How To Sharpen A Bread Knife

Serrated bread knives are perfect for slicing bread, and they cut well for a very long time. However, like any other blade, they tend to go dull and lose their sharp cutting ability overtime. Many people may see that sharpening a knife seems daunting and not worth the time, so they tend to buy a new one instead (every time the knife turns dull). But, with just a minimal investment in time (and some tools), your bread knife and other serrated blades will be sharpened in no time. Sharpening a bread knife doesn’t require any specialized tools, and the technique is also a bit different from sharpening your regular knife. Learn more about some techniques on how to sharpen a bread knife.

Step 1: Wash and Clean Your Knife
Wash your bread knife using a good quality scrubbing pad. You can use soap if you want, and then rinse it under clean running water. This will remove any crumbs, oils, food remnants, and other greases that may be stuck on the knife. Plus, it will give you a better view of the knife to note the changes. You should ensure the knife is completely dry before sharpening.

Step 2: Clean your Sharpening Rod  
The next tip on how to sharpen a bread knife is to clean your ceramic sharpening rod to remove all particles. Small metal filings, dirt, dust, oils, and other debris will accumulate on your rod and might affect its performance. All you have to do is wash it using dish soap, run it underwater, and dry.

Step 3: Identify the Side that Needs Sharpening  
Bread knives usually are serrated, but it’s only one side that will require sharpening. Sharpening the wrong side might yield no results and will instead damage the knife. Typically, the section that needs to be sharpened can be found on the right side. 

Step 4: Sharpen Using a Ceramic Sharpening Rod  
Place your knife flat on a horizontal surface like a table or counter-top with the right side facing up. Hold your sharpening rod firmly but gently at an angle or slanted position, and then smoothly pass it through each serration using its full length. 

Step 5: Rinse the KnifeReminder: 
After sharpening and confirming that it’s sharp to your judgment, the last step on how to sharpen a bread knife is to rinse it off so metal filings and other dirt that may have accumulated will be removed. You can use dish soap when washing and let it dry using a clean cloth. 

Reminder:
The nature and size of the serration on your knife will determine the choice of sharpening rod that you will use. It is, therefore, vital to make sure that they match.

Following the proper ways on how to sharpen a bread knife is critical to achieving the desired sharpness, minimizing the excessive removal of material, and staying safe.

Conclusion

Serrated bread knives are often present on kitchen cutting boards as the last bastion of sharpness once your regular knives have been fully dulled beyond utility. But, bread knives are for bread. That being said, serrated bread knives get dull as well. While its serrated profile might intimidate some people to the point of avoiding the knife being kept sharp, the biggest key to keeping them sharp is through maintenance. Thus, it is vital to know some tips on how to sharpen a bread knife. With just a couple of swipes using a hone, this will leave your serrated bread knife sharp and will easily slice bread in no time. Remember, with just a little time and some proper helpful tools, you will be able to sharpen not just your bread knife but your other blades as well. Here’s how to learn more about knives.