Every kitchen needs a strong and razor-sharp bread knife. Whether you need to cut up a fresh crusty loaf of bread or a baguette to go with cream cheese and salmon for a tasty snack or prepare garlic bread for a movie night, the best bread knife is the perfect cutting tool for the job.
The 5 Best Bread Knives
- Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife
- Tojiro Bread Slicer
- Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife
- Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife (Our Top Pick)
- Kai Pure Komachi 2 Series Bread Knife
Our Top Pick for the Best Bread Knife
Our top pick for the best bread knife is the Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife.
Whether you need to cut through a large crusty loaf of bread, a long baguette, soft rolls, slice up fruit or carve up a chicken, the Victorinox bread knife is a superbly designed knife that is lightweight and easy to control. As it comes at a great price, it is destined to be your new bread knife.
Check the price on AmazonBread Knives: Versatile Kitchen Utensils
Cutting and slicing up freshly baked bread can be challenging. Once you have brought home your favorite type of bread, whether it be a large crusty loaf, soft individual round loaves, or a long baguette, the wrong type of knife can cause a lot of mess on your cutting board.
You can also end up with bread that is ripped to shreds or crushed, which means that the bread will not be fit to be served to your family or guests and will only be good enough for making bread crumbs for stuffing. However, if you invest in a knife that is specifically designed for cutting bread, you will have perfectly cut bread that is fit to be served to royalty.
As well as being your number 1 go-to kitchen utensil for cutting bread, a bread knife is a versatile cutting tool as it can be used for a wide range of cutting tasks such as slicing fruit and cutting thin slices of meat and poultry.
How to Choose the Best Bread Knife
Serrated Edge
The secret to a bread knife’s cutting success lies in its unique blade. This type of knife should have a long blade with scalloped or jagged teeth that are designed to cut through hard crusty bread and will glide effortlessly through the bread’s soft interior without ripping the bread or crushing it.
As it cuts into the bread, the blade’s serrated edge cuts with a smooth and cleaning action as you push and also pull the knife through the bread.
The serrated edge is similar to that of a saw and has razor-sharp teeth, which are measured in teeth per inch or TPI. The number of teeth can range from 33, 35, or 41, depending on the length of the blade. The more teeth the knife has the smoother the cutting action will be. However, if it has fewer teeth, the cut may be rougher.
Scalloped Edge
Some bread knives have a scalloped edge blade with more rounded edges on the tips of its teeth. While others have a sharper point on their teeth. Rounded scalloped edges are ideal for cutting softer bread and fruits, vegetables, and some meats.
For hard crusty loaves, a bread knife that has sharper, jagged teeth can penetrate and cut through this type of bread a lot easier and will require less pressure as you use the knife, but it may produce more crumbs.
Types of Blades
When considering a bread knife, you also need to consider the shape of the blade. The best type of bread knife is designed with an off-set edge, a curved edge, a rounded edge, or a pointed edge.
– Off-Set Blade
Offset bread knives, such as the Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife, Tojiro Bread Slicer, or the Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife, have their blades set to about 1 to 2-inches below the handle, which gives you plenty of knuckle clearance so that your knuckles do not graze against the cutting board as you cut down into thick bread.
– Curved Edge
Bread knives that have a curved edge, such as the Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife, are a great choice for cutting all types of bread. The curved blade helps you to cut down into thick crusts and breads that are dense such as Rye bread. It also allows you to keep your eye on the cutting action of the blade as it cuts and slices through the bread. It is one of the most versatile of knives as you can also use it to cut larger pieces of fruit and vegetables.
– Round Edge
A rounded edge bread knife, such as the Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife, allows you to comfortably slice small and large loaves and also soft fruits and vegetables with a gentle rocking motion. The rounded blade design also offers plenty of knuckle clearance for ease of cutting. Whether you prefer to cut wafer-thin slices of bread from a baguette or large hearty ones from a thick loaf, the rounded blade delivers a high precision cutting action.
