Victorinox 5.2533.21 Swiss Army Lightweight Bread Knife, 8-Inch

Last updated: December 30, 2021

Victorinox 5.2533.21 Swiss Army Lightweight Bread Knife, 8-Inch
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We looked at the top Bread Knives and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Bread Knife you should buy.

Overall Take

In our analysis of 100 expert reviews, the Victorinox Swiss Army Lightweight Bread Knife, 8-Inch placed 12th when we looked at the top 16 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

Although called a Fibrox Pro “Bread Knife”, this versatile knife offers much more than its name indicates. Leveling cakes, cutting sandwiches, and slicing tomatoes or other easily bruised fruits and vegetables are all simple tasks for this knife. Designed to effortlessly cut through foods that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside, the serrated blade offers the perfect balance of strength and dexterity, making this multifaceted knife a must-have for every home chef. The sharp points of the serrated edge pierce into hard crusty loaves or soft skinned fruits and veggies to maintain a strong hold and offer better control throughout slicing. The scallops between each point reduce friction, so each slice feels effortless. The scallops also prevent the knife from squashing bread slices or the tender interiors of fruits and vegetables. The heft helps to make quick work of melon rinds and pineapples, while the razor sharp blade is perfect for slicing delicate eggplants and peaches. Whether you prefer to cut wafer-thin slices or large hearty ones, the thin blade offers the precision needed for even slices every time. Optimally weighted with high-quality, lightweight European steel reduces hand and wrist fatigue, making it comfortable even after extended use in the home kitchen. The ergonomic, non-slip patented Fibrox Pro handle provides a comfortable grip no matter the size of your hand or where you are gripping the handle. Designed to minimize wrist tension while providing a secure grip, the Fibrox Pro handle is both lightweight and durable, making these knives seem less likes tools and more like an extension of your hand. The textured handle feels secure even when greasy or wet, allowing for precise and effortless cuts each and every time. For all of these reasons, Fibrox Pro cutlery has been the choice of culinary professionals for decades, and also due in part to the fact that it is hygienic and dishwasher safe. The National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) certifies that this product is made to the highest sanitary standards, so you can cut with confidence. Whether a seasoned, or novice home chef, Victorinox Swiss Army offers not only the right tools and the know-how, but most importantly, the confidence to achieve one’s culinary aspirations. Expertly crafted in Switzerland since 1884, Victorinox offers a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship. Please NOTE that this item ships with the International item number 5.2533.21 on the blade and not 40549, 47549, or 47549.US2, but is the same 8″ Fibrox Pro Bread Knife. Formerly Forschner In 1937 Victorinox began selling cutlery in America through a Connecticut distributor called R.H. Forschner & Co. A well-known manufacturer of butcher scales, Forschner soon became the exclusive U.S. distributor for Victorinox knives, and was the name by which Victorinox knives were known. In 2011 Victorinox began marketing all its product lines, including kitchen knives, under the common umbrella name by which the company is now popularly known – Victorinox Swiss Army. Today, Victorinox Swiss Army still sells a handful of accessories, including the High Heat Turner line, under the Forschner name. Care and Use Be good to your knives and they’ll be good to you. Following these simple guidelines will ensure that you get the longest life out of your knife! Hand Washing Victorinox Swiss Army recommends washing all knives by hand. For best results, hand wash your knives with a soapy cloth and dry immediately. Dishwasher While Fibrox Pro knives are dishwasher safe, we recommend hand washing as dishwashers are designed to spray water at a relatively high pressure, which can jostle the silverware and cause the knives to collide, dulling the edge. Maintaining your Knife’s Edge For optimum performance, knives should be honed after every couple of uses. Proper and frequent use of a honing steel will keep your knives sharper and performing at their best, but remember that a honing steel will not sharpen a dull knife. Honing steels are maintenance tools and are used to help keep an already sharp blade from degrading. During use, a knife edge becomes rolled or turned from direct contact with cutting boards, bones or other hard objects. In this case, honing is necessary to straighten the edge of the knife. After significant use, the steel particles become damaged and the edge cannot be brought back by honing, so sharpening is necessary. If your knives are dull, pitted, or you see visible nicks on the cutting edge, you’ll need to sharpen with a Swiss Sharp Handheld Sharpener (49002) or bring to a professional for re-sharpening. History and Heritage In 1884, Master Cutler Karl Elsener opened a cutlery shop in Ibach, Switzerland. There, he and the cutlers’ union he formed produced the finest steel cutlery, finished with the now-famous proprietary edge preferred globally by professional and home cooks. In 1891, Karl supplied the Swiss Army with its standard issue Soldier’s Knife and in 1897 with the Officer’s Knife. In 1921, after the death of his mother, Victoria, and with the advent of stainless steel, then known as “inoxydable” and used in the production of his cutlery, Karl changed the name of the company to Victorinox. It is from those humble beginnings that a worldwide icon was born. Today, Victorinox is still owned and operated by the Elsener family, and both the company and family still resides in the small village of Ibach, Switzerland.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

It had a nicer, more comfortable handle and a slightly flexible blade that made great slices across the board.
Non-Slip Fibrox Pro Handle.
The small serrated blade design can easily cut through a variety of foods ranging from vegetables, bread, fruits, to chicken, without squashing their interiors.
The handle itself is durable and comes made from materials that are immune to the kitchen environment.
This is an optimally-weighted knife to provide you with the perfect balance. This will help in minimizing fatigue in the wrist or hand.
Serrated blade which is highly resistant to edge wearing for prolonged durability. It also allows you to slice even tender and crispy bread or fruits without crumbing or squashing the tender interiors.

What experts didn't like

The knife gets dull within a short period and requires frequent sharpening.
Looks obsolete.

Our Expert Consultant

Julie Chernoff
Culinary Expert

Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.

View our Bread Knife buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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