How to sharpen a bread knife? (Step-by-step guide)

A bread knife is indispensable in the kitchen. But even the best knives eventually become dull. Unlike smooth knives, a bread knife has serrations, which makes sharpening a bit different. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can get your bread knife razor-sharp again.

In this blog, we explain step-by-step how to do it.

Why sharpening a bread knife is important

Unlike a smooth knife, a bread knife has serrations (teeth). These ensure that you can easily cut through hard crusts and soft insides.

But that also means you cannot sharpen the knife on a standard sharpening stone. You need to work serration by serration.

A dull bread knife:

• Tears bread instead of slicing it neatly
• Requires more force (and increases the risk of slipping)
• Results in uneven slices

 

What do you need?

For sharpening a bread knife, you need:

• A sharpening steel or diamond steel (narrow enough for the serrations)
• A dry cloth
  
• A stable surface

Note: A diamond sharpening steel is also possible, although it is often a bit too coarse. Therefore, we prefer a ceramic sharpening steel; a sharpening steel that is too thick also doesn't work well because you won't hit the serrations completely.

Step-by-step: sharpening a bread knife

1. Examine the serrations carefully

Bread knives are usually only sharpened on one side (often the right side). Look closely at where the serrations are; that's the side you need to sharpen!

2. Choose the right sharpening steel

Use a round sharpening steel that fits into the serrations. This is crucial for a good result.

3. Sharpen each serration individually

• Place the sharpening steel in a serration
• Maintain the same angle as the original grind (usually 20°)
• Make 3–5 light forward strokes
• Repeat this for each serration

Take your time, as this requires precision.

4. Remove the burr

After sharpening, a slight burr may form on the flat side of the knife.
Carefully remove it by moving the knife flat along a fine sharpening stone or cloth.

5. Test your knife:

Cut through a piece of bread or paper. The knife should cut effortlessly, without tearing.

Sharpening Steels

Common Mistakes

❌ Applying too much pressure
❌ Using the wrong angle
❌ Trying to sharpen all serrations at once
❌ Forgetting to finish the flat side

How often should you sharpen a bread knife?

This depends on usage, but on average:

• Home use: 1-2 times a year
• Intensive use: every few months

In between, you can maintain the knife with a honing steel, but this does not replace sharpening.

Alternative: professional sharpening

Find it too difficult? You can also have your bread knife professionally sharpened. This is especially useful for expensive or high-quality knives. KookGigant in Apeldoorn also offers this service in-store once a month.

Bread Knives

Conclusion

Sharpening a bread knife requires a bit more attention than a regular knife, but with the right technique, it's quite manageable to do yourself. Regular maintenance will keep your knife sharper and safer to use for longer.

Tip: Good maintenance significantly extends the lifespan of your knife. Store your knives separately and wash them by hand for the best results.