Best Ham Knives

Just as there are several rules for cutting cheese, we also come across some when cutting ham. That is why there are ham knives, which are special knives for cutting ham, worth the redundancy. They are ideal for making fine cuts and cutting the ham into slices or slices. And, believe it or not, buying ham knives can make life easier.

Characteristics of ham knives

As we mentioned, these knives are special for cutting thin slices of ham. Since, they have a long and thin blade, very flexible that makes their cuts precise and thin. Usually, the blade size of ham knives is 37 to 40 cm long and they are made of stainless steel.

On the other hand, the thickness of its blade does not usually exceed two or three centimeters. And, that makes them quite flexible when using them. In addition, it facilitates cutting since its tip is very sharp. However, to get the right or perfect cut, it is necessary to have a quality ham knife.

Design of ham knives

The design of ham knives is not very varied, in fact, it is quite simple. Since it is a long and narrow blade, what is varied is the length of the blade. However, it is not something that directly influences the cut of the piece, it just makes it more comfortable when cutting a larger or smaller piece.

On the other hand, we can also find some knives to cut smooth ham or alveoli. Unlike the smooth knives, the ham knives with alveoli, have small indentations that are deployed throughout the blade. And, although their designs are different, they really serve the same function. In itself, the choice of what type of knife you should use will depend on how comfortable you feel when using them.

Another aspect to highlight is the material of these. The most traditional that we find are the following:

Stainless steel ham knives

The material used by the knives is very important, because it is what will determine their durability and sharpness. The jamoneros stainless steel knives are the most popular because of their durability and ease of sharpening. Also, they are recognized for their good quality.

Ceramic ham knives

Ceramic allows these parts to be very resistant to wear. In addition, they are really sharp instruments, almost more than conventional ones. Above all, it allows precise cuts such as filleting. That is why ceramic ham knives are ideal for slicing ham or meat.

Models of knives to cut ham

There really are not many types of ham knives , but those that do exist are designed for better comfort and a better cut. Since, the more comfortable we are with a tool, the better results we will undoubtedly obtain.

Therefore, the choice of which type of knives you will use will depend on your comfort. As you mentioned, they all fulfill the same function, the only thing different will be the user and the technique used when cutting or slicing the piece of ham or meat.

What ham knife to buy? In the following lines we will talk about some specific models that are quite popular, so that you are clear about the differences between them.

Smooth ham knives or without alveoli

This type of ham cutting knives is one of the most common. Its blade is completely smooth, and it is one of the most used by experts. Since, they say that the alveoli in the ham knife are not really necessary. Because the ham is detached by hand or with tweezers.

Ham knives with alveoli

These knives have slits along their entire blade, so that the ham or meat that is being cut does not stick to the knife. It is common to get this design in professional chef knives. However, as we have mentioned, many see it unnecessary. But, this aspect is relative, everything will depend on the comfort of each person.

Round tip ham knives

The design of the ham knives with a round tip , this is to increase the safety of the person or user. It is ideal for those who are just venturing into the world of slicing or slicing ham. Since, it will avoid any accidental damage or cut that can happen if it falls or the ham holder moves.

Professional ham knives

What are the ham knives that cooks use? The truth is that nowadays you can find a wide variety of this type of knives on the market, and professional chefs – or better said, professional ham cutters – have their hobbies and preferences when it comes to working, and it’s easy that they are even part of the image of some brands, to promote the benefits of the firm on duty.

That is why the most common is that they have firms of recognized prestige, such as some of which we are going to talk about on this page. Arcos or 3 Claveles are well known in our country, offering a wide range of good ham knives , but there are other brands whose quality is always the maximum expression of a type of knife with which to cut the best ham.

Ham knife sets

If you are considering buying different pieces to cut ham, a good way to have all the tools available at the same time is to buy a set of ham knives .

On the market there are different models and brands of these sets, which usually have at least two pieces, such as the ham knife itself and a sharpening steel, which is a cylindrical steel bar that is used precisely for sharpening ham or ham knives. other cutting instruments.

At other times we can complete the game even more, getting to have different kits of ham knives with the inclusion of knives of different edges and sizes, such as the cut itself, one for boning, another for butcher.

