Knife Skills —

a kitchen guide to using the right knife the right way

This site will give you the confidence to choose and use the knives and other nonelectric sharp tools in your kitchen. It’s also a reference site that you can use as you improve your skills and acquire the tools that will make you a better cook!


Slicer

The slicer has one function: to slice the meat or fish in one slicing motion. There is no back-and-forth motion needed for a slicer. The knife is very long, usually 12 inches, although shorter ones are available. It’s most often seen in slicing the white (breast) meat off turkey, or carving thin slices off large cuts of beef.

Most slicers are used by food service professionals, as most people rarely have the volume of food that would necessitate a slicer. The slicing knife’s blade is very thin and flexible, which allows for very thin slices. This is most visible in New York delicatessens serving beef brisket or corned beef, or sliced-toorder smoked salmon. It’s been said that some longtime workers in New York delis can slice smoked salmon so thin that you could read a newspaper through it. That comes from years of practice, and a very sharp slicer.

Some slicing knives have rounded tips. These are seen mostly in restaurants that have carving stations. The rounded tip is a safety measure, to prevent customers from being jabbed when they, or the chef, lean too far forward to place the food on the plate with the knife under the food.

Slicing knives
Slicing knives, two sizes

As the camel falls to its knees, more knives are drawn.	Bedouin proverb

As the camel falls to its knees, more knives are drawn.


It is a surprise that the cock should hold a grudge against the pot, instead of the knife that killed it.	Italian proverb

It is a surprise that the cock should hold a grudge against the pot, instead of the knife that killed it.


The calf isn’t even born yet and there he is sharpening his carving knife.	Klingon proverb

The calf isn’t even born yet and there he is sharpening his carving knife.

Sam Snead

If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they’d starve to death.

Buddha

The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood.

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The information in this site is true and complete to the best of our knowledge.
The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.
All recommendations are made without guarantee.