If you’re like most Americans, you probably enjoy a good piece of bread from time to time. But have you ever stopped to think about what kind of knife you use to slice your bread? Believe it or not, not all knives are created equal when it comes to slicing this type of food.
In fact, the best bread knife america’s test kitchen can make a big difference in terms of both the quality and consistency of your slices. So if you’re looking for the perfect knife to add to your kitchen arsenal, be sure to check out America’s Test Kitchen’s top picks.
Table of Contents
List of The Best Bread Knife America’s Test Kitchen In 2022
Why do you need bread knife?
Bread knife is the right tools for slicing bread, pastry, tortilla wraps and other food items that are typically served on flat plates. A good bread knife should have 10 inches blade with small teeth on its serrated edges to allow it cut through items without damaging or crushing them. The blades’ sharpness can be maintained by wiping it after each use.
Reviews of The Best Bread Knife America’s Test Kitchen on Amazon in 2022
Top 1 – Wusthof CLASSIC Bread Knife
Coming with a triple-rivet design and full-tang construction, this Wusthof CLASSIC Bread Knife quickly takes the lead. This product features reliable German engineering that turns this tool into excellent cutlery.
Down to its construction, this model has a 10-inch blade made out of high-carbon stainless steel for better edge retention and cutting performance. This bread knife’s razor-like cutting edge slices through baguettes or bread with the least crumbs.
Also, the serrations along the blade’s edge offer proper guidance as you cut through the tough crust to prevent compressing the soft inside. As said earlier, the handle features a synthetic polypropylene material to provide easy grip and comfortable handling.
But that’s not the part about this material. The synthetic polypropylene handles resist heat, fading, impact, and discoloration. Hence, the WÜSTHOF Classic Series often takes the top spot on most reviews and remains the best bread knife America’s Test Kitchen.
Pros:
- Full tang construction
- High Carbon Stainless Steel blade for better cutting performance
- Ergonomic handle for better handling
- 10-inch serrated blade to slice through the toughest crust swiftly
Cons:
- It might be too long for some users
Top 2 – Shun Classic 9″ Bread Knife
The Shun Classic 9″ Bread Knife is different from our top choice with its wide serrations. This model can cut through crusty bread without tearing or smashing the soft inside.
What’s more? This bread knife america’s test kitchen features the manufacturer’s exclusive formula, VG-MAX steel, including carbon for durability, cobalt for ruggedness, tungsten for a razor-sharp edge, and chromium to resist corrosion wear.
Evidently, the Shun Classic 9″ Bread Knife is engineered with high precision cutting and long-lasting performance in mind. This blade is paired with an aesthetic D-shaped handle made of ebony Pakkawood, which offers a more comfortable grip for easy maneuver and handling. Plus, it’s water-resistant for incredible durability.
On top of that, it’s a perfect choice for slicing through all types of bread. With its 9-inch blade, this cutlery has no issue going through tough challenges like rye, baguettes, sourdough, and ciabatta. Also, it’s fit for delicate tasks like slicing through pumpernickel, challah, pastries, brioches, or banana bread.
Pros:
- Handcrafted in Japan
- Pakkawood handle for comfortable and secure grip
- Perfect cutlery for delicate and tough cut
- 9-inch long blade
- VG-MAX cutting core for incredible edge
Cons:
- Issues with resharpening this blade knife
Top 3 – Mercer Culinary M23210YL Bread Knife
There are many things to love about the Mercer Culinary M23210YL Bread Knife, from its ergonomic handle to its high-quality Japanese steel. This model is one of the best bread knives out there.
The blade is 10-inch long with serrated edges to allow users to cut through even the largest loaves quickly. Furthermore, this bread knife america’s test kitchen is a decent compromise for people not looking to splurge on this cutlery.
Moving on, the Mercer Culinary M23210YL Bread Knife requires the least maintenance, thanks to its high carbon steel construction. This knife is well-balanced with its handle features an ergonomic design for comfortable handling and good grip.
The handle features a unique blend of polypropylene and Santoprene for durability and comfort. On top of that, it features textured finger points to prevent slipping, which makes it a breeze to use when slicing veggies. The Mercer Culinary M23210YL Bread Knife comes with a protective finger guard for extra protection.
