Mercer Culinary M22608BL , steel, Blue, 8-Inch Chef's Knife

I spent a lot of time researching bread knives - Victorinox bread knife was what I was originally heading for ordering having used this on several occasions with large crusty artisan bread at Stoke Park Hotel (apologies for diverting, but hey just checked hotel website and it looks like this historic Grade I hotel (James Bond Moonraker golf scenes filmed here) will reopen as a hotel, rather than going to a private individual. Yippee, so worth visiting even if not staying). Getting back to this wonderful knife:I had found the Victorinox to be the best Bread Knive (having an extra long blade) to tackle large knobbly crust artisan bread, but luckily I stumbled on this knife and due to its low price thought it was worth a punt; ie if no good I would purchase Victorinox as originally intended.Well this knife is even better, I took it to my mother's for a stay so she could try it. Ended up leaving it with her as she was equally impressed and getting another for myself. The only issue was storing it - cut pack carefully and stored for sometime before packing started to fall apart and thinking I must make effort to find some sort of protection for blade a too dangerous to have in drawer unprotected.AND hey presto there was now a cover for this knife. I must have had this knife and cover for 2 years - sorry I cannot confirm name of cover as unsure how to navigate from this review screen on my new mobile - but it is black one that I believe is made by same manufacturer; I can't understand how some people had given the cover negative reviews, definitely no issue with splitting. Indeed after trying cover out also ordered one for my mother.Definitely best Bread knife I have ever (and I am very much a 'thorough purchase scout') used, followed by Victorinox, but make sure you purchase cover/or have secure method of storing as too sharp to leave loose in a drawer.And if you have a love of unique heritage hotels that really deliver (the tasting menu experience is still etched in my memory - usually not a fan of tasting menus) keep an eye out for Stoke Park Hotel (near Slough, Berkshire) reopening. And if you stay and use the Victorinox bread knife at breakfast (they did have a spectacular table full of various Artisan loafs) this knife is even better!

I have been sceptical about Mercer knives in the past as I'm usually more of a Victorinox patron, but this knife has really surprised me.The handle, albeit pretty ugly, feels good and stays in my slippy hands whilst I debone chicken thighs for meal prep. The edge is razor sharp and, after deboning what must be about 10kg of chicken, is still holding well.I may be swayed to buy another Mercer knife!

Great little pairing knife. Nice and sharp out the packet so just what I needed. Bought 2 and both just as sharp. 👍

Sourdough can be tough to cut. This knife is robust, sharp, and nice to handle with confidence.Would recommend.

Straight out of the box, this was very sharp. It's comfortable to hold and use. Obviously it wont be anything like the quality of an expensive knife, but it is capable of performing just as well. It's easy to keep sharp, just run both sides of the blade over a honing steel a couple of times after using and washing. I recommend buying a blade protector with it as this knife is incredible sharp and the lightest touch of the blade will cut you. A great addition to my kitchen.

I don’t often write reviews but felt this deserved one. I bake gluten free bread and it can be very tricky to cut, I never let my husband do so because he can destroy a loaf very easilyToday he brought me breakfast in bed and mentioned he’d had to cut the new loaf, he was amazed at the new knife, it’s handle grip and extra length had allowed him to finally cut a perfect slice without destroying the rest of the loaf. I can now slice up a whole loaf without fault every time and so can my husband at last!

My elderly friend loves it

Fabulous stuff, very sharp and handy for use on a daily basis.