This is a common question that has no simple answer. The general rule of thumb is that a knife should be sharpened regularly.
This is because the steel itself loses its edge from use and cutting. This doesn’t mean a knife can’t slip or break if it isn’t sharpened regularly.
It means that if you’re using the knife regularly, even if it is only for basic tasks, there is a good chance that you would damage the knife if you tried to use it without sharpening it first.
Bread knives are fairly simple tools, their only function being to slice bread. That said, they are one of the most abused instruments in the kitchen.
It is quite surprising that any bread knife can stay sharp for long, if you are a normal user. It is also surprising that so many customers go out and buy new bread knives every year when it is so easy to sharpen and maintain your old one.
You can sharpen your bread knife by using any intended knife sharpeners available.
How do I sharpen a favorite bread knife?
One of the best ways to keep your knives sharp is to regularly hone them to keep them from getting dull. The problem is that most people don’t have the time to do it themselves, and for that reason they end up buying knives that are much more expensive.
- Fine-grit finishing stone
Finishing stones are basically steel grits. So, if you are buying a finishing stone, the first thing you should look for is it’s fineness.
The finer the grit, the better the performance on your knife. This means that a finer grit will not only sharpen the bevel better, but also improve the edge retention of the knife.
- Electric sharpeners
Bread knives are used to cut bread, and in the culinary trade, this task requires a very sharp blade, which is usually made of carbon steel. However, carbon steel is harder to sharpen than stainless steel, which is used in a variety of other kitchen tools.
If you want to sharpen your bread knife, you don’t have to keep your knife in a drawer, because you can use the electric knife sharpener to do the job in seconds.
- Manual sharpener
Many people love the convenience of a fully automatic bread knife sharpener but the problem is that the machine is always too fast, removing a lot of the cutting edge, which is why the manual bread knife sharpener is still a very useful tool.
This type of sharpener is simple to use and the best thing is that it allows you to control the blade angle by hand. Once you get the angle right, you can use your bread knife again as if you were using a manual sharpener.
How to sharpen a serrated bread knife?
If you have a serrated bread knife then you probably know that the serrations cannot be removed, but they can be sharpened. To do this, you need a sharpening stone.
Sharpening stones are generally made of sandstone, which is a very hard stone. While not all sharpening stones are created equal, you can get a good one for an average price.
As a result, there is no excuse for having a blunt or poorly maintained serrated bread knife. Here are some methods you can use to sharpen your favorite kitchen knives.
Method 1:
- Ceramic honing steel for sharpening serrated bread knife
The best sharpening steel for serrated bread knife is ceramic honing steel, which is designed to sharpen serrated knives.
- Ceramic sharpening rod for your serrated knife blade
Ceramic sharpening rods are typically rods made of ceramic material that can sharpen your serrated knives.
- Ceramic honing rod
A ceramic honing rod is similar to a ceramic sharpening steel except that it has a different shape. It’s ideal for sharpening serrated knives.
You may find yourself wondering how long does it take to sharpen a serated bread knife with these types of sharpening devices. Well, it depends on what kind of sharpening device you choose.
For example, when you buy a ceramic sharpening rod, you might expect it takes about 30 minutes to complete the process.
Method 2:
- Spyderco sharpmaker
Spyderco sharpmaker is a complete sharpening system that includes a universal holder for sharpening nearly any knife. It provides 5 levels of coarseness: extra coarse, coarse, medium, fine, and extra fine.
Method 3:
- Electric serrated knife sharpener
The best way to sharpen a bread knife is with the help of an electric sharpener. The blade should be placed on the flat side and then moved back and forth across it, using light pressure.
This will ensure that you get a nice even edge all around the blade. If your bread knife has been dulled by use or abuse over time, this process may take several passes before you are satisfied with the results.
The electric knife sharpener are the best way to keep your knives in top shape. They can be used on any type of kitchen knife, including a chef’s knife or paring knife.
A good quality blade is essential for slicing through soft foods like tomatoes, cucumbers and even cheese without tearing it apart.
Other types of serrated bread knifes
- High-quality serrated bread knife
Best choice for professional chefs who want their knives to last longer than other models. These blades feature high carbon stainless steel construction and come razor sharp out of the box.
- Inexpensive and low-quality serrated knife set
These knives are usually sold at discount stores and department store chains. However, these cheap knives often lack durability and performance compared to more expensive ones.
Cheap serrated bread knife sets include many different sizes of knives, making them ideal for beginners looking to learn how to slice food properly.
