The Best Serrated Bread Knives In 2023
Slicing bread without the right kitchen tools can be a nightmare. Cutting bread with the wrong knife can leave it squashed and rip apart its crust, leaving behind a huge mess of crumbs. This is where a bread knife can help. Whether you're slicing loaves of homemade bread, locally crafted artisan bread, or even whole bread loaves you bought at your local grocery store, a high-quality serrated knife can make a world of difference when it's time to eat.
Serrated knives come with jagged edges known as serrations, which are designed to slice foods that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. These ultra-sharp knives don't just keep slices intact, but also require minimal pressure to get through even tough crust, which means less effort on your part. In addition, bread knives tend to have longer blades than other kitchen knives — one of the bread knives on our list measures over 14 inches long — to cut large bread loaves and facilitate the gentle sawing motion necessary for perfect slices.
While serrated bread knives are ideal for slicing bread, they can also be used for other kitchen tasks. Many cooks use serrated knives to slice fruit with taut skin, such as tomatoes, since flat knives tend to squish them. Bread knives can also be used to slice produce with thick skin, such as pineapples and butternut squash. And since serrated bread knives usually come with long blades, they are also ideal for slicing cakes and even carving roasts.
How we selected products
There are very few things as satisfying as cutting through a freshly-baked loaf of bread. Unfortunately, the wrong knife can ruin this experience, leaving your bread shredded and flattened. Not to worry, however, because there are plenty of high-quality serrated bread knives available on the market. You just need to know where to look. To help you find the ideal serrated knife for your needs, we have scoured the internet for some of the best bread knives out there. We drew from both popular and lesser-known brands and have also sifted through hundreds of professional and community reviews to ensure that each knife on our list performs as well in the kitchen as advertised.
When crafting our list of the best serrated bread knives in 2023, we looked at a number of important factors. Firstly, we took into account each knife's length, as most bread knives fall between 8 and 14 inches. We also looked at each knife's serrations, including their depth and how many are packed into a blade. Finally, we considered each knife's handle, including its material and how grippy it is to ensure steady cutting.
Best overall serrated bread knife
Handcrafted by Japanese artisans, the Shun cutlery classic bread knife makes for a perfect family heirloom. While it is more expensive than your average bread knife, this kitchen utensil is of exceptional quality and is bound to withstand the test of time. After all, there's a good reason the knife carries a limited lifetime warranty. Boasting wide, undulating serrations, the 9-inch knife is designed to make fast work of slicing crusty and soft loaves of bread, as well as more delicate cakes and pastries.
The Shun cutlery classic bread knife comes with the brand's proprietary corrosion-resistant cutting core, which is supported by 34 layers of stainless Damascus steel on each side. The utensil also features an ultra-sharp single-beveled 16-degree edge. Last but not least, the knife is equipped with a striking and sturdy ebony-finished pakkawood handle that's comfortable for both righties and lefties.
Standing testament to its quality and popularity, the Shun cutlery classic bread knife has received an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from Amazon shoppers. One satisfied customer calls the utensil "outstanding," elaborating, "In practice, the knife is a work of art, but also an extraordinarily functional article. The blade is scary sharp as well as incredibly stiff, so it slices through whatever loaf of bread you throw at it with ease. [...] Needless to say, I feel that this was worth every penny."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Shun cutlery classic bread knife from Amazon starting at $164.95.
Best budget serrated bread knife
The Orblue serrated bread knife is proof that a good bread knife needn't cost you an arm and a leg. More precisely, at around $13, the handy kitchen utensil is a wise investment that won't significantly impact your wallet. Made from stainless steel, the 13-inch knife (the blade itself measures 8 inches) comes with a serrated edge that's well-suited to slicing bread without tearing. Meanwhile, the knife's ergonomically-designed handle is both grippy and comfortable. It also comes in four colors: silver, black, blue, and red.
The Orblue serrated bread knife has received favorable reviews, including 8.9 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money. The knife has also been especially praised by Amazon customers, who have awarded it an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Most shoppers say that the knife is of great value. One reviewer even claims that they would give it 6 stars if they could, adding, "This knife is a dream to use! It cut through frozen bread easily and cut through thawed bread and it was not squashed!!!! I love it!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Orblue serrated bread knife from Amazon starting at $12.97.
Best serrated bread knife for a splurge
If you have money to burn, you could do much worse than spend that cash on the Global stainless steel bread knife. Both elegant and highly functional, the 9-inch kitchen utensil is made from three layers of proprietary Cromova 18 stainless steel, which is both durable and resistant to corrosion. Meanwhile, the knife's 12.5-degree convex edge, which is hammered and polished by hand, is unlikely useful. That's because it's been designed with hollows that create air pockets. These help ensure that the blade doesn't stick to your food. The knife's handle comes with a special thumb rest for an extra comfortable grip and maximum maneuverability.
While the Global stainless steel bread knife has limited reviews on Amazon, most customers seem very happy with the product, rating it 4.6 out of 5 stars. One shopper says that the knife is perfectly sharp, adding that it "Slices smoothly through crusty bread without tearing or ripping the bread. Very impressed with how well this knife slices." Another buyer agrees, saying that this is a "Solid sturdy and a great knife. I have a bunch of global Sai knives and really like them."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Global stainless steel bread knife from Amazon starting at $189.95.
Best bread knife for a gift
Made from nitride-coated black titanium, the Dalstrong serrated bread knife makes for a striking addition to any modern kitchen. But the knife's appeal isn't just skin deep. This handy kitchen tool is also highly practical. It also comes beautifully packaged, which makes it an ideal gift for someone special.
