Stalgast Sanelli Ham Knife 31.5 cm for Professional Carving

A ham knife is designed to slice large cuts of meat, particularly whole hams, with a single long, smooth stroke. The extended blade allows the edge to travel the full length of the cut without sawing, producing even slices that retain moisture and texture. The weight of the knife is balanced to let gravity do most of the work, reducing fatigue during extended service. A flexible yet sturdy spine keeps the blade from bending under pressure, while the sharp edge parts the meat fibres cleanly rather than crushing them.

To use the knife, place the ham on a stable carving board or stand. Hold the handle firmly with one hand and guide the tip of the blade to the starting point. Draw the knife towards you in one continuous motion, letting the length of the blade do the cutting. Repeat the stroke, adjusting the angle slightly to follow the natural curve of the joint. The knife's size means it can reach deep into the cut without the handle hitting the board, so each pass removes a full slice in one go.

The blade is made of hardened steel with a Rockwell rating of 54-56 HRC, which balances sharpness retention and resistance to chipping. It is ground to a fine edge that stays keen through repeated use. The handle combines two types of plastic: a rigid core for strength and a softer outer layer for grip. This construction prevents the knife from twisting in the hand during heavy carving and reduces slippage when the handle is wet.

The 31.5 cm blade length is chosen to match the depth of a whole ham, allowing the knife to slice from the hock to the shank in a single pass. This dimension also determines the space needed on the worktop; the knife must be laid flat when not in use to protect the edge.

Cleaning follows from the materials: wash the blade by hand in warm water with mild detergent, dry immediately to prevent corrosion, and store in a knife block or magnetic strip to keep the edge from contacting hard surfaces. The plastic handle can be sanitised with standard kitchen disinfectant but should not be exposed to high heat or abrasive pads that could damage the surface.

The Stalgast Sanelli ham knife is listed in the catalogue under professional meat-preparation tools, alongside carving forks, slicing stands and sharpening steels.