Category: General

Argus Hand Tools are built to withstand the demands of a busy slaughterhouse environment. Whether you’re handling smaller tasks like hock removal or taking on larger jobs with bigger animals, these tools are up to the challenge. With a range of scissor options available—from compact models to heavy-duty versions—there’s an Argus tool suited for every need.

Argus RC20 Small Scissors

The RC20 is a compact cutter and lightweight hand tool that removes beef tails, sheep, lamb, and pig hocks. This option has an Anti-tie-down feature.

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RC33 Pneumatic Wool Shear

The RC31 is a pneumatically operated, full-sized hand tool for opening sheep, lamb briskets and hogs. It is anti-tie down and requires a control box to operate the controls.

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Why buy an Argus Hand Tool?

Efficiency Meets Comfort

One of the standout features of Argus Hand Tools is their ergonomic design. The tools are built to last and are comfortable to use over extended periods. Each offers a new rear pistol grip configuration so your team can work more efficiently, reducing fatigue and increasing productivity. Minimising the physical strain on workers creates a safer working environment.

Reduce Stress in Slaughterhouse Lines

Argus Hand Tools can streamline your processes, ensuring every task is completed swiftly and effectively. These tools’ performance means less downtime and a smoother workflow, helping you maintain high standards of care and efficiency in your operations.

If you want to enhance your slaughterhouse operations, consider investing in Argus Hand Tools. Their heavy-duty design, ergonomic comfort, and range of options can significantly reduce stress and improve workplace efficiency.

Explore our selection today and see the difference for yourself. Get in contact with our team to find out which hand tool will best suit your operations! Call 0800 274 871 or email our Customer Service team at info@argus.co.nz

Nock has a wide range of meat processing equipment to enhance efficiency and safety in factories, butcher shops, and restaurants. Discover our most popular options: the Gyros/Kebab/Shawarma Slicers, Derinders, and Vertical Slicers.

Nock Gyros/Kebab/Shawarma Slicer

The Nock Gyros/Kebab/Shawarma slicers are essential for any establishment serving tender meat dishes.

Versatile Cutting Options: Perfect for slicing pork, lamb, and beef, with an adjustable cut thickness ranging from 0.5 to 8 mm. Whether preparing shawarma or crispy kebabs, you can customize the slices to your exact specifications.

Integrated Product Return: The innovative integrated product return feature returns the product to the operator at the front of the machine, streamlining the slicing process and enhancing workflow.

Efficiency and Safety: The slicers boast excellent yields and fantastic labour-saving capabilities, making them an invaluable asset in any kitchen. Its robust design ensures safety during operation.

Compact Design: With a small footprint, it fits easily into various workspaces without sacrificing performance.

Power Requirements: It operates on 3-phase power and does not require compressed air, making it easy to integrate into existing setups.

Ideal for Multiple Environments: These machines are highly effective in a factory, butcher shop, or takeaway restaurant.

User-Friendly: Designed for ease of operation, they are robust machines that any staff member can quickly learn to use.

Demonstrations Available: Potential buyers can request demonstrations to see the machine.

Nock Derinders

For butchers and meat processors focused on precision and yield, the Nock Derinders are a must-have. These machines are specifically designed to remove rind and silver skin with ease.

Specialised for Various Cuts: Perfectly suited for derinding pork cuts and removing silver skin from lamb back straps and beef eye fillets, these machines ensure you maximise your meat quality.

Active Skin Gripper (ASG): An optional feature, the ASG helps keep most of the fat on the primal rather than on the rind, enhancing yield. (Note: This feature requires compressed air.)

Efficiency and Labor Savings: Like the Gyros slicer, the derinders also deliver excellent yields, safety, and speed, significantly reducing labour costs.

Compact and Powerful: With a small footprint and 3-phase power requirement, they can fit into any processing environment without hassle.

Robust Design: Built for reliability, these machines are straightforward to operate and maintain.

Ideal for Various Settings: Suitable for factories, abattoirs, butcher shops, and hotel kitchens, the Nock Derinders excel in diverse meat processing environments.

Demonstrations Available: Interested buyers can also see these machines through demonstrations.

Nock Vertical Slicers

For those requiring precision slicing of various meats, the Nock Vertical Slicers deliver exceptional results.

Robust and Simple: These slicers’ durable design makes them straightforward to operate.

Fine Slicing Capability: Ideal for slicing cooked or fresh cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, these slicers ensure uniformity and quality in every slice.

Safety and Speed: Designed with the operator’s safety in mind, these machines operate quickly to enhance productivity.

Compact Design: Their small footprint allows easy placement in any kitchen or processing area.

Power Efficiency: Like the other Nock machines, the vertical slicers run on 3-phase power and do not need compressed air.

