A tomato knife is essential. Imagine you’ve spent all season growing the perfect tomatoes, or maybe you just got back from the farmer’s market with the ripest, juiciest tomatoes of the bunch. You’re just about to assemble the ingredients for a fun, new recipe when you realize that you don’t have a knife to cut your tomatoes!
If you’ve ever been in this situation, or if you’re just curious about different types of tomato knives, look no further! Our ranking of the best tomato knives will help you find the right one for any situation.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Mercer Culinary Renaissance, 5-Inch Tomato Knife
Budget Option
Kershaw PK 2 Tomato/Cheese Knife
The High-End Tomato Knife
Wusthof Classic 4110 Serrated Utility Knife
Best Overall
Mercer Culinary M23610
The Mercer Culinary M23610 is a top choice for professional chefs seeking to enhance their knife skills. Specifically designed for the food-service industry, its ergonomic design ensures comfort and ease of grip during prolonged use. Ideal for slicing thin tomato slices, it’s perfect for various recipes. However, it requires hand washing and immediate drying as it doesn’t fare well in water.
Pros
- Ergonomic
- Supplier for food-service workers, so it’s an industry favorite
- Made out of high-quality materials
- Able to cut thin slices with it
Cons
- Have to wash by hand
- Damages easily if submerged in water for too long
The Budget Safe Tomato Knife
Kershaw PK 2 Tomato/Cheese Knife
The Kershaw PK 2 Tomato/Cheese Knife offers both ease of use and cleaning. Constructed from stainless steel and coated in food-safe resin, it’s dishwasher safe and budget-friendly. Designed for cutting tomatoes and cheese, it’s a versatile choice. Its bright red color adds vibrancy to your kitchen, but note that the blade protector is slightly smaller than average, requiring careful handling even when covered.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Affordable option
- A colorful addition to your kitchen
- Has more than one purpose (can cut tomatoes and divide tomato slices after cutting)
- Good for left-handed and right-handed people
Cons
- Smaller sheath, so it can be easier to cut yourself
- Doesn’t come in any neutral colors
- Dual purpose means that it might not be able to cut all types of cheese and all types of tomato
The High-End Tomato Knife
Wusthof Classic 4110
The Wusthof Classic 4110 stands out as a top-tier tomato knife prized for its precision in slicing tomatoes of varying sizes. Crafted from high-carbon stainless steel, it promises durability for long-term use. However, its premium quality comes with a higher price point, making it more suitable for those investing in their kitchen tools. Additionally, its sharpness requires careful handling to ensure safety during use.
Pros
- Known for its precision
- Very durable and long-lasting
- Good for both cutting and serving
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- One of the more expensive options
- Very sharp, so have to be especially careful handling it
Rada Cutlery Tomato Slicing Knife
The Rada tomato knife is our top pick for its dual-serrated blade, ensuring clean and precise slices. Its versatility extends beyond tomatoes, making it suitable for various foods. Despite its multi-functionality, it remains budget-friendly. With its long blade, it’s ideal for larger tomatoes, but may not be suitable for smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes.
Pros
- Good price point
- Fairly long, which is helpful for larger tomatoes
- Made out of surgical-grade carbon
- Can cut other foods because of its serration
Cons
- Length can also be a downside depending on the size of the tomato you’re trying to cut
- Have to wash by hand
Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife
The Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife is a versatile option, akin to its Swiss Army Knife counterpart. Besides chopping and slicing, it excels in peeling, garnishing, and mincing. Available in various lengths, it offers flexibility without compromising quality. However, its sharpness may be daunting for novice users.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of different lengths
- Fairly inexpensive
- Dishwasher safe
- Good for peeling, mincing, and garnishing fruits and vegetables
- Pretty lightweight
Cons
- The blade is extremely sharp, so probably not a good option for beginners
- The handle can become slippery when wet and pose a safety risk
Finding the Best Tomato Knife for You
There are a few factors that everyone should consider when figuring out which tomato knife is the best fit for your kitchen.
- Sharpness: Quality varies; consider safety, especially around children or if you’re new to specialty knives.
- Serration: Serration size affects slice thickness; choose accordingly for your preferences.
- Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe options simplify cleanup; choose based on your preference for convenience.
- Function: Decide between dedicated tomato knives or multi-use options based on your kitchen needs.
- Cost: Price range varies; beginners may prefer budget-friendly options.
- Ergonomics: Look for handles suited to your comfort, especially if you have arthritis or accessibility needs.
Buying the Perfect Tomato Knife
No matter what size or type of tomato you’re dealing with, this list has all the knife options for you! Finding a tomato knife that works best for you and your kitchen is a big task, and our round-up does the hard work for you so that you can just buy a knife and enjoy the results.
If you’re interested in the steps it takes to get to a ready-to-cut tomato, check out our Tomatoes page! There you’ll find all sorts of helpful info about how to plant, grow, and eat tomatoes.