When it’s time to slice and prepare your favorite meats, desserts, and other presentation-focused dishes, you’ll want a good slicing knife on your side. Looking for which options are out there? On this page, we explore some of the best slicing knives available in 2023. We’ve covered flexibility, overall balance, and so much more.
We cover a few different options, including scalloped varieties and a range of different flexibilities. We’ve chosen models with exceptionally sharp edges and high levels of performance.
If you’re just after a quick recommendation, our top of this list is this one:
Dalstrong 12’’ Slicing Knife – Gladiator Series
We think it offers a phenomenal balance of price, ergonomics, and comfort; it’s got an ambidextrous grip too!
Read about the differences between a slicing knife and a carving knife
Keep in mind that your goals and preferences as a cook will determine the option that works best for you, so be sure to read through all of our thoughts here before making a decision.
Learn more with our slicing knife buying guide.
Top 5 Slicing Knives
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1. Dalstrong 12’’ Slicing Knife – Gladiator Series – Editor’s Choice
The perfect all-rounder with a Granton edge and phenomenal handle.
Dalstrong 12’’ Slicing Knife – Gladiator Series Specifications
About the Knife
In terms of balancing price with performance, we think this $99 option from Dalstrong is one of the best out there. The ergonomic, ambidextrous handle feels fantastic and is made from a material known as G10. In layperson’s terms, this means it does a much better job of resisting both heat and moisture.
When slicing and preparing cooked foods, it’s important to make sure that you can maintain control of your knife. Fortunately, the balance on this model is really quite something. The blade flexibility on offer here (HRC of 56) means that it’s great for firmer meats such as dried sausages, iberico hams, and prosciutto. Just be sure to sharpen regularly to maintain that razor-sharp edge. With a full-tang design and lifetime warranty against defects, we think this one will serve you for many years to come.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Dalstrong recommends the following when it’s time to clean your knife:
- Hand-wash only with moderate temperatures and mild soaps
- Dry your knife fully before storing it in its included sheath
- Do not leave to ‘soak’ in water when cleaning
To sharpen at home, use either a fine-grain whetstone or steel. Use an angle between 15 and 20 degrees. Professional services are also available.
Pros:
- Exceptionally sharp edge
- Great flexibility for firmer meats
- Durable G10 handle
- Comfortable design
Cons:
- Regular sharpening required
- Struggles with huge meat cuts
- Tang ‘sticks out’ from the handle
2. Victorinox-Swiss-Army- Fibrox 12’’ Slicing Knife – Best Budget Slicing Knife
A trustworthy slicing knife designed to maintain its sharpness.
Victorinox-Swiss-Army- Fibrox 12’’ Slicing Knife Specifications
About the Knife
We’re amazed that this Victorinox slicing knife is just $50! Considering the levels of sharpness and comfort on offer, you’d be forgiven for expecting a significantly higher price tag.
The high-carbon steel blade and scalloped sides allow for excellent performance when slicing cooked meats and desserts. Just keep in mind that the partial-tang design here will be less durable than some more expensive options on the market.
But what about balance and comfort? The good news here is that this knife feels great for most slicing tasks and the weight is distributed excellently in our opinion. The small amount of flexibility will come in handy when working with firmer meats like ham. This product should maintain its sharpness fairly well but will need sharpening about once a month. For best results, you might like to give your blade a ‘once over’ with honing steel before each use.
Maintenance and Cleaning
To sharpen this product, choose either high-quality steel or fine-grain whetstone and an angle of 15 to 20 degrees. You might like to use the brand’s own domestic sharpener. As with most premium chef’s knives, this product should be considered as hand-wash only. Use mild soaps and moderate temperatures to clean after each use. It’s best to store your knife using either an appropriately sized knife block or a magnetic storage rack.
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Hard, high-carbon steel
- Granton edge
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Partial-tang design
- Some blade flexibility
- Regular sharpening needed
3. TUO 12 inch Fiery Series
Name a slicing task and this handy TUO knife can probably handle it.
Tuo 12’’ Slicing Knife – Fiery Series Specifications
About the Knife
We’re huge fans of this option from TUO. It’s built to tackle any number of slicing tasks, including cutting up raw slabs of meat. The hollow, scalloped edge does a fantastic job of preventing stickier meats from adhering to the blade.
