Absolute Best Knife For Cutting Plugs

[hoosierpipeguy]

I don't smoke a ton of plugs but do occasionally such as SG Full Virginia Plug, Kendall Plug and St James Plug and recenly, Wessex Gold Brick. I like a lot of things about plug except cutting the slices off. Recently been using a large nicer kitchen knife that is very sharp and has a very slight serration. I kind of saw the slice off. Looked at those Ulu knives but they seem like a bit of overkill in terms of size and the ones I've looked at don't have the really high grade carbon steel that will hold an edge for a longer time.

What have you folks used that works best?

 

[mso489]

For a plug cutter that is available to everyone at a moderate price, I'd recommend one of the smaller Opinel with a single carbon steel blade, French made, simple, and effective. Many loftier blades are used, but this will do the job.

 

[BROBS]

I want to get an actual antique plug cutter..

 

[mingc]

This is what I use: Boashishan Slicer. I'm pretty happy with it. It's cheaper than an antique cutter and doesn't have to be reburbished. It is, literally, a little rough around the edges, which required smoothing out with a file.

 

[Mr.Mike]

For a cheap well made knife you can't beat mora knives. The mora companion I think is like 13 dollars. High carbon steel made in Sweden.

 

[BROBS]

This is what I use: Boashishan Slicer. I'm pretty happy with it. It's cheaper than an antique cutter and doesn't have to be reburbished. It is, literally, a little rough around the edges, which required smoothing out with a file. View attachment 13351

what is the point of the guard deal along the bottom?
would it still cut a thick rope?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

For a plug cutter that is available to everyone at a moderate price, I'd recommend one of the smaller Opinel with a single carbon steel blade, French made, simple, and effective. Many loftier blades are used, but this will do the job.

I have an Opinel. Yes, it will get the job done. However, it is a bit flimsy and doesn't hold an edge very long when cutting plugs. I've got mild arthritis in my hands and wrists. I'm looking for something that makes it as easy as possible.

 

[BROBS]

I like where this is going with the slicers..
I wonder if you could use a small guillotine paper cutter? Or if it would just dull right away?

 

[mingc]

what is the point of the guard deal along the bottom?
would it still cut a thick rope?

The guard thingy is to the right of the blade and its distance from the blade can be adjusted. You bump the thing you're cutting against it on each cut in order to get slices of uniform thickness.

 

[BROBS]

oh ok! I thought maybe it prevented something thicker from getting cut.

 

[BROBS]

hey $30 isn't too bad!
Adjustable Manual Frozen Food Meat Slicer Beef Mutton Sheet Roll Cleavers Cutter | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Manual-Frozen-Food-Meat-Slicer-Beef-Mutton-Sheet-Roll-Cleavers-Cutter/202759796008?hash=item2f356cf528:g:rLoAAOSwV05dWfXH

Adjustable Manual Frozen Food Meat Slicer Beef Mutton Sheet Roll Cleavers Cutter 848354224860 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Manual-Frozen-Food-Meat-Slicer-Beef-Mutton-Sheet-Roll-Cleavers-Cutter/233422116504?epid=5021723067&hash=item36590ad698:gIoAAOSwUrFd5f1o

good call @mingc !

 

[brooklynpipeclub]

Of all the pocket knives I own, I find the Japanese made higonokami works best for plugs. Cuts through like butter. I think I paid around $30 for it.

 

[mingc]

I like where this is going with the slicers..
I wonder if you could use a small guillotine paper cutter? Or if it would just dull right away?

I though of that. They're surprisingly expensive! Another category of product that I checked out but did not pull the trigger is biltong cutters (biltong is Afrikaans for meat jerky).

 

[verporchting]

Ulu knife makes it so effortless it’s like magic. Easy on the hands and very little pressure required.
Any jack knife will work but I’ve always been worried about the amount of pressure and a slip could send a guy to the ER to have a finger tip sewed back on.

 

[BROBS]

yeah this doesn't seem bad either..
doesn't seem as heavy duty though?
US Oak Biltong Slicer Salami Cured Meat Jerky Vegetable Chopping Cutter | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Oak-Biltong-Slicer-Salami-Cured-Meat-Jerky-Vegetable-Chopping-Cutter/362839452711?hash=item547aeaac27:g:nqYAAOSwRqld6Iav

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I personally use a custom made kamisori. It’s A2 steel, flat ground on one side and hollow ground on the other.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

This is what I use: Boashishan Slicer. I'm pretty happy with it. It's cheaper than an antique cutter and doesn't have to be reburbished. It is, literally, a little rough around the edges, which required smoothing out with a file. View attachment 13351

I'd prefer something that doesn't take up space but that does look very interesting and not terribly expensive. And it certainly looks like it will work well. Is that blade fairly sharp? How thin width wise can the plug be and that will still work?

 

[mingc]

hey $30 isn't too bad!
Adjustable Manual Frozen Food Meat Slicer Beef Mutton Sheet Roll Cleavers Cutter | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Manual-Frozen-Food-Meat-Slicer-Beef-Mutton-Sheet-Roll-Cleavers-Cutter/202759796008?hash=item2f356cf528:g:rLoAAOSwV05dWfXH

Adjustable Manual Frozen Food Meat Slicer Beef Mutton Sheet Roll Cleavers Cutter 848354224860 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Manual-Frozen-Food-Meat-Slicer-Beef-Mutton-Sheet-Roll-Cleavers-Cutter/233422116504?epid=5021723067&hash=item36590ad698:gIoAAOSwUrFd5f1o

good call @mingc !

Yeah, there are lots of choices in frozen meat slicers!

 

[BROBS]

I'd prefer something that doesn't take up space but that does look very interesting and not terribly expensive. And it certainly looks like it will work well. Is that blade fairly sharp? How thin width wise can the plug be and that will still work?

that biltong slicer seems a lot smaller.. length is 8.5 inches.

 

[mingc]

I'd prefer something that doesn't take up space but that does look very interesting and not terribly expensive. And it certainly looks like it will work well. Is that blade fairly sharp? How thin width wise can the plug be and that will still work?

The blade is razor sharp. Enough to make me nervous. The swing arm feels fairly robust, with a nice heft to it. You can make the slices as thin as you want. The trick is lining the plug up properly and parallel to the blade so that the slices end up are uniform in thickness (this is probably more difficult cutting freehand with a knife).

I've haven't gotten to the end of a plug yet so I don't know how much you can slice of a plug before you have to use a knife on the remnant.