Experts say that there are only three knives you really need; a paring knife and chef’s knife and an excellent bread knife. So why waste your money (and your elbow grease) on bad blades that will be toast in next to a few years? IndyBest has tried, tested and come up with a list of those that are just a cut above the rest, giving you the perfect slice for years to come.
{1} Global Bread Knife: £94.99, lakeland.co.uk
A millennium of Samurai sword-crafting technique has gone into this knife, which uses sand to ensure perfect balance and weight. Surprisingly light, it’s easy to control and the deep scallops make it good on crusty loaves.
{2} Lion Sabatier Fully Forged Bread Knife: £55, johnlewis.com (not available online as part of the government’s knife-crime initiative)
Cutlers around the world use Sabatier’s traditional French blades, but arguably the most famous brand is Lion. With a famous name comes a guarantee of quality, and this is no exception. Balanced, ergonomic and with a great aesthetic.
{3} Kitchen Devils Bread Knife: £10, tesco.com
The packaging claims it’s the most comfortable knife ever – and we agrees. There’s a finger guard for added safety and the wide blade is surprisingly strong and easy to control. It slices warm loaves without squishing.
{4} Victorinox Rosewood Fully Forged Bread Knife: £74.02, amazon.co.uk
The razor-sharp serrated blade on this beauty cuts through bread like butter, and the rosewood handle makes this the most handsome knife on the list.
{5} Lakeland Fully Forged Bread Knife: £17.99, lakeland.co.uk
A blade on a fully forged knife is made out of a bar of steel that’s been heated and hammered into shape. It’s much stronger than standard knives, so this is a bargain. It’s also full tang, meaning the blade extends all the way through the handle. This one is reassuringly heavy (those with less dexterous hands should take note).
{6} Robert Welch Signature Bread Knife: £43.95, divertimenti.co.uk
Robert Welch has used German steel for this fully forged, tang knife for extra strength. The handle is smooth and ergonomically designed and despite its weight, it feels well balanced. Large serrated teeth mean this knife can cope with even the softest loaf.
{7} Victorinox 21cm Serrated Edge Bread Knife: £31.99, amazon.co.uk
Because Victorinox tempers its blades – strengthening the stainless steel by reheating then cooling it – their shelf life is longer than most. They also rarely need sharpening. This knife, with its bright, grippy handle, may not be the flashiest, but it will brighten up any kitchen.
{8} Henckels Twin Pollux 8in Bread Knife: £38.26, hartsofstur.com
Henckels uses special formula steel for its Twin Pollux range, which is cooled to -70C to fortify the blade. A chunky plastic handle is then added over the full tang, which is very easy to hold and handle.
{9} Opinel No 116 Parallele: £29.95, divertimenti (in-store only)
The Savoyarde knife-makers deliver great-quality kit for very decent prices. This knife, with its straight handle and slightly curved blade, allows for perfect sawing motion, and the trademark beechwood handle is comfortable to use.
{10} Wüsthof Classic Ikon Bread Knife: £111, selfridges.com (in-store only)
This high-end knife is widely regarded as one of the best. It is beautifully balanced and slices effortlessly – we even managed a slice just 2mm thin! At 23cm, it’s also long enough to cope with even the largest of loaves.
Verdict: Those who take their knives seriously will no doubt be drawn towards the Wüsthof, Victorinox or Global knives. They may be expensive, but the money goes towards brand, tradition and expertise, which are invariably worth paying for. Those with more of a mid-range budget (or just stylish sensibilities) should think about Opinel’s bread knife, while real value for money comes courtesy of Lakeland’s fully forged knife, which offers a simple aesthetic and excellent quality for under £20.
