The Best Bread Knife Reviews & Buying Guide

Bread knives are a staple in anyone’s kitchen, using this serrated knife allows you to cut bread easily without squashing its shape and breaking apart as it would with a straight knife.

These serrated edge bread knives are also great for slicing tough fruits like pineapple or cutting thin slices of tomatoes without squishing them. However, serrated knives actually can differ a lot from each other in terms of length and shape.

Even though you might replace your bread knife often, you must choose the best bread knife that will help you when it comes to cutting bread, so we have decided to round up the best bread knife UK models and compare them to help you find the right bread knife for your kitchen.

Our Favourite Bread Knife (2020 Updated) –

The Wusthof CLASSIC Bread Knife (Editor’s Choice)

This Wusthof classic bread knife has a square design and a length of 26cm which can cut large loaves of bread. The blade itself is made of Chromium, Vanadium steel which gives it a razor-sharp cutting edge.

Other significant features of this bread knife are its NSF hygiene label and robust design which securely joins the handle and blade of the knife.

Conclusion

To conclude this Wusthof serrated bread knife is one of the best bread knives on our list due to its safe round tip and medium-sized sharp blade. The model is also very well balanced which makes cutting smooth and equal.

Downfalls of this model have to be its heavyweight. The manufacturer has also been reported to send out some faulty models.

Pros

• Good sized length with a high-quality edge.
• Sharp edge.
• Hygiene certificate.
• Affordable.
• Strong design.
• Well balanced.

Cons

• Heavyweight.
• Some faulty models from the manufacturer.

Our Runner Up – Bread Knife 8″ Sunnecko

The Sunnecko branded bread knife is one of the most affordable serrated bread knife models on our list. This model uses Japenese sword Damascus cladding for high edge durability and has a length of around 20 cm.

Design-wise this knife has an ergonomic blade which has a full tang polish edge of 15 degrees each side. Its G10 handle is also made for extra comfort during cutting.

Its 2mm thickness is suitable for cutting sponge, cakes and other pastries, it can also cut foods such as tomatoes easily thanks to its thin serrated blade.

Conclusion

This 20cm bread knife from Sunnecko is very reliable and can cut smoothly through any bread due to its Japenese ergonomic blade with full tang and sharpness. This model is also priced very reasonably, making it great value for money.

However, it must be noted this kitchen bread knife is on the smaller side so may not be suitable for cutting large loaves of bread.

Pros

• Japenese high-quality edge.
• Affordable model.
• Ergonomic design for extra comfort.
• 2mm thickness.

Cons

• The smaller size may not be suitable for large bread.

Global Knives G-9 Bread Knife

The Global Knives G-9 model may be higher in price, but is also very highly rated. This 22cm bread knife boasts a quality razor-sharp blade and is made from high carbon Japanese steel which prevents rusting.

Significant features of this model are its 15-degree cutting edge and hollow handles which could make cutting lighter due to its being balanced with sand, allowing you to cut even slices accurately.

This serrated model can also be sharpened, which is excellent for re-using.

Conclusion

Overall, this durable knife from Global Knives is one of the top products on our list due to its high carbon Japanese steel and hollow handle, which allows for better balance when cutting crusty bread. Its steel blade is also extra sharp, which could be useful for cutting tough-skinned fruits.

Some downfalls of this knives model are its high price and durability, some people have reported the blade to snap after some years, this model also many not cut crusty bread as well as other serrated knives on our list.

Pros

• High carbon steel material with a serrated blade.
• Hollow handle balanced with sand.
• 15-degree cutting edge.
• Can be sharpened.

Cons

• Expensive.
• May not cut bread that smoothly.
• The blade may not be that durable.
• Smaller in length than other models.

Tenartis 465 Professional Bread Knife

This professional bread knife by Tenartis features an extra-long 30cm blade. It is made from durable Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium stainless steel, the steel blade is also designed to last for a long life due to its blade hardiness.

Handle wise this model is very lightweight, making it easier to use for cutting fruits or sandwiches.

Conclusion

The Tenartis professional model is one of the best on our list thanks to its long stainless steel blade and high-quality material which can cut crusty bread easily. This model is also great value for money when compared to other models of the same price that have a smaller length.

On the other hand, this stainless steel serrated knife has been reported to tilt left when cutting, which could result in uneven slices of bread. The model is also said not to be very sharp.