Pros:
- Easy to resharpen and maintain
- High-quality Japanese steel
- Stain and slip-resistant
- Durable, ergonomic handle
- Razor-sharp edge with better retention
Cons:
- The blade might be too long for some users
Top 4 – Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition High-Carbon Blade Serrated Bread Knife
If you’re in the market for a traditional-like bread knife, then this model from Chicago Cutlery is the way to go. It looks very similar to the knives our grannies used to cut bread.
This 10-inch bread knife rocks a traditional allure to add a touch of classic style to your kitchen. The Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition High-Carbon Blade Serrated Bread Knife is not just about style; it offers an unrivaled cutting performance.
Let’s get started; this cutlery features a high carbon stainless steel blade that boosts stains, rust, and pitting resistance. Like the Mercer Culinary M23210YL Bread Knife, the Chicago Cutlery’s blade has a generously spaced serration for optimum sharpness to slice through swiftly.
This bread knife’s handle is crafted with triple brass rivets to stabilize the full metal tang for safer handling. This cutlery is perfect for cutting a bagel or prepping a meal.
The wooden walnut handle offers a good grip and adds to the overall aesthetic of the knife. While it might not be the best choice for top or professional chefs, the Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition High-Carbon Blade Serrated Bread Knife is an excellent pick for home cooks. This knife will slice through soft bread, crusty bread, soft tomatoes, and other delicate food with a decent-quality cutting board.
Pros:
- Stain and rust resistant high-carbon stainless steel blade
- Full metal tang and triple brass rivets
- Ergonomic walnut handle for good grip
- Full lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Poor quality control
Top 5 – HENCKELS Forged Premio 8-inch Bread Knife
For seasoned chefs or people in the cooking industry, then this brand, J.A.-Henckels, needs no introduction. They are known for offering premium cutleries, and this 8-inch bread knife proves the point.
This best bread knife america’s test kitchen features a high carbon stainless steel material with an 8-inch German-forged blade. The HENCKELS Forged Premio 8-inch Bread Knife is usually synonymous with a long-lasting sharp edge and high strength, thanks to the manufacturer’s FRIODUR ice-hardening process.
The handle is triple riveted to the fully visible tang to offer incredible balance and strength. The handle comes contoured for good grip and easy handling with less fatigue,
All in all, the HENCKELS Forged Premio 8-inch Bread Knife is the perfect cutlery for easily slicing bread, cutting tomatoes, or crusty loaves.
Pros:
- Satin-finished blade for precision cutting
- Ergonomic handle boasting comfort and control
- Dishwasher safe
- Made from high-quality German stainless steel
Cons:
- New models are made from China
What is a bread knife?
A bread knife is a type of serrated knife designed specifically for cutting bread. A bread knife has a blade with small semicircular notches, which are called teeth, on its side. Bread knives usually have blades that are 8 to 10 inches (24 cm) long and about one inch wide.
Typically, the more teeth on the blade, the more effective the knife will be at cutting bread. Bread knives are designed to slice neatly through soft bread without smashing or tearing it apart. The teeth on a good-quality bread knife america’s test kitchen gently tear apart the food while also preventing it from sticking to the blade of the knife.
A serrated knife is generally not recommended for cutting hard items because of its inability to hold an edge, but it is ideal for slicing soft foods such as cakes, tomatoes, and so forth. Many people prefer using serrated knives over straight-edged ones when handling soft foods. Serrated knives are also an excellent choice when you need to saw through certain items with tough exterior layers.
How to select the best bread knife america’s test kitchen?
To select a bread knife america’s test kitchen consider the following points.
Type of blade
Consider the type of blade you need so that you can choose from straight edged or scalloped blades. If you have to cut through hard crusts then choose a straight edge, while scalloped one is best suitable for cutting through soft items.
Blade length and material
Look at the length of the blade before buying it, longer ones work well on larger loaves while shorter blades are required for smaller pieces. Also ensure that your blade is made up of high-quality stainless steel which has immense sharpness, durability & edge retention.
Handle
A good knife must have a well-balanced handle that provides you excellent grip even if your hand is wet or greasy. A comfortable handle will make it easier for you to use the tool with maximum ease and comfort without straining your wrist or hand.
Benefits of Using Bread Knives:
There are many benefits that you can enjoy from these knives which include:
- These knives make sure your bread slice perfectly every time.
- You do not have to put much effort while using these knives because their sharp edges are enough for cutting through breads.
- The serrated blade used in these knives give you the facility of carrying them while travelling purposes as well.
