The Tomato Knife is the Kitchen Essential You Didn't Know You Needed

It may seem extravagant to have a knife dedicated solely to the slicing of one particular food, but this multi-purpose knife really is a kitchen essential. As the name suggests, this super sharp, serrated knife is ideal for slicing through thin tomato skin without damaging the delicate flesh below. The tip is also unique in that it features two sharp prongs that make it easy to lift, spear and move tomato slices. Once you use a tomato knife to slice into those perfectly ripe, summer tomatoes, you'll wonder how you ever survived without one.

Don't limit yourself to tomatoes though! This knife is also perfect for other delicate fruits, easily slicing through plums, strawberries, and all manner of citrus without crushing the fruit's soft flesh. Additionally, some of the tomato knives in Williams Sonoma's collection feature a series of holes in the blade that are specially designed to prevent sticking when slicing cheese.

Choosing the Perfect Tomato Knife

Williams Sonoma offers tomato knives from their own brand as well as world-class cutlery names like Wüsthof and Cangshan. Depending upon your needs and budget, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect knife to add to your collection.

• Williams Sonoma - This store-branded knife is a great (and surprisingly inexpensive) option. With its serrated Teflon blade and durable polypropylene handle, this knife slices easily through tomato skins and cheese rinds. It comes with a protective sheath for storage, making it perfect for throwing in your picnic basket. Another unique advantage of this choice is that it is the only knife in the collection that is dishwasher-safe.
• Wüsthof - As an international leader in high-end chef's knives, it's no surprise that Wüsthof offers several excellent tomato knife options. Models range from less than $50 to over $125, and all feature Wüsthof's sleek design and commitment to excellent craftsmanship. At the higher end, you'll get a knife that has been forged from a single piece of high-carbon steel, featuring Wüsthof's Precision Edge Technology (PEtec), which ensures a 20% sharper blade and twice the edge retention.
• Cangshan - The award-winning cutlery maker Cangshan offers combination tomato and cheese knives with holes in the high-alloy steel blades. The slim profile handle is balanced by the tapered tang, allowing for precise cutting. These knives come with carbonized magnetized ashwood sheaths and are hand polished and sharpened by expert bladesmiths.

Once you've selected the perfect model to add to your kitchen, it's time to share the love! A tomato knife and wooden cutting board makes a lovely wedding gift. Or select one of the tomato and cheese knives to pair with high-end charcuterie and gourmet cheese for a generous housewarming gift.