– Pointed Edge
A pointed blade bread knife, such as the Tojiro Bread Slicer and Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife, is the perfect type of blade for piercing and cutting into hard, thick crusty bread. This type of blade can also be used to piece fruit and vegetables that have tough skin. It is especially used for cutting large types of fruit such as pineapples and melons.
Blade Length
A bread knife’s blade will range from 8.5, 10, 10.5, or 10.25-inches in length. While shorter blades make quick work of cutting bread especially smaller-sized loaves, longer blades are a very good choice for cutting and also slicing long loaves such as baguettes and they are just right for carving up roasts.
Longer blade lengths are ideal for more demanding cutting tasks. However, you may find that the knife is difficult to control when you are slicing through a long loaf as the blade may flex and bend more in the middle of its shaft.
Ergonomic Handle
The handle is also important. So look for an easy gripping handle that allows you to maintain a firm grip even when the handle is wet or greasy. A handle should also be securely riveted to the blade and be stain, fade, and also color-resistant.
5 Best Bread Knives – Reviews
1. Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife
It may be pricey, but the Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife is an exquisitely crafted knife that is well worth spending extra dollars on. As it has an excellent level of sharpness, it is a great cutting tool for all types of bread.
The Mac Knife Superior bread knife is made in Japan. Its serrated 2 mm, 10.5-inches tapered specially hardened full tang blade is exceptionally sharp and is made from tough rust-resistant high carbon steel, which is designed to keep the blade’s razor edge sharper for a long time, so you can expect a high-level cutting performance.
Whether you are cutting through thick crusty bread or a roast, poultry, or fruit, the Mac knife gives you a clean, smooth cut without any shredding of the bread or meat. The blade’s extra length allows you to cut the thinnest slices in a long loaf of bread with minimal effort.
The Mac knife is very lightweight at 5.6-ounces and has a perfect well-balanced weight distribution. The offset blade and elevated handle design provide plenty of knuckle clearance and extra safety. It is very easy to control the blade when you need to apply extra pressure for more demanded cutting tasks.
The attractive black Pakkawood handle gives you a comfortable, ergonomic grip and the wood can resist any staining or fade over time. Also, the handle is securely attached to the blade with 3 stainless steel rivets.
The Mac Knife Superior bread knife is not dishwasher safe and needs to be hand washed and dried to maintain its sharpness and the quality of the handle.
Mac Knife offers an extremely generous 25-year warranty that covers any defects in materials or workmanship from the date of purchase.
Pros
- High quality
- Can use it for thick crusty bread, fruit, and also meat
- Tough rust-resistant high carbon steel
- 10.5-inches tapered specially hardened full tang blade
- Exceptionally sharp 2 mm blade
- Excellent sharpness
- Attractive Pakkawood elevated handle
- Well balanced
- Very good weight distribution
- Plenty of knuckle clearance
- Easy to control
- Comfortable ergonomic grip
- Anti-staining and fading handle
- Securely riveted handle
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Expensive
- Has trouble cutting through very thick sourdough crust
2. Tojiro Bread Slicer
The Japanese made Tojiro Bread Slicer delivers a superior cutting performance, long-lasting sharpness. With a high-quality level of craftsmanship, it is the ideal cutting tool for all sorts of cutting applications from cutting thick crusty bread, fruit, onions, and all sorts of meat.
Whether you need to cut through a large loaf of bread, thick steak or poultry, the Tojiro knife makes all your cutting jobs so easy. The 270 mm, 10.6-inches blade is made from strong and extra hard forged molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel, which is well known for its outstanding durability, and high corrosion and stain resistance.
The serrated blade has been specially ground, and the 33 scalloped teeth are sharp as a scalpel and are guaranteed to stay sharper for longer and will only require the occasional sharpening.
