Top 15 Best Bread Knives
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It’s always a hassle if you have to cut a loaf of bread with a straight edge. No matter how sharp the blade is, a straight knife will squish your bread and leave behind too many crumbs.
To prevent this, you need to have a bread knife, or a serrated blade, to cut the bread. Thanks to the serrations, you can effortlessly cut through any bread with minimal resistance and few crumbs.
However, you might not know which is the best bread knife, especially with so many options around. Don’t worry; you can read my review for the best serrated bread knife to identify which one is the best choice for you.
What Can I Use My Bread Knife For?
A bread knife is a knife with serrations on its edge. As the name suggests, a bread knife is mainly used to cut loaves of bread and cakes without crushing them.
However, a bread knife’s usefulness is not limited to cutting bread alone. With a serrated blade, you can easily slice through more robust food such as squash and melon as well.
Thanks to its sharp serrations, a bread knife is also ideal for cutting tender fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, citrus, or pineapples without squishing them.
While not necessarily the case for all bread knives, some models have serrations sharp enough to be able to effortlessly slice and carve meat, such as brisket and ribs.
Is a Bread Knife Necessary?
Besides a chef knife and a parry knife, a bread knife is a must-have cooking utensil in your kitchen. A bread knife can handle many tasks that a straight edge usually can’t.
For instance, a straight edge is not very efficient at cutting squash because this tough vegetable can “trap in” your blade. However, this will not happen with a serrated blade, which makes bread knives are a more ideal option for squash or melon.
Therefore, as much as a luxury bread knife can seem to be, you should have a serrated knife in your kitchen so that you can handle all the cutting and slicing tasks.
What Are The Best Bread Knives?
Listed below are what I believe to be the best bread knives for each different category. To make sure you can quickly grasp what each product is about, I’ve written a brief overview of each product.
- Best Overall – Mercer Culinary M233210 Millennia Wide Wavy Edge Bread Knife
“Ergonomic handle with protective finger guard, easy blade maintenance, excellent edge retention, razor-sharp.” - Best Budget – HUMBEE Chef BK_Bl Full Tang Serrated Bread Knife
“Constructed from high-quality stainless steel, suitable for both professional as well as home use, full tang design, triple-riveted handle.” - Best High End – Dalstrong Shadow Black Series Bread Knife
“Exquisite design with luxury black color, wide and deep serrations, handcrafted by 3-step Honbazuke method, full tang design, made from high carbon super steel.” - Best for Crusty Bread – Zwilling J.A Henckels 30726-203 Signature Bread Knife
“Precision forged, triple-riveted ergonomic handle, full tang design, excellent blade of 58 Rockwell hardness, unrivaled blade retention.” - Best for Hard Crust – Saken 10-Inch Serrated Bread Knife
“Well-balanced, razor-sharp edge, suitable for virtually all types of bread and cakes, excellent robustness, ideal medium-sized serrations, ergonomic handle.” - Best Sharpness – KYOKU Daimyo Series Japanese Serrated Bread Knife
“Crafted from Japanese Damascus super steel, forged with 67 layers, ruthlessly sharp edge, handcrafted by the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method, well-balanced.” - Best for Brisket – Mercer Culinary Ultimate White 11-Inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife
“Hollow ground edge for ease of maintenance, rapid sharpening, made from high-carbon stainless steel, ergonomic handle, razor-sharp edge.” - Best With Guide – Deli Pro Slicing Bread Knife
“Features an adjustable guide, suitable for bread and many other types of food, easy to use, ideal for slicing, sharp edge.” - Best for Soft Fruits – Tojiro F-687 Bread Knife
“Curve blade design, wide and deep serrations, crafted from vanadium steel, razor-sharp edge, excellent blade retention.”
Bread Knives Comparison Chart
Before heading to the main review section, you should take a quick look at this comparison chart to have a general idea about the most common bread knives.
Top 15 Best Bread Knives Reviews
Now let’s get into the central part of the review. This is where I’ll point out the key features of each product as well as what their advantages and disadvantages are.
Mercer Culinary M233210 Bread Knife
(Best Overall)
The Mercer Culinary Millennia features an ergonomic handle made from Santoprene and polypropylene for optimal comfort and durability. It also comes with a textured finger point and a protective finger guard to prevent your hands from slipping during use.
