| Option | How it cuts | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scalloped serrations | Rounded waves, draws clean through crust | The one to buy: bread, tomatoes, cake | Sharpening takes a tapered rod or a pro service |
| Pointed serrations | Aggressive teeth bite hard crust | Thick-crusted sourdough | Tears soft crumb; scars the board |
| Straight-edge santoku | Pressure cut | The bread you rarely slice | Crushes soft loaves flat |
| Electric knife | Motorized twin serrated blades | Roasts, turkey, big batch slicing | Storage and noise for a niche job |
Do You Need a Bread Knife?
Published: ·Updated:
If crusty loaves, sourdough, or sandwich bread get sliced at home weekly, yes — serrations saw through crust without crushing the crumb, and nothing else does. Know the trade before buying: a serrated edge can't be touched up on your normal sharpener.