One of the easiest bread knife to use, the Tojiro is lightweight at 5.1-ounces. Its overall design provides ample knuckle clearance and enables you to keep an eye on your cutting action, and also gives you a good clean cut through tough crusty bread.
The reinforced black wood handle has an ergonomically comfortable grip, and the material is highly resistant to water, stains, and also fading. You can be assured of a sturdy and also solid knife as the blade is securely attached to the handle with 3 stainless steel rivets.
To keep your Tojiro in optimal condition, hand washing is recommended and keep it completely dry. Tojiro offers a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Superior cutting performance
- Long-lasting sharpness
- Well balanced
- Versatile
- High corrosion and stain resistance
- High level of sharpness
- Lightweight
- Reinforced black wood handle
- Sturdy and solid knife
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Blade can bend when cutting through long loaves
- Not dishwasher safe
3. Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife
Like a hot knife through butter, that is how the Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife can be described. It is one of the pricier bread knives but it has excellent construction and superior blade strength and sharpness, which makes it a must-have tool for any kitchen.
The German company Wüsthof has been handcrafting top-quality knives for over 200 years. Their Classic 10-inches bread knife is a favorite knife for both professional chefs and the home cook.
Its superb ability to cut through tough crusts is due to its extra-strong serrated edge blade that is forged from a single piece of Wüsthof’s exclusive high carbon stainless steel, which has undergone a special tempering process and ground with Wusthof’s unique Precision Edge Technology (PET), to create an edge that’s 20% sharper than traditional methods and gives the blade long-term durability.
For a smooth and clean cutting performance through hard crusts, the blade has a curved edge and 35 scalloped sharp teeth that glide effortlessly through bread while minimizing any ripping or leaving any crumb residue behind.
The knife has a full tang blade that is triple riveted to the synthetic POM (polyoxymethylene) handle, which has a tighter molecular structure to resist fading and discoloration and gives the knife outstanding strength, durability, and also excellent balance.
The handle also features the Wüsthof special red and white trident logo, a constant reminder of their core beliefs of passion, diligence, and also perfection.
To keep your hands safe during more challenging cutting tasks, the handle has a full bolster and finger guard.
The Wüsthof bread knife can go in the dishwasher. However, hand washing and immediate drying are recommended, to maintain its overall performance and its highly polished blade finish.
Wüsthof is proud to guarantee that their knives are free of defects in material and craftsmanship for the life of the knife.
Pros
- Superb German craftsmanship
- Excellent bread knife
- Ideal for cutting through thick crusts
- Scalloped sharp teeth
- Made from a single piece of high-carbon forged stainless steel
- Special Precision Edge Technology (PET)
- Extra sharp blade cuts cleanly
- Smooth cutting performance
- Full-tang, triple-riveted
- Comfortable synthetic POM (polyoxymethylene) handle
- Superior strength and balance
- Full bolster and finger guard
- Anti-staining, fading, or discoloration
- Wusthof’s red and white trident logo
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Expensive
4. Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife
The Swiss are famous for their watches, but they are also experts at making fantastic bread knives that deliver an outstanding cutting and slicing action, so if you need a bread knife, the Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife is the only knife you will ever need.
A top rating bread knife by many culinary publications and cooking professionals for its versatility, razor-sharp blade, and comfortable handle, the Victorinox knife comes at a very affordable price.
One of the most versatile bread knives available, the Fibrox Pro Bread Knife can accomplish almost any type of cutting task. As well as being able to cut through bread, this outstanding bread knife is destined to become your number 1 go-to knife for leveling cakes, cutting sandwiches, slicing tomatoes, hard-skinned fruits, vegetables, and also roasts.
The 10.25-inches Fibrox Pro Bread Knife has a sharp curved edge and the thin serrated blade with 41 medium-sized scalloped teeth can pierce and cut into hard crusty loaves, soft loaves and it can even be used to slice up soft-skinned fruits and veggies.