One of the most popular bread knives, the Millennia has an extremely sharp edge that can cut through bread as if they were butter. Thanks to its sharp edge, the blade is also suitable for cutting fruits as well as carving meats.
Furthermore, the blade is made of Japanese high carbon steel of the highest quality. Due to this, it has excellent edge retention. The premium-quality material also enables you to maintain and sharpen the edge quickly.
Key Features
- Ergonomic handle with protective finger guard
- Easy blade maintenance
- Suitable for cutting fruits and carving meat
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 5 x 1 x 18 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Mercer Tool Corp |
| Blade Length | 10 inches |
| Blade Material | Japanese high carbon steel |
Pros
- Extremely sharp edges
- Highly versatile
- Easy to clean
- Can produce smooth cuts
- Excellent durability
- Edge maintenance for the knife is relatively easy
Cons
- The knife might require to be sharpened regularly
You can check out how well the knife cuts in this video:
HUMBEE Chef BK_Bl Full Tang Serrated Bread Knife
(Best Budget)
A high quality product at a bargain price, this serrated bread knife is made from premium-quality stainless steel. Its design allows it to be suitable for both professional as well as home use.
The full tang design and the triple-riveted handle also make this serrated bread knife considerably more durable. Moreover, the contoured handle will fit nicely into your palm, giving you a solid grip on the blade.
Key Features
- Made from high quality stainless steel
- Suitable for professional and amateurs
- Full tang, triple-riveted handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 12.6 x 0.3 x 1.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | HUMBEE Chef |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
| Blade Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Economical
- Solid, ergonomic handle
- Easy to use and clean
- Excellent durability
Cons
- The product is not suitable for cutting heavily crusted bread
Dalstrong Shadow Black Series Bread Knife
(Best High End)
Features an exceptional grip, Dalstrong Shadow Black Series knife is especially customized for maneuverability. The knife was designed from the ground up, which is made to be sleet, muscular, and aggressive looking as it is effective.
The blade is made by expert craftsmen to 16-18 degree, which ensures a precise, clean cut and excellent edge-retention. An intense heat treatment followed by a deep-freeze cooling process enhances flexibility and hardness.
The knife will give you the highest level of satisfaction in your culinary journey. Cutting from any angle, this blade’s geometry features sharp, aerodynamic lines that tuck snugly into your palm and cut the air.
Key Features
- Scalpel-like edge for a phenomenal performance
- Full tang design
- Exquisite appearance
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17.2 x 6.1 x 2.3 inches |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Dalstrong |
| Blade Length | 9 inches |
| Blade Material | Titanium nitride coated German high carbon steel |
Pros
- Extreme sharpness
- Well-balanced design
- Excellent blade retention
- Easy to use and clean
- Lightweight
Cons
- Sharpening the blade might chip off the paint
You can check out the knife in this video:
Zwilling J.A Henckels 30726-203 Signature Bread Knife
(Best for Crusty Bread)
Ever finding difficulties in punching your knife through your crusty morning bread? Then this knife may be the one thing you need for your kitchen. The blade is made in Germany, where one of the best knives is produced.
The steel that is used to make this knife has been perfected for over two centuries. When combined with Zwilling’s signature process of the ice-hardening technique, the blades are sharper and more difficult.
This knife is precision stamped from a single piece of German steel, so the blade’s lighter weight will not compromise the blade’s sharpness. Moreover, the blade will neither chip nor stain and will retain sharpness longer.
Key Features
- Stain-free blade
- Full tang design
- Superior resilience and blade retention
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15 x 3.8 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 5.1 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Henckels |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
| Blade Material | High carbon stainless steel |
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Excellent blade retention
- Can cut through thick bread with ease
- Lightweight
Cons
- The blade of the knife is rather thin
Saken 10-Inch Serrated Bread Knife
(Best for Hard Crust)
Are you trying to find a blade that possesses both the beauty and the strength to cut through your hard morning bread? Then Saken’s 10-Inch Serrated knife is your choice. The blade is made from high carbon steel that has both the power and elegance.