Pros

• Extra-long length.
• Durable stainless steel material.
• Designed for hard use.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Tilts to the side when cutting.
• Not very sharp.

Dick Knives GD762 1905 Bread Knife

The Dick Knives bread knives model is one of the more affordable products on our list.

This serrated model, in particular, is made from high-quality German steel and has a 60Hrc hardiness rating which can cut crusty bread or tough skin fruits.

It’s stainless steel blade can be re-sharpened easily, and the design of this knife features steel rings on its handle.

Conclusion

Overall, the Dick knives branded serrated model has a high-performance blade that can cut a variety of tough skins and prevent squishing bread when cutting. The knife is also is very comfortable to hold due to its higher quality handle.

Negatives of this serrated bread knives model have to be its length which is smaller than other bread knives on our list. This may mean you are limited to the size of the loaves you can cut.

Pros

• High-quality German steel edge.
• Can be sharpened.
• Sleek design.
• Affordable.

Cons

• Smaller length than other serrated knives.

Our Verdict – Which Bread Knife Is The Best For Cutting?

To conclude, the best bread knife on our list has to be the Wusthof CLASSIC bread knife. This bread knife is the best on our list due to its well-balanced design, affordable price and medium-sized blade, making it perfect for cutting all sizes of bread smoothly.

As an alternative model, we would also recommend the Sunnecko 8″ bread knife due to its durable design and sharp blade.

What To Look For in a Best Bread Knife (Buying Guide)

You might think any old serrated edge can do the job of cutting bread in your kitchen; however, this is not always the case, and some designs may be much more durable than others.

Therefore you should consider all the features you need in a knife such as hardness and length before deciding on which model you need.

We’ve put together our best bread knife buying guide below to help you out.

Top Features To Consider In a Bread Knife

There are many different features you should consider when choosing your bread knife; from thickness to shape.

We have put together a simple list of features you should consider looking out for below –

• Shape – Some serrated bread knife models come as either a straight or curved edge; the best shape tends to be straight and is more common. Some knives also come as offset blades which means the blade is lower than the handle. This stops your knuckles from grinding against the chopping board when cutting.
• Sharpening – Sharpening your knife is not required as often as a regular knife, however, if you feel like your knife needs sharpening its a good idea to check how easy it will be to re-sharpen.
• Serration – Fewer serrations with deep curves tend to be the best for bread cutting. It is a good idea to also look for knives with a sharp tip as this will help to cut easier than rounded tip.
• Length – The length of your knife matters as this will determine how big of a bread you can cut. Anything above 20 cm or 10 inches is ideal for most people; if you get a knife too big, then you might find it too large for cutting.
• Blade material – Make sure your blade is made of high carbon steel or other durable material, you want your bread knife to last you a decent amount of time before rusting etc.
• The angle of edges – Check the angle edges of your bread knife, an angle of around 15 degrees is perfect for most users.
• Handle – You knife handle should be non-slip and sturdy to hold when cutting.

Why Do I Need Bread Knife?

A bread knife is not only useful for cutting ingredients like bread but also a lot of other foods and fruits. It is pretty much as a must-have knife to include in your kitchen for this very reason.

We have listed out some more reasons below as to why you need a bread knife in your kitchen –

• They can cut soft ingredients easily – As I’m sure you know by now, a serrated knife is excellent for cutting sponges as it doesn’t squish it. However, they can also be used for slicing tomatoes, as the jagged edges latch on to the tomatoes skin and slice through easily.
• You can level cakes – Leveling cakes with a serrated knife is easy, unlike standard blades that will squish the cake.
• Easy to cut hard ingredients – Fruits such as pineapples and watermelons can be easily cut with a bread knife best edges.
• Can cut boiled eggs – Have you ever tried to cut a boiled egg with a standard knife? Often the yolk may pop out or squish the entire egg. A serrated knife, however, will not squish the interior of the egg.

As you can see, having this knife in your kitchen is essential if you want to be cutting cakes or pineapples quickly, thanks to their toothed edges.

How Do I Maintain My Bread Knife?

Bread knives require relatively little maintenance; however, there are some small tricks you can be doing to keep your blades and knife in the best shape possible.

