To Find the Best Bread Lames, I Baked a Dozen Loaves of Bread

A bread lame (pronounced “lahm”) is a small, very sharp blade that’s used to score bread before baking. The purpose of scoring bread is to help control the way it rises in the oven. A simple slash creates an intentional weak point for the dough to expand through, so that the dough is able to rise into a controlled shape. But a good score is more than cosmetic—creating a break in the dough’s surface tension also allows the bread to expand to its full potential, making for a light, even, and more open crumb. 

Sourdough and bread-making in general require specialty tools, like proofing baskets and heavy bakeware, but a lame is among the cheapest of the bunch. And although the tool is essentially a razor blade with a handle, there are many styles to choose from. Bread lames come with curved or straight blades and an array of handle styles, including long and skinny and short and circular. To find the best bread lames, I made a dozen loaves of Pain au Levain and tried six popular lames in a head-to-head scoring test. 

The Winners, at a Glance

This bread lame features a weighty, ergonomic handle that felt natural in my hand, making for a confident grip and neat scores. Changing the blade is safe and easy thanks to a unique screw-in design that also makes this lame adjustable. You can easily switch the blade between straight and curved positions for all your scoring needs. When you’re done using it, pop it in the plastic case for safe storage.

With a more traditional design, this lame has a razor blade that slides onto a thin, stainless steel base, forcing it into a curved position that’s ideal for creating an ear. The curve of the blade can be adjusted slightly to suit your preference, which is a plus for confident bakers. It also has a lightweight wooden handle that’s comfortable to grip, and a small leather sheath to cover the blade when you’re not using it.

It was the bells and whistles that set this model apart from the competition. The two-in-one design features a straight blade on one end and a curved blade on the other, and both ends come with secure blade covers that make for safer storage and handling. The fixed position of the curved blade is helpful for beginners, while more experienced bakers will prefer an adjustable model. As a safety feature, only one corner of each blade is exposed when the lame is assembled, although this unfortunately makes the curved blade unusable for left-handers. 

The Tests

• Ear Scoring Test: I used each bread lame to score a single slash across the surface of unbaked Pain au Levain dough, using the blade included with each model. I observed if the score was jagged or smooth and if the handle was easy and comfortable to hold. 
• Blade Changing Test: I changed the blade of each lame, assessing the ease and safety of removing a used blade and attaching a new one. I also noted any special design features that made the process safer. 
• Multiple Scores (Small Cuts) Test: I tested how the winning lames performed when making quick, small cuts on the surface of bread dough. For models that had a two-in-one or adjustable design, I used the straight blade as opposed to the curved one. 

What We Learned

2-in-1 Designs and Adjustable Blades Can Be Used for All Types of Scoring 

Getting a perfect “ear” is easiest using a curved blade, which is able to carve beneath the outer skin and create a flap that pulls open as the bread bakes. It’s possible to get a decent ear using a straight blade, but the shape might not be as pronounced or consistent, unless you’re a very experienced baker. Rather, straight blades are best for straight, small, and/or decorative cuts. Two of my favorite lames were able to do both: The Baker of Seville bread lame features an adjustable blade that can be used either straight or curved, while the Breadsmart lame has two ends: one with a straight blade and the other with a curved blade. 

Replaceable, Easy-to-Change Blades Were a Must

Nearly every model I tested had a standard, disposable razor blade, and in most cases, came with five or 10 replacement blades. The only model with a permanent, fixed blade was the Mercer Culinary model, which will become dull after only 10 or so loaves. While they don’t stay sharp for long, replaceable blades significantly extend the life of a lame, ensuring it lasts for years to come rather than quickly ending up in a landfill.

My favorite lames made it safe and easy to change the blade. The winning Baker of Seville model features a screw-in design that doesn’t require excessive contact with the sharp blade. The Breadsmart lame also had a safe, albeit more complicated, system for replacing the blade: The blade slides inside a removable plastic housing that easily attaches to the handle. The Saint German Bread Lame, another winner, features a more standard design with a blade that simply slides on and off. To do this, I had to gently flex the blade between my fingers so that it would fit onto the straight metal base. While some people prefer this simpler method of changing a blade, I find it a bit treacherous. 