Of course, the sharpening steel is also usually included, and in some models even tweezers to take the slices of ham or other utensils, all of them perfectly placed in a case or a cover so that they are always well stored.

The most complete kits of knives to cut ham include even the ham holder itself so that you have all the matching pieces and you do not have to search separately.

The best ham knives

What is the best brand of ham knives ? Without a doubt, it is important to have a quality knife when cutting the piece. Because, not only will it make our work easier, but also the results will be better, and some think that a better taste can also be obtained. However, we cannot forget that a good ham and a good technique when cutting is also necessary.

Among the best ham knives we find:

Arcos ham knives

The Arcos brand is recognized for its excellent quality in any type of knife. And, ham knives are no exception. Also, their prices for ham knives are the best with respect to the price-quality ratio. One of your best options is the Rivera series, which, it should be noted that it is one of the most sold in the US. Also, we can highlight the Regia line, this is of excellent quality and elegant design, in addition, that its price is lower than that of the Rivera line.

Jamonprive ham knife

This is a Spanish brand, which is in charge of selling quality products both in knives and in pieces of ham, wines, among others. On their page we can find the different models of knives they have. They have one of the best ham knives , at a fairly affordable price. It should also be noted that its parts are made of stainless steel.

Quttin Classic ham knife

The knives used by this brand are really good. And, if you are looking for a cheap and quality ham knife, this is the one for you. In addition, it is made of German steel, its length is 28 centimeters and its thickness is 2.5 centimeters. It is a product that is designed for professional cutting, as it provides a precise and very clean cut. It certainly does not disappoint.

3 Claveles ham knives

One of the most recognized firms in this sector is that of the tres claveles ham knives, present in Spain since 1930 thanks to the Bueno brothers, quickly establishing themselves in the national market, although in the beginning the production was mainly based on the production of scissors.

Currently they have two large plants in Logroño, and of course their presence at an international level is very strong, since buying a 3 claveles ham knife like the one you can see below is synonymous with quality and guarantee, and above all at a reasonable price.

Victorinox ham knives

Talking about knives of Swiss origin already inspires us with great confidence and guarantee. This is what happens with the Victorinox ham knife brand , a firm whose origin dates back to 1884 with the first knife workshop created by Karl Elsener, in a small Swiss town.

Since then, and thanks to the well-known Swiss army knife created for the army at the end of the 19th century, the fame of this firm has not stopped growing, and among the entire catalog of products available, it is possible to find these pieces whose price You are going to notice that it is somewhat higher than other firms that are also of very good quality, but are you going to turn down the opportunity to buy a Victorinox ham knife from Switzerland itself?

Stainless steel vs ceramic ham knives

When looking for the perfect knife, we always want to know which one is better. Since, in all areas we are looking for quality. Basically, we can find knives to cut ham, made of steel, stainless steel or ceramic. But how do you know which is the best? We will answer that question here, and the conclusion will be up to your perspective:

Advantages of stainless steel ham knives

• It has a lower adhesion of dirt, plus they are easy to clean.
• It has greater durability than other knives.
• In addition, it has different finishes; such as satin, smooth or vibrated.
• Shock resistant (more than ceramic).
• It is flexible, and this can be an advantage in adapting to some ingredients.
• Also, it is resistant to humid environments.

Disadvantages

• Unlike ceramic knives, the edge of stainless steel ham knives wears out faster.
• It can leave a metal taste in some foods or meals. Due to the porosity that the metal acquires when it is sharpened.
• It is heavier than the ceramic knife.

Advantages of ceramic ham knives

• They are easy to clean, since dirt does not stick to the blade.
• Its edge is very durable, in addition, they are very sharp and that makes them perfect for precise cuts.
• They are lighter than stainless steel knives.
• They do not rust.
• On the other hand, they do not leave odors or flavors of other foods in the food.

Disadvantages

• Its price is higher than those of stainless steel.
• They are more fragile and susceptible to shocks.
• Since they are very sharp, care must be taken when cutting.
• They require more maintenance.

How to use a ham knife?

