Is there anything more satisfying than slicing through a freshly made bagel at home just before toasting it for your morning breakfast? Getting that perfect cut requires a well-made bread knife. Otherwise, you are left with ripped edges and smashed sides that do not fit well into your toaster. That is why we at Knives Academy have put together an impressive list of the best bread knives for under $50. Our top choice is the Tojiro Bread Slicer 234mm F-737, but we went a little deeper so you can find a product that best suits your lifestyle. You are always welcome to check out our bread knife buying guide if you are looking for something on the premium side of the price table. Let’s get started!
Top 6 Bread Knives
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 Best German Bread Knife Under $50 | ||||
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1. Tojiro Bread Slicer 235mm F-737 – Editor’s Choice
A high-quality Japanese-made blade with all the features, length, and aesthetic design of a traditional bread knife for everything from bagels to long French baguettes.
Tojiro Bread Slicer 235mm F-737 Specifications
About the Knife
We start our list with a well-balanced blade that meets all the criteria of a traditional bread knife. You get the sharpness from a single bevel that allows clean cuts of bread loaves without all the mess, as well as the serration for getting through the thicker crust. This knife is flexible enough for different styles of cuts if you want a more angled piece for an Italian meal or straight cuts for equal parts when working with a toaster. The Tojiro also has an excellent hardness which is good because bread knives tend to be abused a bit in the kitchen, especially by younger family members. Luckily the handle is comfortable for smaller hands when teaching how to properly use a bread knife. It can be a bit slippery for bigger adults, so be sure to watch your grip.
Maintenance
We do not recommend placing this in a dishwasher because the blade material is high-carbon, and the handle is wood. Both of those materials do not do well with air drying. Bread knives tend to not get overly messy, so some mild soap and water will do the trick. Just be sure to dry completely.
Pros:
- Excellent sharpness to cut even thick loaves like butter
- Long enough blade to handle homemade bread
- The great price point for the quality
Cons:
- The handle is a smaller size, which can be challenging for bigger hands
- Has more flexibility than some bread knife users would like
- The length is both a pro and a con if you are not used to longer blades
2. Mercer Culinary M23210 Millennia 10” Bread Knife
A more modern take on a bread knife that is sharp enough to handle even the stalest ciabatta bread.
Mercer Culinary M23210 Millennia 10” Bread Knife Specifications
About the Knife
This is one of those knives you try out and wonder where it has been your whole life. You can use the wavy serration of the edge on everything from a breadmakers loaf to fresh tomatoes. That is how sharp the blade is. At 10 inches in length, you can handle pretty much anything that will come across your home kitchen and even most professional restaurants. This is not a fancy, traditional design. You can tell the blade is stamped instead of forged, but the more rigid structure is reassuring for those not used to bread knives, and the Santoprene handle is easy to maintain a solid grip. All in all, a great knife for the price.
Maintenance
The manufacturer does not recommend putting this knife in a dishwasher. Even though it is a stamped blade, it still uses steel, which does not do well when left in water. Hand dry completely after using a bit of warm water and soap, and you should be good to go.
Pros:
- Excellent handle grip to avoid slipping
- Crazy sharp wavy edge straight from the box
- Has a protective finger guard to prevent accidents
Cons:
- Does not come with a sheath. You have to order that separately
- Has more flexibility than some professionals would prefer
- A bit lighter weight than larger adults may like
3. TUO 9” Fiery Phoenix Series Bread Knife
A well-designed German blade that offers solid durability over the long term when you do not want to worry about honing.
TUO 9” Fiery Phoenix Series Bread Knife Specifications
About the Knife
The presentation of this bread knife is exceptional. Between the packaging and the pakkawood handle, you feel like you are picking up a professional-grade blade from the start. Even though the length is not quite as much as our other options, the scalloped edge allows for quick work of most bread without any tearing or mess. The easy-to-grip bolster and handle make this a great knife for those who worry about accidents. Our favorite attribute is the durability. You do not have to worry about this blade chipping easily.
