There might be plenty of things as awesome as sliced bread, but in order to slice up a loaf, you'll need the right tool for the job. A bread knife needs a jagged, serrated blade, perfect for cutting food with a tough exterior but soft interior. Size is another consideration; most bread knives generally fall between the eight and 12 inches mark, meaning they can handle a sizeable loaf. The final consideration, aside from cost, is a comfortable handle, but remember, ergonomics are just as important as economics...
With blades made out of one piece of high carbon Japanese steel, Mercer claims its knives resist rust, corrosion, and stain discoloration. They also get slip-resistant, textured finger points at the blade end of the handle that works as a finger guard to help prevent accidents. This particular model has wide serration, something to look out for if you cut a lot of warm and/or soft bread.
The Dalstrong Gladiator fights the tidiness battle for you with minimal crumb dispersion when cutting bread. The German stainless steel blade is full tang, meaning it goes all the way through the handle, which is made from pakkawood composite. It has geometrically angled serrations to enable thin-slicing at a single stroke and comes complete with a sheath for safe storage.
This high-end option is made from a single piece of "Cromova 18," a Global Co trade secret stainless steel mix of molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium. The special ergonomic handle is molded to fit the hand and has a dimpled pattern on it to resist slippage. A perfect balance between the blade and the handle is created by injecting sand into the hollow handle which moves around as you use the knife.
Another product featuring one-piece construction, made of stainless steel, the handle of this knife has a special coating to make it soft grip while the shape fits well in hand. With an ultra-thin blade (good for less resistance) this knife claims to cut through pastries like butter. It's worth noting the deep serrations with pointed, not rounded edges for more effective performance.
As with the other Mercer option we highlighted, this knife is made of razor-sharp, high carbon Japanese steel, while the handle is santoprene and polypropylene for durability. Safety finger points protect you, while the wavy edge makes for tidy slices and the offset blade enables this knife to make clean cuts downwards, all the way through tough crusts to the cutting surface.
Cutting edge
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Freshly cut bread is an everyday treat we can all enjoy. You just need the right knife to slice it. If you cut a lot of bread and related food items, you want to consider the serration your future device offers. Orblue's bread cutter has precisely the kind of serration that regular bakers look for -- deep scallops and a pointed finish.
Our overall pick, the Mercer Culinary M23210 Millennia is a mid-ground choice offering excellent build quality, good performance, and a 10-inch blade that should cover you from bagels to baguettes.