A mezzaluna knife translates to half-moon in Italian, is a retro food processing tool popularly known for its use to mince herbs, spices, and seeds for dishes and herbal medicines. Apart from that, you can also get it to cut the pizza in even shapes. As it requires no special move, it’s rather easy to master; also, very time-efficient, no matter how big the pile you’ll be done in a matter of seconds. And, if you’re looking to add this vintage piece to your kitchen, and prepare ingredients perfect for your pasta sauces, battuto, gremolata, pestos, etc., then you’re in the right place.
Thankfully, the market has more than enough options for you to choose the best mezzaluna knife. Starting from the vintage models to their modern adaptations, we have gone through all the popular choices that the market has to offer and picked 7 of our favorites from those. We made sure that the chosen ones are not only applaudable in the blades and handles department; but also equally impressive in the price, comfort, and durability.
Choosing the Best Mezzaluna Knife
- Wusthof 2-Piece Mincing Knife and Cutting Board Set
The 2-Piece mezzaluna mincer from Wusthof is overall one of the best choices due to its appealing and efficient design along with superior functionality. The innovative outlook is inspired by its traditional ancestors with a pinch of modernity.
The 8-inch-long knife is constructed from single piece high carbon X50CrMoV15 steel known for offering exceptional strength and hardness along with surgical sharpness. The ability to hold an edge and durability of the blade is above average for a mincer too. The steel is high in chromium, so it presents exceptional resistance from rusting, staining, and all forms of wearing and tearing.
Furthermore, the semi-circular synthetic handle offers a pinch-style grip; so you can use the mixer with one hand. The textured handle ensures a non-slip grip, and the concave mixing board is easy to clean and use.
Pros:
- One-piece construction.
- Attractive design.
- Conveniently balanced build.
- Designed with a lanyard hole.
- Covered by Wusthof’s lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
Cons:
- The wood’s finish isn’t durable.
- Paderno World Cuisine 11-7/8-Inch Stainless-Steel Double Blade Mezzaluna
The mezzaluna knife from Paderno World Cuisine is an affordable choice that showcases excellent functionality considering all aspects. The rocker is made from durable materials while boasting a versatile design enabling this piece to be useful in many applications.
The double-bladed mezzaluna is approximately 11-7/8 inches in length. Given its fairly substantial build, this mezzaluna allows you a variety of uses. The twin blades make chopping and mincing of different types of herbs and vegetables super easy in one go.
The chrome-colored stainless steel blade stays sharp for an impressive period and features superior protection against rust and corrosion. The ergonomic polypropylene handle reduces the strain put on your wrist while ensuring a non-slip grip.
Pros:
- Large & durable construction.
- Easy to use.
- Twin blades enhance the functionality.
- Resists rusting and staining.
Cons:
- Tricky to clean.
- BruArcher Premium Pizza Cutter Heavy Duty Rocker Style Blade
The half-moon rocker knife is a delight to use in both residential and professional settings. It’s conveniently large to be used in all types of kitchens. Designed after consulting with many experts to enhance its functionality to the maximum.
Measuring about 14-inches, this massive mezzaluna can be used with ease to portion 12-inches pizzas at a go. The manufacturers have used superior grade stainless steel to ensure razor-sharpness and long-lasting quality service. In the case of maintenance, resort to handwashing, clean with soapy water, and wipe the blade to get rid of excess moisture before storing.
Furthermore, the blade was inspected by FDA-approved labs, so it won’t react with food nor nurture germs and bacteria after cleaning. The weight is just right for a balanced experience, and the handles make maneuvering the mezzaluna more comfortable.
Pros:
- Versatile chopper.
- Comfortable handle.
- Low maintenance.
- Extra-large size for a wide application area.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons:
- Difficult to store due to its large size.
- BigKitchen Stainless Steel Rocking Mezzaluna Knife
This crescent-styled rocker is one of the best choices for both home cooks and chefs. The knife boasts a traditional look with a modern simplistic design, and the performance delivered is truly top-notch considering its affordable price.
The 10-inch size chopper is made from one-piece durable stainless steel; it’s unlikely to ever come apart or break; while also providing an active shield against all types of rust, stain, and corrosion. You can use the chopper to dice food and herb without having to draw the mezzaluna out.