A Comfortable Handle Was Key to a Confident Score

For both long straight scores and small, decorative cuts, a comfortable grip was key for scoring with confidence and control. That said, there wasn’t one type of handle that was more comfortable than the rest—all of my winners have handles that look and feel completely different. The thin but weighty handle of the Baker of Seville lame was my favorite. The ergonomic handle features a flat portion near the top for your thumb and forefinger to grip. It’s a simple design but feels natural and steady. I also liked the wider, more rounded handle of the Saint Germain lame. While this model is considerably lighter than the Baker of Seville lame, the more generous handle allowed for a firm grip and may be preferable for those who have arthritis or trouble gripping smaller objects. The Mercer Culinary model was my least favorite of the bunch; I struggled to find a comfortable grip on the short, skinny handle.

Safety Features Were a Plus

Which of the Bread Lames Had Sheaths?
	Storage Solution
Baker of Seville	Plastic storage case
Saint Germain	Leather sheath
Breadsmart	Two plastic blade covers
Breadtopia	None
Riccle UFO	Leather storage case
Mercer	Plastic blade cover

Sharp razor blades make easy work of cutting through bread dough, but they are just as likely to nick your skin if stored or handled incorrectly. Nearly all of the lames I tested featured some sort of blade cover or storage box that would allow you to keep your lame in a drawer without risk of injury. The winning Baker of Seville lame arrives in a sturdy plastic case, while the Breadsmart model features translucent covers for each blade. The Breadtopia Bread Lame disappointed me in this department. It arrived in a cardboard box that is marketed as a storage case but isn’t a long-term solution. As this model was comfy to hold and created beautiful scores, I felt that even a simple sheath would have edged this model into a winning spot. 

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Bread Lame

The best bread lames have comfortable handles that make for confident scoring and are designed to make changing the blade a relatively safe and easy process. Lames with a two-in-one design or adjustable blade that allows for curved and straight positions are particularly useful and appropriate for all types of bread scoring. Extra safety features, like blade covers and storage boxes, are a plus.

Our Favorite Bread Lames

What we liked: This lame had the weightiest feel and most comfortable handle of any of the models I tried. Holding it felt natural and easy, and gave me the confident grip needed to make neat scores every time. The blade is attached to the handle with a unique screw-in design that makes changing the blade safer and easier than other models I tried. This same mechanism allows the blade to adjust between curved and straight positions, making this lame equally useful for cutting long slashes and making short, detailed cuts. While this lame doesn't have a blade cover, it does come with a plastic case for safe storage. 

What we didn’t like: The screw-in design causes the blade to feel less secure in a straight position than a curved one. 

Key Specs

• Dishwasher-Safe?: Yes, but hand-washing is recommeded
• Blade Design: Adjustable for curved or straight positions
• Blade Cover: No, but it comes with a plastic storage case
• Handle Length: 5.5 inches

What we liked: This simple lame features a curved blade that made it easy to create a tall and proud ear. The wider, wooden handle is also comfortable to hold, especially when pulling toward yourself, as is required when cutting a single long slash. Small cuts are usually made using a straight lame, but the comfy handle of this model made it surprisingly easy to create detailed designs that stood out on the crust of the bread. When it comes time to change the blade, it slides easily off and on its metal base, but requires the user to gently bend the blade in a way that some home bakers might find unnerving. The curve of the blade can also be subtly adjusted to suit the preference of a more experienced baker. 

What we didn’t like: While simple to do, changing the blade requires more contact with the sharp blade than some users may be comfortable with. Plus, while my other winning models offered both curved and straight options, this lame only features a curved blade.  

Key Specs

• Dishwasher-Safe?: No
• Blade Design: Curved
• Blade Cover: Yes
• Handle Length: 5.75 inches

What we liked: I loved the two-in-one design of this lame. With a curved blade on one end and a straight blade on the other, this lame was equally adept at cutting long and short scores. Safety was clearly a priority in the design of this lame: Each blade has its own plastic blade cover, which means you can safely store the lame in your messiest drawer without fear of getting cut. The system for changing the blades also feels safe, albeit more complicated than other models I tried. The blade slides into a plastic housing that easily attaches to the handle. This also means that if you don’t like the feel of a double-ended lame, you can simply remove the side that you’re not using. (The blade cover can be used even when the blade is not connected to the handle.)  

