According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, in 2008 nearly 2,000 people wound up in the emergency room after attempting to cut a bagel. The Bagel Guillotine from Larien ($25) has long been our favorite method for safe and consistent slicing. A bagel rests inside a plastic holder and as you might guess from the name, a sharp blade "beheads" the bagel from above, leaving you with two perfectly even halves without your hand going anywhere near the blade.

When we spotted the newly invented "Brooklyn Bagel Slicer" at an industry tradeshow, we asked our intern, Alison Hard of Columbia University, to give it a try. Here's what she had to say.

"Achieving the perfectly sliced bagel without a sliced palm is a challenge. The Brooklyn Bagel Slicer, a serrated knife with a plastic guard around the blade, offers new way to slice a bagel safely. The user holds the knife in one hand and a bagel in the other. The plastic guard allows the knife to pass through but provides a stop to prevent it from also passing through your hand.

"But when the guard reaches your hand, you must pull the bagel through the knife from the other side and reverse to cut the reminder of the bagel.

"Another but: The blade isn't terribly sharp. What we do love about the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer is that it can be slipped into drawer when it's not in use, while the Bagel Guillotine sits on the counter, taking up prime kitchen real estate. At $25, the Bagel Guillotine is the less expensive option — the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer sells for $30 at ezbagel.com.

Interested in baking up a Brooklyn-style bagel of your own? Check out this recipe for delicious homemade bagels. Or order a dozen from the world-famous H&H Bagels, which ships worldwide and offers next-day delivery.

Bagels are a great addition to Sunday brunch. For more items to fill the buffet table see all our brunch recipes.

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