Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for slicing an item such as a bagel. One slicer has an upper assembly, which has an upper interior portion, and a blade; and a lower assembly, separable from the upper assembly, has a holding plate to support the item when placed within the lower assembly, and movable centering plates to secure the item in a position that lies substantially in the center of the lower assembly to facilitate a substantially even bisection of the item when the upper assembly engages with the lower assembly. Another slicer has an upper assembly with interior vertical rails, and a blade affixed to the upper assembly within the rails; and a lower assembly similar to the first slicer with interior vertical rails containing a vertical slot down the center for receiving a knife for slicing items. The device cuts the item within about +/?one-sixteenth of an inch.