A bread knife has the distinct characteristics of having a long, serrated edge. While you may not use it as much as the chef knife, you still need it in your kitchen since there is no alternative to a bread knife. Here is a look at the best-serrated knives of 2022.
Musashi Molybdenum Polished Western Handle Bread Knife
The standout feature of this knife is its material; molybdenum vanadium steel. It provides high-quality blade material at a competitive price making the knife one of the best budget options in the market. It is easy to sharpen and has excellent anti-corrosion properties. The vanadium content also makes the knife stronger, more rigid and boosts its edge retention ability. Other top qualities of this Musashi bread knife include;
- The blade measures 25cm
- It comes with a polished finish
- It has an ergonomic western handle with excellent grip
- It is made in Japan
- Had a double-edged blade
- You get a lifetime manufacturer warranty
FELIX Absolute ML Bread Knife
The Felix Absolute ML bread knife is 20cm of pure beauty and excellence with a distinct look that matches the passion of any cooking expert. It captures every essence of the Absolute M series. Its blade consists of a core of VG10 with 66 layers of Damascus steel. The blade is further ice-hardened, which compacts and further hardens the blade giving it a 60-62 rating on the Rockwell scale.
The handle, on the other hand, the handle uses PA6-Polyamide, which is a food-safe plastic with top-tier strength and durability. The handle is created to fit safely in hand, and the parallel-running grooves give it a non-slip quality. The knife has an extra sharp tip and comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty.
FELIX First Class Wood Bread Knife
The Felix brand has a reputation as one of the oldest manufacturers in the German knife-making tradition. Their unique designs are a testament to their ingenuity, with each knife going through 45 steps of knife making. For instance, the Felix First Class Wood has an Italian design with breath-taking aesthetics, and the 26cm blade makes slicing through bread or hard vegetables a breeze.
The company makes this knife through its drop forging process, making the knives inherently stronger than stamped blades. The knife blade comes from the high-alloyed X50 CrMoV15 steel, consisting of chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The handle is made from Andalusian Olivewood, making it durable, grippy, and germ-free using its natural antiseptic qualities.
Koi Knives K-Tip Olive Wood White Handle Serrated Bread Knife
Koi is a knife brand that combines Western and Japanese style knife-making traditions to provide unique and high-quality blades. The brand handcrafts its knives in Southern Australia using AUS10 Damascus steel. The Damascus steel is responsible for the attractive wavy patterns on the knife's blade.
The blade measures 25.5cm while the full length of the knife is 39.5cm which makes it easier to cut through all bread sizes and even large hard vegetables like pumpkins and melons. The steel has higher carbon content than typical western knives, making it sharp, and it can hold its edge longer. It, however, means you need to take extra care of it, and when it's dull, a whetstone is the preferred sharpening tool.
Miyabi 5000FCD Bread Knife
Miyabi is a brand under the Zwilling J. A Henckels to produce quality Japanese-style knives for the European and global market. Its knives are made in the Zwilling factory in Seki, Japan. The Miyabi 5000FCD uses FC61 carbide steel with 49 layers of Damascus steel, giving it a beautiful floral pattern on the blade.
The Pakka wood handle completes the sophisticated look of the knife, marrying beauty to functionality. It has the traditional D shape giving it an ergonomic fit in your hand, preventing fatigue.
The blade measures 24cm, and it is ice-hardened for a higher hardness rank and makes it corrosion resistant. The knife has perfect balance while traditional Japanese Honbazuke V-edge honing makes it incomparably sharp with its 19°symmetrical edge.
Due Cigni Hakucho Olive Handle Bread Knife
There is always space for a Due Cigni in the kitchen. It is a top-quality Italian brand with decades of experience making kitchen knives and scissors in Maniago, the Italian city of cutlery. The Due Cigni Hakucho bread knife addresses all aspects of an excellent knife that even the most demanding user will not be able to leave it behind.
