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
How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Buy a Knife

How to Buy a Knife

Caring for Your Knives

Caring for Your Knives

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools


A desperate person will even hold on to a knife edge. Filipino proverb

A desperate person will even hold on to a knife edge.

Filipino proverb


One knife keeps another in its sheath. Vietnamese proverb

One knife keeps another in its sheath.

Vietnamese proverb


They are not all cooks who carry long knives. Chinese proverb

They are not all cooks who carry long knives.

Chinese proverb

Margaret Witter Fuller

Genius will live and thrive without training, but it does not the less reward the watering pot and pruning knife.

Henry Glassford Bell

The damning tho’t stuck in my throat and cut me like a knife, that she, whom all my life I’d loved, should be another’s wife.

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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.