Buying a knife specifically to use for cutting bread can change your life. No more sawing away at the loaf, squishing it in the process.
Find a knife that will smoothly glide through any type of bread and stand the test of time in your kitchen.
The best bread knives make slicing simple and have high-quality serrated blades that make cutting even slices no trouble at all.
Below are our picks for the best bread knives currently on the market in Australia.
1. Global 22cm Serrated Bread Knife (Top Pick)
This lightweight knife features a blade made of premium quality molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel called Cromova 18.
It also features a black dimpled design on the handle which is for not only form but function as well.
The dimples help you to grip the knife for more security when you are cutting. This will especially help with cutting smoothly through crusty bread.
The Global serrated knife is 8 3/4 inches long, giving you plenty of room to slice through a loaf of bread of any size.
The serrated edge remains razor-sharp even after many uses. It is sharpened on both sides, the same as most knives.
The special feature of this knife comes in the tip, sharpened steeply at an acute angle so that the tip of the knife is as sharp as possible.
What We Like:
- Fantastic quality Japanese steel blade
- Stays sharp
- Easily slices through even the crustiest bread
What We Don’t Like:
- This knife is not as long as other bread knives
- Expensive
2. Tojiro 235mm Bread Slicer
The factory where these bread knives are made is located in Tsubame-Sanjo. This was once a district in Japan famous for its sword production.
Over time, these methods have evolved and turned into the fantastic cutlery manufacturing techniques we see from this factory today.
This serrated bread knife features a high-carbon stainless steel blade to help you cut thin slices of any type of bread. With a blade of 9.3 inches, it can cut through larger loaves with ease.
What We Like:
- Appealing wooden handle
- Serrated edge
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users find that this knife does not stay sharp for long
3. Wusthof Classic Carbon Steel Bread Knife
Any passionate home cook needs this well balanced knife in their kitchen. This classic bread knife has a serrated blade with a full tang from the handle to the tip for fantastic stability when using it.
The blade is made from extra-tough high carbon steel to last for a long time.
The Wusthof serrated knives are created in Germany and are known for their razor-sharp edges and longevity. Each knife is forged from one piece of steel for ultimate quality.
What We Like:
- Super sharp blade
- Wonderful stability when slicing
- Does not crush bread when cutting
What We Don’t Like:
- Packaging could be improved as it is flimsy for a knife of this calibre
4. Global 23cm Ni Bread Knife
The Ni Bread Knife offers a curved blade with extra-sharp serrated edges. The comfortable and ergonomically-designed handle gives you a solid grip on the knife, so it won’t slide around while you’re trying to cut.
The one-piece construction is of excellent quality and makes the knife easy to clean.
Crafted from Cromova 18 stainless steel, this knife was inspired by the Japanese samurai. It is perfectly balanced, making it a breeze to use.
What We Like:
- Sleek design and appearance
- The blade is a great size
- Extremely sharp
What We Don’t Like:
- Hand wash only – not dishwasher safe
5. Victorinox Rosewood Bread Knife
Every single blade Victorinox produce is crafted in Switzerland from high-quality carbon stainless steel.
The Victorinox Rosewood Bread Knife is no different.
This 21cm blade has been conical ground to prevent breakage and resistance, making it easier to cut bread. It has been ice tempered to ensure that it maintains its sharpness.
What We Like:
- Trustworthy brand
- Stunning rosewood handle
- Wavy edge
What We Don’t Like:
- Shorter blade than some other brands
6. Mercer Culinary Millennia 18-Inch Bread Knife
The handle of this knife was designed with ergonomics in mind, with polypropylene for strength and santoprene for lightness.
This knife is NSF certified, which means that it has been found to meet high standards for quality, performance, and safety.
The Japanese steel the Mercer knife is made from won’t stain, rust, or corrode over time. This means that the knife is long-lasting so you can use it for years to come.
What We Like:
- Extra-long blade
- Ergonomic handle
- Textured finger points for holding securely
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users find the blade a little thick at the top
7. Victorinox Bread Knife
The Victorinox Bread Knife is often used by professionals due to its fantastic cutting abilities. This serrated knife is hygienic and easy to clean and can be used proficiently by any keen at-home cook.
This knife has great accuracy, perfect for cutting even slices and is one of the best bread knives you will find on the market.
The stainless steel blade is reliable, strong, and sharp, allowing you to easily slice through bread.
What We Like:
- Extremely light
- High-grade stainless steel blade
- Conical ground blade
What We Don’t Like:
- Shorter blade length
Bread Knife Buyer’s Guide
A fantastic sharp knife that cuts easily through crusty bread can make all the difference to your kitchen.
That’s why you must take care in choosing the right knife for you that will keep performing day in and day out.
There are numerous considerations which come into account when you’re looking to get a new bread knife for your kitchen.
This buyer’s guide to serrated knives is here to help by describing the factors you need to consider.
Bread Knife Edges
Why do different knives have different edges? You will note that all the bread knives we’ve reviewed are serrated. There’s a reason for this. Let us explain some of the most popular knife edges and what each one is best suited for,
Straight – This is one of the most common blade styles that people get for their kitchens. It has a sharp edge along the blade with no serration at all. It is created especially for cutting things without tearing them.
Scalloped – This blade has waves along the edge and can be used to cut particularly crusty bread, such as sourdough. It can also be used to cut the tough skin off vegetables and fruit, such as oranges.
Serrated – The serrated knife has a jagged edge. This is what makes it easy to cut through bread without squishing it down. Simply saw lightly back and forth to watch a slice of bread peel off of the loaf.
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Factors to Consider
Production Location
German knives – German knives are a popular option amongst consumers because they are heavy and exceptionally durable. The blades are often thicker and curved to help with the rocking motion of cutting. They are also usually made from a type of steel that’s softer, resulting in less frequent sharpening.
Japanese knives – Why are Japanese serrated bread knives becoming so popular? Easy – they feature a straighter edge and thinner blade. This makes it easy to slice your bread more precisely, resulting in even bread slices. The serrated blade is often made of harder steel.
Length
You may have wondered what difference the length of a serrated knife makes to cutting bread. The best length is between 7 to 10 inches long. That’s because a 10-inch knife provides a good amount of serrated surface for slicing into the bread. When it comes to a serrated bread knife, the longer the better!
A 10-inch knife as opposed to say, a 6 inch one, gives you more room for the sawing action that happens when you cut the bread. The knife should be at least as long as the width of the loaf you’re slicing, but preferably longer.
Blade Thickness
Thin blades – Thin blades are the best option for super crusty bread, especially if they feature a beveled end. A bevel is an end that has been sharpened so that it angles towards the tip. Ideally, one side of your knife should be straight and smooth, and the other has the serrated grooves.
Thick blades – Thick blades will feel much blunter when cutting through bread, even if they are sharp. That’s why we recommend that the best bread knife to get would be a thin one.
Material
Finally, the last thing that will make a massive difference to your bread cutting ability will be the material of the knife you use. Most bread knives are made from stainless steel but not all stainless steel is made the same. Traditional stainless steel is brittle and difficult to maintain a sharp edge on. If your current bread knife is standard stainless steel, it’s time for an upgrade.
Choose a high carbon stainless steel instead for the best effect. This material causes the knife to remain sharp long after purchase and it’s more durable and tough than standard stainless steel is. It’s a fairly new alloy to the market and will not corrode or rust.
Also, keep in mind that high carbon stainless steel knives which have been forged are stronger than the normal type. This is because they are made from one slab of steel, meaning that there are no weak joints.