The wooden handle is one of the highlights of the products. It offers a strong grip along with sophisticated visuals. The circumference fits right in your palm, assuring a non-slip and comfortable control over the handle.
Pros:
- Great value for the price.
- Comes with wooden handles.
- Decent edge retention.
- Sturdy & stable build.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come sharpened.
- Few issues about quality control.
- Amco Stainless Steel Mezzaluna with Silicone Handle
Amco delivers this amazing deal that’s perfect for beginners and casual cooking enthusiasts to try out this Italian rocker at a super low price. Although they didn’t go low when crafting its quality and functionality, you get the best at this price.
The blade comes about 4.8-inches long, it’s beautifully made with a beveled edge that increases precision and saves you much time in common sense. It’s made from stainless steel, so the blade is waterproof and isn’t prone to rusting or corroding. The sharpness will surprise you in this range of cost; easily prepare toppings, salads, and mince spices or herbs with this mezzaluna.
The silicon handle is another plus of this model, it allows one-hand operation, and the rubberized surface ensures an anti-slip grip. So, even when you’re working with wet or sweaty hands, it won’t slip out of your hands.
Pros:
- Offers one-hand operation.
- Friendly design for arthritis patients.
- Easy-grip handle.
Cons:
- Would require frequent sharpening.
- Refrain from putting extensive pressure.
- Triangle Germany Mezzaluna Knife
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty mincer knife with professional-grade functionality, then why not the mezzaluna from Triangle. This model is loaded with all the features that you could ask for, unyielding tenacity strength, an ultra-sharp edge, and overall comfort while using it.
While the blade measures only 7-inches in length, you’ll find it thoroughly suitable for most slicing, dicing, and mincing and task. It boasts 100% hardened premium-grade German steel that offers admirable strength and sharpness; the beveled edge is perfect for precision cutting and easy sharpening too. It fends off all forms of corrosion and delays decaying.
The beautiful wood handles are crafted from beechwood, known for smooth texture and robust build. So, you’re guaranteed a comfy yet secure grip with these handles. To ensure longevity, make sure you hand wash the rocker only and store it only after drying completely.
Pros:
- Remarkable design.
- Hand-sharpened edge.
- Designed with sufficient knuckle clearance.
- Delivers super sharp.
- Includes a transparent sheath.
Cons:
- The blade feels too thin.
- Quality control issues.
FAQ
Q: What should I know about a mezzaluna chopper?
A: Mezzaluna knives are date back to the ancient history of Italy; it’s their heritage that was used to mince herbs and to make preparations for various dishes, i.e., sofrito, gremolata, etc. Like the name that translates to half-moon, it’s semi-circular in shape; and rocks back-and-forth to chop.
Q: What can I use a mezzaluna knife for?
A: Mainly used in the preparation stage while making dishes. With it, you can mince herbs, ginger, cheese, garlic, etc. Slice pizza and even make mincemeat without a problem.
Q: Why should I opt for mezzaluna over other blades?
A: Mezzaluna is a lightweight multi-purpose blade that can replace several blades alone; you can chop veggies and spices into even and tiniest pieces with this rocking knife; it doesn’t even require any specific skill. Rock the blades back-and-forth using your wrist until it turns the way you want.
Q: How can I sharpen my mezzaluna knife?
A: You can use a basic sharpening steel to sharpen the mezzaluna. Start with one side and work strongly yet not too much that it’ll mess the angle up, and maintain steady strokes until you’re done with it, then repeat with the other edge. Try to keep the manufacturer’s edge intact while sharpening.
Q: Single blade vs. double-bladed mezzaluna knives?
A: They mostly vary in functionality; double blade offers more thorough performance and strength while mincing a large amount of food than single-bladed mezzaluna and offers remarkable time efficiency too. However, cleaning the double-blades is trickier.
Final Verdict
Mezzaluna knives are perfect for chopping veggies and herbs in small dice very quickly. The bent blade allows you to cut like the old school style, in a back-and-forth rhythmic motion. As this knife popularly requires both hands, the handles are designed in a way that you can rock these blades away until you reach the desired pieces. If you want to choose the best mezzaluna knife from the present market, make sure to check all the models mentioned!