How to choose a bread knife?

A knife is a must-have item in the kitchen, which is used to cut food. For cutting bread, special tools are used. They have distinctive features of shape, design and material. Choosing the right bread knife guarantees a beautiful cut. In order to know how to choose the best model, you need to understand how models for bread differ.

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

• No blade tip. Instead of a point, the tip of the bread knife has a rounded or pointed edge, since this part is not used when 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 the help of knife knives.

The whole variety of bread-cutting knives is divided into three main groups: kalachny and bakery, electric and laser.

Knives of a traditional type include previously popular ones. bakery and kalachny. The bakery was used to divide the loaf into two or four parts and had a short blade. Kalak bread was cut into thin slices.

The modern version of these knives is models with a wave-like (serreytor) sharpening. Sharpening can be, both from one, and from two parties. In the second case, the device is convenient for both right-handed and left-handed users.

Despite this, serreytory models also need to restore cutting ability. In the absence of the necessary dexterity and tools, it is recommended to hand over knives for cutting bread to sharpen in specialized workshops.

There are industrial and domestic electric knives. Small electric motors are located in the handle of such devices, giving the knife translational-rotational movements. Such models can be wired and wireless. For the functioning of wired models, a wire and a power source are required, and wireless ones work from batteries and accumulators. In most cases electric knives replace bread slicers.

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

• Laser-Guided Instruments. In addition to a conventional blade, such models are equipped with a laser beam. It gives a projection on the cut surface and divides the product into perfect pieces.
• Devices with a laser blade. Instead of a conventional blade, such a knife emits a laser beam that cuts the bakery products into pieces.

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

This is one of the most popular and inexpensive materials. Stainless steel has moisture resistance and excellent anti-corrosion properties. The blade 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 from such steel. More expensive models are made of multilayer damask steel. A knife made of such material will last a very long time, coping with a crispy crust and any crumb.

The ceramic knife blade is thicker because the thin ceramic blade is quite fragile. It is worth noting that professionals rarely choose ceramic knives. Ceramics are mainly valued by housewives for their beautiful appearance and unusual design. The color of the product depends on the color of the impurities that are added to the material.

Ceramic knives are not subject to corrosion, do not absorb odors and are not scratched. However, they must not be washed in a dishwasher, and they require careful handling.

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

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

Plastic is 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 light, modern, unpretentious and easy to care for.

Wood is one of the natural materials used to make handles. Wood does not require special care, however, swells under the influence of moisture. Such a handle must be protected from unnecessary exposure to liquids.

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

The most common are the following forms of knives for bread knives:

• Direct. This form is considered convenient, but with it the likelihood of the instrument slipping out of the hand increases.
• Conical. The model has an extension or narrowing to the blade.The most comfortable are the handles with a narrowing forward.
• Concave. The shape of such handles is very convenient, since it reduces the amplitude of movements during the cutting of bread products.
• Anatomical This is the most convenient shape of the handle in terms of ergonomics. She repeats the bends of the palms and takes into account the size of the hand.

For high-quality cutting of bread products, a knife with a long blade is needed. 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 of 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 a thickening where the handle and blade are joined. The strength of the device as a whole depends on the performance quality of this part. Some models have antibacterial bolster with the addition of silver to prevent the spread of bacteria. It is also necessary to inspect the knife for any chips and scratches, both on the blade and on the handle. It is better to hold the handle in your hand and appreciate the convenience during operation.

In the next video, you can learn about the use of a serrated knife kitchen knife, also referred to as chef knife Jim Shiebler.