Maintenance
This is another blade that cannot be placed in a dishwasher. The constant high-temperature water and air drying will damage the stainless steel over time. Better to use a bit of soap while hand washing, hand drying completely, then placing in a cool and dry spot in your home.
Pros:
- Incredibly aesthetically pleasing blade to own
- The handle feels like natural wood and is comfortable in the hand
- More than enough sharpness with a scalloped edge that gets through thick crust
Cons:
- Can be a bit challenging against a cutting board
- A heavier knife compared to others
- The tip is extra sharp, which requires care around children
4. Victorinox Swiss-Army 10.25” Bread Knife
A good quality blade made with a unique tempering process that makes it easy to hone over time, so you can keep it longer.
Victorinox Swiss-Army 10.25” Bread Knife Specifications
About the Knife
One of the defining points about this Victorinox blade is that it is made with a tempering process that allows you to sharpen the serrated edge. Usually, this would be an almost impossible task, but that adds a lot of value to the bread knife because it means you can use it longer than anticipated. Even though the edge is sharp, the flexibility is a bit unpredictable, that is why many reviews report having a more challenging time with harder bread. However, the grip is comfortable and does not slip even when a little bit wet.
Maintenance
You can technically place this knife in the washing machine. The materials will be fine in hot water, but we always recommend hand washing and drying because it ensures less wear and tear on the knife.
Pros:
- Ability to keep sharp
- Highly durable
- Great handle grip
Cons:
- Stamped instead of forged
- Slightly unpredictable flexibility
- Pretty long blade if you are not used to it
5. Imarku 10” Bread Knife – Best German Bread Knife Under $50
A stunning bread knife that looks every bit of the professional blade at an excellent price point with well-balanced features
Imarku 10” Bread Knife Specifications
About the Knife
If you are looking for a blade on our list to gift to your friend who does a lot of baking or works in a professional kitchen, this is it. Yes, there are better bread knives on our list, but the quality of the stainless steel and fantastic presentation cannot be overstated. This is an excellent blade for those that really know their way around different loaves of bread and includes a sharp point for detailed cuts.
Maintenance
The manufacturer says you can place this knife in a dishwasher, but we beg you not to do it. The bolster, handle, and stainless steel should be hand washed and dried to maintain material integrity.
Pros:
- Premium quality stainless steel that is highly durable
- A great knife for cakes and soft foods
- The comfortable grip that looks amazing
Cons:
- There is a slight point on the bottom of the hilt
- Can be challenging to get that final separation of bread against a board
- Not good for tomatoes
6. Cuisinart C77TR-8BD Triple Rivet Collection 8” Bread Knife
A simplified bread knife with just enough sharpness, durability, and length to improve a home kitchen.
Cuisinart C77TR-8BD Triple Rivet Collection 8” Bread Knife Specifications
About the Knife
An 8-inch blade is not meant for professional kitchens. However, that is more than enough to handle most of the primary types of bread you will bring into your home or apartment. People with large families may want to upgrade to a 9-10 inch blade. You do get a lot of quality out of this blade. It is surprising that it is at the lower end of our price points, seeing how it is a forged material and has a scalloped edge. It is on the end of our list because it seems to have a slightly tougher time with harder bread crusts from homemade bread. Otherwise, a good choice.
Maintenance
Yes, this is a dishwasher-safe blade. We actually see no problem but suggest being careful when you take it out of the dishwasher and completely hand drying it before putting it away.
Pros:
- Surprisingly great balance for the price point
- Sturdy knife that is not overly flexible
- Easy solution for those that do not like heavy knives
Cons:
- Looks pretty standard compared to others on our list
- Shorter blade length
- Does not do well with tough crust
Conclusion
We hope you have found a great bread knife choice for your home based on our list. As with most blades, we always say go with what works best for your personal lifestyle. We try to provide all the details like sharpness, warranty, and use to give you a better idea of what to expect, but you are unique, and your comfort matters the most.
If you have no idea where to start, try out the top choice. The Tojiro Bread Slicer 235mm F-737 is an excellent option for a bread knife under $50. You will get all the benefits you need without breaking the bank.
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