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Bread lame patterns9/1/2023 Baker Of Seville Bread Lame: This was entirely too heavy to wield with any sort of control, and the convertible lame didn’t deliver clean slashes with either configuration.Serious Eats / Jesse Raub The Competition This lame produced the cleanest, most pronounced ears out of any of the models tested and, even though it’s bendable, the stainless steel rod is made from a thicker, higher grade steel than its competition. Its exposed blade design also meant that swapping out razors was a snap-just flex the blade and thread it through the first and last holes in the center, and you’re good to go. Its fairly exposed blade was easy to make long, single slashes with during scoring, but I was also surprised at how much control it had for shorter, squared-off slashes as well. Even more than that, the simple, straight alignment of the handle means it’s easy to know exactly where the blade is when you pick it up. Though the baguette-shaped plastic handle might be kitschy, it provided plenty of grip and was lightweight enough to maneuver easily. What we liked: The Breadtopia Bread Lame truly excelled at scoring, and it’s simple, bendable design means that almost every baker can find a curved or straight angle that works best for them. The Best Bread Lame: Breadtopia Bread Lame Usability Tests: Throughout testing, I evaluated each lame based on how easy it was to hold, clean, assemble, and take apart.Each lame was evaluated for how well it created extra-long slashes, how easy it was to control each slash, the shape of the ear it produced, and overall ease of use. Longer and narrower than a batard, this country sourdough is the standard bread I make the most often, with 15% whole wheat, 20% high-extraction wheat flour, 25% malted bread flour, and 40% high-protein bread flour. Country Sourdough Oblong Scoring Test (Winner’s-Only): The final test for the best performing bread lames was to evaluate their performance scoring longer, oblong-shaped country sourdough loaves.Each lame was evaluated for how simple it was to create multiple slashes on a small canvas through a heartier dough, how easy it was to control each slash, and overall ease of use. This dough was 50% whole wheat, 25% malted bread flour, and 50% high-protein flour (mixed again at an 80% hydration). Sourdough Mini-Miche Boule Scoring Test: To evaluate each lame’s ability to make multiple, quick slashes on a smaller shaped dough with higher whole-wheat content, I tested each one on a mini boule-a round shaped loaf- fashioned after a sourdough miche.Each lame was evaluated for how simple it slashed through the dough, its control during the scoring, and its overall ease of use. My dough consisted of 10% whole wheat flour, 40% malted bread flour, and 50% high-protein bread flour (mixed at 80% hydration). Pain Au Levain Batard Scoring Test: To evaluate the ear-producing ability of each bread lame, I tested each one’s scoring ability with a sourdough recipe that is extremely similar to this pain au levain recipe.In one smooth motion, score the length of your dough.Score to the depth of the lame stick, as demonstrated in the video above.Use your off hand to create a bit of surface tension.Score the loaf with a symmetrical pattern (i.e.Once you’ve mastered the basics, boules also provide a great canvas for decorative scoring. They are simple and functional, and allow you to get a better read on how your scores are affecting your finished product. These two scores are great place to start. The most common scores are the X, which Greg uses in the video above, and the square, which is pictured below. Because your boule is round, it is the balanced and symmetrical score that allows the steam to escape evenly, therefore maintaining its round shape. We recommend a symmetrical score to start. So, a nice balanced score will do the trick. To us, the goal is to maintain the round shape, and give that steam just enough space to allow your dough to eloquently rise. Yes, there is opportunity for ear formation, and beautiful bloom, but the success of your score shouldn’t be measured by the size of the ear… unless that’s your goal, then go for it. We recommend using a straight lame for boule scoring, seeing as the goal is simply give the steam a place to escape. First things first, you need the right tool for the job.
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