The Best Steak Knives We've Ever Tested
If there's a steak on your plate, it needs the proper knife for cutting. Unlike your standard butter knife that may get you by for softer items, a dedicated steak knife will slice through your favorite cuts of beef like, well, butter. There are several factors to consider before buying one, though.
“You should be looking at the blade and the type of steel as well as whether it is serrated or not,” says Alex Delecroix, director of U.S. sales and operations at Opinel. “Then, pay attention to the handle material and whether it’s dishwasher safe. Lastly, the weight and balance of the knife is mostly driven by the tang of the knife construction.”
To determine which steak knives are worthy of home-cooked filets, sirloins, and more, we tested 20 of the most popular options in our own homes, evaluating them on design, size, performance, cleaning, and value. In addition to Delecroix, we spoke to Aaron Foster, owner of Foster Sundry, Sheila Patinkin, owner of Vermont Wagyu, and Howard Kalachnikoff, chef at Rolo’s in New York City.
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Although the blade is serrated, it cuts through steak just as smoothly as a straight blade.
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It's harder to sharpen serrated blades yourself.
Having a set of six knives instead of the average four is handy if you frequently entertain or eat steak often and want several dedicated knives at the ready. This collection from Viking is an incredible value, offering not only more knives for less but also a similar look and feel to more expensive four-piece sets we’ve tested. They boast a full tang blade made of stainless steel and can be safely secured in the included display-worthy wood storage box. Everything about this set feels luxurious.
A big difference between these knives and our other top picks is that they are slightly serrated. Serrated knives are often frowned upon because they are more difficult to sharpen and don’t produce as clean of cuts as straight blades. However, we didn’t find that to be the case. Each cut was clean and smooth—we felt as if we were cutting right through butter. Considering this, the design, comfortable handles, and more, we'd buy these in a heartbeat.
Material: Stainless steel | Blade Type: Serrated | Blade Length: 5 inches
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Wade Review / Allison Wignall
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They cost less than $30 and come in both straight and serrated blade options.
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The handle is hollow and therefore not as stable.
This budget-friendly knife had no problem keeping up with the competition. The sharp blade sliced through a filet like butter, producing even cuts with practically no effort at all. We also used it on other foods, including fruits and vegetables, and they chopped through each with ease.
These knives are made of a high-carbon stainless steel, a material known for its durability. Plus, unlike other steak knife sets, you can choose between sets of six or eight instead of the usual four, adding to this product’s overall value. Considering its solid performance, good looks, and incredibly low price, we think this is an absolute steal.
You can buy these steak knives in straight or serrated blades. Although these steak knives are dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends you wash them by hand (which is a good rule of thumb for all knives as to not dull the blades). They clean up super quick, though, and just require a brief scrub with warm water and soap.
Material: High carbon stainless steel | Blade Type: Straight or serrated | Blade Length: 4.5 inches
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