The 25 best bread knife brands
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS, Cutco and Chicago Cutlery lead our ranking of 25 bread knife brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Bread Knife brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS
Solingen-made forged knives in a long-established German range, usually priced at the mid-to-premium end.
Website: zwilling.com |Brands like ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Cutco
Direct-sold American knives with serrated edges that hold up through repeated slicing, backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Website: cutco.com |Brands like Cutco
Popularity 5.4/10
-
3
Chicago Cutlery
Affordable American-made knives, with the Insignia line using high-carbon stainless steel blades.
Top products: Insignia Series· BT7
Website: chicagocutlery.com |Brands like Chicago Cutlery
Popularity 5.2/10
-
4
Cuisinart
Budget-friendly bread knives, from the Classic line with German steel to the Advantage line with a non-stick coated blade.
Top products: Advantage· Classic Graphix
Website: cuisinart.com |Brands like Cuisinart
Popularity 5.1/10
-
5
Victorinox
Swiss-made bread knives with grippy Fibrox handles, a reliable everyday choice at moderate prices.
Top products: Fibrox Pro· Extra Quality
Website: victorinox.com |Brands like Victorinox
Popularity 4.3/10
-
6
Sheffield
Family-run English cutler making knives by hand in Sheffield, a traditional pick for British kitchens.
Website: sheffieldknives.co.uk |Brands like Sheffield
Popularity 3.7/10
-
7
Mercer
Commercial-grade serrated blades from a professional kitchen supplier, common in restaurant and deli kitchens.
Top products: Millennia
Website: ofmercer.com |Brands like Mercer
Popularity 3.5/10
-
8
Rada Cutlery
American-made knives with aluminium handles and thin, simple blades that are light and inexpensive.
Website: radacutlery.com |Brands like Rada Cutlery
Popularity 3.2/10
-
9
Pampered Chef
Serrated bread knives sold through home party consultants, with black handles and a blade guard included.
Top products: Serrated Bread Knife
Website: pamperedchef.com |Brands like Pampered Chef
Popularity 2.8/10
-
10
Kai
Kai is the finest site in Singapore for lash extensions. Their lash professionals are experienced in applying for unique lash extensions with accuracy and care to each customer. They also provide additional beauty treatments such as skincare and makeup. Their...
Popularity 2.8/10
-
11
SABATIER
French blades made in Thiers from a single steel grade, a traditional profile at mid-range prices.
Website: sabatier-shop.com |Brands like SABATIER
Popularity 2.7/10
-
12
Cangshan
German-forged X50CrMoV15 steel blades that blend Western and Eastern styling, sold at premium prices.
Top products: S1 Series
Website: cangshancutlery.com |Brands like Cangshan
Popularity 2.5/10
-
13
Imarku
A knife is one of the most pivotal kitchen tools required for countless cooking purposes. Based in America, Imarku provides customers with the finest collection of cooking knives of extraordinary quality. The company has manufacturing warehouses in various countries like...
Website: imarku.net |Brands like Imarku
Popularity 2.5/10
-
14
xituo
Using the right knives can significantly add to your cooking. Thankfully, with Xituo, you can find the sharpest and most high-quality knives at competitive prices. Along with unique and classy designs, they also stand the test of durability and are...
Website: xituo-knives.com |Brands like xituo
Popularity 2.5/10
-
15
ONEIDA
Sold to pair with its flatware sets, with a long serrated blade and a handle matched to dinner service patterns.
Website: oneida.com |Brands like ONEIDA
Popularity 2.4/10
-
16
Hampton Forge
Patterned cutlery and kitchenware mixing classic and modern designs, with functional serrated blades in its range.
Top products: Epicure
Website: hamptonforge.com |Brands like Hampton Forge
Popularity 2.3/10
-
17
Pioneer Woman
The Pioneer Woman's Ree Drummond delivers entertaining anecdotes and dishes that will be a success at your next dinner party. Whether you're new to the frontier or want some fantastic cooking suggestions, you'll discover something delectable here. Their blog includes...
Website: thepioneerwoman.com |Brands like Pioneer Woman
Popularity 2.3/10
-
18
Calphalon
Cookware maker whose forged bread knife has a non-stick coated blade, sold alongside its pans.
Top products: Precision Series
Website: calphalon.com |Brands like Calphalon
Popularity 2.3/10
-
19
Global
Japanese-made serrated blade on a one-piece metal handle with dimpled grip, light enough for slicing crusty loaves thinly.
Popularity 2.1/10
-
20
KitchenAid
Appliance brand's knife line, with dishwasher-safe German stainless bread knives to match its mixers.
Website: producthelp.kitchenaid.com |Brands like KitchenAid
Popularity 2.0/10
-
21
Tramontina
Brazilian maker of affordable carbon-steel serrated knives with a wide bread blade.
Top products: Serrated Universal Bread Knife
Website: tramontina.com |Brands like Tramontina
Popularity 1.9/10
-
22
Ginsu
Television-marketed knife brand with serrated blades, usually sold in inexpensive sets.
Website: ginsu.com |Brands like Ginsu
Popularity 1.9/10
-
23
Martha Stewart
Paper punches, pillow shams and bedding sets come from Martha Stewart, a lifestyle name long linked with cooking, entertaining and crafts. The brand is also linked with its magazine and home advice. Its home and craft products reflect that focus...
Website: marthastewart.com |Brands like Martha Stewart
Popularity 1.8/10
-
24
Shimomura
Hardened, forged and hand-ground blades from a kitchen tool maker that shapes its products around the user.
Website: shimomura-kogyo.co.jp |Brands like Shimomura
Popularity 1.8/10
-
25
Sunnecko
Every culinary preparation requires intricate details and precision of handicraft: every slide and its satisfactory visual appeal and impeccable taste. Sunnecko is the ultimate destination for kitchen knife sets to achieve that exquisite taste of what you deserve. Made from...