Versatile Applications: Perfect for beef jerky and biltong slicing, they cater to casual and commercial meat processing needs.

Nock meat processing equipment offers a powerful combination of efficiency, safety, and precision that can enhance any meat processing operation. With robust designs and user-friendly features, these machines are perfect for a wide range of applications in the food industry. Whether in a busy restaurant, a butcher shop, or a large-scale factory, Nock has the right equipment to help you achieve fantastic results.

Take advantage of the available demonstrations to see these machines in action!

Navigating the world of butcher knives can be daunting, with many options available. Whether you’re an experienced abattoir worker or a seasoned butcher, understanding the different types of knives and their specific uses is key to making the right choice.

Here’s a handy guide to the various knives available at Argus and their unique features.

Boning Knife

A staple in the meat works industry and butcher shops; the boning knife is designed for precision and durability. It typically features a curved or straight blade made from stain-free stainless steel. You’ll find variations in flexibility—ranging from flexible to semi-flexible to stiff—making it ideal for getting close to the bone and smoothly cutting through meat. Boning knives come with standard or hollow ground blades. With its concave, bevelled edge, a hollow ground blade offers razor-sharp performance but requires more maintenance than the standard version.

Steak Knife

Often seen in meat works and butchers’ setups, the steak knife is perfect for slicing and trimming meat. Its long, curved blade provides the leverage to handle tough skin, cartilage, and large cuts. Available in standard and bullnose variations, the bullnose steak knife features a rounded edge to reduce the risk of punctures and tears to the meat.

Breaking Knife

Like a butcher’s knife, the breaking knife cuts down large pieces of meat into smaller, more manageable portions. Its long, slightly curved blade enhances leverage, making it easier to break down meat effectively.

Butcher’s Knife

Butcher Knives is akin to the steak knife but with a longer, slightly curved blade designed for breaking down large cuts of meat. Its shape provides extra leverage, making it a favourite of professionals. Choosing between a butcher’s knife and a steak knife often depends on personal preference.

Slaughter Knife

An important part of any butcher or abattoir worker’s toolkit, slaughter knives serve multiple purposes, such as sticking, trimming, and vein incisions of livestock. Slaughter knives, such as a sticking knife, are mainly used for the bleeding of stock. The pointed blade allows for quick, accurate cuts, ensuring complete blood drainage before further processing.

Filleting Knife

Primarily used for fish, the filleting knife boasts a slim, flexible blade that allows precise maneuverability around small bones. It’s also versatile enough for thinly slicing both raw and cooked meats. Though similar in function to the boning knife, the filleting knife features a longer, slimmer blade.

Skinning Knife

The skinning knife is specifically designed for tasks like slaughter work or removing hides from beef or lamb. Its curved blade makes it easy to separate the skin without damaging the meat. Some options come with a rounded tip for added protection to the meat, and you can choose between standard and hollow ground blades based on your maintenance preferences.

Chef’s Knife

A must-have in any kitchen, the chef’s knife features a wider blade with a pointed end. It’s incredibly versatile and ideal for chopping, dicing, and slicing fruits, vegetables, and meats. Suitable for both professional and home kitchens, it’s a tool every cook should have.

Santoku Knife

The santoku knife is a popular Japanese alternative to the chef’s knife. It features a wide blade and is renowned for its efficiency in dicing, mincing, and slicing. The Santoku knife is perfect for preparing thin slices of vegetables, fruit, and meat, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.

With top brands such as F.Dick, Victory Knives and Victorinox, Argus is the place to shop with our wide range of premium butcher knives. Check out our full range of knives!

SHOP ALL KNIVES

Anago sharpness testers are innovative machines designed to measure the sharpness of knives. They evaluate how sharp the blades are, making them an essential tool for anyone who relies on sharp instruments in their daily work. They ultimately remove the guesswork from measuring knife sharpness.

Why Invest in Anago Sharpness Testers?

1. Reduce Overuse Injuries

By using a knife sharpness tester in processing plants, companies have seen a staggering 80% reduction in musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) related to overuse injuries. Sharper knives require less cutting force, leading to less strain on workers.

2. Fewer Slips and Cuts

Sharper knives don’t just cut better; they also enhance precision. Reduced cutting forces mean a lower likelihood of slips that could result in lacerations, ensuring a safer working environment.

3. Increased Production Output

A sharp knife does the job quicker. Many users experience up to a 50% increase in cutting speed, allowing for greater productivity without compromising quality.

 4. Improved Production Yield

Not only do sharp knives work faster, but they also work better. Lower cutting forces allow greater control, meaning more meat comes off the bone. This translates into higher-quality cuts with less waste. Improvements in yield of over 1% are commonly reported. A U.S. poultry plant, for example, enhanced knife sharpness using the KST, resulting in a 30% increase in cuts per minute without increasing staff.

