Bread Knife Buying Guide

What Is a Bread Knife?

A bread knife is a serrated knife designed to saw through crusty bread, pastries, and delicate items like tomatoes without crushing them. The serrated edge grips and cuts through hard exteriors while preserving soft interiors.

Key Factors to Consider

1. Blade Length

• Recommended: 8.5 to 10.5 inches (21-27cm)
• Why: Needs to be longer than the width of most loaves
• Minimum: At least 8.5 inches of usable blade
• Optimal: 9-10 inches for large artisan loaves

2. Serration Type

Pointed/Tall Serrations (Recommended for most users)

• Act like tiny claws that grip food
• Excellent for piercing tough, crusty exteriors
• Fewer, deeper serrations are more effective
• Example brands: Wüsthof, Tojiro
• Best for: Crusty artisan bread, baguettes, hard-crust sourdough

Scalloped/Rounded Serrations

• Gentler, rounded gullets
• Produce very smooth cuts
• Less aggressive on soft items
• Example brands: Victorinox
• Best for: Soft breads (brioche, challah), cakes, tomatoes, strawberries

Expert Insight: Fewer serrations give more power per tooth. The best serrated knives have tall, pointed serrations with good spacing.

3. Blade Material

• High carbon stainless steel: Best choice - stays sharper longer, resists rust
• Rockwell hardness:
• Wüsthof: HRC 58 (harder, stays sharper)
• Victorinox: HRC 55-56 (softer, easier to sharpen)
• Blade thickness: Maximum 2.2mm for optimal cutting

4. Blade Angle

• Wüsthof: 10-14 degrees per side (very sharp)
• Victorinox: 15-20 degrees per side (more durable edge)

5. Handle & Construction

Forged vs Stamped

• Forged: Heavier, better balanced, more expensive (Wüsthof)
• Stamped: Lighter, more affordable, still excellent quality (Victorinox)

Handle Comfort

• Should feel balanced in hand
• Ergonomic grip reduces fatigue
• Test weight distribution before buying

Top Recommended Brands

Budget Champion: Victorinox ($25-35 AUD)

• Model: Fibrox 10" Wavy Edge
• Price: ~$29-35 AUD
• Serrations: Scalloped (gentle)
• Construction: Stamped
• Why it's great:
• Incredibly sharp out of box
• Exceptional value
• Well-balanced despite lighter weight
• Versatile for bread AND delicate items (tomatoes, cakes)
• Used by professionals worldwide
• Downside: Plastic handle (less premium feel)

Premium Choice: Wüsthof ($70-120 AUD)

• Models: Classic 10" Brotmesser ($75), Superslicer ($120)
• Serrations: Pointed (aggressive)
• Construction: Forged
• Why it's great:
• Extremely sharp (HRC 58)
• Superior balance and heft
• Beautiful full tang construction
• Lasts decades with care
• Downside: 3-4x the price of Victorinox

Best Value Premium: Mercer Culinary Millennia ($40-50)

• America's Test Kitchen Winner
• Long, tall blade with deep serrations
• Commercial grade at consumer price
• Excellent for crusty artisan breads

Japanese Option: Tojiro ($50-70)

• High-carbon stainless steel
• Very sharp, pointed serrations
• Natural wood handle
• Great middle ground

What Should You Pay?

Price Range	What You Get	Best For
-------------	--------------	----------
$20-35	Victorinox, basic brands	Home cooks, excellent value
$40-60	Mercer, Tojiro, better brands	Serious home cooks
$70-120	Wüsthof, premium German	Enthusiasts, professional use
$120+	Artisan/boutique brands	Diminishing returns

Expert Consensus: Spending over $120 rarely improves performance. Victorinox at $30 performs as well as knives 3x the price.

Buying Options in Australia

Where to Buy

AGC Equipment (Best for bundling)

• Victorinox Fibrox 21cm: $29.50 (RRP $80!)
• Stock: 1-3 days dispatch
• Link: https://www.agcequipment.com.au/victorinox-bread-knife-wavy-edge-210mm-black-fibro

Kitchen Warehouse

• Wide selection
• Free shipping >$100
• Afterpay available

Kitchenware Australia

• Australian owned
• Expert advice
• Free shipping >$125

Amazon Australia

• Competitive pricing
• Prime delivery
• Read reviews carefully

Chef's Warehouse

• Professional-grade options
• Sydney pick-up available

Making the Decision

Choose Victorinox if:

• Budget conscious ($30 vs $75+)
• Want versatility (bread + tomatoes + cakes)
• Prefer lighter knife
• Need proven reliability

Choose Wüsthof if:

• Want premium feel and balance
• Willing to pay for craftsmanship
• Prefer heavier, more substantial knife
• Cutting very crusty artisan breads regularly

Choose Mercer if:

• Want best performance per dollar
• Cook frequently with crusty bread
• Need commercial durability
• Value America's Test Kitchen recommendations

Care & Maintenance

Do's

• ✓ Hand wash and dry immediately
• ✓ Store in knife block or on magnetic strip
• ✓ Use on appropriate cutting boards
• ✓ Professional sharpening every 1-2 years (or never - most serrated knives last 10+ years)

Don'ts

• ✗ Never put in dishwasher (dulls blade, damages handle)
• ✗ Don't use on glass, granite, or ceramic surfaces
• ✗ Avoid twisting while cutting
• ✗ Don't attempt to sharpen at home (serrations require special tools)

The Bottom Line

Best Overall Value: Victorinox Fibrox 10" at $29-35 AUD

• Performs as well as knives 3x the price
• Trusted by professional chefs worldwide
• Available at AGC Equipment for $29.50 (incredible deal)

Splurge Worth It: Wüsthof Classic 10" at $75 AUD

• If you bake frequently or love quality tools
• Will last 20+ years
• Noticeable upgrade in feel and balance

Quick Recommendation

For your mum's kitchen: Get the Victorinox Fibrox 21cm from AGC Equipment for $29.50. It's sharp, reliable, versatile, and represents exceptional value. Spending more won't meaningfully improve performance for home cooking.

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Last updated: October 2025