Whether you’re a seasoned collector or are brand-new to the world of kitchen knives, making sure you have the right steak knife in your arsenal is critical. On this page, we discuss some of the 5 best steak knives money can buy. We’ve spent hours poring through the various options so you don’t have to.
The selection below contains a diverse balance of premium, budget, and “all-rounder” options.
What is a Steak Knife?
If you’re dealing with most cuts of steak – or regularly eat cuts of meat that are similar to steak – then you’ll need a decent steak knife set in your collection. They’re used to cut through your delicious meals once they reach the dinner table.
Steak Knife Appearance
Most steak knives feature a relatively short blade that’s between 4 and 7 inches long. This is often serrated to make it easier to cut into cooked filets of beef, although sharp, straight-edged blades are also available. The most common materials used are stainless steel, often with a forged construction. Look for full-tang handles where possible as this delivers better durability and overall balance.
Steak Knife Main Uses:
- 🔪 Cutting into cooked steak.
- 🔪 Chopping up cooked filets of beef, chicken, and similar meats.
- 🔪 Cutting into thicker cooked vegetables.
- 🔪 A sharp tableside utensil for cooked meals.
Top 5 Steak Knives
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The list below contains our picks for the 5 best steak knives available in 2023. We’ve researched all of the key factors that a discerning shopper should care about. This includes performance, price, durability, maintenance, balance, and much more.
1. Bellemain Serrated Steak Knife Set – – Editor’s Choice
The crème de la crème of affordable steak knives.
Bellemain Serrated Steak Knife Set Specifications:
About the knife
This set of serrated steak knives from Bellemain is our Editor’s pick for the best overall option available in 2023. It stands out head and shoulders above the rest for its price-to-performance ratio, online reviews, balance, and so much more.
For less than $30, you can pick up a set of four steak knives that will stay rust-free, sharp, and effective for many years to come. We’d expect a value option like this to sacrifice comfort, but the handle of these knives really surprised us – it feels fantastic. The stamped construction should last a fair while if you use them correctly.
The balance, sharpness, and size of these knives make them perfect for cutting into a gorgeous steak at your next dinner party. The hollow stainless steel edge of these knives means that some care should be taken – don’t go hacking into thick bones with them.
We love these knives.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Never wash these Bellemain steak knives in the dishwasher. Use moderate temperatures and mild dish soaps when hand-washing. Serrated blades need to be sharpened less often. Once in a while, use a ceramic honing rod to return your knives to their former glory.
Pros:
- 🔪 Fantastic price-to-performance ratio.
- 🔪 Very comfortable.
- 🔪 Needs to be sharpened less often.
Cons:
- 🔪 Stamped, hollow construction.
- 🔪 The handles may fade in color over time.
- 🔪 Handle durability is just ok.
2. WÜSTHOF Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set – Best non-serrated steak knives
Our favorite non-serrated steak knife set – a fantastic option.
WÜSTHOF Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set Specifications:
About the knife
We love this set of Wüsthof steak knives. Pricing is at a touch under $350, this option is significantly higher than our editor’s pick. For the bigger price tag, you get phenomenally sharp carbon steel, an exceptionally well-balanced set of knives, and a level of durability that’s hard to deny.
Carbon steel maintains its edge significantly longer than its non-carbon counterparts. As long as you look after these steak knives well, they should last you for a very long time. The full-tang handle offers great durability and is nice and comfortable to boot.
We love these knives.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Wash your Wüsthof steak knives in warm water using mild dish soaps. Dry fully before storing and keep covered if stored with other utensils. These knives can be sharpened using a steel, a sharpening stone, or a dedicated sharpening tool.
Follow this guide from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- 🔪 Super sharp steak knives.
- 🔪 Full-tang handle.
- 🔪 Carbon steel blade.
- 🔪 Very comfortable and well-balanced.
Cons:
- 🔪 Quite expensive.
