Tomatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables out there. You can put them in salads or use them to create the most decadent sauces. And that’s only two out of their many uses.
But they also have a unique texture, which makes them difficult to slice through evenly with a regular knife.
This is where tomato knives come in. If that sounds oddly specific, it is. But they are also beneficial for those who know their value.
The following article will be discussing our recommendations for the best tomato knife for cutting and slicing, as well as giving you tips on how to utilize these knives fully.
| Brand | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wusthof |  |
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| Kai Pure Komachi |  |
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| Chroma |  |
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| Lamson |  |
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| Winco |  |
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| Rada |  |
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| Case XX |  |
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| Wusthof |  |
|
8 Best Tomato Knife Review
Below are a handful of options to choose from if you are in the market to buy a good tomato knife, but would like to see a cohesive review first.
Wusthof Classic 5″ Tomato Slicing Knife
Made in Germany, this tomato knife from Wusthof is a good one to start with. It resembles regular knives because its blade is a bit wider than that of a typical tomato knife, but is also narrow enough to give you a clean slice.
The knife is stainless steel forged with precision, which means that it will last you a long time unless you somehow bend it out of shape. Even with its serrated edge, this knife will be relatively easy to re-sharpen and re-use.
Other than its width, this is truly a classic tomato slicing knife. Its serrated blade cuts into a tomato without squashing its insides and allows you to put even pressure on the vegetable throughout the slicing process. This knife would also be perfect for slicing cheese and fruits.
Moreover, it is effortless and comfortable to use, thanks to its jointless and triple-riveted handle. There is also a full bolster between the blade and the handle so that the user’s hand is protected.
Read Next: Best Wusthof Knives
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Kai Pure Komachi 2 Series 4″ Tomato Knife
This is a funky option from Kai for those who don’t like their utensils to be the same dull black and silver. It is a tomato red 4-inch long tomato and cheese knife.
The blade may resemble ceramic, but it is high carbon stainless steel that has had food-safe and FDA-approved colorful resin bonded to it. Its handle is also the same shade of red as the blade to match.
Besides its unique look, this knife is entirely appropriate for slicing tomatoes and cheeses with its serrated and right length blade. The blade is a bit wide, so keep that in mind if you prefer a narrower (and lighter) product. However, the prongs at the end of the knife are a good detail.
The resin coating gives the knife a non-stick quality, which also avoids corrosion and wears over time. Not to mention, it is very easy to clean, though you may want to keep the steel wool away from it.
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Chroma Type 301 Designed 5″ Tomato Knife
One of the sleekest knives on this list is Chroma’s F. A. Porsche tomato knife. At first glance, it may seem as though the entire knife has been forged from a single block of metal, with no additional coating on the handle.
However, while the blade is crafted from hand-sharpened Japanese super-fine 301 steel, the handle is made of 18/10 highly durable stainless steel. The design of the handle is flat-topped with a conical profile, which makes it very ergonomic.
Its blade and handle are attached with a single silver rivet. The knife’s 5-inch long blade is serrated and sharp, with a forked and curved point. These features will help you use the knife to penetrate the tomato’s taut skin and get uniform slices out of it.
This is pretty much the perfect tomato knife if you have the budget for it. If you just want to experiment with a tomato knife but do not want to commit to using one altogether, it is better to get something cheaper than this.
While it is not the most expensive option on this list, it does require professional sharpening, which may not seem reasonable to you if you are not a seasoned cook.
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Lamson Fire Forged 5-Inch Tomato Knife
This Lamson tomato knife will be a good option for those who want some personality in their utensils, but not anything that is too eye-catching.
It is forged from one piece of high carbon stainless steel like many others on the list. But it has a few design and material options to choose from for the handle, namely: Earth, Fire, Rosewood, and Silver.
Coming to details about the 5-inch long blade itself, it has much-needed serration and a nicely curved tip that ends with a pair of prongs. The latter feature is great because it allows you to use the knife for both cutting and serving foods such as cheese, tomatoes, etc.
There is a full bolster between the handle and blade, which restricts contact between the sharp blade and the user’s hand during use. It also provides the right balance and has a nice weight to it, despite being relatively narrow.
The only downside may be the knife’s price, especially if you only want to experiment with tomato knives and not want to spend too much on it.
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Winco KFP-51, 5-Inch Slicing Tomato Knife
This knife from Winco is forged fully out of one block of German carbon steel, which makes it easy to sharpen. It has a full-tang handle that has been designed ergonomically to make the knife easy to use and not tire out the user.
The blade is 5 inches long and has a good amount of serration on it. Because it has tampered with ice, the knife is very sharp. The handle is designed so that your slicing/cutting is even and fast.
As with most tomato knives, this one also has the signature forked tip for serving purposes.
The price of this knife will also be agreeable for most users as it is neither too expensive nor suspiciously cheap. It has a mid-range price tag but is packed with all the essential features of an excellent serrated knife.
You can use this as a tomato knife, slicing cheese, fruits, or for vegetables, and also as a paring knife.
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Rada MFG 8-Inche Tomato Slicing Knife
This pack of two tomato knives from Rada MFG may just be the best option for beginners. It has quite a reasonable price tag for two identical serrated knives.
Though it lacks the forked tip that is characteristic of tomato knives, it is not a feature that you will miss too much.