Why people prefer Wusthof Bread Knives?
Wusthof knives are one of the best bread knifes america’s test kitchen available in market today. The complete range of Wusthof knives are known for their razor-sharp edges which are made up of high-quality stainless steel. These knives have all essential features like perfect balance, comfortable handle, long lasting sharpness and durability required for making your cooking experience an amazing one.
Wusthof knives are preferred by professional chefs as well as amateur cooks because of its multipurpose utility. The longer serrated blades of a global knife can easily cut through a baguette or a French loaf without crushing it and at the same time you can also use them for cutting sandwiches, tomatoes, sushi rolls etc. Also, these knives have an excellent edge retention which means you do not need to sharpen them frequently unlike other standard knives.
Where to buy bread knife online?
Wusthof Bread Knives come with a lifetime warranty from manufacturer that ensures long-term usage. You can purchase your favourite Wusthof Knife from Amazon at huge discounts on offer prices here. So, shop today at Amazon and get ready to cook like a professional chef in your kitchen.
How Bread Knives Work?
The sharp edges of a bread knife america’s test kitchen make it easier for you to slice through bread without damaging or squashing the soft insides. There are two different kinds of bread knives available in market. The first one is table knife with straight edge and the other one is scalloped serrated knife.
Types of Bread Knife available in Market
There are different types of bread knives available in market today, some of them are enlisted below: Table Knife, Serrated Bread Knife, Tomato Knife, Sandwich Knife, Paring Knife, French Bread Knife, All Purpose Kitchen Knife etc.
Table / Dining Knife – This type comes with long blade that can easily slice large loaves of breads.
Serrated Bread Knife – It is available with plain edge with scalloped blade which works well with hard crusty breads.
Tomato Knife – This type of knife with pointed tip can smoothly cut the skin of tomatoes without damaging it.
Sandwich Knife – If you frequently make sandwiches at your home then this kind of knife with long serrated blade will be beneficial for you because it can easily cut through all types of breads.
Paring Knife – This small-sized knife has short blade that helps to peel or trim vegetables, fruits etc.
Beside, You can check bread slicers below:
Manual Bread Slicer – This type of slicer helps you to slice your desired portion with the help of steel wire which comes along with it at an affordable price range so everyone can purchase this easily according to their budget.
Electric Bread Slicer – You can simply place your bread on this slicer and slice the desired portion by applying little effort. This slicer is completely safe to use and available at a higher price range than manual slicers
Alternatives Bread Knife
If you do not have a bread knife america’s test kitchen with you then there are still some alternatives that you can use to cut your bread. Spreading knives/spreads will also work as a good alternative to a regular bread knife.
You can use steak knives as an alternative if you have them in your kitchen because they have long blades just like the serrated knives that we discussed earlier which helps in cutting through soft or crusty loaves.
Bread knife america’s test kitchen FAQs
Q1. What is the proper way of cutting bread with a serrated knife?
Ans. The correct way to cut large pieces of bread is by placing it on its side so that you have the straightest surface possible to work with. Then, turn your blade parallel to the loaf and starting at one end of it or other use gentle sawing motions while pressing down to cut through the crust.
Q2. Why do I need to clean my knives after using them in dishwasher?
Ans. Dishwashers can remove all kinds of bacteria from knives along with germs which might result in transfer of harmful diseases when using them next time for preparing food.
Q3. Which sharpening tool is best for my knife?
Ans. To determine which sharpening tool is best for your knives you need to understand the features of all such tools and then choose accordingly according to them.
Q4. How can I clean rust from my steel knives?
Ans. You can use vinegar with salt or lemon juice in order to remove rust from your steel blades easily.
Q5. What type of food should not be cut using a serrated knife?
Ans. tough and rubbery foods like raw meat, cheese etc are ideal that should not be cut through by serrated knives because they still require more pressure that can result into tearing up of tender bread like item rather than cutting it smoothly.
Conclusion
The best bread knife america’s test kitchen is a must-have equipment for kitchen. It can help you slice the bread without tearing it and make your work easier. In this article, we have reviewed some of the best bread knives on the market and hope that our recommendations will be helpful to you when shopping for one.
We would like to remind our readers that we have an extensive collection of kitchen knives at America’s Test Kitchen and invite you to check them out if you are in need of a new bread knife, we highly recommend this model.
Do you have a favorite bread knife america’s test kitchen? Let us know in the comments below.
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