Kitchen knives for bread

In a warm and welcoming home, they know how to cut bread correctly. Don't rush to brush it off, it's not as easy as it seems. A good housewife knows that this is important. The right bread knife will ensure that the loaf on your table will be cut according to all the rules.

We have a respectful attitude towards bread. Peasant work is too difficult and exhausting, a piece of bread is not given to you easily. A grain of wheat is sown in the ground in winter, and the ear will ripen only in autumn. Without daily care you will not get a harvest. You have to work hard to serve ruddy, hot and aromatic bread on the table.

Experienced housewives know how difficult it is to cut soft, warm bread. An ordinary knife will crush and deform it, and break the surface of the crust.

A bread knife will not crush or crumble the crispy edge of a loaf. Lovers of the little crust will be happy to take a neatly cut slice with a golden crust without cracks or crumbs.

Features of bread knives

1. Kitchen knives for bread always have a long blade. They do not press on the bread, but rather saw it. The most convenient length is from 19 to 23 cm. Knives with a short blade will not work.
2. The width is always the same along the entire length. This makes it easier to cut even pieces.
3. The tip is always rounded and not sharpened. It is not used in any way during the cutting process, so it is made safe.
4. The working edge always has a wavy or serrated shape, very sharpened. Such a kitchen knife for bread does not damage the crispy crust, nor does it crush the crumb inside the loaf.
5. Double-sided sharpening on bread knives is done so that left-handed people can use them comfortably.
6. The blade thickness is 1-1.5 mm, so as not to damage the structure of the bread and not break it.

Main types of bread knives

Modern industry offers a wide variety of products. Everyone can choose what they like, what is more convenient to work with in the kitchen.

• Bakery knife

The traditional long knife with a wave-shaped sharpening was invented in Germany in the 17th century, where local bakers found a convenient way to cut bread in the kitchen without crumbs, without crushing the crumb, and without breaking the golden crust. The product was sold in small parts, cut into halves and quarters, preserving the marketable appearance.

• Kalachny knife

It has a short, wide blade. Previously, it was used to cut round kalachi and loaves into pieces. Now it is used in bakery production, it is convenient to cut ready dough into portions.

• Traditional

Every modern kitchen should have convenient and sharp tools for cutting various food products. Bread should be cut with a special knife with a long wavy blade, the tip of which is rounded and not sharpened.

• Electric

A convenient household appliance that simplifies the work of the housewife in the kitchen. The electric knife can be powered by batteries or from a socket. The motor built into the handle of the tool sets the blade in motion. There is a device that regulates the thickness of the slices and moves the loaf to the blade. The device quickly cuts bread, does not damage the crust and does not crush the crumb.

• Laser

A modern device that uses a laser beam to cut baked goods into even pieces, it can also cut pizza, cakes, and pies. You can find laser kitchen knives on sale, in which a regular blade is combined with a laser beam. For lovers of fried bread, laser knives with a toast function are suitable. They not only cut the bread, but also toast it at the same time. The result is a crispy, golden crust.

Bread Slicer Blade Materials

The main requirements for bread knives are that they must be strong, hard and thin.

The following materials are most suitable:

1. Stainless steel – not afraid of water, quite strong, easy to sharpen, no burrs, smooth surface. This material is often used in the production of bread knives.

   

2. Single-layer steel is the cheapest, not durable material. The knife is too thin, it can change the angle of inclination during the cutting process.

   

3. Damascus steel is the most reliable and high-quality material. It is multilayer steel. The cost of such knives is quite high, they will last a long time.

   

4. Ceramics are the least suitable material. The knives are thick, they damage the structure of fresh bread and break the crust, creating a lot of crumbs. The blade is fragile - it can break, it wears out quickly. To cut a loaf, you need special cutting boards - only silicone or wooden ones are suitable.

   

Materials for bread knife handles

The handle should be comfortable and light. Even if it gets wet, it should not slip in your hand, weigh down or spoil the appearance.

In modern production, various materials are used:

• Metal. A knife with such a handle will last a long time, it is easy to wash and disinfect, but such material significantly weighs down the product.
• Plastic. A budget option, but not durable. Over time, plastic handles can deform and change color.
• Silicone. Comfortable, reliable handle, easy to disinfect.
• Wood. Lightweight handle, but over time the natural material can swell or shrink, which will inevitably lead to deformation.

What criteria should you use to choose a bread knife?

All items that a housewife uses in the kitchen should be convenient, functional and beautiful. When choosing a knife, remember that it should have a long blade and a wavy edge. For left-handers - with a double-sided blade.

It is reasonable to prefer a stainless steel knife. It is the most convenient and durable. If the family prefers to make purchases in the high price category, then a product made of Damascus steel will suit them. Prestigious, expensive and reliable.

There is another nuance that should be taken into account when choosing - look at the junction of the blade and the handle. A small thickening where the blade passes into the handle is called a bolster. In good, high-quality products, bolsters are made with the addition of silver particles. This is necessary to achieve an antibacterial effect.

Rules for using a kitchen knife:

1. Kitchen knives can be washed in dishwashers or under running water.
2. After washing, dry, do not put away in a drawer wet.
3. It is better to store it in a vertical position on a special wooden stand or on a magnetic board.
4. Do not insert wet or dirty knives into the slot of the wooden block.
5. If the blade is dull, it should be taken to a specialized workshop. It is impossible to sharpen a serrated blade at home.
6. You should not cut freshly baked goods. If you often bake bread or pies, let them cool down a little before enjoying them.
7. Use bread knives only for their intended purpose, do not cut other products with them. The blade may become deformed and dull.

Germany and Japan have been firmly holding the position of world leaders in knife production for many decades. When buying their products, you can be sure of high quality.

The most famous and reliable brands:

1. Wusthof. The German company entered the market in 1814. The distinctive feature of these knives is that the blade and handle are always monolithic. Durable, sharpening is reliable, the blade retains its sharpening angle for a long time.
2. Dick. The German manufacturer specializes in the production of products from molybdenum-vanadium steel. A characteristic feature of Dick knives is the presence of a thickening at the base of the blade, which reliably protects the hand from possible cuts.
3. Gude. The German company was founded by the famous blacksmith K. Gude in the 18th century. The unique alloy of chromium and vanadium is repeatedly hardened in furnaces, which gives the products extraordinary strength.
4. Samura. Japanese company produces knives of all modifications. Their products are distinguished by very high quality and reliability.
5. Hattori. The famous Japanese company has long specialized in the production of blades. All products are handmade and have truly amazing strength and durability. The price is quite high.
6. Mikadzo. The Japanese company skillfully combines high quality and affordable price of its products. These knives are easy to sharpen and have a successful modern design.

The right choice of a knife for cutting bread in the kitchen will please all family members. Who would refuse neatly cut pieces of warm, soft bread that mom took out of the bread maker? A good knife will not crush the aromatic crumb, on which you so want to spread homemade jam.

VIDEO: What a bread knife looks like – a detailed review.