What we didn’t like: While this lame boasts several safety features, the design isn’t always intuitive. While it felt simple enough to insert the blade, no instructions were given for how to remove it. (I initially cut myself trying to figure this out.) In the end, I found that gently pressing the corner of the blade against a cutting board pushes it out of the back end of its plastic housing. Also, with only one corner of each blade exposed, the curved blade of this lame is completely unusable for left-handers as the curve must be facing up (like a smile) in order to cut a proper slash.

Key Specs

• Dishwasher-Safe?: No
• Blade Design: Curved and straight
• Blade Cover: Yes
• Handle Length: 4 inches

The Competition

• Breadtopia Bread Lame: With its simple design and cute, baguette-shaped handle, this model came out on top when we last tested bread lames. While the handles are distinct in shape, I found this lame to be very similar to the Saint Germain model in both design and performance. Both models were easy to hold, and both produced neat ears. In the end, it was the lack of a blade cover or sheath that lost the Breadtopia model its winning spot. 
• Riccle UFO Bread Lame: This was the only lame I tried that featured a short, circular handle. This is a popular handle design for straight lames and is meant to allow for more control when creating complex designs. I enjoyed using this lame for small cuts and also managed to create a decent ear. Changing the blade, however, was frustrating. I managed to cut myself even while wearing the provided no-cut finger guards.  
• Mercer Culinary Bread Lame: This lame was my least favorite of the bunch. It has a short, curved, plastic handle which I found impossible to get a confident grip on. It was also the only model I tried that didn’t employ a standard disposable razor blade. Instead, the blade had rounded corners that struggled to cut through bread dough and left behind a jagged score. The blade is permanently attached to the handle, meaning that when this lame begins to dull (which it will after only a few uses), the whole thing has to be thrown away and replaced. 

FAQs

How do you create an ear with a bread lame?

Creating a good ear requires a bit of know-how: You’ve got to go in at the correct angle and cut swiftly and confidently through the dough. Most lames are fitted with a standard, disposable blade, so a great score really comes down to technique; even if you own the best lame, you won’t nail a perfect ear without practice. Likewise, a seasoned baker can make a great score with nearly any lame. (I know a baker who uses a naked razor blade to score his loaves.) My scores weren’t all perfect, but nearly every lame I tested produced a decent ear. The one exception was the Mercer Culinary model, which is not fitted with a standard blade and instead features its own fixed blade with rounded edges that created a jagged, uneven cut. 

Can you sharpen a bread lame?

Bread lames are fitted with disposable razor blades, which are extremely sharp but only last a short time. These kinds of blades are not meant to be sharpened, but they are very cheap to replace. Since you only score bread using one corner of the blade at a time, the blade can be rotated to take advantage of every sharp corner. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your blade every five to 10 loaves. 

What’s the best bread lame for making designs?

A straight lame is best for making intricate cuts and will give the user significantly more control. Our favorite bread lame from Baker of Seville can be adjusted to a straight position and makes easy work of creating a beautiful design. The dual-ended Breadsmart lame also features a straight blade for making small cuts and works just as well. 

What’s the best lame for creating an ear?

A curved blade is generally considered best for creating a flap of dough that will later pull open into an ear, but it’s also very possible using a straight lame—so long as you cut at the correct angle. Creating a good ear takes comes down to solid technique, and any of the winning models are a good choice to start practicing with. 

How do I clean a bread lame?

While the handles of the winning Baker of Seville and Breadsmart lames are dishwasher-safe, it is never recommended to put a razor blade through the dishwasher as the hot water and chemical detergents will wreak havoc on the sharp, delicate blade. Luckily, it is not necessary to wash a bread lame with soap and water after every use. Most of the time, a simple wipe with a dry cloth will be enough to remove any remaining flour. If the lame has any dough residue on the blade, remove the blade and wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse it with water until clean. Let the blade dry completely before reattaching it to the handle. If the handle is visibly dirty, it can be cleaned with soap and water or run through the dishwasher, depending on the model. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Zola Gregory is a writer and recipe developer for Serious Eats and other publications. 
• Before she worked in food media, Zola worked as a baking instructor, teaching bread and pastry classes both in-person and online.  
• For this review, Zola used six popular bread lames to score a dozen loaves of Pain au Levain. She observed how each lame performed, assessing the scores before and after baking. She also evaluated each model for comfort, ease of use, and safety.