The blade is made of high carbon durable stainless steel, while the comfortable handle is solid cast aluminum. Both metals are easy to clean and dry.
There is also a full bolster between the blade and the handle, which will protect your hand while you use the knife. Its color is entirely silver, which gives it a sophisticated look and makes it appropriate for the decor of most kitchens.
The blade is serrated and very narrow, which means you can get even slices out of tomato using this knife.
Besides the lack of prongs, one other downside of this knife is that the serration on its blade is not very fine. That is, it has more and wider ‘teeth’ than the average tomato knife. The serrated edge of a tomato knife primarily helps it cut into the vegetable without too much pressure and with a lot of precision.
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Case XX Household 5.5-Inche Tomato Slicing Knife
Last but not least, entry is Case XX’s tomato slicer knife. This knife has a very narrow and light body, with the blade being 5.5 inches long. The blade’s pointed and curved end is excellent for vegetables and fruits whose skin is incredibly tough. You can use this point to pierce the skin and then slice through easily.
The blade is stainless steel, while the handle is made of solid walnut wood with a full tang. What sets this apart from most other knives on this list is that it is convenient to carry if you like to hunt or just explore the outdoors. It is sharp enough that it can be used to slice small pieces of meat.
Because the blade is high carbon stainless steel, it is very durable despite being relatively thin and narrow. It will also hold its edge for a long time without needing to be sharpened. Not to mention, it is highly resistant to all sorts of wear and tear, such as corrosion.
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Wusthof Classic Ikon 5″ Serrated Tomato Knife
Another option from Wusthof is this variation on their Serrated Tomato knife. This one has more or less the same features, but with a narrower blade.
The width of this blade will be most desirable to anyone looking to buy a proper tomato knife, as it is relatively narrow. Of course, it also has a tremendous serrated edge and a pair of prongs at the end, for serving purposes.
Its blade is a good 5 inches long. Coupled with its width, this is a very compact blade that will be light and comfortable to handle while cutting/slicing delicate foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and cheeses.
Because the whole knife is forged from one block of high carbon stainless steel, there is no chance of the handle and blade breaking off from each other. The knife’s handle is also thrice riveted and bolstered on both ends for additional security.
It can be quite an expensive knife, but if you read on, you will know the benefits of owning a tomato knife and why you might need one for your kitchen. Read also our expensive Kitchen knife set.
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What Is A Tomato Knife?
Tomato knives are specially designed knives for cutting through tomatoes. Tomatoes have a taut skin but with delicate flesh, which makes it tricky to slice them evenly.
A serrated tomato knife with a narrow blade and slightly curved end make it very easy to penetrate a tomato’s skin so that it is not crushed out of shape under the knife’s pressure.
You may think that any knife with a serrated edge will do the trick, but the narrow blade of a small, specialized tomato knife makes for a cleaner slice.
As one Bon Appetit author puts it, “Since the cutting motion is across, instead of being down, it can produce thin, even slices, without pushing out the seeds.”
Even if you are using your tomatoes for a sauce, a tomato knife can help you slice and dice them evenly to avoid any lumps in your dish.
How to Use a Tomato Knife?
It is pretty easy to use a tomato knife, but there is still a method for doing it right your first time.
Hold the tomato down on your chopping board with one hand (knuckles forward and fingertips in, to not cut yourself on accident), and place the blade’s edge against the tomato.
Do not put pressure down onto the vegetable, however. Instead, move your tomato knife slightly back and forth while cutting into the tomato.
Cut across the tomato rather than downwards. This will ensure that you get clean and even slices, while the seeds and flesh of the tomato remain intact.
The serrated blade of the tomato knife breaks into the tomato’s taut skin before slicing cleanly through the rest of it. Remember to move your knife back and forth once you reach the end, though, as the blade may leave some of the skin on the bottom uncut.
Here’s a helpful video explaining the process in detail:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of knife should I use to cut a tomato?
A: While a regular serrated knife will do the job, you should use a proper tomato knife to cut and slice tomatoes neatly and evenly. The serrated blade cuts into the tomato’s resistant skin while its narrowness makes slices even.
Q: What type of knife is best to cut a tomato?
A: The best type of knife to use for cutting tomatoes is a knife with a serrated blade or a sharp one. The several teeth of a serrated blade can penetrate the taut skin of the tomato, which ensures that the tomato’s insides are not squashed down while cutting it.
Q: What is the use of prongs on a tomato knife?
A: You will notice that some tomato knives will have a pair of prongs at the end of their blade. This fork can be used for serving slices of tomato or cheese or bread, without you having to touch them or use a separate utensil.
Q: How is a tomato knife different from a regular knife?
A: The three features that set apart a tomato knife from other knives are its serrated blade, its curved end, and its narrow width. These features make it perfect for cutting into a tomato, a vegetable that is notoriously difficult to slice evenly.
Q: What else can I use a tomato knife for?
A: A tomato knife can be used for cutting most foods besides bones. But most people use tomato knives for slicing tomatoes, cheese, fruit, and bread.
Final Words
If you started reading this article doubting the usefulness of tomato knives, hopefully now those doubts are gone.
Moreover, you can now go out and get yourself the best tomato knife for cutting and slicing tomatoes, out of the many great options presented above.
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