Help finding bread knife

[ImFineItsAllFine]

FIL wants a bread knife for christmas but "not one of those serrated ones, they don't work"

We have no idea what he's talking about - aren't bread knives by defintion serrated? We tried pressing for more details but he's just adamant that you used to be able to get non-serrated ones and that they were better.

Any MN wisdom on this one?

I would agree they are serrated. Perhaps give him a ham carvign knife instead and pretend… they look a bit like non-serrated bread knifes. (And keep the receipt).

Can you get him one of those bread saws they use to cut sourdough?

It's bad luck to buy people knives. Buy him a spoon instead.

You learn something new everyday…

’You might assume serrated knives rule the bread domain without exception, but Japanese culinary tradition reveals an alternative path. The revered “gyuto” and “sujihiki” knives, typically associated with slicing meat or vegetables, have loyalists among bakers who prize their clean, decisive cuts. Unlike serrated blades, which can generate crumbs and, over time, require specialist sharpening, non-serrated blades demand more technique but reward with surgical precision.’

Is this maybe about the type of serration? Narrow, pointy teeth just squash the bread, but the wider, wavy style are good? FWIW I can recommend the Opinel 116 - it cuts crusty bread, sourdough and pineapples with ease!

Is he trying to cut sourdough or other crusty bread with a normal serated bread knife? If so, he needs one of these.jonoknife.co.uk/

Thanks all, some great suggestions! The Japanese ones are tempting but perhaps a bit of an expensive gamble.