The stylish pakkawood handle doesn’t just look great – it feels fantastic too. You’ll have that extra level of maneuverability that’s required for trickier tasks. This is a well-balanced knife that should maintain its higher-than-average sharpness (56+2 HRC) for longer than you may be used to. The forged design does lots of heavy lifting here. There are plenty of high-performance stamped knives out there, but forged products tend to hold their sharpness for longer.
If you’re concerned about durability on a sub-$50 knife like this, don’t be. It comes with a full-tang design, a high-carbon-steel blade, and a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects.
Maintenance and Cleaning
When looking after this knife, TUO recommends the following:
- Store in a knife block or appropriate sheath
- Hand wash only and avoid harsh soaps
- Clean and dry immediately after each use
Before each use, it’s best to hone this product on your steel to make sure that the blade is properly aligned. If you feel resistance when cutting, this is usually a sign that your blade is too dull.
You might like to oil your pakkawood handle with tung or mineral oil from time to time.
Pros:
- Great sharpness and sharpness retention
- Scalloped, hollow blade
- Full-tang design
- High-carbon stainless steel
Cons:
- Needs regular sharpening
- Can rust if left wet
- Tiny hands may slip
4. Mairico 11’’ Slicing Knife
A versatile, affordable slicing knife that’s backed by a money-back guarantee.
Mairico 11’’ Slicing Knife Specifications
About the Knife
We were really impressed by the balance and overall feel of this Mairico knife, especially considering the $26-40 asking price. There’s more good news when it comes to the blade too; this thing is plenty sharp and should keep its edge reasonably well.
For best results, you might like to hone it briefly before each use. The full-tang handle here is great to see; it should allow for improved durability and slicing confidence. Don’t be put off by the stamped design either – this category of knife has come a long way over the past handful of years. Whether you’re slicing a roast, brisket, salmon, or even fruit, this product should serve you well for many years to come.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The manufacturer lays out the following guidance in its online care guide:
- This knife is hand-wash only and should be cleaned with warm water and fully dried after each use
- The product should be honed regularly with a steel such as this one
- Store your knife in a sheath or knife block
- Before storing, apply a thin layer of good-quality mineral oil for maximum protection
Pros:
- Great sharpness
- Money-back guarantee
- Versatile and ergonomic design
- Tackles basically all meats
Cons:
- 1-year warranty
- No blade cover included
- Blade edge collects chips
5. Mercer Culinary Millennia 11’’ Slicing Knife
A trusty, versatile slicing knife with a minuscule price tag.
Mercer Culinary Millennia 11’’ Slicing Knife Specifications
About the Knife
We know what you’re thinking – how can this thing possibly be any good for less than $22? The reality is, however, that Mercer Culinary has outdone itself here. Granted, you’re looking at slightly more blade flexibility than some of the other options listed above (HRC of 53-54) but this may be an advantage depending on your preferences as a chef.
The balance, ergonomics, and sharpness of this knife are all fantastic in our opinion. Just be sure to sharpen regularly with honing steel of fine grains whetstone. For most standard slicing tasks, this product is a champ!
The scalloped blade prevents your foods from sticking during slices and the Santoprene handle offers superior levels of both grip and comfort. Combine all this with the fact that this product comes with a limited lifetime warranty and you’re looking at a no-brainer if you ask us.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Mercer Culinary outlines the following maintenance suggestions on their site:
- Use this knife guard when storing the product
- Hand-wash only using moderate temperatures and dry immediately
- Never store your knife lose with other cutlery; use a knife block or knife guard.
For best results, briefly hone your knife with honing steel before each use.
Alternatively, products like this one are available through Mercer.
Pros:
- Ridiculously affordable
- Decent sharpness
- Santoprene handle for added grip
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Partial-tang design
- Regular sharpening required
- Quite flexible
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found the recommendations on this page helpful. Remember that the best slicing knife for the job will be the one that best fits your requirements as a chef. Be sure to double-check blade design, balance, and warranties when shopping.
Looking for a quick recommendation? Our absolute favorite on this page is this one:
Whichever option you choose, we hope it serves you well for many years to come. Happy slicing!
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