I’m such a real toast-o that I still don’t need to heat the knife. I either take out the butter in advance, or employ one of three tricks:

1. Scrape up a few thin butter shavings from the rest of the butter mass so it warms quicker while the bread is in the toaster, or
2. Lay some scrapings on the toast and let it melt in by itself, or
3. Just spread it very softly; it’ll spread, trust me. Be patient. Be gentle. Be loving.

Talking bout “real toast-o”. 😜