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Blades & performance
Blade characteristics selection guide
In the food processing industry, a blade is not "chosen" from a catalog: it is sized according to the workstation, the material, actual gestures, and QHSE requirements (safety, hygiene, standardization). The characteristics below determine the knife behavior in the material, required effort, precision and consistency over time.
At Dassaud Fils, some models are available in multiple configurations (shape, length, width, flexibility, edge) to adapt the tool to the work not the other way around. This page provides concrete benchmarks to qualify a workstation and choose a coherent, easily standardizable blade.
Control points (procurement / methods / QHSE reading)
- Gesture: straight cut vs continuous movement, pressure vs guidance, frequent repositioning.
- Material: fatty/adhesive, fibrous, bone/skin presence, variable thicknesses.
- Risk: slipping, strong pressure, confined area, hand/tool proximity.
- Performance: material yield, production rate, cutting consistency.
- Organization: standardization by workstation, skill development, maintenance cycle.
1) Blade shape: straight or curved
Straight blade
The straight blade favors a straight trajectory and clear guidance. It is preferred when the operator must precisely control the entry and exit of the edge and maintain a controlled cut.
Work situations
- Trimming and clean tissue separation: clean cut, no tearing.
- Structured cutting: stable trajectories on significant thicknesses.
- Workstations where precision takes precedence over fluidity.
Curved blade
The curved blade accompanies the natural movement of the arm and wrist. It facilitates continuous cutting and working "in contact" with contours.
Work situations
- Boning: following bone contours, reducing cutting retakes.
- Repeated gestures: better distributed effort, movement continuity.
- Workstations where fluidity and material feel are decisive.
2) Blade length: matching the gesture and product
Blade length is chosen according to the volume of the piece, the cutting depth and the amplitude allowed at the workstation. The goal is to avoid unnecessary gestures (multiple passes) and excessive effort (leverage and torsion).
Work situations
- Large pieces: an adapted length limits retakes and stabilizes cutting consistency.
- Localized operations / finishing: a more contained length improves control, gesture readability and precision.
Methods benchmark: the right length is one that covers the useful area in minimum passes, without degrading gesture control.
3) Blade width: penetration finesse or stability
Width influences material entry, lateral stability, and tolerance to pressure variations. It also conditions the reading of the material (feel) and the tendency of the blade to plunge or deviate.
Narrow blade
- Facilitated penetration, particularly useful close to structures.
- Precise material feel, fine trajectory adjustments.
- Suitable for precision gestures (targeted boning, narrow areas).
Semi-wide blade
- Compromise between penetration and stability.
- Good multi-workstation versatility.
- More tolerant to pressure variations.
Wide blade
- Increased stability during clean cuts.
- Limits the edge plunge effect.
- Suitable for gestures with marked pressure and consistency seeking.
4) Flexibility: follow the material or impose the trajectory
Flexibility determines how the blade behaves under stress: it can remain stable (impose the cut) or deform (follow contours and reliefs). Well-dimensioned flexibility contributes to performance and ergonomics; poorly dimensioned, it causes fatigue or degrades precision.
Dassaud Fils codification (visible in the reference)
- 0: rigid
- 1: semi-rigid
- 4: semi-flexible (specific to certain models)
- 2: flexible
- 6: ultra-flexible
Rigid (0) / semi-rigid (1)
For structured cuts, strong thrusts, and straight trajectories. The semi-rigid version provides a slight tolerance while maintaining support.
Work situations
- Volume cutting, straight trimming, gestures with pressure.
- Need for directional precision and stable trajectories.
- Skill development: more tolerant to gesture imprecisions.
Semi-flexible (4) / flexible (2)
For contact work (bone/skin/contours) where a blade that follows the material and limits joint stress is sought, while maintaining a level of control adapted to the workstation.
Work situations
- Boning and curved trimming: following contours, better distributed effort.
- Filleting and finishing: better glide and continuous material contact.
- Material yield objective: the blade follows structures more closely.
Ultra-flexible (6)
For very fine and fast gestures, as close as possible to the tissues. This level of flexibility requires mastered gestures and a well-qualified workstation.
Work situations
- Detail work: maximum contour following.
- Seeking material yield on fine operations.
- Reserved for experienced operators (risk of over-flexion under strong thrust).
Mini decision grid (quick)
| Field need | Recommended flex | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Straight cut, strong thrust, large volumes | 0 / 1 | Directional stability, power |
| Versatile boning, control/feel compromise | 1 | Support / mobility balance |
| Bone contouring, material yield | 4 / 2 | Follows contours, reduces strain |
| Filleting, finishing, contact gestures | 2 | Glide and continuous material contact |
| Very fine detail (expert operator) | 6 | Maximum following, fast gestures |
5) Edge: interaction with the material
The edge defines the material entry mode, cutting consistency, and behavior on wet, fatty or fibrous products. It is a direct lever on pace, cutting cleanliness, and operator comfort.
Smooth edge
Universal reference for clean and controlled cuts.
- Maximum control and clean finish.
- Precise trajectory, clean cut.
- Suited for most workstations when versatility is sought.
Scalloped blade (smooth edge)
The scallops reduce adhesion on wet, greasy, or sticky materials: the cut remains fluid and slowdowns decrease.
- Facilitates material release.
- Improves slicing consistency on sticky products.
- Useful for limiting entry/exit effort in cutting on certain applications.
Serrated edge
For firm surfaces where immediate grip is sought.
- Easier material entry on crusts, skins, or resistant surfaces.
- Quick initial grip.
Micro-serrated edge
For maintaining stable efficiency over time on certain uses.
- Maintains cutting capacity longer on targeted workstations.
- Reduces perceived frequency of maintenance on certain products.
Double edge
Design dedicated to specific uses where initial penetration and incision control are priority.
- Easier initial penetration.
- Clean entry into flesh.
- Requires adapted workstation and gestures (standardization and training recommended).
Standardization: simple method in 4 questions
- What gesture dominates? (straight, continuous, pressure, finesse, repositioning)
- What material? (greasy/adhesive, fibrous, bone/skin, thicknesses)
- What risk? (slipping, strong pressure, tight area, known incidents)
- What objective? (pace, material yield, cutting cleanliness, comfort)
From these answers, we size shape + length + width + flexibility + edge and we formalize a workstation reference (purchasing) with a deployment logic (methods / QHSE).