A slicing machine comprising a cutting head and a knife assembly mounted to the cutting head , the knife assembly comprising: a knife holder having a clamp support surface and a knife support surface terminating at a distal edge ; a knife supported by the knife support surface of the knife holder , the knife having a cutting edge that projects beyond the distal edge of the knife holder ; a clamp overlying the knife holder so that the knife is between the knife support surface of the knife holder and the clamp , the clamp having an inward surface facing the knife holder and an outward surface facing away from the knife holder , the clamp having first and second clamp portions that are not coplanar and have a junction therebetween, the first clamp portion contacting the clamp support surface of the knife holder , the second clamp portion contacting the knife , and the junction being out of contact with the knife holder and the knife ; and a clamping rod that secures the clamp to the knife holder and clamps the knife therebetween, the clamping rod having a camming surface that contacts the outward surface of the clamp near the junction between the first and second clamp portions, the clamping rod being rotatable to have a clamping position and a release position, the camming surface applying a force that clamps the clamp against the knife holder when the clamping rod is in the clamping position so that the first clamp portion is forced against the clamp support surface of the knife holder and the second clamp portion is forced against the knife , the camming surface releasing the force against the clamp when the clamping rod is in the release position. a knife holder having a clamp support surface and a knife support surface terminating at a distal edge ; a knife supported by the knife support surface of the knife holder , the knife having a cutting edge that projects beyond the distal edge of the knife holder ; a clamp overlying the knife holder so that the knife is between the knife support surface of the knife holder and the clamp , the clamp having an inward surface facing the knife holder and an outward surface facing away from the knife holder , the clamp having first and second clamp portions that are not coplanar and have a junction therebetween, the first clamp portion contacting the clamp support surface of the knife holder , the second clamp portion contacting the knife , and the junction being out of contact with the knife holder and the knife ; and a clamping rod that secures the clamp to the knife holder and clamps the knife therebetween, the clamping rod having a camming surface that contacts the outward surface of the clamp near the junction between the first and second clamp portions, the clamping rod being rotatable to have a clamping position and a release position, the camming surface applying a force that clamps the clamp against the knife holder when the clamping rod is in the clamping position so that the first clamp portion is forced against the clamp support surface of the knife holder and the second clamp portion is forced against the knife , the camming surface releasing the force against the clamp when the clamping rod is in the release position. <EOS>