It has perfect balance, and at 140grams, it will not weigh you down even if there is plenty of cutting to do. The blade is 21cm, while the knife's overall length is 32.5cm.
The blade is also excellent for fine cuts with a thickness of 2mm. The material for the blade is a top-quality 4119 nitro-B stainless steel, while the handle uses olive wood. Stain-steel rivets further strengthen the handle, while the stain coating protects the blade against corrosive agents and stains.
Wusthof Classic Ikon Crème Bread Knife
The Wusthof brand is synonymous with premier quality knives, and the Wusthof Classic Ikon Crème Bread Knife is no different. The bade measures 20cm, and it is forged from one piece of chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel.
The steel is further hardened to a 58° Rockwell rating. For an ultra-sharp edge, Wusthof uses a laser-controlled PEtec sharpening process. The final buffing is done by hand. The result is a supreme versatile blade in the kitchen, whether cutting all kinds of bread, hard vegetables, fruits, or roasts.
The knife has a full tang that adds to its durability, while the half bolster aids in optimal handling. The handle material comes from durable and food-safe synthetic material. It also uses durable rivets and adds to the balance of the knife.
How to choose a bread knife
There are many bread knife designs and brands in the market, and picking the best one calls for careful consideration and review of the different options. If you are looking for chef-quality results and experience, consider the following aspects.
Serrations
The serrations provide the cutting edge for a bread knife, and their shape and number can influence the result and ease of your cutting. The best serrations are the pointed ones with medium size. Both rounded serrations and shallow teeth have poor grip and will shatter or break crusts and even smash foods like tomatoes. Rounded tips also call for more exertion on your part. On the other hand, very deep serrations leave you with a hacking motion instead of a sawing one.
Thus, moderately sized teeth which are pointed provide the best experience. You should also consider the number of teeth in the blade as it determines how smooth or rough the cut will be. More teeth mean the gullet (space between the teeth) is less and thus more friction resulting in rougher cuts. Thus, you want fewer serrations for wider gullets that create smooth cuts.
Blade
When it comes to the blade, the most important aspects are its length and shape. Ideally, bread knives measure from 8 to 11 inches. Shorter blades are limiting and require frequent back and forth sawing motion. Longer blades are the best, especially if you will have just one kitchen bread knife. When it comes to shape, you have straight blades which have the hand aligned to the blade. You also have curved blades and then offset blades.
Offset blades have the blade set slightly lower than the handle, which protects your knuckles from connecting with the cutting board when you get to the bottom of the bread or vegetable you are cutting. They also offer more control of the cutting process. Curved blades also help with knuckle clearance and add efficiency when cutting tender fleshed fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and peaches. That's because you only need to use a rocking motion which is faster.
Handle
The handle plays an important role in determining the knife's maneuverability, control, and comfort. Things to consider are shape and design, the material, and the length. When it comes to design, you should look for full-tang handle knives since they offer extra strength to the knife. They also provide better balance, especially if the knife has a long blade.
You also want to go for a handle with an ergonomic design that provides a comfortable fit in hand. An ergonomic design follows the natural curve of your palms while giving you extra support in areas of pressure. Knives that have a palm swell at the middle of the handle are often ergonomic and comfortable for long hours of use.
You should also consider the material of the handle. It should be durable even with frequent use. You also want non-slip material that boosts your grip even when wet. The handle's length is important in handling comfort and balancing out the weight of the blade. It should fit your whole grip and leave an inch or two to spare.
Material
The steel for the blade is vital for its functional qualities. High carbon stainless steel or high-quality alloys that offer similar qualities are preferred. The best kitchen bread knife should have a sharp edge and retain it for longer. The steel should also be corrosion and stain-resistant.
Conclusion
A serrated knife is the best tool for cutting bread and bakery food items. You can also use it to cut other items like melons, tomatoes, pineapples, chocolate, and others. Show now for the best-serrated bread knife brands and experience seamless shopping.
Also Read: Damascus Steel - What It Is, How It's Made, Why It's Unique