLERY Slicing Knife
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TUO has a long history of designing topnotch cutleries for different culinary tasks. This 12-inch Japanese stainless steel slicing knife is one of its products which have stood out from the competition. Its super steel blade offers great performance while retaining its sharpness enabling you to perform precision cuts with confidence.
The blade touts of anti-sticking properties which makes slicing meat, tomatoes, and potatoes a breeze. Its full tang design gives the knife strength allowing you to complete your culinary tasks with ease. Its handle is professionally designed to offer balance and comfort while reducing fatigue levels enabling you to use it for extended periods.
With this TUO series, you will enjoy the versatility of a slicing knife and great features to handle different culinary jobs with ease.
5. DALSTRONG Slicing Carving Knife
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Enjoy great versatility and craftsmanship at its best with DALSTRONG slicing knife. It is professionally crafted to help your daily culinary tasks with ease. Its Germany steel blade is forged with high precision into one piece with a Rock hardness of 56+ for edge retention and durability.
A balance between the blade and handle has been stricken which gives the knife a professionally weighted feel for better user experience. Its lightweight triple riveted Pakka wood handle offers a secure grip to enable you to easily handle even the most demanding culinary tasks.
A hand polished bolster helps prevent your hand from slipping toward the blade protecting your fingers from injury. Specially designed for professional chefs, comes along with a BPA free sheath for blade protection.6. Icel Slicing Knife
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Icel has a long history which dates back 73 years. The brand is known for its commitment and expertise in producing high-quality cutlery. And this slicing knife has been constructed with a High carbon stainless steel which is ice tempered for a razor -sharp edge which lasts longer.
Its 12-inch long blade facilitates easy slicing and cutting of meat, turkey, ham, and salmon among others. Its handle is professionally designed to offer comfort and a secure grip while bringing elegance to your kitchen. Its black color makes it easy to identify and spot.
Being an NSF certified brand, Icel ensures high sanitary standards are maintained by bringing you a super quality knife for professional chefs and homeowners making it one of the best salmon slicing knives in the market.7. DALSTRONG Slicing Carving Knife
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This Nitrogen cooled knife from DALSTRONG is designed to deliver unmatched performance with its exceptionally ultra-sharp blade. The blade is constructed with AUS-10 V vacuum treated Japanese steel with 66 layers of superior quality High Carbon steel with Rockwell hardness of 66+ for exceptionally sharp edge, great strength, stain resistance, and durability.
Its ultra-sharp scalpel edge is perfectly hand finished to give you great versatility. Its 12-inch long blade features a Full Tang metal which is triple riveted on a black elegant handle for exceptional strength and balance. The handle is professionally engineered to offer better control, balance, and comfort. A perfect balance has been stricken between the handle and the blade giving the knife superior power to follow any contours.
A tapered bolster encourages a natural grip while providing finger protection making slicing not only easy but also fun. Included is a matching traditional sheath with a pin and locking mechanism for blade protection and for preventing access by children or unauthorized persons.
The brand has been trusted by professional chefs and could be a great addition to your kitchen.8. WÜsthof 14" Brisket Slicer
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In case you may be looking for the best Brisket slicer knife then this Wusthof series could be the end of your slicing woes. The knife is constructed using one piece of chrom-molybdenum-vanadium steel which is sized using the latest laser technology for an outstanding slicing experience.
With a full tang metal, you can always be guaranteed for strength and balance. The blade is ultra-scalpel sharp with rust and stain resistant which helps maintain high sanitary standards. Its black handle is triple riveted and well-contoured top fit your hand for optimal robustness, secure grip, and comfort.
The 19-inch long knife boasts of its 14” long blade which cuts through effortlessly making it ideal for commercial purposes. Its lightweight design allows you to use it for extended hours making it easy to manage even the most demanding culinary jobs.9. Wusthof 4522 -7/23 B00009YBK6 Slicing Knife
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The Wusthof slicing knife is a product of Germany that is designed using High Carbon stainless steel which features a thin, narrow blade with a pointed tip. The metal has been forged into one piece for unrivaled strength and durability. A Full tang, bolster and its high precision blade are professionally held by a sturdy Hostaform-C-handle which has a triple-riveting for added strength, better balance, and control.
With this knife, you can easily cut your hot or cold meat, turkey, roasts, and hams. The knife can either be dish washed or hand washed making its maintenance easy.
10. Global Cutlery G-10 Slicing Knife
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This lightweight Global cutlery is designed to give professional cuts effortlessly. Its stainless steel blade defies rust which delivers high precision cuts while keeping high sanitary standards. The edge features a ground straight design which gives it an ultra-sharp cutting edge which retains its sharpness for long.
The handle is uniquely designed to offer you a secure and comfy grip even when used for an extended period. Every Global Cutlery series is professionally crafted to make your cooking fun. Before being released to the market, the cutleries undergo through a thorough and precision design to ensure every piece is of the right quality.
This has been justified on the number of awards the brand has won which gives you the confidence in every piece making it a great addition to your kitchen.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Slicing Knife
Blade manufacturing
Slicing knife blades undergo through two different types of manufacturing processes. They can either be hand forged or stamped. Hand forged knives are manually designed through a multi-step process by skilled professionals.
During the manufacturing process, a steel alloy is cut then heated on high temperatures which usually vary depending on the metal. Once heated, the metal is shaped while it's still hot into the desired shape and tempered to the preferred hardness.
A bolster is then blown to enhance user safety. When the metal is treated and forged, it is polished and sharpened to the desired degree.
