Best Steak Knives Reviews
I love preparing grand dinners for my neighbors, cousins, and friends, and although I prepare different meals, there is nothing quite like cutting into a nice juicy steak and serving it to the crowd. I have a very long history with the steak, and not all of it was pleasant, though.
I remember preparing dinner for my husband’s boss years ago, I showed the steak off and displayed a fine-looking set of knives to cut it in front of everyone, and the most unpleasant thing happened – my knife just couldn’t cut through the steak.
It was then that I decided not to let the good looks of a set fool me, and do proper research before jumping into a purchase.
That’s why I’ve prepared this ultimate steak knife guide so that this scenario can never happen to you.
Things That You Should Know Before Buying a Steak Knife
A steak knife has to be balanced, sharp, and pleasant to hold—qualities shared by all excellent kitchen knives. However, you should never base your assessment just on these characteristics. A steak knife, unlike a regular kitchen knife, needs to have a proper edge that won’t harm the surface on which the meat is sliced.
The reason for this is because a steak is often sliced on a plate rather on a forgiving cutting board.
A steak knife should also look and feel classy because it serves more purposes than merely cutting meat. Here are some factors to take into account while looking for the best steak knives available.
1. Types of Steak Knives
The debate over serrated or straight-edged steak knives might be as controversial as putting ketchup on fries versus keeping it on the side for dipping.
Here are some types and their key features that will help you choose the right one for you:
Straight-edge knives can cut through a steak like butter, leaving a smooth, clean-cut surface. However, as tempting as it may sound, they do still require sharpening after every half a dozen (or so) steaks cut.
Serrated steak knives will, as any steak knife review would point out, cut the meat into a bit more ragged bites than straight-edge knives, which makes a difference only if you find the perfect cut very important.
Micro-serrated edges are less similar to serrated steak knives than one would think. In fact, they’re much more like strait-edge knives, with the addition of microscopic serrations that tend to wear down easily.
Hollow-edge knives have measured indentations along the edge of the blade. The air pocket that is created due to these indentations prevents the meat from sticking to the blade and creates finer slices.
See Also: Picking the perfect knife block for your kitchen
2. The Blade Material
Two major types of materials for steak knives are stainless steel and high-carbon steel, but ceramic steak knives are also gaining much attention these days.
With stainless steel and ceramic steak knives, you won’t have to worry about rusting, while high-carbon steel requires additional care and consideration.
As for the ceramic vs stainless steel knives debate, you will have to make that decision based on your preference.
3. Handles
Handles for steak knives are available in various materials and colors. Materials range from plastic to wood and stainless steel.
The different knife handle shapes and materials will have different weights and feel in your hand, so make sure you try out the knife or research some steak knife reviews before purchasing.
Be aware that a large portion of the knife’s performance is its feel, which differs from person to person. Also, the materials will determine how to wash and maintain the knife.
See Also: Top-Rated Boning Knives – Reviews
4. Balance
Balance is not the first feature that pops to mind when choosing a good steak knife.
However, a good balance can sometimes be a much more important characteristic than sharpness itself, since it can largely determine how a knife will perform.
The main indicators of good balance you should look for are the knife that looks inviting to hold and pick up and the handle that looks proportional to the blade.
5. Good Fit
Another frequently overlooked feature, a good fit is an indicator of long-lasting and top-rated knives.
It means that all the components of the knife are put together tightly so that there are no gaps between the handle and the blade, and that that transition looks seamless.
The fit contributes to the knife’s strength and rigidity, but it will also prevent moisture, fluids, and contaminants from infiltrating the handle and shortening the knife’s lifecycle.
6. Price
Finally, when purchasing a steak knife, you will have to factor in the price you can pay.
Be aware, though, that if you want to save money, you will probably end up with poorer quality than you would like, and perhaps even have to buy a new one when it wears out.
In most cases, the price is the true reflection of what you’re getting.
Forged knives are generally more expensive than stamped ones, because the process of forging lasts longer, which results in the edge that holds longer.
