Heckels question

[JoeV]

I didn't want to hi-jack Buz's knife thread, so I'll ask my knife Q's here. Below are some pics of the factory edge of my Heckles Twin Cuisine 8" bread knife (30346-200) that DW bought for me last June for Father's day from Bed bath & Beyond. It has ONLY been used to cut bread, and since I don't know much about knives, I have to wonder if this was the factory edge that came on this knife. I have always felt that it did not cut very good, especially at a $89 price point (before discount) that she spent, but without a frame of reference I could not be sure. It is not sharp, and the edges appear to be a burr instead of a sharp edge. It reminds me of when I grind my lawn mower blade, and then have to go back with a file and remove the burr that was left behind. I feel that it is tearing the bread rather than cutting it, and I cannot cut a slice of bread in a single long sweeping stroke. It has a lifetime warranty, so if I send it back can I expect the same type of edge in return? Or, should I look for a local knife sharpener. I can probably find someone by asking at the local butcher shop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/Knife%20Pics/P1010689.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/Knife%20Pics/P1010692.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/Knife%20Pics/P1010693.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/Knife%20Pics/P1010694.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flyfishohio/Knife%20Pics/P1010695.jpg

[chowhound]

Boy, that is kinda rough looking.

[buzzard767]

If those pix are the factory grind you should ask for your money back. Anyone who bakes as much bread as you do, Joe, deserves a better knife and I have a couple of recommendations.

[JoeV]

If those pix are the factory grind you should ask for your money back. Anyone who bakes as much bread as you do, Joe, deserves a better knife and I have a couple of recommendations. The blades on my electric fillet knife have a better edge on them, and that's after 3 years of cleaning fish with it. The knife balances well in my hand, and has some weight to it, so I would just like to get a good edge on it. I almost wish we would have bought the Cutco bread knife. At least I could get lifetime sharpening. The Cutco guy stops twice a year at my SIL's place to sharpen any knives needing attention.

[buzzard767]

Sharpening a bread knife requires specialized knowledge and equipment to do it right. You might want to contact Dave Martell (http://www.japaneseknifesharpening.com/services.html) and show him the pictures.

I recommend you get a Global SB-105 (http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=8087). For the price it's unbeatable. If you want the world's best bread knife look no further than a Franz Gude 7431/32. Get out your wallet.