Are you looking for a good bread knife that you can easily use at home? Then, look no further because we'll be reviewing five of the best bread knife available in the market now. Just like you, I was in search for a wonderful kitchen knife as I always need one to slice my homemade cakes and bread.
A bread knife is used for cutting hard crusts and soft loaves of bread and cakes. Unlike a regular kitchen knife, a bread knife has a serrated blade that cuts through the bread without crushing it.
The blade has a length of 8-10 inches and it is very difficult to sharpen when it gets dull that's why people rather buy a new one. To give guidance on your next purchase, here are some buying guidelines and five best brands that you can consider.
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Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
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1
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97
/100
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2
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91
/100
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3
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84
/100
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4
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79
/100
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5
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75
/100
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Why Use A Bread Knife?
Via bedbathandbeyond.com
It is ideal to use a bread knife rather than any regular knife because it can easily slice through the bread without squashing it. Its serrations make it possible to clench the bread's crust as you cut it without pressing down.
A knife block as seen in the above photo may help you a lot in tidying up your kitchen, check out for it here: best knife block 2017.
The problem with straight-edge knives is you need to press down the bread to get a good grasp in slicing. While a bread knife gives you even slices, a straight-edge knife gives you crushed slices of bread.
Other than cutting bread, a bread knife is also good for soft foods, like a newly-cooked meatloaf and tomatoes. You can also cut pineapples and melons with this kind of knife, too.
How To Use A Bread Knife?
Via johnlewis.com
The good thing about using a bread knife is you don't have to apply pressure when cutting through bread and cakes. All you need to use is a gentle sawing motion. Never press down because doing so will make its purpose futile. To learn how to use a bread knife, watch this video.
A bread knife should never be used to chop foods. Use it only for slicing bread and cutting food with waxy surfaces, like citrus, watermelons, and peppers. When you're cutting bread, make sure that it's fully cool because warm bread can be torn with the knife.
For more comfort, use your dominant hand in holding the knife. If you're right-handed, use your right hand and hold the knife with a firm grip. Don't forget to hold the bread firmly on the cutting board as you slice to keep it securely in place.
What To Look For In A Good Bread Knife?
Due to the many bread knives available in the market now, it is very hard to choose the best. To make the search easy for you, here are some features that you should look for in a good bread knife.
Long, Rigid Blade
Via etsy.com
A good bread knife should have a long blade to cut all forms of bread. As much as possible look for 9-12 inches long. The longer the blade, the more efficient and versatile the knife becomes. A rigid blade is important because a bendable blade can slip and can result to uneven slices, especially if you deal with hard, crusty loaves.
You also need a good cutting board so that you can easily cut bread. Check out our article about best wood cutting boards for some useful information.
Moderately Sized, Pointed Serrations
Via oldfaithfulshop.com
The serrations of a bread knife could either be pointed or scalloped. If you aim to cut through soft bread and trim layers of cake, then look for a scalloped serrated knife. However, if you aim to cut through some crusty loaves, choose a knife with pointed serrations because the sharp points can preserve your crust as you cut through it.
In my personal experience, pointed serrations can still handle soft cakes and bread, so it might be best to choose a pointed serrated knife over a scalloped one if you have to choose only one bread knife to use. Just make sure that the serrations are moderately sized to offer efficient slicing.
Offset, Ergonomic Handle
Via: robertwelch.com
To prevent slipping the knife from your fingers, look for a comfortable handle that gives a firm grip. Mostly, ergonomic handles are designed for comfort, so always consider this feature.
Although stainless steel handle is durable, it might be a little slippery to hold. Plastic and wooden handles may be easy to grip, but they wear off with poor maintenance. Ideally, an offset handle is perfect in slicing through the bottom crust without hitting your knuckles.
Forged Steel Blade
Via acutabovecutlery.com
For sharpness and durability, it is best to look for a forged blade rather than a stamped one. A forged blade is heavy and has a good balance when held.
You can tell that a knife has a forged blade if it has a bolster and a tang. A bolster is the junction built between the handle and the blade while a tang is part of the blade covered by the handle.
5 Of The Best Bread Knives
Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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97
/100
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2
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91
/100
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3
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84
/100
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4
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79
/100
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5
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75
/100
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*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Via Amazon.com
The Victorinox Cutlery Wavy Edge Bread Knife has an offset handle which allows ease in cutting bread. This ergonomically designed handle is made from fibrox, making it slip resistant and less stress on the wrist . A finger guard is constructed to protect your greasy or wet hands from slipping into the blade.
Just Mercer Culinary, this Victorinox Cutlery is also NSF approved meaning that it has met the standards of quality and safety of NSF. You can expect the blade to stand for years as it is made from high carbon stainless steel which can be resharpened constantly.
