Cremona Veneer Slicer Knife Replacement Blades
Cremona slicers run long, thin knives clamped on a beam, and the veneer face is decided by two numbers: edge straightness over the full length, and the angle the edge is ground to. We make replacement knives for these machines to drawing or to a measured sample.
What decides whether a slicer knife fits
A slicer knife is not a catalogue part. Two machines of the same model can differ in clamping beam, hole pattern and knife length if one was rebuilt. These are the figures we confirm before any steel is cut:
| Overall length | Tip to tip, measured cold and flat — not with the knife still on the beam |
| Height | Edge to back. If you measure a used knife, tell us it has been ground |
| Thickness | Caliper on the body, three points, never on the bevel |
| Hole pattern | Diameter, centre-to-centre pitch, overall span, distance from the back edge |
| Bevel | Included angle, ground face width, and which face is ground |
| Slicer variant | Horizontal or vertical, and the clamping beam type on your machine |
If the old knife is broken or the model plate is unreadable, a photo of the machine and one of the knife with a steel rule along its length is usually enough for us to identify the family.
Our slicing range
Length 1550–4200 mm, height 175–200 mm, thickness 16–24 mm, in HSS, BF anti-bluing white steel, 2HS and tool steel, at HRC 57–62 with edge straightness held within 0.05 mm over the full length. Sizes outside the list are produced to drawing — the list is a record of what we have made, not a limit.
For pale species used as face veneer — maple, birch, ash — specify the BF anti-bluing surface. It stops the grey-blue staining that appears when moisture and bare steel react during slicing, and it is the difference between a saleable face and a downgraded one.
Why slicer knives fail before they wear out
- Chatter and waviness. A knife that is not flat will not clamp evenly. Flatness matters as much as the edge.
- Tapered veneer. Edge straightness out of tolerance, or a clamping beam that is not sitting square.
- Torn face at the start of the flitch. Edge angle too steep for the species, or a dull edge being forced through.
- Staining. Moisture reacting with unprotected steel on light species.
If you are not sure whether the knife or the machine is at fault, the checklist in our setup guide applies to slicers too: check flatness, clamping and edge condition in that order.
How an order runs
- You send the model, drawing or measured blade.
- We issue a drawing showing every dimension and the bevel, for your approval.
- One piece can be made as a trial before batch production.
- Blades are packed in a wooden case, edge protected, and shipped with the drawing reference.
Frequently asked questions
Do you make knives for Cremona slicers from a drawing only?
Yes. A drawing with all dimensions and the bevel angle is the safest route, and we always issue our own drawing for approval before production so both sides work from the same document.
What is the lead time for a long slicer knife?
Standard size and material combinations ship from stock. Made-to-drawing knives typically take two to four weeks depending on length, material and quantity. We confirm the date with the quotation.
Can you match the bevel angle of my existing knife?
Yes, and we recommend it unless the surface quality is the reason for the order. Send the old knife or measure the ground face width; the angle follows from that plus the knife height.
Do you supply pressure bars and other slicer parts?
We manufacture veneer pressure bars as a separate product line, and can quote knives, bars and clamping-related parts together so they arrive matched.