Sha Ra Ku Mono Bread Knife, 230 mm (9.1")

The bread knife, as its name suggests, is specialized for slicing through bread without crushing it. Developed in Germany and the United States in the late 19th century, its serrated edge can saw through the crust without exerting pressure on the bread, giving a clean, non-destructive cut. The serrated edge also makes it useful for other foods with hard exteriors and soft cores, as well as anything fibrous.

The Sha Ra Ku Mono bread knife is available in two sizes. The 230 mm (9.1") length is more versatile, but the 175 mm (6.9") length give better control for smaller items.

Sha Ra Ku Mono blades are forged from molybdenum-vanadium alloy stainless steel, which finely balances edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This alloy is softer than the VG-10 steel used in other Tojiro knives but harder than European knife steels and is comparatively easy to sharpen.

The handle is made from hollow 18/8 stainless steel, crafted with the blade as a single piece. Much like a traditional wooden wa handle, its light weight keeps the knife's balance farther forward than on European knives. The ergonomic shape allows it to be gripped either by the handle or with a more versatile pinch grip.

Wash your knife by hand with warm water, soap, and a soft sponge or dish towel. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat or moisture. Remember—there's no such thing as a dishwasher-safe knife!

To prevent edge chips, avoid impacts with hard surfaces. Don't chop bones, shells, or frozen food, and cut only on a wood or bamboo cutting board. Don't leave your knife where the edge might come in contact with something hard, such as in a sink or a drawer with other knives.

Store your knife so that the edge is protected from abrasion and impact. We recommend a magnetic stand, but you can also use a knife block with horizontal slots. If you must keep it in a drawer, use an edge protector. See our storage options here.

Serrated knives stay sharp longer than most other types and are usually not feasible to sharpen at home, but with practice, it can be done with a round file, a small diamond sharpening rod, or the edge of a coarse whetstone.

Alternatively, you can have your knives sharpened professionally. Seattle Cutlery offers a state-of-the-art, mail-in sharpening service for our own customers, but other services may be available to you locally.

All Nakiyo, Tojiro, Sabatier, and SeaCut products sold by Seattle Cutlery are covered by our lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If you follow our care and maintenance advice and your knife ever fails during honest use, we will gladly repair or replace it. Our warranty does not cover regular wear and tear or damage due to misuse, but we may still be able to help in some cases.