It gives you better control throughout the slicing process and has the ability to pierce even the hardest of crusty loaves and soft fruits without crushing their delicate skin. If you need to cut long bread loves such as a baguette, the 10.25-inches blade can glide effortlessly through the bread but it is still able to cut small food items such as tomatoes or fruit.
For ease of cutting, the blade is optimally weighted and balanced with high-quality, lightweight European steel. The ergonomic, non-slip patented, durable and lightweight Fibrox Pro handle gives you a comfortable and secure grip regardless of the size of your hand, and even when the handle gets wet or greasy, you will have complete control over all your cutting tasks.
It is dishwasher safe, but Victorinox recommends that you hand wash the knife and dry it straight away so that the knife can keep working with an optimum cutting performance. To keep the blade’s super sharp edge, the knife should be honed after every couple of uses.
The Fibrox comes with Victorinox’s lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Fantastic bread knife
- Razor-sharp blade
- Made in Switzerland
- Outstanding quality
- High cutting versatility
- High-quality, lightweight European steel
- Strong and also durable blade
- Serrated blade has 41 scalloped teeth
- Optimal cutting control and balance
- Can use it to level cakes, slice soft and hard fruits and vegetables
- Can also use it for cutting roasts
- Ideal for cutting long loaves of bread
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Extra-long blade can be hard to maneuver with some types of bread
5. Kai Pure Komachi 2 Series Bread Knife
The smartly designed Kai Pure Komachi 2 Series Bread Knife is the ideal bread cutting utensil for both home use and camping. So whatever type of bread you need to cut, this stellar bread knife has a top-quality cutting ability and is also great value for money.
Crafted in Seki City, Japan’s famous knife-making capital, the Kai Pure Komachi 2 has taken the humble bread knife to a whole new level. This multi-purpose bread knife has a unique 8-inches reverse scalloped high-carbon stainless steel blade which has been hand-sharpened to ensure an effortless cutting action. The super-sharp blade has very good edge retention and it can be easily re-sharpened with a Japanese whetstone.
If you want to prepare soft loaves for sandwiches or crusty rolls with your favorite fillings, the Kai Pure Komachi 2 Series bread knife features a bold orange-colored FDA-approved non-stick resin coating that resists corrosion, makes cleaning simple, and also helps the blade to cut through the bread’s crust without tearing the soft interior and glide smoothly without crushing the bread.
As well as cutting through bread and cakes, you can also use the knife for slicing up fruit.
It is ergonomically designed with a comfortable contoured molded handle that reduces hand fatigue, and allows for complete precision and control throughout the cutting process, even when your hands are wet or greasy. The bright eye-catching orange color is very easy to identify in your drawer or camping gear.
For quick and also easy storage at home while you are traveling, the Kai bread knife also comes with its own brilliant orange safety blade sheath, which protects your hands from any nasty cuts and stops the blade from getting damaged.
The bread knife is dishwasher safe but it is recommended that you hand- wash it to maintain its overall cutting performance and the non-stick coating. Kai also offers a very generous 5-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Excellent value for money
- Unique reverse scalloped Japanese hand-sharpened stainless steel blade
- High-carbon construction
- Super-sharp razor edge
- FDA-approved resin coating
- Corrosion-resistant and non-stick
- Perfect for cutting hard or soft rolls, cakes, and fruit
- Cuts smoothly and also cleanly
- High level of precision and control
- Easy to use and resharpen
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic handle with soft-touch rubber grip
- Bold orange color knife and handle
- Bright orange safety blade sheath protects the knife for travel and storage
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Blade can chip easily
Our Top Pick for the Best Bread Knife
Our top pick for the best bread knife is the Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife.
Whether you need to cut through a large crusty loaf of bread, a long baguette, soft rolls, slice up fruit or carve up a chicken, the Victorinox bread knife is a superbly designed knife that is lightweight and easy to control. As it comes at a great price, it is destined to be your new bread knife.
Check the price on Amazon