With its special design and ideal medium-sized serrations, the blade is up for many challenges including cake layers of domes, and any kind of bread. Professional chefs and home cooks alike can saw through their baked goods with a gentle push without tearing or crushing.
For a perfectly balanced grip, the product has a triple-riveted, seamlessly joined handle. Moreover, the highly durable construction material allows the knife to withstand many wear and tear.
Key Features
- Designed to cut through a hard crust
- Seamless design
- Ideal medium-size serrations
- Full tang construction
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17.1 x 3.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Saken |
| Blade Length | 10 inches |
| Blade Material | Germain high carbon steel |
Pros
- Razor-sharp edge
- Highly durable
- Well-balanced
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- The product’s handle might be too short for people with large hands
KYOKU Daimyo Series Japanese Serrated Bread Knife
(Best Sharpness)
Do you want to find a bread knife that can slice through loaves of bread and cakes with the gentlest push? Then this Japanese bread knife with its ruthlessly sharp edge is the answer you need.
The scalpel-like edge of this knife was crafted by veteran artisans with the renowned Honbazuke method. After being handcrafted, the blade then underwent cryogenic treatment to improve its hardness, flexibility as well as damage resistance ability.
To make it easier for you to cut through the bread, the 8-inch blade is designed to be slightly curved. Combined with the ergonomic G10 handle, the knife guarantees minimal fatigue and hand strain.
Key Features
- Forged from 67 layers of steel
- Can slice with minimal resistance
- Excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 16.2 x 5.3 x 1.7 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Kyoku |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
| Blade Material | Damascus steel |
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Easy to hold and use
- Comfortable handle
- Durable construction
Cons
- Left-handed people might have difficulties using the product
Mercer Culinary Ultimate White 11-Inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife
(Best for Brisket)
Many bread knives are not ideal for carving brisket; however, this one from Mercer Culinary is an exception. With its razor sharp edge, it can effortlessly carve meat and slice through even the crustiest bread.
Constructed from Japanese high carbon stainless steel, the blade is relatively durable and easy to clean. It comes with a hollow ground edge to ensure that edge maintenance and sharpening are as effortless as possible.
Furthermore, this white bread knife from Mercer Culinary also has a comfortable polypropylene handle for a secure and easy grip.
Key Features
- Easy edge maintenance
- Sharp edge for carving brisket and ribs
- NSF certified
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17 x 1 x 3.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 6.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Mercer Tool Corp |
| Blade Length | 11 Inch |
| Blade Material | Japanese high carbon steel |
Pros
- Razor sharp edge
- Well-balanced
- Easy to hold and clean
- Lightweight
Cons
- The knife requires to be sharpened regularly
Deli Pro Slicing Bread Knife
(Best With Guide)
Are you annoyed with being unable to cut slices of bread with even thickness? Then you might need this bread knife with a slicing guide from Deli Pro.
Thanks to the adjustable guide, you can produce slices with a consistent thickness. The knob of the guide will allow you to adjust the thickness of the slice to your liking.
Moreover, this bread knife comes with a razor-sharp edge that will enable it to effortlessly slice through various types of food, be it meat, vegetables, fruits, bread, or cheese.
Key Features
- Comes with a slicing knife for a consistent thickness
- Suitable for slicing meats and vegetables
- Safety fork included
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 13.6 x 6.2 x 2.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Deli Pro |
| Blade Length | 7.25 inches |
| Blade Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Provides consistent results
- The edge is razor sharp
- Easy to use and clean
- Economical
Cons
- The product is not suitable for left-handed people
Tojiro F-687 Bread Knife
(Best for Soft Fruits)
Soft fruits are tricky to cut because they can be easily squashed with even the slightest force. Therefore, you need to find a blade that is sharp enough to effortlessly slice through the fruits.
With its exceedingly sharp edge, this Japanese-style knife bread is an ideal choice for soft fruits. The blade’s ideal medium-size serrations will make sure that it can slice through most food as if they were butter.
Furthermore, the knife’s curved edge and light weight guarantee that you can easily maneuver the blade with no hand strain at all.