• Use it right – Don’t use your bread knife to cut ingredients it can’t like frozen food and always use a chopping board underneath, this can help keep your blades sharp.
• Don’t put it in the dishwasher – Putting your bread knife in the dishwasher can eventually damage it, instead, hand wash and dry it. Make sure to dry it well to avoid rust on the blade.
• Store it well – Try and make sure you bread knife has a cover or slip to protect its blades.

How Do I Sharpen My Bread Knife?

Sharpening your knife doesn’t have to be done very often, however at some point, you may find your serrated model needs sharpening. You can either send this to be professionally done or do it yourself with a sharpening rod.

How To Use a Sharpening Rod?

Using a sharpening rod to sharpen you serrated model can be a long process but is worth it if you are having trouble slicing through bread –

• Step one – Move the tapered rod against each of your knifes serrations, where you place the rod will depend on the size of the serration.
• Step two – Drag the rod against the serration four or five times facing away from you to sharpen the blade.
• Step three – Once you have sharpened every individual serration flip the knife over and sharpen the flat side of the blade to smooth out any burrs.

You will often find your serrated knife will stay sharp for a long time before you need to do this, for cheaper models, its advisable to just a buy a new knife when it reaches this point.

FAQs

Why do I need a bread knife?

They allow you to cut sponges and pieces of bread easily without squishing the actual contents of the food and often help to give a straight and level cut.

It also prevents the interior of the bread, falling out and leaving too many crumbs.

How do you sharpen them?

You can either take it to a professional or sharpen it yourself with a tapered sharpening rod, we have listed out some steps in our buying guide to follow, but the process is straight forward.

The only downfall of sharpening the blades yourself is that it is time-consuming.

Can I use one to cut meat?

Yes, you can; however, it is much more suitable to use a standard sharp knife, this because using a bread knife might dull its blades.

Is it hard to control when cutting hard ingredients?

No, the serrated design can give you better control when cutting fruits like pineapple as it grips the skin, unlike a standard knife that slides straight through and often gets stuck.

The sawing motion will often cut hard ingredients faster too, and you should have reasonable control with a non-slip handle.

Can a knife for bread cut thin slices?

Yes, make sure the model you choose has plenty of deep serrations as this will help to cut the bread.

The top technique for thinly slicing is too use a sawing motion with minimal push.

What else can you use a bread knife for?

Many things such as levelling sponges, cutting fruits like watermelons, and other kinds of pastries/sponges.

How much does a high-quality model cost?

A high-quality model can cost up to £100. These knives will be very durable, and last you an extended amount of time; cheaper models will often need to be replaced within a few years of use.

Can I use one to cut everyday vegetables?

No, a serrated edge knife should not be used for cutting but only slicing. You can slice squishy vegetables like tomatoes with a serrated knife, but don’t try and dice or cut as this could potentially blunt the blades.

Is it possible to put the knife in my dishwasher?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Instead handwashing your knife will prolong its life and prevent rust building up.

Are straight blades or curved blades better?

For bread knives, a straight blade will serve you better for getting an equal and even single piece of bread.

How heavy should a bread knife be?

Not too bulky but heavy enough to feel balanced when cutting and holding.

What kind of model do I need for thick crust bread?

Look for a model with fewer but deeper serrations and a high-quality, sharp blade. Also, consider the length of your model.

How long should it be?

Your model should have a length of over 10 inches; this will allow you to cut small and larger pieces of bread easily.

Are offset shapes worth it?

If you find your knuckles hitting the chopping board alot when cutting then yes an offset model might be better for you as the blade is positioned just below the handle, offering more room for your hands to fit in.

Can I use a regular knife to cut bread?

Yes but your knife would have to be extra sharp which is difficult maintain all time, if not you risk squeezing your bread and messing up its form, that’s why models with serrated edges tend to be better as they saw through with no pressure needed.

Will cutting hard ingredients with my bread knife dull the blade?

Potentially over time, it could dull the blades, it may be better to buy a cheaper model for cutting pineapple or watermelons and save the expensive one for loaves of bread and cakes in this case.

Our #1 Bread Knife Choice

Overall, after comparing the best bread knives on the UK market, we have concluded the Wusthof CLASSIC bread knife is the top choice on our list. This bread knife boasts high ratings, a medium-sized blade and a durable design making it a reliable option for your kitchen.

As an alternative bread knife choice, we would also recommend the Sunnecko 8″ bread knife due to its high-quality Japenese steel design. This will be a great bread knife if you are looking for a smaller sized option.