Carving Tools

Cutting tools

You will find a wide range of ham knives on the market, but we do not recommend that you have all of them, but only those that are suitable and comfortable for you and, of course, that they are well sharpened. A badly sharpened knife is more dangerous than one that is correctly sharpened, as the cut should be smooth and flow without great effort, respecting a minimum of precautions as always when we have a knife in hand, whatever it is.

Cutting ham is an art when it is done well.   If you don't have good knives for cutting ham and you use the same ones you use for, for example, cutting meat, you run the risk of spoiling the flavour of your ham leg. Each knife, seen as a tool, has its function and a reason for having a specific shape and profile depending on the object to be cut.

If you have bought the best ham in the world and you don't want anything to damage its nuances, we are going to explain which knives you need to cut the ham properly. There are basically three utensils, namely:

Hand sharpener

This utensil is indispensable as it is the one you will have to use to sharpen your knives and make them cut perfectly. The bit is usually about 30 cm long and has a rounded blade. To use it, all you have to do is move the knife up and down in a back and forth motion, then clean it well and put it away so that it doesn't get damaged.  Remember that you don't sharpen the knife every time you cut and it would be advisable. Likewise, the bit is a frequently used tool, but we also advise you to have your ham knife sharpened by a professional from time to time to maintain its sharpness correctly.

Peeling and boning knife

This is very important because with just one knife, we can do several tasks. Thanks to this knife you will be able to do two things, clean the ham to remove the fatty rind that surrounds it and mark around the bone to cut or debone it better. This long knife must be rigid and have a wide blade towards the handle and narrower at the tip. It is the first knife you should use and probably the last.

Ham knife

This is the typical one that comes to mind when we think of this tool. It is about 30 cm long, with a sharp, pointed blade. When using your ham knife you have to bear in mind that it is very sharp and if you don't use it properly you can cut yourself. When you are going to use it, don't forget that your hand must ALWAYS be above the area you are slicing. That way, if it slips away you won't cut yourself. 

Ham holder or stand

This is a very important and essential tool. Ideally, whether it is made of wood or metal or both elements combined, its handling should be suitable for the piece it holds. There are different types and prices. 

Above all, you should take into account the piece you like most before buying or having a ham holder at home. If you are more of a ham lover, a simple, small-medium sized ham holder may be enough, but if you prefer a ham, not all hams are suitable for a ham holder. The more voluminous and heavier the ham, the more solid and resistant the ham holder must be, otherwise it would lose stability and the cutting would be uncomfortable and inadequate, and more importantly, it would not be safe and could cause accidents. 

Therefore, all ham holders are suitable for shoulders in general, but not all are suitable for all hams. So in Enrique Tomás we offer in our online shop three types according to need and budget. Here you will find all the information about our ham holders and the one that suits you best according to your budget and needs.

You don't like slicing, don't worry

We insist on the point that the knife cut of ham is an art, when it is well done. A bad cut can not only ruin you getting the most out of your ham, but its flavour and texture will not be the real ones, the ones you should feel in every bite, so it would no longer be a pleasure and therefore it would be a great shame to spoil a gastronomic jewel such as ham. 

The experts at Enrique Tomás know how to cut each slice so that it is a pleasure in every bite and they know how to get the most out of the piece that the customer has chosen. Whether you don't have the right tools or you don't feel confident or comfortable enough to slice it, buy sliced ham or shoulder, we prepare it in all formats: slices, cubes and shavings. 

Another reason to let it cut by our master slicers is because they will vacuum pack it and label it with the expiry date so that you can keep it for at least five months in the fridge or pantry away from light and direct heat. An advantage that we do not have if we buy it whole, as we will have to cut it every day to keep it in perfect condition with all its aromas and texture intact and consume it in a maximum of three weeks in the case of ham and two weeks in the case of shoulder ham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9i7XbMFnPM&t=45s

You like slicing, but you are not an expert

We invite you to visit our youtube.com channel where you will find videos about ham and shoulder slicing among others that can serve as a guide.