Any suggestions for a excellent serrated knife that will do a good job of slicing fresh bread, cheeses, and roasts equally well? I need hlep with both style, size, and how to keep them sharp. Thanks!
I would suggest Henkels Brand. Get the longest one you can find. To keep it sharp use a steel. Just run the blade over the steel 3-4 times before each tine you use it.
The secret to a good sharp serrated knife, is to replace it often. I never seek to purchase high quality when it comes to serrated, coz they are very difficult to resharpen. So I hunt the bargin shops, for decent serrated knifes, and then buy 1/2 dozen at a time. They begin to dull after 6 months or so, so i just throw them out and grab a replacement. You can find decent serrated knifes in closeout stores for under $2 apiece. Thus is costs me $2 every 6 months to have the sharpest serrated knife. WORTH IT !
As far as straight edge knifes go, I spend once a month with a whet stone to hone them sharp. Takes a knack, but well worth the hour a month to have super sharp knifes all month. And on straight edge knifes, I do look for and pay the extra for quality. Good hard metals stay sharper much longer.
The reason I said to get the longest one you can find is it makes slicing cake into thin layers easier.
As always, thanks for your quick reponse. Can the same serrated 10 inch knife be used for fresh bread and slicing roasts/turkey, etc.?
Cook’s Illustrated review picked, as the best inexpensive knife set:
1st - Wüsthof Silverpoint 10-Piece Block Set - Model Number 8338 - $ 60 to $ 80.00
Cooks Illustrated winners for Serrated Knives:
1st place - Wüsthof Classic Bread Knife, 10 inches $89.95
2nd place - Victorinox (formerly Victorinox Forschner) 10 1/4-Inch Curved Blade Bread Knife, Black Fibrox Handle $ 24
Cook’s Illustrated Electric Knife Sharpener winners;
1st - Chef’s Choice Model 130 Professional Sharpening Station $139.99 - Model Number 0130506
2nd - Chef’s Choice Model 120 $129.95
3rd - Chef’s Choice 110 Electric Knife Sharpener $84.95 - Model Number CC110
Cook’s Illustrated Manual Knife Sharpener winners;
1st - AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpener $10.99 - Model Number Accusharp 001
2nd - Anolon Universal Knife Sharpener 3-Stage Whetstone $29.95 - Model Number 52255
3rd - Chantry Knife Sharpener $29.99 - Model Number 550
A knife steel (unless it’s diamond coated) only straightens (aligns) the cutting knife edge that tends to curl (microscopically) over as it’s used. Even with a knife steel, the edge will dull over time and need real sharpening. To sharpen a knife you need a knife sharpener. It can be electric, manual crock sticks (ceramic rods that you run the knife blade along to sharpen the edge), manual sharpening stones or take the knives to a professional for sharpening.