A tomato knife is a small serrated kitchen knife designed to slice through tomatoes. The serrated edge allows the knife to penetrate the tomatoes’ skin quickly and with a minimum of pressure without crushing the flesh. Many tomato knives have forked tips that allow the user to lift and move the tomato slices after they have been cut.[1] [2]
Serrations are not required to cut tomatoes; a sharp straight blade is effective. Serrations allow the knife to cut tomatoes and other foods even when dull: most of the cutting takes place in the serrations themselves.[3] Some knives have serrations on both sides allowing easy slicing for both left-handed and right-handed users. Bread knives and some steak knives are similarly serrated.[4]