On the other hand, stamped knives are designed using a cold rolled steel sheet which is cut into the desired shape. It is then ground, treated and sharpened. Compared to hand forged models, stamped knives are lightweight and may not have a bolster. However, though most brands may lack a bolster, identification of a stamped knife should not solely be based on the absence of a bolster as some may have it.
In regards to durability, forged knives are highly recommended. Besides, they are also hefty and are mostly associated with professional chefs. However, with great care, stamped knives can also be a great addition to your kitchen.
Blade material
The most commonly used blade materials are carbon steel, high carbon steel, stainless steel, and ceramic. Carbon steel knives are inexpensive and hold their edges for long. Normally, carbon steel knives consist of carbon and iron but often have manganese and Vanadium elements. Sharpening a carbon steel blade is simple as compared to stainless steel but it is susceptible to stains and rust.
Stainless steel knives are made from an iron alloy which comprises 10 to 15% of Chromium, Molybdenum and perhaps Nickel. Normally, stainless steel knives are made from a 420 stainless steel which is food grade metal with stain and rust resistance properties. Honing a stainless steel knife is not easy and may call for a professional.
High carbon steel knives have a high amount of carbon as compared to other stainless steel metals. The metal is usually made of different metal elements of Vanadium, Molybdenum, Cobalt and other components for exceptional strength, edge retention and unrivaled cutting edge.
Knives constructed using High carbon steel resists stain, discoloration, and rust. Due to its great strength and performance, they cost higher.
Ceramic knives are known for their ability to retain their ultra-sharp edge for long. They are lightweight which makes them ideal for use even for an extended period. Normally, ceramic knives are constructed using a forged Zirconium Dioxide which gives them a hard and scalpel-sharp edge.
Due to their ability to maintain an exceptionally sharp edge, they are recommended for different culinary tasks like cutting vegetables, fruits, and boneless meat. However, they are delicate and may chip when they hit hard ground. Sharpening them is not easy but with great care, they can be a great addition to your kitchen.
Blade sharpness
Though at some point your knife will call for sharpening, the degree of sharpness of the blade will determine your cutting experience. Sharper blades facilitate for easy and effortless slicing but a less sharp one will require you to use more force to get the job done.
Always go for ultra-sharp brands to help you conquer and complete different tasks with ease.
Rockwell hardness
A knife Rockwell hardness determines its ability to retain its edge. The more the Rockwell hardness, the higher the ability of the knife to retains its edge even after repeat sharpening. As a rule of thumb, consider going for models with Rockwell Hardness rate of 56+.
Blade type
Though the industry may offer different knives models to choose from, the blade type varies depending on where the steel originates. Most of the popularly known steel types are either Japanese or German. There are distinct features which make these type of cutleries to stand out from each other.
Though they may vary, in the shape and design, one of the distinct features which set these two types of cutlery apart is the steel used. Typically steel is a combination of Carbon and Iron. Though this may vary depending on the blade manufacturing process, Japanese knives have high carbon as compared to German models which is the reason why they are hard.
German knives may have a Rockwell hardness scale of 56 to 58 while Japanese ranges from 60 to 61. Though you may find other models with Rockwell hardness lower than this range, the flexibility of German knives tends to be high due to less Carbon content. This makes German knives easy to hone and have the ability to retain a sharp edge for long which explains why they do not require frequent honing as their counterparts.
Japanese knives normally have a straighter edge, thinner and sometimes bolster free for clean and precise cuts. German models are hefty, curved, and thicker on the bolster for great versatility and power to penetrate through contours.
Blade length
Most slicing knives have different lengths to allow you to cut through easily. Some models may use carving knives instead of slicing knives to describe their products which at times can be confusing. Normally, slicing knives are shorter in length and may range anywhere between 8 to 12 inches while carving models have a length range of 12 to 16 inches.
Due to their length and thicker blade, carving knives are best suited for cutting through tough meat like roasts, beef, or Venison. Though slicing knives can cut meat, they cannot handle the most demanding ones. Check out what you can slice with your knife to determine its versatility and whether it suits your needs.
Handle design and material
The knives handle design and material play a role in the comfort and user experience and before you make your selection, you should be keen on the type of handle you choose. Normally, manufacturers use different materials which differ. Most of the popularly used materials include wood, plastic, steel, and composite handles.
The wooden handle gives a secure grip with a great aesthetic look but require proper care. Wood is vulnerable to moisture and may crack or warp due to excessive exposure to water. In case you happen to settle for a wooden model, ensure you go for models which are moisture resistant. Regular oil treatment will also be needed to keep the handle in good shape.
Plastic handle is lightweight and comfy to use. They are contoured to accommodate your finger offering a secure grip. The material can become more slippery especially when handled with wet or greasy hands.
Unlike wooden material, plastic handles do not absorb micro-organisms or moisture but may crack when they hit hard surfaces or melt when exposed to high temperatures. To ensure you enjoy using your knife, you should go for models which have slip-resistant properties to allow you to complete your culinary tasks with ease even when your hands are not at their best.
Composite handles are great in regards to sanitary levels as compared to other materials like wood and plastic. Typically, composite handles are made from laminated wood infused with plastic resin. They usually have a feel, looks of wood but are easy to maintain.
Steel handles are the most long lasting and easy to maintain but due to the fact that they are made of metal, they tend to increase the weight of the knife which affects its balance and control. Using a knife with a steel handle can increase your fatigue levels and at a time it may slip when your hands are set. If you settle for a steel handle knife, ensure it has a hollow to help minimize wrist fatigue and enhance comfort levels altogether.
The type of handle you choose by the end of the day should be determined by your personal preferences.