If you have been having trouble cutting through your bread loaves without tearing the bread, then there is no wonder why you will need the best bread knife that money can buy. There is a huge difference between a good bread knife and an average bread knife in more ways than one.
Owning the best bread knife will allow you to get precise and exact cuts on all types of bread every time. Whether it is a soft brioche bread or a hard-crusty loaf like baguette bread, the best bread knife will do its job perfectly.
In this article, we will go over some of the different types of bread knives as well as what to look for when purchasing a new bread knife. We will also cover some of the best bread knives available for purchase on the market today and which one may be the best fit for you and your bread cutting needs.
How to Choose the Best Bread Knife
When choosing a new bread knife or the best bread knife, there are a few factors to consider. The best way to think about it is to think of it like you are buying any type of knife, such as a santoku knife, the characteristics are all very similar when trying to purchase a new knife.
First and foremost, you want to make sure that the knife is constructed with high-quality materials and sound construction in mind. They can be made of many different materials, the blade and handle included and one material may be better than the next.
Try to get a bread knife that comes with some kind of manufacturer’s guarantee or at the very least a warranty to protect the bread knife in the event of any damages or defects that may occur while in use or during the shipping process. Anything can happen when using a knife so it is safe to just have it all covered.
Next, you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the knife and have no problem using it. It may not be like using a carving knife, but you want to make sure you will have no trouble slicing any type of bread with ease.
Next, make sure it is easy to clean and easy to store. Some knives come with a sheath or butcher block that you can store the knife in when not in use. This will protect the knife from all the elements as well as your hands when digging around in a drawer with sharp objects around.
Most knives should not be placed in a dishwasher because it can damage the edge of the blade and get moisture in the handle causing it to crack, warp or even break. But if one is safe to place in the dishwasher, it may be an advantage when it comes to clean up time.
Construction and Design
When looking at bread knives, there are several different constructions and materials used to construct them. For the most part, the edge is going to be serrated or at least some form of it. This helps to cut through the bread without tearing it. You won’t be able to use a normal sharpening stone to sharpen the bread knife either. Most likely you will have to use an electric knife sharpener. They usually have a function or setting that allows you to sharpen serrated blades. But just like any other type of knife, you want to make sure bread knives have similar construction and materials used.
As for the materials used, there are several but the best by far is going to be stainless steel. This material is strong and will not rust or break over time. There are several types of stainless-steel past this like vg-10 stainless steel, high carbon stainless steel, low carbon stainless steel and Damascus steel. Each of these has its place in the knife world and will add different attributes to the blade.
For instance, low carbon stainless steel knives are going to be very strong and mainly used to be workhorses in the kitchen. They can take a beating and still be usable to an extent. High carbon stainless steel is going to be a much sharper knife that will hold its edge longer but may be prone to chipping or breaking over time if not handled or used properly.
As for the rest of the blade, you want it to have a full tang that follows through the handle and is held on by at least three rivets. This will ensure stability and will balance the knife making it easy to control and use.
As for the handle you want to make sure it is comfortable to use in your hand, and sometimes is form-fitting. A handle that is slip-resistant or heat resistant will also come in handy from time to time as well.
You also want the blade to be long enough to reach through larger loaves of bread. A shorter blade will make you work harder and, in the end, you may not get even cuts on the slices.
Best Bread Knives
Wusthof CLASSIC Bread Knife
The Best Bread Knife
This first bread knife is one of the best bread knives around and can do just about anything. It however, is extremely expensive when compared to other bread knives but does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it. The blade is constructed of low carbon stainless steel and has a full tang that follows through the handle and is held on by three individual rivets.
The blade is 10 inches long and the handle is constructed of a synthetic polypropylene that has a full bolster that enhances control and balance within the knife. The knife is very easy to use and easy to handle. It is a hand wash only knife and cannot be placed in the dishwasher.
- The blade is 10 inches long and is constructed of low carbon stainless steel that won’t break or become brittle over time.
- The handle is constructed of a synthetic that holds the blade in place with three rivets.
- The blade has a full tang and a full bolster at the end to create even balance within the knife.
- Even though the knife comes with a lifetime warranty, it is very expensive to purchase.
- It is not dishwasher safe.
DALSTRONG Bread Knife 9″ Phantom Series
The Runner Up
This next knife is just as great as the first bread knife, but with a different construction used. It is a little cheaper than the first one but still very expensive. However, it does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it. The bread knife is constructed of AUS-8 stainless steel and grades at a 58 on the Rockwell scale of hardness.
The blade is a single beveled edge and is ice tempered high carbon Japanese steel meaning it will hold an edge forever and get great precision cuts but may be prone to breaking or chipping over time if not properly handled or used. The blade has a full tang and is held in place with a black Spanish pakkawood handle that is contoured to fit your hand and is slip-resistant.
The knife is evenly balanced and easy to control. It comes with a leather sheath to store the knife in and protect it from the elements. It is hand wash only and cannot be placed in a dishwasher.
- The blade is constructed of ice tempered, high carbon Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel which will hold an edge forever and make precision cuts.
- The blade has a single beveled edge and a full tang that is held in place with a contoured Spanish pakkawood handle that is slip resistant.
- The knife comes with a leather sheath for storing and protecting the blade from outside elements.
- While it does come with a lifetime warranty, it is very expensive.
- The knife may be prone to chipping or breaking and is not dishwasher safe.
