Best Bread Knife: How to Choose One and Top Picks

Short answer: The best bread knife has a blade at least 9.5 inches long, moderate serrations that bite into crust without tearing the crumb, and a comfortable handle. Testers' long-time budget favorite is the Mercer Millennia M23210. MAC's Superior 10½" and Tojiro's bread slicer are frequent step-ups. Serrated knives are hard to sharpen at home, so Serious Eats suggests planning to replace one every five to 10 years rather than splurging.

Prices change. Prices were taken from each seller's own page on November 3, 2026.

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What makes a good bread knife

Length. Serious Eats found blades of at least 9.5 inches the most adaptable. ATK's winner has 9.2 inches of usable blade.

Serrations. Serious Eats liked moderate serrations, "neither too pointy nor too shallow". Wirecutter's pick has sharp, pointed, well-spaced serrations. MAC uses scalloped serrations that it says cut bread and roasts without tearing.

Blade height. Narrower blades (about 1") are lighter and more nimble. Taller blades feel sturdier and help make even slices.

Upkeep. Serrated blades are difficult to sharpen at home, and many services won't take them cheaply.

Bread knives compared

MAC Superior SB-105 ($115). Bon Appétit's best overall bread knife. It praised the extra-long curved blade and rounded teeth on crusty loaves.

Serrated Bread Knife 10", Gladiator Series

Dalstrong Gladiator 10" ($89). It's long enough for big loaves and uses German X50CrMoV15 at HRC 54–56.

Bread Knife 10.25", Shogun Series

Dalstrong Shogun 10.25" ($129). This is the hardest steel here, with an AUS-10V core at HRC 62+. Harder steel holds an edge longer, which matters on a knife that's hard to resharpen.

How to choose a bread knife in 7 steps

1. Go long. Aim for 9.5" or more for large boules.
2. Check the serration style. Pointed serrations bite into crust, and scalloped ones cut more smoothly.
3. Choose a blade height. Pick narrow for agility or tall for steady, even slices.
4. Consider a curve. A curved blade adds leverage at the heel.
5. Hold the handle. It should be comfortable through long sawing strokes.
6. Use the right stroke. MAC recommends a long sawing action with as little pressure as possible.
7. Budget realistically. Serrated knives are hard to sharpen, so a mid-priced knife you replace every 5–10 years is a sensible plan.

Care

Hand wash and dry right away. Learn when to hone vs sharpen, whether you can hone a Japanese knife, and what to do about a cloudy blade or patina vs rust. Steel choices are covered in AUS-10V vs Carbon Steel, and everyday care in How to Keep Your Dalstrong Knives Sharp. Building a kit? See best chef's knife and best chef's knife under $150.

Bread knife checklist

• Blade 9.5" or longer
• Serration style chosen (pointed or scalloped)
• Blade height suits me
• Comfortable handle
• Long, light sawing stroke
• Sharpening or replacement plan
• Price confirmed today

FAQs

What is the best bread knife?

Testers often pick the Mercer Millennia M23210 for value and the MAC Superior 10½" as a step-up. For harder steel, the Dalstrong Shogun 10.25" lists an AUS-10V core at HRC 62+.

How long should a bread knife be?

At least 9.5 inches is a good rule, so the blade can span large crusty loaves. Ten inches or more makes wide boules and roasts easier.

Can you sharpen a serrated bread knife?

Yes, but it's difficult at home because each serration needs individual attention, and many services won't take them cheaply. Serious Eats suggests replacing one every five to 10 years.

Scalloped or pointed serrations: which is better?

Both work. Pointed serrations bite firmly into hard crust. Scalloped or wavy serrations cut smoothly and can slice bread and roasts without tearing.

What else can a bread knife cut?

A good bread knife can slice tomatoes, trim cake layers, cut thick-skinned produce like squash and melon, and carve roasts, depending on the blade.

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