Key Features
- Japanese-style knife bread
- Can slice through bread like butter
- Ergonomic handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15.3 x 1.6 x 0.7 inches |
| Item Weight | 11.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | FujiTora Industry |
| Blade Length | 270 mm |
| Blade Material | Molybdenum vanadium steel |
Pros
- Exceedingly sharp edge
- Excellent durability
- Easy to hold and use
Cons
- The product is rather pricey
- Not suitable for left-handed people
You can have a look at this video to see the knife’s performance:
Shun Classic 9 Inches VG Max Steel Serrated Bread Knife
No more tearing up the interior of your bread with this Japanese razor-sharp bread knife from Shun. Thanks to its wide and deep serrations, the blade can cut through cakes while still leaving a smooth cut.
One special thing about the blade is that it is made from Shun’s exclusive VG-MAX steel. The formula also includes cobalt, carbon, chromium, and tungsten to increase the blade’s strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and sharpness respectively.
Moreover, the knife’s D-shaped Pakkawood handle will give you a solid and comfortable grip so that you can easily maneuver the blade to cut through even the toughest loaves of bread.
Key Features
- Ideal for cutting hard loaves of bread
- Does not tear up bread’s interior
- Wide and deep serrations
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 16.8 x 3.2 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 8.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Shun |
| Blade Length | 9 inches |
| Blade Material | VG-MAX steel |
Pros
- Excellent blade retention
- Razor-sharp edge
- Well-balanced design
- Lightweight
Cons
- The product is rather pricey
You can see a quick demonstration of the knife’s performance in this video:
Chicago Cutlery BT10P Walnut Serrated Bread Knife
Cut bread with this beautiful classic-style serrated knife from Chicago Cutlery. This product boasts an edge with optimal sharpness thanks to its exclusive 25-degree Taper Grind.
Made of premium-quality high-carbon stainless steel, the knife is also highly resistant against corrosion, rust, stains, as well as pitting.
That’s not all; the knife has a full tang design and a triple-riveted handle, which can give you optimal balance and control to maneuver the blade easily.
Key Features
- Optimal sharpness
- Full tang design
- Triple-riveted walnut handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Corelle |
| Blade Length | 10 inches |
| Blade Material | High carbon steel |
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Ergonomic, comfortable handle
- Excellent maneuverability
- Easy to sharpen
Cons
- The knife requires to be sharpened regularly
Have a look at this video to see how the knife cuts:
Wusthof Double Serrated Bread Knife
Another excellent product from the renowned brand Wusthof, this double serrated bread knife is suitable for both left-handed as well as right-handed people.
Notably, the product is precision forged and tempered to a hardness of 58 Rockwell. Implementing PEtec, Wusthof polishes the knife with a 14° angle edge. This means that the blade is 20% sharper than an average bread knife and can last twice as long.
Furthermore, this knife also boasts an exclusive thermoplastic, ergonomic handle that enables users to comfortably maneuver the knife through even the toughest challenges.
Key Features
- Double serrated blade
- Precision forged
- Ergonomic handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 9.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches |
| Item Weight | 9.3 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Wusthof |
| Blade Length | 9 inches |
| Blade Material | N/A |
Pros
- Suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people
- Excellent blade retention
- Razor-sharp edge
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Lightweight
Cons
- The product is rather expensive
Take a look at this video for a more detailed insight:
Global 8.75 Inches Serrated Bread Knife
An excellent choice if you’re looking for a bread knife with a seamless design for ease of maintenance, this serrated bread knife is exceedingly lightweight and well-balanced.
Furthermore, the blade is constructed from high-tech vanadium stainless steel that gives it a razor-sharp edge and excellent edge retention. Therefore, you don’t have to sharpen the knife as regularly in comparison to average bread knives.
Don’t worry that the stainless steel handle will give you discomfort during use. It is designed for optimal comfort and safe grip with the dimples on the handle.
Key Features
- Seamless design
- Dimpled handle
- Can slice through melons
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 14.7 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches |
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Cookware |
| Blade Length | 8.75 inches |
| Blade Material | Vanadium stainless steel |
Pros
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent blade retention
- Superb sharpness
Cons
- The handle of the knife might be too small for people with large hands
TUO Cutlery Pakkawood Handle Bread Knife
Crafted from the highest quality German stainless steel, this full tang knife boasts an excellent cutting performance that is hard to rival with. Therefore, besides being incredibly sharp, the blade has superb edge retention for an extended longevity.