 5. Quick Return on Investment

When you factor in earnings from production rates, yield, and health and safety improvements, many businesses find a return on investment (ROI) in just three months. This illustrates the value of integrating Anago Knife Sharpness Testers into operations.

 Why Sharpness Testing Matters

Keeping your blades sharp is essential for the quality of your work and your safety. Dull knives increase the risk of accidents, making tasks more difficult. Anago sharpness testers ensure your tools are always in peak condition, leading to better performance and a safer work environment.

The immediate benefit of the Anago Knife Sharpness Tester is that it provides a true, objective measurement of knife sharpness. The Anago KST delivers a sharpness score out of 10 and measures the sharpness along the entire length of the blade.

For over a century, Flugel sharpening steels have been celebrated worldwide for their exceptional German craftsmanship. Designed to endure rigorous use while maintaining top-notch quality, Flugel has established itself as a global leader in the industry.

The Premium Choice in New Zealand

Distributed by Victory Knives, Flugel offers an impressive alternative to F.Dick steels in the New Zealand market, often at half the price. This makes them a great choice for professionals looking for reliable performance without compromising on quality.

A Variety of Options to Suit Your Needs

Flugel provides a range of options for various preferences and applications. Whether you prefer the professional ribbed handles or the classic white handle, there’s a style for everyone. You can choose from round and oval shapes, plus a variety of cuts, including medium, fine, superfine, and polished finishes.

Experience Flugel Steels for Yourself

Explore our selection of steels below, or feel free to give us a call! We can arrange for your local sales representative to drop by with samples so you can experience the quality firsthand.

Navigating the world of sharpening steels can be daunting, especially with the variety of options available. At Argus, we aim to simplify your selection process by breaking down the different types of sharpening steels and their specific uses. Whether you aim to keep your blades razor-sharp or improve their edge retention, understanding the differences will help you choose the best tool for maintaining your knives.

What is a Sharpening Steel?

A sharpening steel—also known as a honing steel or sharpening rod—is an essential tool for maintaining your knife’s edge. Rather than sharpening from scratch, which involves grinding away metal, a sharpening steel helps realign and refine the edge. Regular use can keep your knives sharp longer and reduce the frequency of professional sharpening.

Types of Sharpening Steels

1. Coarse Sharpening Steel

The coarse sharpening steel, sometimes referred to as spiral-cut steel, is designed to grind away damaged metal and create a new edge. It’s ideal for knives that are severely blunt or have minor damage. This type of steel quickly reshapes the edge, making it a go-to tool for major maintenance.

2. Regular/Standard Cut

The standard cut sharpening steel features pronounced cuts on its surface, which result in a rougher cutting-edge profile. Over time, the knife’s edge can become slightly rounded and blunt. The regular cut steel helps to restore the knife’s edge by roughing it up, which can be useful for knives that need a bit of revitalisation before finer honing.

3. Fine Cut

For a smoother, more refined edge, the fine cut sharpening steel is the way to go. It offers velvety-soft honing and creates a uniformly sharp cutting edge. Regular use of fine-cut steel can maintain your knife’s sharpness for extended periods, reducing the need for more aggressive sharpening.

4. Super Fine

The super fine sharpening steel provides an ultra-smooth finish, honing your knife to a razor-sharp edge. This type is often used as a final step after a coarse or fine sharpening steel to achieve a polished, precise edge. It’s perfect for maintaining a high level of performance and keeping your knives in top shape.

5. Polished

A polished sharpening steel restores the cutting edge to its original shape and shine. It’s ideal for refining the edge after using a coarser steel, offering a final touch that enhances the knife’s sharpness and appearance. The polished surface ensures high work performance and reduces fatigue during use.

6. Combi or Dual Sharpening Steels

Combi or dual sharpening steels feature multiple cuts on one tool, either with two sides having different cuts or four sides with two distinct cuts. This versatility allows you to switch between coarser and finer sharpening as needed, making it a practical choice for maintaining various knives.

7. Diamond Steel

Diamond steels have gained popularity for their efficiency. Coated with ultra-fine 100% diamond abrasives, these steels offer simultaneous honing and realignment of the knife edge. They’re a modern solution for those seeking a high-performance sharpening tool.

8. DICKORON (F.Dick only)

DICKORON sharpening steels feature a special sapphire cut that provides velvety-soft honing. Available in round and oval shapes with a 30 cm blade length, DICKORON steels are known for their ability to maintain a uniformly sharp and fine cutting edge for a long time. They are a premium choice for those who value precise and enduring sharpness.

Choosing the right sharpening steel depends on your specific needs and the condition of your knives. At Argus, we offer a range of options to suit every requirement, helping you keep your tools in perfect working order.

Explore our selection and find the sharpening steel that’s best for you!