How to choose a bread knife?

A knife is a must-have kitchen item that is used to cut food. Special tools are used to cut the bread. They have distinctive features of shape, construction and material. Choosing the right bread knife guarantees a beautiful slicing of bread. In order to know how to choose the best model, you need to understand how the bread models differ.

Bread knives differ from others not only in appearance, but also in design. They perfectly cut any crust and pulp, without crushing them or turning the pulp into crumbs.

• No sharp edge on the blade. Instead of a sharp point, the tip of the bread knife has a rounded or pointed edge, since this part is not used for slicing.
• Uniform blade thickness along the entire length.
• Big size... A loaf of bread or a loaf is much more pliable for a large blade than for a small one.
• Wavy or serrated edge... To obtain an aesthetic cut, it is recommended to cut the bread product by sawing with sawing knives.

The whole variety of bread slicing knives is divided into three main groups: rolls and bakeries, electric and laser.

Traditional knives include previously popular ones. bakery and roll... The bakery was used to cut a loaf into two or four pieces and had a short blade. The bread was cut into thin slices with a roasted bread.

The modern version of these knives is a model with a wave-shaped (serrated) sharpening. Sharpening can be both on one and on both sides. In the second case, the device is convenient for both right-handers and left-handers.

Despite this, serrated models also need to restore cutting ability. In the absence of the necessary skill and tools, knives for cutting bread are recommended to be handed over for sharpening to specialized workshops.

There are industrial and household electric knives. In the handle of such devices there are small electric motors that set the knife to translational-rotational movements. These models can be wired or wireless. Wired models require a wire and a power source to function, while wireless models operate on batteries and rechargeable batteries. In most cases electric knives are replacing the bread slicer.

Laser knives are a modern innovative development. They are of two types.

• Devices with laser guidance... In addition to the conventional blade, these models are equipped with a laser beam. It gives a projection onto the surface to be cut and divides the pieces into perfect pieces.
• Devices with a laser blade. Instead of a regular blade, the knife fires a laser beam that cuts baked goods into pieces.

For the manufacture of bread knives, those materials are selected that provide the devices with high-quality cutting and match their functionality.

It is one of the most popular and inexpensive materials. Stainless steel is moisture resistant and has excellent anti-corrosion properties. The blade made of this material has a smooth texture and good sharpening. Cheap models use single layer steel. It is thin, so it is difficult to cut bread products with loose crumb with a knife made of such steel. More expensive models are made of multi-layer Damascus steel. A knife made of such material will last a very long time, efficiently coping with a crispy crust and any crumb.

The blade of ceramic knives is thicker because the thin ceramic blade is rather fragile. It should be noted that professionals rarely choose ceramic knives. Mainly, ceramics are valued by housewives for their beautiful appearance and unusual design. The color of the product depends on the color of impurities that are added to the material.

Ceramic knives do not corrode, do not absorb odors and do not get scratched. However, they cannot be washed in the dishwasher and must be handled with care.

Most often, bread knives are made with metal, plastic, silicone and wooden handles.

Metal handles are considered universal. They look solid, they clean well, but are much heavier than handles made of other materials.

Plastic is very often used to make handles. It is quite easy to care for, but at the same time, fragile and sensitive to temperature extremes.

Silicone is one of the best options for making bread knife handles. It is lightweight, modern, unpretentious and easy to maintain.

Wood is one of the natural materials used to make handles. The wood does not require special maintenance, however, it swells under the influence of moisture. This handle must be protected from excess exposure to liquids.

The handle plays an important role in the work. Convenience and productivity depend on its shape.

The most common are the following forms of bread knife handles:

• Straight. This form is considered convenient, but it increases the likelihood of the device slipping out of the hand.
• Conical. The model has an expansion or contraction towards the blade.The most comfortable handles are those with forward taper.
• Concave. The shape of these handles is very convenient as it reduces the range of motion when cutting bread products.
• Anatomical. This is the most comfortable grip shape in terms of ergonomics. It follows the curves of the palms and takes into account the size of the hand.

A long-bladed knife is required for high-quality slicing of bread. It will be more difficult to cut bread or a loaf with an ordinary kitchen knife. The most optimal option for these purposes is models with a cutting length from 19 to 30 cm. The length of the blade should always be greater than the length of the cut product.

Before buying a bread knife, be sure to pay attention to the bolster - this is the thickening where the handle and blade meet... The strength of the device as a whole depends on the quality of this part. Some models have an antibacterial bolster with added silver to prevent the spread of bacteria. It is also necessary to inspect the knife for chips and scratches, both on the blade and on the handle. It is better to hold the handle itself in your hand and appreciate the convenience during work.

In the next video, you can learn about using the serrated kitchen knife, also referred to as the bread knife from Chef Jim Shiebler.