What type of knife is best suited for slicing bread?

The best type of knife for slicing bread is a serrated knife. This knife has a jagged edge that effectively cuts through the crusty exterior of a loaf without crushing the soft interior. The design of the serrated edge allows for a sawing motion, making it easier to slice through the various textures found in bread, such as a thick crust or soft crumb.

In contrast, a chef's knife, while versatile for many tasks in the kitchen, does not have the serrated edge needed to handle crusty bread efficiently and can lead to uneven slices. A paring knife is designed for smaller, more delicate tasks like peeling or trimming, and is not suited for slicing larger items such as bread. The boning knife's primary function is to debone meat; it is not designed for cutting bread and lacks the necessary blade structure. Thus, the serrated knife stands out as the optimal choice for this specific task.