Measuring in at 9 inches long, the Dalstrong serrated bread knife comes with razor-sharp serrated teeth that won't crush or mash your food. More specifically, the knife features a double-beveled 15-degree edge that's been crafted using the Honbazuke method. It's then nitrogen-cooled to ensure a high degree of sturdiness and flexibility. The matching black fiber-resin handle is both durable and comfortable. Designed to sit securely in your hand, the handle is also slightly textured to prevent slipping.
Overall, Amazon shoppers seem very satisfied with the Dalstrong serrated bread knife, awarding it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One shopper says they like both the knife's aesthetics and functionality, adding, "This one slices bread cleanly. The serrations are quite distinct and sharp. I make my own sourdough bread weekly so I slice a lot of bread and have yet to encounter any issue with this blade making smooth cuts. It also cleans up easily. From my perspective, you can not beat the quality these knives present for the price point."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Dalstrong serrated bread knife from Amazon starting at $64.
Best bread knife with a long blade
Measuring 14.8 inches long, the Tojiro slicer cutter is one of the longest serrated knives that are currently available on the market. At 3.8 ounces, it's also quite lightweight. Made in Japan from high-carbon stainless steel, this affordable knife is long enough to slice big loaves of bread and still resilient enough to cut a variety of large and delicate foods such as melons and ripe tomatoes. The knife's handle is made from natural wood and features three studs for a classic look.
The Tojiro slicer cutter has received top ratings on several different platforms, including an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon. The fact that 88% of Amazon shoppers have awarded the product 5 out of 5 stars speaks volumes. One buyer calls the knife nothing short of "amazing," elaborating, "I bake German bread with a hard crust and it was always a struggle to slice the bread with my existing bread knife. The Fujiro knife cut through the crust no problem and I was able to cut very even, clean slices in no time."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Tojiro slicer cutter (Fujiro is the Japanese trademark) from Amazon starting at $25.
Best bread knife for lefties
Crafted from high-carbon Japanese steel, the Mercer Culinary left-handed bread knife has been designed with lefties specifically in mind. The 10-inch knife comes with wide serrations and a specifically-designed ergonomic handle. Made from santoprene rubber and sturdy polypropylene, the slightly raised handle is texturized for a secure grip. It also comes with a finger guard to protect your digits from accidental cuts. The Mercer Culinary left-handed bread knife is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
As noted by Tim Heffernan from The New York Times Wirecutter, while the Mercer Culinary left-handed bread knife may rate comparatively low in the aesthetics department, it more than makes up for it in performance, with its highly functional serrated blade and a grippy handle that works well for all chefs.
The Mercer Culinary left-handed bread knife has also received positive reviews across different platforms, including 8.9 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money and 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. As one satisfied shopper writes, "Lefties get this knife. I can finally cut bread and bagels with ease. Slices thin or thick [and it's] perfect for breads I get at Costco."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Mercer Culinary left-handed bread knife from Amazon starting at $19.
Best double serrated bread knife
Engineered to slice through all kinds of crusty breads without shredding crumbs all over your kitchen, the Wusthof classic double-serrated bread knife is a kitchen workhorse. What really sets this 9-inch high-carbon steel knife apart is its double-serrated edge. This unique feature translates to a shaper edge for a longer time and less muscle power required of you since the knife is said to need less pressure than its single-serrated counterparts.
The Wusthof classic double-serrated bread knife has been awarded 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, indicating that it's a high-quality product with plenty of satisfied buyers. One reviewer says that the knife is the best she has ever used, adding, "The knife makes easy work of clean, precise slicing, and doesn't create nearly as many crumbs or surface tears as most ordinary serrated knives. I've also used it to slice tomatoes so thin that you can see through them!" Another customer agrees, saying, "I've been baking bread for many years, and I have never cut a cleaner slice in my life. Not even the slightest compression as it slid through."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Wusthof classic double-serrated bread knife from Amazon starting at $150.
Best electric bread knife
If you're after a versatile knife for slicing bread, carving meat, and cutting fruit, the Hamilton Beach electric knife has you covered. Equipped with serrated stainless steel blades, the affordable gadget also features a powerful 120-watt motor meant to help with heavy-duty slicing. Plus, it boasts an ergonomic handle with user-friendly trigger control and a 5-foot cord. Last but not least, the Hamilton Beach electric knife comes with a handy storage case and a carving fork.
With over 13,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, the Hamilton Beach electric knife is a best-seller on the platform. One happy customer says, "I bought this electric knife after trying (and failing!) to cut a homemade loaf of bread with a regular bread knife. This product was SO easy to use, and I got perfect slices every time." Another buyer echoes this sentiment, saying, "Great product for the price! Love that it has its own storage case for everything included."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Hamilton Beach electric knife from Amazon starting at $25.99.
Best offset bread knife
Just as its name suggests, the Mercer Culinary millennia offset knife comes with an offset handle that elevates your hand while cutting. This makes for more comfortable handling and protects your knuckles from accidentally coming in contact with the cutting board as you slice through food. The handle is also textured to help ensure a secure grip. Made from high-carbon Japanese steel, the 9-inch knife features a wavy edge to make easy work of slicing bread, as well as more delicate cakes and fruits. The Mercer Culinary millennia offset knife also carries a limited lifetime warranty.
Rating 4.8 out of 5 from more than 47,000 Amazon shoppers, the Mercer Culinary millennia offset knife is nothing short of great value for money. One buyer praises both the knife's blade and handle, saying, "I have used this to slice breads and cake. Works flawlessly — very sharp, so it cuts its way through bread without ripping out crumbs. The slight offset of the handle makes it easy to slice parallel to the cutting board all the way through the cut." Another reviewer concurs, noting that this is "A no-nonsense tool. Inexpensive but does its job very well. An ergonomic and grippy handle. The scalloped blade was sharp out of the box."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Mercer Culinary millennia offset knife from Amazon starting at $20.