6 Best Bread Knives for Sourdough

When you’re baking bread, especially bread such as sourdough, the last thing you want is a knife that’s going to break it down into crumbles.

For a clean-cut every time, you need a bread knife for sourdough you can trust. For this, I recommend the Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife. 

Hi! My name is Michelle, and I’ve been baking for the past ten years. Bread was one of the last things I tried to bake, and in all honesty, it took a while for me to nail it. Now, I’m a confident bread baker, and while I love trying new recipes, sourdough is one of my all-time faves.

Having a knife you can depend on is a must-have when baking and/or cutting sourdough. The Mercer Bread Knife is ten inches long, the ideal length for cutting sourdough. It also comes with an ideally serrated high-carbon steel blade and an ergonomic handle.

While I’m a big fan of the Mercer (this knife and other knives from their collection), not everyone will be an immediate fan. If you’re on the hunt for your next sourdough bread knife, keep reading. Below you will find a list of the top six bread knives for sourdough.

Let’s find out which knife will become part of your collection!

Best Sourdough Bread Knife: Top Picks

Searching for the best bread knives for sourdough bread? Let’s check out the top six blades, complete with pros and cons to make a confident buy.

1. Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife (Best Overall)

• Key features: Ergonomic handle, Razor-sharp, Perfectly serrated
• Blade length: 10 Inches
• Material: High Carbon Steel
• Serrated? Yes

When it comes to the “ideal” knife for sourdough, this Mercer knife wins in every category. It’s designed with high-carbon Japanese steel that not only slices through sourdough with ease but is entirely stain-resistant. This material is known to stay sharper for longer, meaning less hassle and maintenance in the long run.

It’s not just the quality of the blade material that you’ll like. It’s the serrated texture of the blade, too. Serrations that are not too close but not too far apart are perfect for razoring through sourdough, and that’s precisely what this Mercer knife has.

On the opposite end of the blade, you will find an ergonomic handle built for comfort, durability, and safety. Not only does it deter any onset of aches and pains, but the textured finger points allow for an impressive grip that allows for perfect slices every time.

This is undeniably a superb knife that’s razor-sharp and ready to tackle any sourdough loaf. However, the sharpness is a double-edged sword (almost literally). Be careful removing the knife from its molded packaging. Otherwise, you might see how sharp this knife really is.

2. Islice.ca Wooden Bread Bow Knife (Best Bread Bow Knife)

• Key features: Sturdy wood handle, Easy to use, bow design
• Blade length: 9 Inches
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Serrated? Yes

While a high-end bread knife can certainly get the job done, plenty of bakers swear by bread bow knives. Whether you want to try something new or are a steadfast fan of bread bow knives, you can find confidence in the Islice.ca Wooden Knife. 

This top-notch bread bow knife comes with a nine-inch blade that is perfectly scalloped to create thin and straight slices of bread. It’s great for all types of bread, including the crispier and crunchier sourdough.

Made entirely of premium stainless steel, this bread bow knife won’t lose its sharpness or need to be maintained – ever. Paired with the ease of slicing a bread bow knife has to offer, this is one of the most uncomplicated kitchen utensils you’ll ever own. 

This is a wonderful bow knife to cut through sourdough. Just keep in mind that it shouldn’t be placed in the dishwasher or it will get ruined (the blade and the handle).

3. Kutler Professional 14-Inch Bread Knife (Longest Blade)

• Key features: Longest blade, ergonomic handle, thick and long handle
• Blade length: 14 Inches
• Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
• Serrated? Yes

When you think of sourdough bread loaves, you think of an extra-large, rounded loaf of goodness. Naturally, you would want a blade long enough to take on the challenge. That’s why the Kutler knife makes the top six; for its impressive 14-inch blade.

Crafted with high-carbon stainless steel, the Kutler bread knife is designed to last and remain razor-sharp for years. It comes with an ideal arrangement of wavy tooth edges that will have no problem cutting through sourdough bread loaves. If you want clean cuts and little crumbs, this is the knife for you.

This premium “Baker’s Knife” also comes with a five-and-a-half-inch ergonomic handle that’s textured to reduce the chance of slipping while slicing. You’ll enjoy how easy it is to maintain and clean without fear of corrosion, stains, or other mishaps. 

Due to the incredible length of this knife, it’s no secret that it might be a bit heftier than the other knives you’re used to. It might also be too large to fit some of your “typical” knife drawers or storage solutions, so keep that in mind before buying.