Most Recommended Steak Knives: Detailed Reviews 2022
Now that you know the most important factors to take into consideration when purchasing a steak knife, it is time to take a look at some of the top-rated steak knife sets and see how they meet these requirements.
AmazonBasics Premium 8-Piece Steak Knife Set – A Bang for the Buck
- Eight steak knives with triple-riveted handles
- Micro-serrated edges
- Stain-resistant steel
- Full tang for pleasant weight and balance
AmazonBasics Premium 8-Piece Steak Knife Set offers eight very sharp, well-made steak knives, and they work rather well for their intended purpose. Рўhe single-piece construction and sharp edges promise great quality, while triple-riveted handles and full-tang design are providing excellent balance and fit.
AmazonBasics is an emerging brand that customers appreciate because they provide quality products at a price that most consumers can afford. However, for a third of the price of a high-end knife set, this 8-piece set has to have at least one flaw. In this case, that is a micro-serrated edge. As I’ve already mentioned above, those micro-serrations tend to wear down quickly, and sharpening can only make things worse.
It can’t be denied, though, that while they are sharp AmazonBasics’s knives are viciously sharp. Another drawback that was a big turnoff for me is the fact that they are to be washed by hand. With all the things said, it’s hard to escape the feeling that this set is aimed at mostly casual users that don’t spend much time in the kitchen.
Things I liked:
- Great price
- The excellent balance provided by the full-tang design
- Fine-looking triple-riveted handles
- Ergonomic handles
Things I didn’t like:
- Limited lifespan of micro-serrated edges
- Not dishwasher safe
J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL 8-pc Steak Knife Set – Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
- 8 steak knives
- Full-tang triple-riveted handles
- Micro-serrated edges
- Lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
- Stain-resistant steel
These Henkel steak knives have quite similar features as the previous entry, with the addition of a lifetime warranty and the possibility of washing in a dishwasher. The high-carbon stainless steel contributes to longevity, but the micro-serrated edges still don’t instill much trust.
However, Henckels is a company that has been equipping kitchens around the world with cookware for years, so we owe them the benefit of the doubt. If you looked through any Henckel’s knives reviews, you would see that the users are pretty satisfied.
Although the manufacturer points out dishwasher safety as an important feature, they still recommend hand washing. Furthermore, there have been some complaints about the knives (especially the handles) that were very much affected after several machine washings. The supposed lifetime warranty is only applied when there is some sort of breakage; everything else is attributed to wear and tear, which is no subject to warranty.
Things I liked:
- Durable high-carbon stainless steel
- Trustworthy manufacturer
- Pleasant weight and balance
- Quality construction and a good fit
Things I didn’t like:
- When compared to the previous entry, they don’t give much value for the price
- The “Dishwasher safe” feature is not legit
- Micro-serrated edges
Related: Top 5 Recommended Cutting Boards
DALSTRONG Steak Knives Set – Gladiator Series – German HC Steel – w/Sheaths – A True Superhero Set
- 4 steak knives
- High-carbon steel
- Serrated blade
- Triple-riveted pakka wood handle
- Lifetime warranty
Dalstrong set packs four high-performance steak knives that can cut through the meat like butter. They’re made of high-carbon German steel and have everything top-rated knife sets should have. The perfectly engineered serrated edge is tapered for flexibility so that it provides minimal slicing resistance. The ergonomic handle is very easy to hold and maneuver, and together with the blade, it gives the user a satisfying heft and feels.
I would point out the serrated edge as one of the most useful features of these knives, since it really gives value for your buck, and never has to be sharpened. In fact, Dalstrong steak knives should be a major argument in serrated vs plain edge discussion.
Their amazing and reward-winning design shouldn’t be left out when talking about the perks of these knives. This outstanding craftsmanship is a great addition to every kitchen.
The only major downside of this set is that it includes only four steak knives and that for this price an average consumer won’t be able to buy more sets.