Editor's Rating: 97/100
Pros
- Cuts crusty bread pretty well
- Blade is very sharp
- Offset handle works nicely when you finish a cut to the bottom because your knuckles don't hit the table
- Can do thin slices
Cons
- The blade is weak and thin
- The handle is not weighted well and feels cheap
- Dulls quickly
Via Amazon.com
This Mercer Culinary Millenia bread knife has an ergonomic handle which gives a comfortable grip. The handle is made from Santoprene and polypropylene to offer both comfort and sturdiness.
Its textured finger points offer slip resistance and a firm grip. A protective finger guard is also designed to offer safety.
You can count on its great quality due to its high carbon, Japanese steel construction. Its sharp, pointed serrated edge provides easy maintenance and quick sharpening.
It also resists corrosion, rust, and discoloration very well. Best of all, it is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) which means that it is built with great performance, quality, and safety.
Editor's Rating: 91/100
Pros
- Has a great handle
- Sharp and well-balanced
- The 10-inch blade length is perfect and rigid
- Cleans and sterilizes easily
- Cuts bread into even slices
Cons
- The heel of the blade is too sharp, making it very easy to cut your hand when slipped
- Easily gets dull
- The finger guard gets in the way
Via Amazon.com
The Orblue Stainless Steel serrated bread slicer knife is free from plastic and wood materials that tend to easily wear out over time. Its 8-inch blade is made of stainless steel that creates less friction and more even slices.
It can also allow you to slice through thick loaves easily and quickly. This versatile knife can cut through cakes, crusty bread, pastries, bagels, and even pineapples and tomatoes.
Its slicing power comes from its very sharp serrated edge that clenches and cuts through food without tearing. It is important to note that this knife is meant for right handed people as the serration is built on the left side.
Editor's Rating: 84/100
Pros
- Very sharp and solid
- Cuts through bread and tomatoes well with the right cutting technique, which is swift cutting motion
- Great craftsmanship and design
- Affordable
Cons
- Some find the serrations too rough for cutting the bread into even slices
- The teeth of the blade are overly pronounced
- May rust if it not oiled each single use
Via Amazon.com
This J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro has a pointed serrated blade that will cut through the crustiest loaves or the most delicate tomato. Its 8-inch stamp blade is constructed of high-quality German steel. Its satin-finished polypropylene handle has a visible tang construction for right balance and durability.
This inexpensive bread knife has no bolster, so its blade is made thinner and easy to manage. However, this lack of bolster may affect the balance and safety of the knife. The handle is shallow and narrow, so it makes it easy to grip for those with small hands.
Editor's Rating: 79/100
Pros
- Very affordable
- Can slice bread thinly and evenly
- Handle is well weighted and strong
- Blade is sharp and the grip is comfortable
Cons
- The edge on top of the knife is sharp, making it easy to cut your finger when you slip
- Blade is too soft that applying little pressure deforms the edge.
- Easily gets dull and rusty
Via Amazon.com
The Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition is a great 10-inch bread knife with pointed serrations. This bread knife cuts through hard loaves of bread cleanly. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel which fights rust and stains. It can also remain sharp and easy to resharpen.
The full-tang blade construction offers balance and weight. Its ergonomically designed wooden handle makes it comfortable and firm to grip. The triple compression brass rivets secure the position of the handle to blade. You can clean and sanitize this knife by hand wash only.
Editor's Rating: 75/100
Pros
- Perfect 10-inch blade length
- Very sharp and cuts through the toughest crust of bread
- May last longer than expected
- High-carbon stainless steel blade
Cons
- Some have received this knife with rough rivets, deformed wood, and lose handles
- The serration of the blade seems to be a little rough to cut through bread properly
- Blade is a bit thick and the whole knife is quite heavy
Verdict
Among the five bread knives reviewed above, I would say that the Victorinox Cutlery 9-inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife is the best knife bread that I will personally recommend. It is because it fits almost all of the criteria cited above. In detail, this Victorinox Cutlery has an ergonomic offset handle, a moderately sharp serration, and a 9-inch long blade.
Let us know your thoughts about this post in the comments section below. Share if you like this post with your friends and family.
this is a good review. i like that you included the handle in your notes. i think this is an overlooked part of choosing a knife. i really like the orblue, but i think i agree with you on the victorinox because of the offset handle. i can think of a special family member who would love to see this under the christmas tree.
thanks for the really good info.
Hi Rodman! Really glad you enjoyed this review. If that special family member loves cooking, then definitely this will be a great Christmas gift. You can never have too much good knives in the kitchen. Happy holidays!!!