Specs
Knife size: 13.4”
Blade size: 9”
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Whereas we do like lengthy blades for his or her capability to slice extra in a single stroke, we admire that shorter blades will be simpler to deal with. Senior check kitchen editor (and Bon Appétit’s resident baking professional) Shilpa Uskokovic loves this bread knife from Hedley & Bennett, as a result of it’s smooth and deceptively mild. Whereas it has a humble 8.5-inch blade, the shortest blade on this checklist, its angled, serrated edge turns into extra pointed on the tip, making it simpler to maneuver and providing heightened precision for extra fragile slicing duties. “The development makes it really feel sturdy however nimble sufficient to sort out a variety of issues from crusty loaves to delicate layer desserts.” says Shilpa. “It additionally makes it each snug to carry and straightforward to wash.”
Whereas the shorter blade will be seen as an obstacle in some instances (like if you’re slicing by a large loaf of bread), we expect it is a stable possibility should you’re largely utilizing your bread knife for smaller gadgets or extra delicate duties the place management issues, like chopping bagels or squishy fruit and slicing desserts into a number of layers. At $85, this bread knife is inexpensive than the choices above—and it is available in a number of colours.
Specs
Knife size: 13.5”
Blade size: 8.6”
Weight: 5.5 ounces
Premium bread knives have their perks, however a very good one doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution. The Mercer Culinary Millennia 10-inch bread knife is lower than $25, and it’s the one we use most steadily within the Bon Appétit check kitchen. It has deep, huge serrations, also referred to as a wavy edge, versus the sharp tooth you see on the Wusthof or Hedley & Bennet. As a substitute of a picket deal with, like the remainder of this checklist, the ergonomic deal with of the Mercer is made out of a mixture of rubber and plastic, and whereas this knife isn’t full-tang (no knife at this value is), it nonetheless feels steady and comfy to carry. Our editors have used this knife for each slicing process you may think about: crusty bread, pineapple, ripe tomatoes, over-stuffed BLTs—and it at all times will get the job finished. This knife received’t slice by robust crust as seamlessly as costlier knives will, so it’s going to take somewhat extra elbow grease in your half, however it’s a greater than serviceable knife and our favourite cheap possibility. “Certainly one of these bread knives got here within the package bag I obtained in culinary faculty, and I’m nonetheless utilizing it at present,” says Chris. “It will not cut up atoms, however it’s reliable, and for this value you’ll find it irresistible all of the extra.”
Specs
Knife size: 15.5
Blade size: 10”
Weight: 5.9 ounces
How we selected the most effective bread knives
Between the editors in our check kitchen and the product reviewers over at Epicurious, we examined 16 bread knives on crusty sourdough bread and winter vine tomatoes, and as a part of common recipe improvement and residential use. Those we picked right here have been probably the most steady and comfy to carry, the best to work with, they usually made the cleanest slices.
How do I preserve my bread knife in prime slicing situation?
Like all kitchen knives, it is best to solely hand wash your bread knives—even when a knife is marketed as dishwasher secure, the dishwasher can warp or injury the blades. However in higher information, good bread knives keep sharp for for much longer than paring knives and chef’s knives. Most of them will proceed to slice successfully even after a number of years of standard use. When your bread knife does finally grow to be boring, you’ve obtained two choices: change it, or take it to knowledgeable sharpening service. We actually, actually don’t suggest house cooks attempt to sharpen serrated knives themselves. As Chris says, “whereas bread knives can be sharpened, you want a particular knife sharpener that the majority of us don’t have at house.” Should you attempt to use an everyday knife sharpener on a serrated blade, you’ll wreck it.
We don’t love the concept that a knife is “disposable,” however should you went the funds route you’ll be higher off changing it than servicing it. Sharpening might value simply as a lot as a model new blade. However should you’ve invested in a costlier, premium possibility, just like the Mac Skilled or the Wusthof, you’ll wish to ship it to a specialist to get professionally sharpened. Should you don’t have somebody close to you that you just belief, think about a mail-away service like Knife Help.
