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It’s hard to overstate the value of a good-quality knife. It’ll stay nice and sharp; it can cut through steaks, chicken, produce, cheese, and more with ease; it’s well-balanced across the handle and blade so it feels comfortable in your hand; and it won’t rust quickly. 

I’m lucky to have collected some top-notch knives over the years, but I had been missing a solid bread knife. Finally I’ve found one in Hedley & Bennett’s Bread Knife. But despite the name, my favorite thing to slice with it isn’t bread.

The brand also sells kitchen tools like silicone spatulas, stainless steel tongs, and kitchen shears, along with knives you can buy individually or in sets. I picked out the 8.6-inch bread knife with a Caviar Black handle (there’s also creamy off-white and sage green color options). It comes with a lifetime guarantee.

The serrated blade is made with German steel and tapers toward the tip, a feature other bread knives I’ve tried don’t have. It’s sleek with a nice, sharp tip. It should be hand-washed and dried after each use to avoid dulling the blade. That said, it is super easy to clean; it takes me no more than three minutes to scrub with dish soap and a sponge before patting dry.  

I recently learned a bread knife is actually the secret to perfectly sliced tomatoes. Now that tomato season is upon us, I’ve been slicing them up for sandwiches and toasts, and my Hedley & Bennett Bread Knife ensures I don’t end up squishing the fruit in the process. The handle is sturdy, so it’s easy and comfy to grip while the blade seamlessly slices through the tomato. 

Plus, I find it so much easier to get paper-thin slices with this knife than I have with other knives I’ve used in the past. Some might say it “cuts like butter,” which one online reviewer did. Another called it “the best bread knife ever!”

Earlier this year I entered into my sourdough era, thanks to my new favorite gadget: the Sourhouse Goldie. I’ve had to put my bread baking on pause because I’m moving across the country soon. But considering how well this knife did with tomatoes (and perfectly ripe peaches!), I’m excited to use it on my first post-move loaf. 

What’s your favorite way to slice tomatoes? Tell us about it in the comments below.