- 🔪 Needs more sharpening than serrated knives.
3. HENCKELS 8-pc Steak Knife Set
The brilliance of German engineering with an incredibly friendly price tag.
HENCKELS 8-pc Steak Knife Set Specifications:
About the knife
For less than $45, you can pick up a set of 8 Henckels serrated steak knives. It’s important to stress here that this is remarkably good value for money. These knives are comfortable, and well-balanced, and use a serrated blade design that stays sharper significantly longer than a good chunk of the competition.
The carbon steel, stamped construction should maintain its sharpness very well and offers decent but not excellent durability. These knives are an excellent general-purpose tool to use at the dinner table.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
While these knives can be cleaned safely in the dishwasher, it’s best to hand wash them whenever possible. Use a ceramic honing rod or serrated sharpening tool to maintain that killer edge.
Pros:
- 🔪 Unique serration design that stays sharp.
- 🔪 Carbon steel blade.
- 🔪 Very comfortable.
- 🔪 Excellent price.
Cons:
- 🔪 Uses a stamped design.
- 🔪 Some people find the handles too thin.
4. FOXEL Best Straight Edge Steak Knives Knife Set of 4
An affordable non-serrated option that we love.
FOXEL Best Straight Edge Steak Knives Knife Set of 4 Specifications:
About the knife
While this nifty set of steak knives from Foxel isn’t quite as hard-hitting as the Wüsthof option listed above, they’re also significantly more affordable. You can pick up to 12 of these bad boys for less than $100.
We found the handle of these knives to be plenty comfortable with a well-balanced blade to go along with it. The carbon-stainless-steel blade offers great sharpness that will need some regular maintenance. If looked after properly, you won’t have to replace these steak knives any time soon.
Whether it’s chicken, beef, or grilled veggies, this option should serve you well for many years to come
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Foxel’s maintenance guidance for cleaning is as follows: “Wash your knives with warm soapy water and dry them immediately after use.” To sharpen these knives, use a honing rod or fine grit sharpening stone.
Pros:
- 🔪 Excellent price.
- 🔪 Feels very comfortable.
- 🔪 Cuts cooked meat well.
- 🔪 Decent durability for the cost.
Cons:
- 🔪 Sometimes arrives dull.
- 🔪 May need more regular sharpening.
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Stserrateak Knife Set of 8
A well-presented set of steak knives from one of the world’s best producers of kitchen products.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Stserrateak Knife Set of 8 Specifications
About the knife
We absolutely love this gift set of steak knives from Zwilling. They come in a gorgeous presentational box, but don’t assume that this is all flair and no function. These are very effective, high-carbon stainless steel knives that feel great in the hand.
Their serrated edge will stay sharp for a long time and the full-tang, the forged design offers exceptional durability for the sub-$100 asking price. We highly recommend this set for anyone who loves a dinner party or as the perfect home-cook gift.
The sharpness on offer here is fantastic for the price but falls short of our top picks listed above.
Maintenance and Cleaning
As with any high-quality steak knife, these should be hand washed in warm soapy water only. They should be dried as quickly as possible and stored away from other utensils. Follow Zwilling’s guidance for home sharpening.
Pros:
- 🔪 Gorgeous presentational box included.
- 🔪 High-carbon steel and a forged design.
- 🔪 Great sharpness retention.
- 🔪 Very affordable for the performance offered.
Cons:
- 🔪 The sharpness offered is just ok.
- 🔪 Not manufactured in Germany like other Zwilling knives.
5 Best Steak Knives – Our Conclusion
When picking a set of steak knives for yourself, remember to consider the following:
- 🔪 Sharpness and sharpness retention.
- 🔪 Included warranty.
- 🔪 Overall balance.
- 🔪 How easy they are to sharpen.
- 🔪 How comfortable they are.
If you keep an eye on these key factors, you should be well on your way to success. All of the items listed on this page are well worth a look in our opinion!
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