Food product slicer and associated knife removal tool, and system including the slicer and the tool

A system, comprising:

• a food product slicer including:
• a base;
• a knife mounted for rotation about an axis relative to the base via a knife drive shaft;
• wherein the knife drive shaft includes an end portion that overlaps an externally facing surface portion of the knife to hold the knife, and a biasing mechanism pressing the knife toward an underside of the end portion;
• a knife removal tool configured for engaging with the knife drive shaft and the knife so as to remove the knife from the knife drive shaft, wherein the knife removal tool is configured to:
• (i) enable removal of the knife from the knife drive shaft irrespective of a rotational position of the knife removal tool relative to any fixed portion of the food product slicer;
• or
• (ii) enable removal of the knife from the knife drive shaft irrespective of a rotational position of the knife relative to any fixed portion of the food product slicer.