Omelets, scrambled eggs, sandwiches, or French toast no matter which savory is your favorite, the key to savor your favorite delight is a fresh loaf of bread. It feels almost therapeutic to cut a bread loaf into slices and even more enjoyable to eat it. Whether it’s a sourdough you bake at home, a fancy focaccia from a bakeshop or a multi-grain from a nearby mart having a sharp, sturdy and good-quality best bread knife is equally important for smooth slicing.
A versatile bread knife not only allows you to cut your bread slices uniformly but also a good essential for meal preparation, baking tasks and much more.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE BUYING?
With so many brands and plenty of choices, how is one going to know which one is the right pick? Well, here are some design considerations to keep in mind before making a blade purchase.
1) LENGTH
Often neglected but an important consideration. Most of the bread knives range from 7 to 11 inches in length because the food they are used to cut e.g. breads, melons or citrus differ in shapes and sizes so be careful and always have a clear idea in your mind about the usage of the blade in your kitchen.
2) BLADE
A crucial one! In fact, we can easily say that blade is what makes or breaks your knife. Almost all of the bread knives are serrated which enables them a seamless slicing. It could be scalloped serrations (rounded edges) or pointed serrations (sharp pointy edges). First one is good for soft loaves and later for the thick and harder ones (sourdough). choose according to your bread type.
3) MATERIAL
Nowadays the most widely used material is stainless steel. What’s better? high carbon stainless steel which has sharp edges and better cutting ability. With stellar blades, this steel is tougher, requires less maintenance and stays sharp for a long time.
Along with all the points mentioned above also consider the thickness of the blade as well. A sharp, thin and narrow-angle bevel works best for better slicing. Whether it’s a basic bread knife or a high end brand, serrated knives are not feasible to sharpen at home due to their shape and better to be sent to professional sharpeners which will definitely add to the maintenance cost.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BREAD KNIFE?
To help you slice your loaves perfectly we have rounded up a collection of some of the best blades for your kitchen, tried and tested by culinary experts
1) MERCER MILLENNIA (10 INCH) BREAD KNIFE – WIDE
Easy on the pocket tough on the loaves, this should definitely be your top pick if you are looking for economical options. Made of authentic Japanese carbon steel it’s an ideal pick with easy maintenance and long lasting sharpness. Great for slicing bread loaves (soft, dense, airy or bread rolls), meat and fruits.
2) VICTORINOX FIBROX PRO 10.25- INCH SERRATED CURVED BREAD KNIFE
One of the best serrated knives with an ideal 10.25-inch medium length. Highly recommended by chefs and culinary experts it’s a great knife for a wide range of tasks, a curved blade allows you smooth and precise cutting of breads, slicing fruits, vegetables and cheese blocks. The best thing about it is that it can easily cut the thinnest bread slices without even slightly crushing or tearing it.
3) GLOBAL G-9 8-3/4 INCH BREAD KNIFE
Pricey, but worth it. This lightweight, easy to hold bread knife from Global is a great pick with an exceptionally well razor sharpness. Good for slicing crusty loaves specially those hard on outside and soft from inside. They are designed to fit the hand and resist slipping results in smooth and even slicing without producing much crumbs.
4) DEXTER RUSSELL BASICS 10″ SCALLOPED SLICER
Made of high carbon steel this knife measures 15 -inches in total with a 10-inch blade and a 5- inch handle. A couple of ounces heavier than traditional bread knives it is particularly designed for heavy and crusty loaves, bagels and food with thick crusts but not so good for delicate edibles. Cuts smoothly and precisely without crushing the loaf.
5) TOJIRO 9.25-INCH BREAD SLICER
Thin, lightweight and easy to hold, this knife allows you to cut the bread into the thinnest and precise slices without damaging the soft bread inside. Equally suitable for thin crust and delicate edibles e.g. cherries, baby tomatoes etc. Best for home and commercial use specially for those chefs who have loads of cutting work without a break.
6) HENCKELS CLASSIC BREAD KNIFE, 7-INCH
Fabricated from high quality German stainless steel, this knife is manufactured in Spain. A 7-inch serrated blade for cutting all kinds of bread with precision. Good for slicing sandwich bread, tomatoes and peaches without damaging the insides. From none to minimum maintenance this blade can stay as sharp as day one for almost up to ten years (according to customer reviews).
There is a reason why all serrated knives are called bread knives because they are precisely good at slicing bread loaves but their magic is not limited to just bread. There are numerous other ways to use this handy tool. From chopping tomatoes to slicing citrus for salad, cutting cakes, breaking blocks of chocolates. You can also use a bread knife for slicing cakes, halving sandwiches or carving roasts and cutting steaks.
Like all other kitchen essentials serrated or bread knives do get dull with time and often require maintenance. To keep them in good working condition and increase their lifespan they should always be hand washed and dried immediately. To make the best purchase, we advise you to invest some time in market research according to your requirements, look for the materials used, quality and customer care of different brands and then make a purchase. A good serrated knife can be one of the best kitchen investments that you can enjoy for decades.