4. Dalstrong Offset Knife (Best Offset Knife)

• Key features: Offset-style knife, G-10 handle, impervious handle, flexible blade
• Blade length: 12 Inches
• Material: High Carbon German Steel
• Serrated? No

An offset knife is a perfect choice for those that want ease of cutting. Seeing as how difficult it can be to cut through sourdough bread loaves, it’s no wonder why offset knives are popular for sourdough bread bakers. For those going the offset route, opt for the Dalstrong knife.

The Dalstrong Offset Knie is designed with premium craftsmanship. The full-tang, ultra-sharp knife comes complete with a high-carbon German steel blade with flexible blade technology, making it a cinch to slice through every loaf. 

But it’s not just the impressive blade that makes this offset knife a standout. The G-10 handle is unlike any other handle found on this list. It’s impervious to temperature and moisture and comes with lifelong durability. Being hand polished, it also allows for complete control, comfort, and movement. 

This knife comes with a lot of advantages, the main one being that it’s an offset knife that ultimately lends itself to more comfort while cutting. Some people have claimed that the knife has to be sharpened rather often, though, so you might consider opting to buy a sharpener.

5. Cuisinart 8″ Bread Knife (Shortest Blade)

• Key features: Shorter blade for swifter cutting, double-wide bolster, reliable company
• Blade length: 12 Inches
• Material: High Carbon German Steel
• Serrated? Yes

If you have spent any time in the kitchen at all, then you’ve undeniably heard of the brand Cuisinart. Cuisinart has been a reputable company for several years, and they have made some of the best kitchen equipment out there. This includes the Cuisinart Bread Knife.

The Cuisinart knife might have the shortest blade on this list, coming in at just eight inches, but don’t let that fool you. Think of this high-carbon stainless steel knife as the “tiny but mighty” knife that can tackle your largest loaves of sourdough bread without hesitation. 

At the end of the blade, you will find a double-wide bolster for added stability, too. This will be important when you’re trying to cut sourdough bread with a shorter knife. Paired with the shorter blade, you can cut through sourdough loaves swiftly.

While this is a reliable bread knife for sourdough, keep in mind that it’s not as sharp or long as the other options. This subtle dullness doesn’t seem to have a big impact on cutting, though, and some might find it a “safer” choice. Perhaps this is the perfect option for beginners.

6. Paudin Serrated Bread Knife (Best-Looking Bread Knife)

• Key features: Patterned for appearance and functionality, ABS handle
• Blade length: 8 Inches
• Material: High Carbon German Steel
• Serrated? Yes

This knife is much like the others in terms of being made of high-carbon German steel and having exquisite serration for superior cuts. But this bread knife for sourdough shouldn’t be overlooked – it ranked in the top six for a reason.

The most significant feature of this knife is the hammered pattern. Not only is the grand design set up to be a standout in your kitchen, but it’s fully functional, too. The pattern ensures minimal dragging and sticking, which is imperative for slicing through all kinds of bread.

The handle is fairly impressive, too. It’s an ABS handle that is built for comfort and convenience. Even when wet, it won’t slip, which means you can handle sourdough slices no matter what.

The handle is also where some people had issues. Some thought it was a little on the smaller and thinner side, while some said it wasn’t quite balanced as much as they’d like. These were small drawbacks compared to the ease of use this knife had to offer, even with sourdough.

Bread Knives for Sourdough: Things to Consider

Buying a bread knife to slice through sourdough is exciting, but you shouldn’t rush into it. There are some important things to consider before purchasing.

Blade Size

When it comes to sourdough bread, I always say “The longer, the better”. Sourdough bread loaves aren’t exactly small. Having a longer blade will allow you to see through the entirety of the loaf with ease.

Handle

The handle is also important. After all, the last thing you want to do is end up with aches and pains while slicing. Ergonomic handles are going to work best. You can look for other features, too, such as impervious handles or those that can handle being wet.

Serration

Blade size is the most essential thing to think about when buying a knife for sourdough, but you should also consider buying one that is serrated. Most bread knives come serrated, but not always. Serrated blades will work better, but don’t underestimate those that aren’t. They likely have other designs for cutting through bread.

Style

Most people think of a bread knife as a traditional knife. But there’s more than one style out there. For example, offset, bow, and those with patterns also exist. Ultimately, it will come down to which type of knife you’re the most comfortable with and which one gives you the best results. 

Material

Last but not least, consider the material of the blade. Some materials are sharper and hold their sharpness longer than others. High-carbon steel tends to be the best choice for cutting bread, especially sourdough. Really, it comes down to personal preference.

Verdict

Any one of these knives for sourdough will work wonders, whether you opt for a bow-style, offset-style, or traditional bread knife. I recommend the Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife 100% due to the blade design and optimal handle. 

Which knife do you use for cutting sourdough bread? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below.

I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.