4 Serrated Knife Uses (Besides Slicing Bread)

The serrated knife, also referred to as a Bread Knife, is one of the most useful and versatile knives you can have in your kitchen. Contrary to its nickname, it can be used for so much more than just cutting through bread. Unlike most knives that feature a straight or slightly curved blade, serrated knives have a jagged blade that can cut through thick surfaces. Below, we explain what a serrated knife is and what else you can use it for besides bread.

What Is a Serrated Knife?

At its most general, a serrated knife refers to any knife that is equipped with a jagged blade. The serrations on these blades are usually deep and pointed, allowing them to slice through thick crusts and other tough foods. Like all knives, serrated knives come in a wide range of sizes. Our Bread Knife features a classic 9” blade with 24 evenly spaced points on its blade.

Top 4 Uses for Serrated Knives

There are numerous uses for a serrated knife, which is why it should be a staple in any kitchen—professional or at-home. Here are our four favorite ways to use this knife.

Perhaps the most obvious use for a serrated knife in the kitchen is for  cutting through crusty loaves of bread. This Knife is ideal for this task because the jagged serrations on the blade can cut through tough crust with ease. After piercing through the crust, a serrated knife continues to cut through bread without crushing or compressing the soft inner portion of the loaf.

In addition to slicing bread, serrated knives are also great for cutting through cakes and other baked goods. Again, the serrations in the blade allow for precise and even slicing of spongy baked goods without creating a lot of crumbs, crushing the pastry, or causing other imperfections. In fact, these Knives are often used by professional bakers to achieve perfectly flat cake tops prior to frosting and decorating.

When cutting through slippery ingredients (such as slices of tomato, for example), a serrated knife also adds some much-needed stability. The serrations on the blade grip the ingredient, allowing for easy slicing without running the risk of smashing your ingredients. This makes it easier to cut without your hand accidentally slipping. Remember, safety first.

Serrated knives can be very effective at chopping through fruits with  a tough outer skin. The “teeth” of these knives make  cutting of thick-skinned fruits, like watermelons or pineapples, easier while the long blade provides leverage for cutting into these large, often unwieldy fruits. Some people even use these knives to remove the skin entirely from melons and pineapples.

Ready to Shop?

If you’re looking for a high quality serrated knife, our Bread Knife is a full-tang, fully forged blade that’s well suited for all of the tasks mentioned above. It’s hammered from one piece of stainless steel that runs from the tip of the blade all the way through the handle. This makes for an exceptionally balanced Knife that cuts smoothly and won’t snap off at the handle like some cheaper models.

With serrated knives especially, it’s important to purchase one that will last you a long time. While you can sharpen a serrated knife, it’s a bit of a time consuming process and if you have a cheaper knife, you’re better off just throwing it away. We designed our Bread Knife in partnership with the legendary baker Nancy Silverton, so as the name suggests, it’s specifically made for slicing through crusty loaves without crushing the soft interior. Choose from a variety of attractive handles for a blade that is as beautiful as it is functional.