Rule of thumb says that if you are going to be successful in life, you need the proper tools.  The same goes in the kitchen.  If you are going to cook pasta, it helps to have a good sized pot and a colander among your resources.  When it comes to bread or meat, it helps to have a good knife to cut through it, unless you plan on going caveman style and just trying to rip chunks off with your teeth.

Right before Thanksgiving, after consulting with Tina, I decided to pick up a Hamilton Beach electric knife.  Two months later, I have to say it was one of the best investments I have made in quite some time.  They are very economical, (I think the one I bought was $14 or somewhere close at Walmart), and are extremely versatile.   I used it to carve the turkey on Thanksgiving, and since have used it to slice arm and sirloin tip roasts, chicken, various types of bread that I make, and, pictured below, a nice four and a half pound pork tenderloin that was cut for me by my butcher, Jeff, down at Farmington Meats. 

The Hamilton Beach electric knife comes complete with the base, two blades that hook together, a meat fork, and a case to store it in.  There also is a plastic sleeve to put over the blades to prevent them from slicing a finger or doing damage to them.  All you have to do to make it work is put the blades together, lock them into the base, and plug it in.  Then press the button and cut away...when you get to the end of the piece you are cutting, let off the button and the knife stops.  When you finish, unplug the knife first, then press the eject button to dislodge the blades from the base for snap clean up. 

Considering how time consuming using a regular blade can be, not to mention the unwieldiness of a large knife at precarious angles, one would be extremely remiss to not have one of these in their kitchen.  If you are serious about cooking, be it for work, to impress family, friends or a date, or just to make sure you have a good meal, be smart.  Have the right equipment.  Pick up a Hamilton Beach electric knife today and try it out for yourself.  I know that I wouldn't give mine up.