Bread knife
A bread knife is a long, serrated knife that will help you cut all kinds of bread. From hard to soft crusts, from soft buns to baguettes. Thanks to the serrations you cut through the crust of the bread without crushing the soft insides. But did you know that a bread knife can also be used to cut pies and cake? Or that a bread knife can easily cut through hard vegetables and fruit such as melons, pumpkins and celeriac?
Looking for the best bread knife?
What makes a bread knife the best? That depends entirely on your preferences. When choosing a bread knife, consider the blade length, the serrations, the blade shape and the handle material. Bread knives are longer than most kitchen knives, making it easy to slice large loaves without excessive sawing. This helps you achieve neat, even slices with less effort. Our range includes bread knives from leading brands like Opinel bread knives, Victorinox bread knives, Sabatier bread knives and Zwilling bread knives.
Looking for something different? We also offer Japanese bread knives.
Professional bread knife
A professional bread knife should offer excellent cutting performance and comfort. Look for a handle that provides a secure grip, allowing you to slice with confidence and control. The bread knives in our collection are made from high-quality steel and are designed to withstand frequent use. A professional bread knife does not have to be expensive either. As serrated blades can be difficult and time-consuming to sharpen, many people simply choose to replace their bread knife once it eventually becomes blunt.
Serrated bread knife
A bread knife is one of the few knives that, by definition, is enhanced with a serrated blade. Because of the serrations you won't crush the bread as you cut it. The serrations get caught in the hard crust, because the pressure of the blade focuses on the tips of the serrations. We sell a large number of bread knives. Most bread knives have classic serrations. Curious to find out which bread knife came out on top in our test? Take a look at our bread knife test!
The blade length of a bread knife
Most bread knives have a blade length between 20 and 30 cm. The longer the blade, the less you need to move to cut a loaf of bread. As such, you are left with more even results.
Larger loaves, such as sourdough and artisan bread, are also easier to slice with a bread knife featuring a longer blade. If you are looking for a sourdough bread knife , choose one with pointed serrations. These grip the hard crust more effectively, making it easier to cut through the loaf and produce neat, even slices.
The tips of bread knives vary depending on the model. A blunt tip is practical and safe for everyday use, for example when cutting large artisan loaves or soft bread rolls. A pointed tip makes it easier to pierce through hard crusts, such as those found on sourdough bread or baguettes. This is useful when you want to quickly get a good grip on the bread before continuing to slice.
The handle of a bread knife
A good bread knife starts with a handle that feels comfortable in your hand. Pay attention to the shape, thickness and grip of the handle, especially when cutting through hard crusts or large loaves. The style also plays a role. A wooden handle gives your kitchen a warm, classic look, while plastic or stainless steel often creates a cleaner, more modern appearance. Choose a handle that feels comfortable to use and complements your kitchen style.
Bread knives with a wooden handle need a little extra TLC. We will tell you all about it in our how-to: how do you maintain a wooden handle. We do not recommend cleaning bread knives in the dishwasher, as this would negatively affect the knife.
Steel bread knife
The type of steel used in a bread knife has a major influence on its performance, durability and maintenance. Most bread knives are made from high-quality stainless steel, which offers excellent corrosion resistance, long-lasting performance and is easy to maintain. Some models are also made from special types of steel, such as Damascus steel, known for its distinctive layered appearance and premium craftsmanship.
Damascus bread knife
A Damascus bread knife combines excellent cutting performance with a unique, elegant design. The layered steel creates a distinctive pattern on the blade, making each knife a real eye-catcher in the kitchen. Besides its beautiful appearance, Damascus steel is valued for its strength, durability and high-quality finish.
Stainless steel bread knife
A stainless steel bread knife is a practical choice for everyday use. Stainless steel is strong, resistant to corrosion and requires little maintenance, making it a reliable material for a kitchen knife that is used regularly. If you are looking for a dishwasher safe bread knife, always check the product specifications, as dishwasher suitability depends on the type of steel and the manufacturer's recommendations. We clearly indicate whether each bread knife is dishwasher safe, so you can easily find a model that suits your preferences.
Bread knife: left-handed users and right-handed users
Most bread knives are not designed specifically for left- or right-handed users. The most important thing is that the knife feels comfortable and secure in your hand. The real difference lies in the blade grind. Bread knives are often ground on one side only. If the grind is on the wrong side for your cutting style, the knife may pull slightly to one side while slicing. A right-handed bread knife is ground on the right side, while a left-handed bread knife is ground on the left side. Of course, the best choice depends on what feels most comfortable for you. Every bread knife will cut, but choosing the correct grind makes it easier to cut straight and reduces the need for adjustments. Use the menu on the left side of this page to easily find a bread knife for left- or right-handed users.
Small bread knife
Looking for a small bread knife? A compact serrated knife can be a practical choice for smaller cutting tasks, such as slicing bread rolls, baguettes or smaller loaves. While most traditional bread knives have a longer blade to cut through large breads with ease, smaller serrated vegetable knives can also be a great alternative thanks to their short, sharp serrated edge. They offer excellent control and are easy to handle, making them ideal for everyday use when a larger bread knife is not needed.
Long bread knife
A long bread knife is the ideal choice for cutting large loaves, such as sourdough bread, artisan bread and other wide breads. A longer blade allows you to slice through the entire loaf in one smooth motion, helping you create even slices without unnecessary sawing. Use the blade length filter on this page to easily find bread knives with a longer blade and choose the size that best suits your needs.
How to sharpen a bread knife
"How to sharpen a serrated bread knife?", is a question we often hear. Many believe you cannot sharpen a bread knife because of the serrations. This is not true. You do, however, need to use a different technique. And perhaps other sharpening materials. To sharpen a bread knife, you need a special bread knife sharpener like a sharpening steel or sharpening system with triangle-shaped sharpening rods. Find out more in our info topic about how to sharpen bread knives.
Safely storing your bread knife
Always use knife guards, an in-drawer knife organiser or preferably a good knife magnet, knife guard or knife block to store your bread knife. When you store your bread knife in a drawer you run the risk that your knife will come into contact with other steel objects which could affect the sharpness of the bread knife. Also, it is never a good idea to reach into a drawer with sharp knives.