The technique of cutting ham is not as easy as it looks. It really is an art to cut a ham to perfection. In addition, a good cut will make a difference, you will see that the piece will taste much better. It should be mentioned that in addition to the quality ham cutting knife, we will need a ham holder. This, so that the piece does not move in the process and it is easier to make the cut. 

Precautions when using a knife to cut ham

If you are a beginner, we recommend that you follow these tips. Because, even if you think it is simple, there may be an accident at some point and cause you some harm. In addition, you should avoid underestimating the cut that the knife can generate and possible accidents that may occur to you. Now, to guarantee your full safety you must take these precautions when using ham knives :

• It is important that when using a ham holder or a “ham holder”, this is well fixed so that the ham does not move and does not cause an accident.
• When making the cut, the hand that is unoccupied should always be higher than the hand with which the cut is being made.
• If you have a knife that is sharpened correctly, avoid using too much force when cutting.
• You must keep your body at a safe distance from the cutting area.
• When you cut, do it slowly and without haste.

Ham knives with protector

Although we have already commented on some recommendations when using these utensils, for those people who are starting in this art or who simply do not want to risk an ugly wound while cutting the ham, you should know that there are some options in the market to buy ham knives with an anti-cut protector , so that possible accidents are avoided by means of a piece that is placed on the edge of the knife, also allowing to obtain thin and uniform slices.

The good thing about a ham knife with a protector is that it avoids an accident in case the knife slips when using it, which represents great security for those of us who are a little more clumsy with this art and do not want to risk a cut.

Ham knives for lefties

As a general rule, we do not give importance to this detail, since only between 8 and 13% of the world population is left-handed. Only? We are talking about many people around the globe, so it is not surprising that there are articles of all kinds that have been designed to be used specifically with the “less skilled” hand of most people, including ham knives for left-handed .

What is different about a left-handed ham knife ? Well, the edge, which is normally on the left, forcing left-handed people to use their “bad” hand to make these cuts.

With a left-handed ham cutting knife , the edge is changed, allowing it to be seen at all times when manipulated from the left hand.

There is also the possibility of buying ham knives to be used with both hands, and they are very common to find in the market.

How to sharpen ham knives?

You should know that sharpening ham knives is an interesting challenge. Since, it is a very long and quite elastic knife. For this reason, with this knife the pressure that we must give with the hand is important to be able to sharpen it correctly. Now, before starting to sharpen, the first thing to do is place the sharpening stone in water, until it stops bubbling. This, so that the sharpening is not so abrasive.

After this, we place the stone on the more rustic side, take the knife and put it on the stone at an angle of 30 degrees, or whatever is most comfortable for you. Then, we will place three or four fingers on the knife (on the side that is on the stone), in order to press it against the stone. After this, we will start moving the knife up and down to sharpen it. As the knife is very long, we will repeat the process in parts.

Once sharpened by side and side, that is, both sides. We will repeat this process, but on the less abrasive side of the stone. When doing this, our ham knife would already be sharp, we clean it well with a detergent or disinfectant to remove porosity and store it in a safe place.

What to know when buying a ham knife?

Before buying a ham knife, you must take into account some factors. For example; the size of the piece you are going to cut, the comfort and security it will provide, and above all the quality. First of all, we must say that there is no best ham knife on the market . Because everything will depend on the user, and the characteristics of the piece that is going to be cut or sliced.

But, you should know that it is very important that the knife is flexible, since it will facilitate the work. On the other hand, the handle is also an important part since it must adapt very well to your hand and provide you with comfort. Also, you should know that the size of the blade is not relevant when cutting, it will only influence how comfortable you feel. In the same way, the minimum dimension that the ham knives must have is 24 centimeters.

Where to buy ham knives?

Surely you can take the car on the go and come in a moment to buy ham knives from El Corte Inglés or any other shopping center that you have more or less nearby. Or maybe not and the most comfortable thing for you is to sit quietly on the sofa at home to choose between the different web pages and finally buy a ham knife online .

On the internet we find endless virtual stores or platforms that sell this type of product. However, many of these stores sell poor quality products. Therefore, we recommend you go to a physical store where you can view the product for yourself and avoid any problems. But, if you prefer to buy online, it is best to buy ham knives on Amazon .