Website: sunnecko-knives.com |Brands like Sunnecko
Popularity 1.7/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS | zwilling.com | /ZWILLINGUSA | zwilling_usa | – | ZWILLINGJAHENCKELS |
| Cutco | cutco.com | /cutcocutlery | cutcocutlery | @cutcocutlery | – |
| Chicago Cutlery | chicagocutlery.com | /ChicagoCutlery | officialchicagocutlery | – | – |
| Cuisinart | cuisinart.com | /cuisinart | cuisinart | @Cuisinart | – |
| Victorinox | victorinox.com | – | – | – | – |
| Sheffield | sheffieldknives.co.uk | – | – | – | – |
| Mercer | ofmercer.com | /OfMercer | ofmercer | @OfMercer | – |
| Rada Cutlery | radacutlery.com | /RadaCutlery | radacutlery | – | Rada Cutlery |
| Pampered Chef | pamperedchef.com | /ThePamperedChef | pamperedchef | @pamperedchef | – |
Bread Knife Buying Guide
Many people believe that any old kitchen knife will suffice for cutting bread. After all, bread is soft and fluffy, right? But the truth is, slicing through a loaf of bread can be trickier than it seems. You need a knife with a long, curved blade that can effortlessly glide through crusty, dense bread without squishing or tearing it apart. That’s where a bread knife comes in, and choosing the right one can make all the difference in your bread slicing game.
Blade Length
The most important factor to consider when selecting a bread knife is the length of the blade. Bread knives generally range from 7 to 12 inches long, and the longer the blade, the more versatile the knife. A shorter blade may be easier to maneuver around a smaller loaf of bread but will struggle when it comes to larger or more crusty loaves. On the other hand, a longer blade can handle bigger bread loaves but might be a little more difficult to control.
It's up to you to decide which length of blade you prefer. If you often slice loaves of bread that are on the small or medium side, a 7-inch blade will work great. However, if you frequently slice crusty or larger loaves, you may want to invest in a longer blade—10 to 12 inches long.
Blade Material
Another important factor is the material the blade is made of. There are three standard types of bread knife blades: carbon steel, stainless steel, and ceramic.
- Carbon Steel: Carbon steel blades are strong and durable, and they maintain their sharpness consistently. However, they’re also susceptible to rusting and discoloration, meaning they require more maintenance than their stainless steel peers.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel blades are typically very resistant to rust and discoloration, although they may dull faster than carbon steel. They require less maintenance, but they may not last as long as a carbon steel blade. They are also more flexible which allows them to work better but that also means they can bend and warp over time.
- Ceramic: Ceramic blades are extremely hard and durable, and they maintain their sharpness exceptionally well. However, they are also more expensive than steel blades and can be brittle.
Ultimately, your choice of blade material will come down to your personal preference and the level of care you’re willing to put into maintaining your knife.
Handle Construction
The handle of a bread knife is another crucial factor to consider. You want to choose a comfortable grip that won’t slip out of your hand while you’re using the knife. Most bread knives have either a wooden, plastic or metal handle.
- Wooden handles can be comfortable to grip and are generally considered to be very attractive, although they require more maintenance than other handle materials.
- Plastic is an affordable and lightweight option that is always easy to clean. The downside is that plastic handles can be less comfortable to grip than wooden or metal handles.
- Metal handles are durable and easy to clean. They are typically on the heavier side though, making them a good option for those with larger hands.
Serrated Edge
The hallmark characteristic of a bread knife is its serrated edge. Serrations are essential, as they allow the knife to saw through crusty bread without squishing it. However, not all serrations are created equally, and the way they are designed will influence how well the knife performs.
There are two main types of serrations:
- Scalloped Serrated Blades: these are scalloped or curved, with rounded teeth that saw through bread like a saw. They can have either small or large serrations, and the latter are usually best for very crusty bread.
- Pointed Serrated Blades: these are usually longer than scalloped serrated blades and have pointed teeth that can penetrate the hardest crust. Pointed serrations are more commonly found on longer bread knives.
Ultimately, it comes down to the bread you typically slice. If you usually encounter really thick and crusty bread, look for a knife with longer pointed serrations. For softer or smaller bread loaves, scalloped serrations will suffice.
Price
Bread knives are not the most expensive kitchen knife, but they still range in price from around $20 to over $100, with ceramic knives being the most expensive. The price obviously depends on the construction materials and blade length, the more you pay, the better quality you will get. It's important to remember, however, that a higher price doesn’t always equate to a better knife. Therefore, set your budget and stick to the knives that fit within it, making sure to opt for a knife that is well made.
Maintenance and Storage
The best way to keep your bread knife performing well over time is to take good care of it.
- Wash it by hand: Bread knives should always be washed by hand and never put in the dishwasher, especially if it has a wooden handle. The high-pressure water jets and detergents can dull the serrations and wreak havoc on the blade.
- Store it safely: A knife sheath is usually included with the knife, so make use of this to prevent contact with other cutlery in the utensil drawer, which can increase the likelihood of the blade getting damaged.
- Sharpen it regularly: Even the best bread knife will eventually lose its edge over time, usually after 6-12 months with everyday use. Use a sharpening stone to dress the blade serrations and extend its life, but take note of the tips in the sharpening instructions for serrated knives. Additionally, some higher-end knives, like ceramic bread knives, may require professional sharpening.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying a bread knife, there are many factors to consider, but the most important are blade length, blade material, handle construction, serrated edge, and price. Consider your personal preferences when it comes to these categories, as well as your budget and maintenance ability, and you’ll find the perfect bread knife for your kitchen.
