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Slicing bread with an ordinary knife is annoying, time-consuming and most of the time you don’t get that perfect cut. A bread knife will solve all these problems. Let’s help you to find the best bread knife for your kitchen.
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What is a bread knife?
A bread knife is a select type of kitchen knife that is used for cutting bread only. It is entirely different than other knives, and it is mandatory if you want to complete a set. There are several main differences between this knife and any other.
The length should be longer than usual. The goal is to slice bread within seconds and as easy as possible. A short blade will have the opposite effect.
The blade must be specially serrated for this cutting capability. Other knives are not capable of slicing through bread without ruining all the slices and preciously due to the edge, which isn’t made for this type of cutting.
A bread knife must be flexible as well, but not too much. If you get an extremely flexible unit, you won’t be able to cut bread. If it isn’t flexible at all, your slices will be ruined, again!.
2024’s 5 Best Bread Knives
DALSTRONG 10 Inch Bread Knife, Gladiator Series -Best bread knife
DALSTRONG Bread Knife – Gladiator Series – German HC Steel – 10″ is the best bread knife. The tested model is made to perfection, it comes with all the features you are going to need, and it looks great. The quality is stunning, as well. Now users can create a complete set made from knives made by this brand.
56+ Rockwell hardness
The knife is made from German steel, and it features ultimate hardness, something you will want. This makes the tested model extremely strong, suitable for professional chefs, and those who need a high-end knife.
The hardness is one of the most significant advantages. Yes, sharpening will take some time, but you won’t have to do it frequently. The knife can maintain its sharpness correctly.
14-16 degrees sharpening
This brand is well-known for sharpening their knives at a specific angle. What this means is that the edge can retain its sharpness for an extended period, and generally, it is sharper than most other models. Yes, this applies to the serrated edges as well, and you will notice it the first time you use this knife.
Pakkawood handle
The handle is stylish, comfortable, and comes made from Pakkawood. This wood is imported and known for its strength. We liked using it, and we loved the look of the handle, which translated into the look of the entire knife.
Pros:
- 56+ Rockwell hardness
- Handle
- Strong and durable
- Great sharpness
Cons:
- Expensive
- Sharpening is complicated
Mercer Culinary M23210 Millennia – Cheap 10 inch bread knife
This particular model is the most common choice of professional chefs. The knife is strong and comes with all the essentials you are going to need. Perhaps the design is ordinary and far from special, but it is very affordable, which can be a huge advantage for some of you.
Japanese steel
The steel used for the blade is a Japanese, high-carbon version. It is super strong, and it is immune to stains. Maintenance is lower than average, and you will enjoy using the knife every single day.
The type of steel you can see here is straightforward to sharpen. You won’t need as much time as with the first model, but you will have to sharpen it more frequently. Anyway, we were entirely satisfied with the steel on our tests.
Different versions available
There are several types of this knife you can choose. We tested the black model, and we were impressed with the overall functionality. If you need a select color, you can get a unit made from red, blue, yellow or some other color. Keep in mind that the design of the knife is different!
Ergonomic handle
The handle comes made from durable materials that are suitable for heavy-duty usages in kitchens all around the world. The next best thing is the finger guard. It comes as an addition to all versions of the model, and it is comfortable to use and enhances safety.
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle
- Japanese steel
- Different colors available
- Value for money
Cons:
- One version for the black model
- Poor packaging
ORBLUE Serrated Bread Knife, 13 Inch – Cheap bread knife
The unit we have here is one of the best-looking knives on the market. It is made for professional chefs, but it is reasonably affordable and comes with great quality. We were more than just satisfied with the overall design and the functionality of the tested model.
One-piece design
As you can see, the knife is made from one piece of material. This makes it super-strong, and the handle will stay in perfect conditions after years of use. There won’t be any loose parts on this knife, regardless of the fact how much you use it.
0.1 mm thickness
The thickness is something we must mention here. It is 0.1 mm, and it is selected for a specific reason. Thanks to it, the knife generates less friction than usual, so cutting is more straightforward and requires less force. This is something we can see on high-end kitchen knives that are usually top choices of professional chefs.
Pros:
- One-piece design
- 1 mm thickness
- Looks great
- Affordable
Cons:
- Uneven slices
- Blade cover isn’t available
Victorinox Swiss Army 8″ Serrated – Value for the money bread knife
Victorinox Swiss Army 8″ Serrated can be the best bread knife for some of you. The attention to detail is impressive, and the knife performed better than expected. We all loved the design and the overall simplicity, paired with great quality. There are three things we would like to reveal about this unit.
Fibrox Pro handle
The handle might be the first thing you are going to notice. It is available only on the knives made by this brand, and it is incredibly comfortable to use. The handle itself is durable and comes made from materials that are immune to the kitchen environment.
The ergonomic design is the next best thing, and as such, we must say it is one of the best handles we ever say. Perhaps the design looks obsolete, but it is far from that.
Different lengths available
We tested a model with 8 inches long blade. It is going to be the most popular version, so we had to see why. But, if you want a longer blade of the same knife, you can purchase additional or different versions. It is available up to 10.25 inches in length.
Lifetime warranty
When you purchase a knife made by this brand, you get the ultimate warranty. It is a limited lifetime warranty, and it covers the entire blade. There won’t be any issues here, and you can expect the ultimate quality. The knife will last, and it will perform as expected.