Things I liked:
- Luxurious design
- Incredibly sharp serrated edge (no sharpening required)
- Minimal slicing resistance
- Satisfying balance and heft
- Ergonomic handle
- Nice weight
Things I didn’t like:
- A bit pricey considering the number of knives in the set
Related: Favorite Knife Sharpeners Available Online
Wusthof 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Steak Knife Set with Wooden Gift Box – Best of Both Worlds
- Eight steak knives
- High-carbon stainless steel
- Serrated blades
- Stainless handles
- Precision forged
- Wooden presentation box
- Lifetime warranty
Wusthof is a brand that is beyond any doubt among the foremost manufacturers of quality cutlery and they produce some of the finest German knives on the market. This knife set only confirms their good reputation.
Wusthof 8pcsteak 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Steak Knife Set is a part of the Wustof classic steak knives series and includes eight steak knives with exquisitely sharp serrated blades and bolstered handles that lower the likelihood of your fingers slipping down the blade while using them.
The single-sided serration brings the best of both worlds: edge retention that you wouldn’t get with straight-blade knives and smooth cutting action that is impossible with serrated steak knife.
Appearance-wise, these knives are very attractive. The clean lines and a high-gloss finish make them distinctively elegant, while the presentation box with a mahogany stain further enhances this feature.
The only real issue is the slimness of the handles which could pose a problem for people with larger hands.
Things I liked:
- Single-sided serration that enables excellent cutting and longevity
- Bolstered handles
- The elegant design of the handles and presentation box
- Very sharp and strong high-carbon steel
- Stainless handles
- Great balance
- Solid weight
- Easy to clean
Things I didn’t like:
- Slim handles that can be a nuisance for holding
- Short cutting strokes due to the small number of serrations
- Hand-wash only
- If you prefer light knives, you may not like them
See also: Quality Cutlery Sets Reviewed in 2022
Wusthof Gourmet 6-Piece Steak-Knife Set – Good for Your Budget, but Not for Your Steak
- Six steak knives
- Stamped high-carbon steel blades
- Triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles
- Tapered from base to tip
- Fine-edged blades
- Limited lifetime warranty
All the Wusthof steak knife sets are famous for their quality and durability, so we should expect that from this set too, right? Yes, but only to an extent. Their price range places them among the lower-priced products, and users can expect mixed results with them.
The six knives in Gourmet 6-Piece Steak-Knife Set are not dishwasher safe (no matter how hard the manufacturer advertises this feature), and the blades tend to lose their edge quicker than it’s expected. Besides, it is evident that quality-wise, in the clash stamped vs forged knives, forged win hands down.
The fine edges may cut the meat smoothly, leaving clean-cut pieces, but they require frequent sharpening, unlike the previous Wusthof product on this list. Although it doesn’t affect the performance, I find the synthetic material the handles are made of, quite poor both visually and quality-wise. It is inevitable for the handles to fade after repeated washing.
These budget knives are obviously nowhere near top-rated knife sets but can be a good short-term investment if you are planning to save money until you find the perfect steak knife set for your needs.
Things I liked:
- Stain-resistant blades
- A nice-looking set for the price
- Satisfying grip
- Good balance
Things I didn’t like:
- Fine-edged blades that require frequent sharpening
- They’re not dishwasher safe
- The handles look cheap
- The handles fade after just repeated washing, even when you wash them by hand
- If you’re expecting the same quality as with Wusthof classic steak knives, you’ll be disappointed
Related: Most Recommended Sharpening Steels Currently Available
The Greatest Steak Knives you Can Get are…
In the end, it is important to point out that when choosing the right steak knife set, you should factor in your own preference, besides the quality indicators I’ve mentioned above.
Some people like it when the knife is light in their hands, while others love to feel the weight of the steel.
Also, the two last entries should clarify that the question is not who makes the top-quality kitchen knives, but what the greatest specific knife set from a manufacturer is.
If I had to choose from these five sets, I would say that the best-rounded package is offered by DALSTRONG Steak Knives Set – Gladiator Series.
It provides everything a steak-lover asks for from a knife – from a razor-sharp serrated edge to an ergonomic handle that makes cutting a breeze.
If you are willing to pay that price for four steak knives, you won’t regret the purchase. 😉