Discover our bread knives

How should the bread knife be used on a daily basis?

The bread knife is an essential tool for cutting fresh bread without crushing or crumbling it. While it may seem simple, using a bread knife correctly can make all the difference in how well you slice your loaf. In this discussion, we’ll cover techniques and tips for using a bread knife safely and effectively. Whether you’re an avid baker or a casual bread lover, you’ll learn everything you need to know to slice your bread like a pro.

What foods can be cut with a bread knife? 

The bread knife is an essential kitchen tool for cutting foods with a hard crust or dense texture. It is particularly useful for slicing bread, but it can also be used to cut other foods.

Bread is of course the most obvious food to cut with a bread knife. Breads with a hard crust like baguette, country loaf, or ciabatta are difficult to cut with a regular knife because the crust is hard and can easily crush the bread instead of cutting it into neat slices. With a bread knife, you can easily cut bread into thin, even slices.

Cakes and pies are also foods that can be cut with a bread knife. Sponge cakes or pies with hard crusts can be difficult to cut with a regular knife, but a bread knife can easily cut these foods into neat, even slices.

Fruits and vegetables with hard skins like watermelon, squash or melons can also be cut with a bread knife. The serrated blade makes it easy to cut through the tough skin, without crushing the flesh of the fruit or vegetable.

Hard rind cheeses like Parmesan, Cheddar, or Gouda can also be cut with a bread knife. The serrated blade makes it easy to cut through the hard rind, without crushing the soft cheese.

All in all, the bread knife is a versatile tool in the kitchen, useful for cutting foods with a hard crust or dense texture. Whether you are cutting bread, cakes, fruits, vegetables or cheeses, a bread knife can make the task much easier and more efficient.

 Why choose a bread knife?

Choosing a bread knife may seem trivial to some people, but it is actually very important. A bread knife is an essential tool in any kitchen, whether you are a professional chef or a home cook.

The bread knife is designed to cut bread without crushing the crumb. Unlike other kitchen knives, it has a serrated blade that makes it easy to cut through the crusty crust of bread while keeping the crumb intact. Without a bread knife, cutting bread can become difficult and frustrating, and the bread can become crushed or misshapen, reducing its quality and aesthetic appeal.

Choosing a quality bread knife is therefore crucial. Cheap bread knives often have poorly designed blades that don't cut well, which can damage the bread and make cutting difficult. The blades of higher quality knives are designed to easily cut through the crust without damaging the crumb.

It’s also important to choose a bread knife that’s right for your needs. If you often cut fresh bread, a bread knife with a shorter blade may be easier to handle. If you cut harder or crustier bread, a longer blade may be necessary to easily cut through the crust.

Ultimately, a bread knife is an essential investment for any cook. By choosing a quality bread knife that is right for your needs, you can ensure that you cut bread with ease and precision, while maintaining its quality and aesthetic appeal. Whether you are a professional or a home cook, a bread knife is a tool that you will use often and will not be able to live without once you have tried it.

How to sharpen a bread knife?

Sharpening a bread knife is essential to ensure that you cut your bread accurately and efficiently. If your knife is dull, you could damage the bread by tearing or compressing it, which can result in a loss of flavor and texture.

Here are some simple steps to sharpen a bread knife:

• Find a sharpening tool: You can use a whetstone or an electric sharpener to sharpen your bread knife. Make sure you choose a tool that is appropriate for the type of blade your knife has.

• Holding the knife: Hold the bread knife firmly with your dominant hand, keeping the blade at an angle of about 20 degrees to the surface of the sharpening tool.

• Start sharpening: Begin running the knife blade over the sharpening tool using smooth, even back-and-forth motions. Make sure to maintain the 20-degree angle throughout the sharpening process.

• Use a sharper angle: If your knife is very dull, you can switch to a sharper angle of 15 degrees to sharpen the blade.

• Repeat the process: Continue sharpening the blade by moving back and forth on the sharpening tool until the blade is sharp enough. Repeat the process as necessary until the blade is sharpened to your requirements.

• Sharpening: If you want a finer edge, you can run the knife blade over a sharpening steel in circular motions.

By following these simple steps, you can sharpen your bread knife and ensure perfect slices for all your bread cutting needs. Remember to be careful during the sharpening process to avoid accidents and protect your knife.