£23.95, Amazon.co.uk
This has the easiest and quickest “bite” of those tested; if you’re cutting a healthy crust you don’t want to be sawing away for an age before the knife pierces it, and you don’t want to have to press so hard that you squash the loaf. The Good Grip handle does indeed grip (some on test did have a tendency to be a little skittish in this department). Also has substantial feel and weight.
Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
£36, www.welch.co.uk
Pushed down the order by the price alone, this is otherwise an amazing performer, giving great control, enabling you to cut thinner than usual slices. It almost falls through the loaf with no downward pressure needed. Looks great, feels great. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
£23, John Lewis
Very nippy. Again, bites straight into the crust and slices through easily with little effort. The sharpest of the bunch, but slightly lightweight and the handle is rather slippery. Doesn’t look as good as our top two – but sharp looks aren’t everything. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
