We're tracking all the latest news out of CES, and one of the buzziest drops is a knize that, well, buzzes. OK, more like vibrates.
Last year, Seattle Ultrasonics announced the impending launch of the world's first ultrasonic knife. This week at CES, the vibrating blade was available for testing, and I had the opportunity to get my hands on the $399 C-200 chef's knife, which pulses over 30,000 times per second.
I've tested dozens of chef's knives over the years, but never anything like this. Here's the skinny on this fascinating new kitchen gadget and what it's like to slice with a buzzing blade.
Why a vibrating knife?
With the push of a button, this knife starts vibrating over 30,000 times per second. Seattle Ultrasonics
The idea behind a knife with tremendously fat vibrations helps cut through squishy tomatoes and dense potatoes without using as much pressure. The micro-buzzing also helps release food from the knife, so you're not scraping slices off with your fingers -- a dangerous affair, to be certain.
At Seattle Ultraonics' booth at a preview event for the Las Vegas tech show, I slid my way through hordes of knife-wielding attendees to get my hands on it for the first time. Reps from the brand had a cutting board with tomatoes and potatoes available for trial.
Using it was simple. A small button on the handle of the blade activates the ultrasonic vibrations. There wasn't a notable shake to the knife when turned on but I could feel a slight buzz, almost like a slight electric current shooting through my hand. An odd sensation but not uncomfortable in any way.
So does this thing really work?
I sliced tomatoes with precision using almost no force. David Watsky/CNET
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