Elimination of saw kerf through the compression slicing process has initiated research into the optimization of the compression slicing parameters. Five of these parameters have been selected for study in the 1979-1980 federal fiscal year, through a contract given to Forintek Canada Corp. by Environment Canada. These parameters are the following: 1) Find an alternative to tires or pads for lateral pressuriza tion, 2) Study knife profile to reduce checking damage, 3) Study knife tensioning to reduce checking damage, 4) Study methods of reducing knife friction, 5) Study the dustribution of stresses in the knife when tensioning and slicing. Following is a detailed description of the work done during the 1979-1980 federal fiscal year on each of these compression slicing parameters.