Knife holders, cutting heads and slicing machines equipped therewith, and processes of manufacture

A knife holder having a base and a knife support portion extending from the base, the knife support portion comprising:

• a distal edge;
• a knife support surface for supporting a knife, the knife support surface having a first shaped portion located adjacent the distal edge, a second shaped portion located adjacent the base, and at least a first relieved surface machined between and separating the first and second shaped portions, the first shaped portion and the second shaped portion each having a wavy shape, the first relieved surface not having a wavy shape and being located on the knife support surface so that the first shaped portion is between and separates the first relieved surface and the distal edge, the first shaped portion and the second shaped portion each having a cross-sectional shape defined by a pattern of alternating peaks and valleys, the first relieved surface being recessed into the knife support portion in a direction normal to the knife support surface so as to be recessed into the knife support surface relative to the peaks of the first and second shaped portions;
• and
• at least a first abutment surface between the second shaped portion and the first relieved surface and defined by the first relieved surface.