Moreover, the knife’s durability is also enhanced by Patent Pending premium technology. Thanks to this, the blade also has better sanitary and stability compared to most other Pakkawood bread knives.
That’s not all. The knife also offers a curved blade and a solid, ergonomic handle that provides maximum comfort and excellent maneuverability. Thanks to this, you will be able to slice through even the toughest loaf of bread with no problem at all.
Key Features
- Full tang design
- Ergonomic pakkawood handle
- Wide and deep serrations
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 14.1 x 1.4 x 0.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | TUO |
| Blade Length | 9 inches |
| Blade Material | Germain stainless steel |
Pros
- Excellent blade retention
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Lightweight
Cons
- Left-handed people might have difficulties using the knife
Cutluxe Serrated Edge Kitchen Bread Knife
If you possess the eyes of a perfectionist? This knife will perfectly suit your taste. With its flawlessly balanced design that is made from premium material, this knife will certainly cut through your bread like butter.
Made from German high carbon stainless steel, this knife comes razor sharp and ready to go out of the box. Its blade is forged precisely from a single piece of steel, which ensures an ultra sharp edge with excellent wear and stain resistance.
Also, the knife possesses an ergonomic design of pakkawood handles, which offers maximum comfort, perfect balance, and best manipulation. Due to this balance and the blade’s weight, the knife is also perfect for heavy duty work such as cutting bagels, toasts, baguettes and more.
Key Features
- Wide and deep serrations
- Suitable for all types of breads and cakes
- Full tang design
- Hand polished
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15.1 x 1.4 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 8.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Cutluxe |
| Blade Length | 10 inches |
| Blade Material | Premium German high carbon stainless steel |
Pros
- High quality knife
- Superb edge retention
- Razor-sharp blade
- Well-balanced
- Outstanding maneuverability
Cons
- The handle might requires to be sandpapered before use
Buying Guide
Here, I will be giving you some tips and advice on how to buy the best bread knife for yourself.
The Length of the Blade
First, you should choose a bread knife with a blade length of at least 8 inches. This length will give you more versatility and flexibility to cut different types of bread and cakes.
Blade Material
The most ideal material for bread knives is stainless steel, which can retain its edge for a long time and is less prone to rust. High carbon steel is another ideal option because it is more resistant against chip damage.
You also need to keep in mind that if you don’t want to spend too much time sharpening the serrated edges, you should avoid carbon steel.
The Serrated Blade
It goes without saying the bread knives should have serrated blades. However, it’s not necessarily true that a blade with more serrations is a better blade.
In fact, the best bread knives should have fewer, deeper, and wider serrated edges. An ideal number of serrations for a bread knife is around 30, while a knife with up to 54 serrations can have a poor performance.
The Angle of the Edges
Another thing that might affect the performance of the knife is the angle of the edge. When buying a bread knife, you should look for one with 16 degrees or less in the angle of the edges.
Handle
The handle is what determines whether you’ll be comfortable using the knife. Therefore, you should find a knife with a grippy, non-slip handle to ensure maximum comfort.
Other Features
If you need to safely store the bread knife after each use, you might want to find one with a sheath. Moreover, a sheath might come in handy if you have small children or if you need to bring the knife with your while traveling.
Another feature that you might want in a bread knife is a guide, which will provide a consistent thickness every cut.
If you don’t like to have your knuckles banging against the cutting board while using a knife, you can also search for an offset bread knife.
FAQs
If you have never used a bread knife before, chances are that you have many questions regarding this kitchen utensil. I’ve compiled some FAQs in case you need more thorough research.
My Top Pick
Out of all the bread knives, my top favorite is undoubtedly the Mercer Culinary M233210 Millennia Wide Wavy Edge Bread Knife. Its blade is exceedingly sharp, its edge retention is superb, it’s highly durable, and the knife’s design is well-balanced. This product is everything you’ll be looking for in a bread knife.
Do you have any tips and tricks you’d like to share with us? What’s your favorite bread knife? Let us know in the comments.
