The Fresh Loaf  News & Information for Amateur Bakers and
Artisan Bread Enthusiasts  Help Please-- How do you slash a loaf
properly?    • Pin It Marni's picture  Help Please-- How do you
slash a loaf properly?  I have a batch of sourdough rising now
(it claims to have a soft crust- my children prefer that-) that
I would like to try slashing.  I have tried slashing only two or
three times and I clearly do it wrong.  I read in BBA that the
slashes should be almost perpendicular to the top of the loaf.
That didn't work.  I don't have great tools yet - a serrated
knife and a single edge blade is all.  I always seem to catch
the corner of the blade or deflate a nicely risen loaf.  Also,
the slashes don't open much. I can try to get a lame (BTW- how
do you pronounce that?) today if it is really required.  There
are so many beautifully slashed loaves pictured on this site,
I'd love to try it.  Thanks.   Felila's picture  No matter how
carefully I sharpened my knives, I couldn't get a good slash.
I'm broke and can't