Pros:
- Handle
- Warranty
- Attention to detail
- Different lengths available
Cons:
- Price
- Looks obsolete
Tojiro Bread Slicer 235mm F-737 -Cheap Japanese bread knife
The last model on our list has been more than just popular in Japan. It is a bit special model that comes with several advantages. It is the only model on our list that comes with a wooden handle and offers several packages you can choose. Let’s see why we liked this knife.
Special steel
The steel used for making the knife is Japanese, in general. However, it is a bit different than other knives have, and this is a high-carbon version. The blade can retain the sharpness better than usual, and it has razor sharpness straight outside a box.
The knife is made for heavy-duty usages, and it can meet the expectations of professional chefs. It is far from an ordinary kitchen knife despite the fact it looks like one. We loved using it, and we liked the design of the handle.
Wooden handle
The handle is made from genuine wood and has been adequately treated at the factory so it can resist kitchen detergents and the environment in general. The handle is also the best-looking part of the knife and something that makes it stand out from the crowd. We loved it. There is no need to add that the handle is strong, and it won’t fail. We can see the same type of handle on other knives made by this company.
Superb sharpness
The sharpness is one of the most significant advantages as well. This knife is razor-sharp, and it was treated and sharpened to perfection. There is nothing left for you to do when you get the knife except to start slicing.
Pros:
- Wooden handle
- Japanese steel
- Sharpness
- Different packages possible
Cons:
- Half-tang design
- Poor packaging
How To Choose The Best Bread Knife For Your Kitchen
How do I choose a suitable bread knife?
There are several separate factors you need to consider, but at the end of a day, you need a long blade, flexible design, and you also need an exceptional edge. The blade must be perfectly serrated, suitable for slicing soft bread without ruining it.
Your new bread knife will also be reliable and durable. They are generally immune to corrosion, but not as other knives. After all, they are not designed to cut through fruit and vegetables or meat.
What can I use a bread knife for?
This type of knife is used for slicing bread only. Yes, you can try it with fruits, meat or veggies, but the result won’t be great. You will soon see that the edge and the blade, in general, are not made for these purposes, and cutting is hard, almost impossible.
Some of you may want to use a bread knife for slicing tomatoes or similar vegetables. This is generally possible but isn’t very rewarding. After all, bread knives are made for slicing bread without crushing it.
How to sharpen a serrated bread knife?
This is one of the most common questions for most people. A serrated blade of a bread knife is sharp, and it will stay sharp for an extended period. However, it will get dull over time.
When this happens, you need to sharpen it. To do so, you need a particular stone for sharpening and a special technique. This is far from a complicated task but is different compared to sharpening regular knives. No, you cannot sharpen the serrated blade using the same stone as for ordinary blades.
We have written more on sharpening serrated knives here.
We also recommend watching the tutorial by Richard Blaine.
What blade length is ideal for a bread knife?
There are a lot of different models with different lengths. We recommend a blade with a length of 8 or 10 inches. Why? It allows you to slice bread with a few moves, and that is the point.
A shorted blade is more maneuverable, but slicing lasts longer, and you will need more time to complete a task. A longer blade is impractical for most kitchens, but it can cut almost instantly. The lengths mentioned above are sweet spots and the ones you need to consider as top choices.
What type of serration do I need?
Some of you still believe that all bread knives are the same, and they have the same edges. This is a common mistake, and it should be noted. First and foremost, there are three main types of serrated edges, and each one is different, used for a specific purpose. Let’s see all three types.
- Scalloped edge
This edge type is common today, and you can see that the teeth of the blade look like small clouds. They are reverse compared to traditional knives of this kind, and they are softer. In general, this makes the blade suitable for soft bread and cake, but ineffective for slicing through the crust.
The knife of this kind is usually gentle when cutting and isn’t ideal for most bread. You will choose it if you need delicate cutting.
- Large teeth
Large teeth are common, as well. They are opposite to the first type here. You can cut through anything, even the hardest crust, and you will get the job done instantly. However, when you need delicate slices, you shouldn’t use this knife.
The first time you cut, you will notice that the blade will ruin some parts of the bread, and you are unable to cut soft foods. You will choose this type if you prefer fast cutting over style.
- Small teeth
They are a combination of the first two styles. They are capable of cutting through bread without damaging the slices, and they can be used for cakes as well. They are generally slower than large teeth, and they need more time to complete a task.
For most of you, this is going to be the best choice. We can add that these blades are the most desirable and the most versatile.
What type of steel do I need?
There are two options here. The first type is high carbon steel. It is tough, and it will maintain the hardness and sharpness as long as you need it. On the other hand, it is expensive, and sharpening is complicated.
The second type is carbon stainless steel. It is a softer metal than high carbon steel, and it requires less maintenance. However, it is entirely immune to corrosion, and sharpening is simpler. This metal is better for most of you, due to the fact you can make the blade sharp again within seconds.
Conclusion
DALSTRONG Bread Knife is the best bread knife for us and in our opinion, for average users. We loved the 56+ Rockwell hardness, the sharpening at 14-16 degrees, and the impressive Pakkawood handle. All of this made the knife superb and special. You are going to love it as well, and now, you can slice bread like a pro.
Hi, I am Jay. I am the creator of Knife Guides, your one-stop site for everything related to knives. I am a computer engineer by profession, knife aficionado by passion. Here I work with a group of people who’ve always had a passion for knives and blades. Over the years we’ve kind of become experts and decided to share our knowledge and ideas. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy offshore gamefishing.