Tojiro Bread Slicer 270mm F-687
The Modern Bread Knife
This next knife would be a good addition to your knife collection but does have a few fallbacks. It is a little cheaper but still very expensive and does not come with a warranty to protect it. The blade is constructed of high carbon vanadium stainless steel which will make precision cuts but may be prone to chipping and breaking over time if not handled properly. The blade has a single beveled edge and a full tang that is held on the handle by three rivets.
The handle is constructed of wood which is contoured to fit your hand but since it is constructed of wood, it may break overtime and allow moisture in the handle causing brittle and mold to grow within the handle. Which means it is not dishwasher safe and needs to be washed by hand. The knife is 10 ½ inches longs and has a full bolster that creates balance within the knife.
- The blade is constructed of high carbon vanadium stainless steel which will make precision cuts easily.
- The blade has a full tang that follows through the handle and is held on by three individual rivets.
- The handle is contoured to fit your hand making it easy to control and the full bolster creates balance within the knife.
- The knife is somewhat expensive and does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- The blade has a wooden handle which may be prone to mold and the blade may break or chip over time if not handled properly.
Shun Classic 9” Bread Knife
The Best High Carbon Steel Bread Knife
This bread knife is one of a kind in the knife world. It is the most expensive knife on the list but does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it. The blade is constructed of a special formula of VG-MAX stainless steel which consists of cobalt for strength, carbon for durability, chromium for prevention from wear and corrosion and tungsten for a razor-like edge. The blade is 9 inches in length and has a full tang that follows through the handle.
The handle is constructed of dark Pakkawood and is in a D shape to fit the hand of the user. The knife has an even balance and perfect control for the user. It however may be prone to chipping or breaking if not handled properly and needs to be hand washed and not placed in a dishwasher.
- The blade is constructed of a special formula of VG-MAX stainless steel which provides, strength, durability, a razor-sharp edge and prevention from rust and corrosion.
- The 9-inch blade has a full tang that follows through the handle to create even balance and control.
- The handle is constructed of dark Pakkawood and is in a D shape to fit the hand of the user nicely giving optimal control.
- While the bread knife does come with a lifetime warranty, it is the most expensive knife on the list.
- The blade may be prone to chipping if not handled or used properly and is not dishwasher safe.
Tojiro Bread Slicer 235mm F-737
The Bargain Buy
This bread knife is very similar to its brother from the list above. The main difference is that it is very affordable but does not come with a warranty to protect it. The blade is constructed of high carbon stainless steel which will make precision cuts but may be prone to chipping and breaking over time if not handled properly. The blade has a single beveled edge and a full tang that is held on the handle by three rivets.
The handle is constructed of wood which is contoured to fit your hand but since it is constructed of wood, it may break overtime and allow moisture in the handle causing brittle and mold to grow within the handle. Which means it is not dishwasher safe and needs to be washed by hand. The knife is 9 ½ inches longs and has a full bolster that creates balance within the knife.
- The blade is constructed of high carbon stainless steel which will make precision cuts easily.
- The blade has a full tang that follows through the handle and is held on by three individual rivets.
- The handle is contoured to fit your hand making it easy to control and the full bolster creates balance within the knife.
- The bread knife has a wooden handle which may be prone to mold and the blade may break or chip over time if not handled properly.
- While it is an affordable knife to purchase, it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
Victorinox Swiss Army 10-1/4″ Serrated Bread Knife
The Average Joe
This knife would be ok for any kitchen if you are not worried about all the bells and whistles. It is priced fairly but does not come with a warranty to protect it. The knife is constructed of low carbon stainless steel which makes the blade very strong but can become dull overtime. The blade is 10 inches in length and is curved to make cutting easier by rocking the blade.
The blade does not have a full tang and the handle is constructed of synthetic plastic. But the handle is slip resistant and contoured to fit your hand. There is also a bolster to protect your finger from being cut while in use. The knife cannot be placed in the dishwasher and needs to be washed by hand.
- The blade is constructed of low carbon stainless steel which makes the blade very strong but may dull overtime.
- The handle is contoured to fit your hand and is slip resistant.
- The blade is 10 inches long with a single beveled edge and a curved blade making it easier to cut through denser foods.
- The blade is priced fairly but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- The bread knife does not have a full tang and the handle is made of plastic.
- It is not dishwasher safe.
Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Bread Knife
The Shortest Bread Knife
This bread knife has a few pluses and a few minuses, one being it is the shortest blade on the list at only 8 inches long. It is fairly priced and does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it. The blade is constructed of high carbon stainless steel which makes the edge very sharp but may be prone to chipping or breaking over time if not used or handled properly.
The handle is constructed of santoprene and has a comfortable grip that is also slip resistant. The blade has a single beveled edge and a full tang that follows through the whole handle to give it balance and control. The bolster at the end and the tapered end of the blade provide stability and control while the knife is in use. The bread knife is not dishwasher safe and needs to be washed by hand.
- The blade is constructed of high carbon stainless steel with a single beveled edge making it very sharp for precision cutting.
- The blade has a full tang that follow s through the handle, a full bolster at the end and a tapered end of the blade to provide stability and balance within the knife.
- The handle has a soft and comfortable grip that is also slip resistant.
- The blade is one of the shorter bread knives on the market at only 8 inches.
- The knife is not dishwasher safe and needs to be cleaned by hand.
Conclusion
No matter the knife you are going to choose as a bread knife, just remember, you are only using it to cut bread, so it doesn’t have to be extra special. If you plan on using the blade for other foods than bread, then maybe spring for one of the more expensive and stronger knives. But all in all, any of these bread knives will do the trick to cut any loaf of bread at home.
