Is the Miyabi Kaizen Bread Knife Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2025). How we score
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Why
America's Test Kitchen rated the Kaizen Recommended: "This knife sliced and chopped most foods with incredible finesse, thanks to its ultrasharp serrations." But its blade is on the short side for big loaves, its serrations are shallow, and its slick handle was "a little slippery." ATK's top-rated bread knife, the Mercer Millennia 10-inch, beat it for blade and handle and costs a fraction as much: "We’ve loved this inexpensive industry favorite for years, and for good reason." The MAC Superior matched the Miyabi's sharpness for about half the price.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Miyabi Kaizen
Millennia 10-Inch Wide Wavy Edge Bread Knife
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's top-rated bread knife, with full marks for blade and handle. "Its blade is long enough to span large loaves and pastries and tall enough to direct easily through thick sandwiches." It has "just the right number of tall, reasonably sharp serrations," though it scored a little lower than the Miyabi for sharpness (2.5 vs 3 of 3). "A long, rubbery handle was comfortable for hands of all sizes to grip." ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Miyabi Kaizen | Mercer Millennia |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Handle | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Sharpness | 3/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Serrated (Bread) Knives (updated June 25, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Serrated (Bread) Knives (updated June 25, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Superior Bread and Roast Slicer, 10.5 in
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
Rated Highly Recommended by America's Test Kitchen, with the same full marks for sharpness as the Miyabi and a better handle score. "With a long; tall; and extremely keen, finely sharpened blade, this serrated knife nearly edged out our top choice." Its curved blade adds leverage for chopping. The catch: its rounded serrations "sometimes skidded and slipped on crusty bread instead of biting into it." ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Miyabi Kaizen | MAC Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Handle | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Sharpness | 3/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Serrated (Bread) Knives (updated June 25, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Serrated (Bread) Knives (updated June 25, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Is the Miyabi Kaizen bread knife worth it?
America's Test Kitchen found it ultrasharp but rated its blade and handle below the Mercer Millennia 10-inch, its top-rated bread knife, which costs a fraction as much. The MAC Superior matched the Miyabi's sharpness for about half the price.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Serrated (Bread) Knives (updated June 25, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
