No steak dinner is complete without a high performing steak knife and we believe we have come up with ten that are a cut above the rest. But before you check out our review of the 10 best steak knives, here’s our quick guide to what to look out for:
A great source of protein, a well-cooked steak is a joy to behold…and even better to eat. We all have our preferences – rare, medium or well done – and it can be a cooking challenge to get the end result spot on, but it is so worth the culinary effort. And when cooked outside on a well-fired up barbeque, there is no beating that delicious, chargrilled taste!
But with all that care needed to cook the perfect steak, no ordinary knife will do when you come to chow down…a steak knife is the only way to go. Designed to take the hack and grind out of slicing your T-bone or sirloin, you’ll be able to carve away at that succulent 10-ounce steak until your plate is wiped clean.
When looking for a steak knife set there are certain key things you really need to consider. Firstly, the blade, although this is a personal choice. Serrated blades mean they don’t need sharpening but can be more of a hack rather than a smooth slice when it comes to cutting your steak. A fine, straight-edged blade gives you more of that ‘cutting through butter’ feel but these steak knives do need regular sharpening maintenance. The size of the blade also matters, the smaller the blade length (between five and seven inches), the cleaner the cut and when it comes to stability and durability, you want the blade to go the full length – or tang – of the knife’s handle. So, there you have it. Now you know what you should be looking for in your perfect steak knife, read on…we are about to match you with your ideal steak slicing partner!
The Best Steak Knife
1AmazonBasics Premium 8-Piece Steak Knife Set
This solidly made AmazonBasics Premium Steak Knife Set would be our best steak knives choice on just price and looks alone but it is the performance of these steak knives that really do elevate them beyond the basic.
An ample eight-knife set from the AmazonBasics range, this is a perfect starter set that is designed to last. These knives have all the hallmarks of a more premium-priced steak knife set – substantial stain-resistant steel and a long, serrated blade that extends deep within the full length of the handle for balance and comfort. The triple-riveted handle also gives a secure feel in your hand as you cut. The micro-serrated blade doesn’t need sharpening and their classic steak knife looks will add weight to any dinner party, BBQ or grill night. And, despite the price, these are surprisingly substantial serrated steak knives, that are well-equipped to take on the toughest of cuts, and its slice is sufficiently clean. The long handle also keeps your fingers a safe distance from the sharp end of the business.
Micro-serrated edge never needs sharpening
Triple-riveted, ergonomically shaped handles
Forged from the single piece of stain-resistant steel
Full tang for comfort weight and balance
Not dishwasher safe – hand wash only
- BrandAmazonBasics
- Model0181
- Weight2.4 ounces
2Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set
The Avanta is a four-piece set from master knife-makers Messermeister that means serious slicing business. With a host of subtle and not so subtle features, this steak knife set makes carving your steak a cut above some of the more expensive sets out there.
With its straight five-inch blade seriously sharp, the Avanta also has an upswept boning edge to seamlessly separate your steak from its T-bone, while it’s fine edge neatly slices through all types of meats and joints. Made from high carbon stainless steel, the lightweight straight blade will need some maintaining to keep its edge, but nothing a good quality knife sharpener couldn’t whip into shape when needed. The stainless steel is also rust-resistant and holds its edge retention, meaning these knives are low maintenance and hardworking.
Five inch blade with upswept boning tip
Easy to sharpen straight edge
Made from rust-resistant German stainless steel
Comes with Knife for Life lifetime guarantee
Handle made from water-resistant pakkawood
- BrandMessermeister
- ModelL8684-5/4S
- Weight1.6 ounces
3Flying Colors Laguiole Style Steak Knife Set
Laguiole Style Steak Knives from Flying Colors have some nice French savoir-faire without the high style price tag. Modeled on the revered Laguiole design – a distinct, pocket knife shape originating from the small French town of Laguiole – at just over 20 bucks, these steak knives offer great value for money.
Coming in at a long nine inches for both blade and handle, these stainless steel steak knives are a good buy for everyday use but have top end restaurant looks. There’s a three riveted, the hollow handle for strength without packing on the weight, meaning they sit lightly and comfortably in your hand. The polished and ground blade itself is fine enough at 1.5mm and its serrated edge sufficiently sharp to make easy slicing work of most meat.
Eight-piece set in presentation box
Total knife length is nine inches
Made from dishwasher-safe stainless steel
Hollow handles with three rivets for strength
1.5mm thick serrated blade
- BrandFlyingColors
- ModelLAG08ST
- Weight1.2 pounds
4J.A. Henckels 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Steak Knife Set in Wood Gift Box
Time to go old school with J.A. Henckels steak knife set, which for just under $100, comes in a slick mahogany finish box that will bring a bit of culinary glamor to the dining table.
Containing eight nine-inch steak knives, this set will more than cater for all your meat-eating diners’ needs, with super tough but surprisingly sharp serrated blade edges to cut through the sirloin with minimum fuss. These serrated steak knives are made from lightweight but robust high-carbon stainless steel so can make easy work of even the toughest joints and their one-piece design means they will match the rest of your stainless steel cutlery. To keep your hand relaxed, the handle area is cleverly angled to protect your wrist when you need to put a bit more cutting pressure on. The blade and handle are also of equal length meaning the balance in your hand is light and natural, despite the total size of each steak knife.
Eight nine inch serrated steak knives
Made from high carbon stainless steel
18/10 stainless-steel handles
Angled handle to prevent wrist strain
Dishwasher safe
- BrandZWILLING J.A. Henckels
- Model39135-850
- Weight2.5 pounds
5Black Steak Knives Knife Set
Now’s here’s a super stylish steak knife set made by Las Vegas kitchenware specialists Foxel, that not only looks good but slices fine too, all without breaking the bank.
The razor-sharp straight edge on these top-rated steak knives means business when it comes to your ribeye or sirloin and cuts deliciously smooth through most meats. Made from high quality German stainless steel, the easy-grip handle is triple riveted for security and stability, but the whole knife is lightweight enough to sit comfortably in your hand. There’s a full tang to the handsome black handle too, meaning these kitchen knives are super durable and the blade stays impressively sharp between sessions with the knife sharpener.
Comes in a choice of six or 12 knives gift set
Made from high-quality Thyssen-Krupp stainless steel
Classic design with a straight edge blade
Full tang triple riveted black handles
Comes with one-year money back guarantee
- BrandFOXEL
- Weight1.2 pounds
6La Mongoose Steak Knife Set
If you’re looking for a birthday or Christmas gift for a steak-loving friend, then this bargain-priced steak knife set from La Mongoose could well hit the mark. A handsome looking six-piece set, complete with its own beech wood presentation box, the La Mongoose steak knife set is certainly an impressive gift and, at around $30, the price is a head-turner too.
But what about the performance of these steak knives, or is it simply all style over substance? Well, at five inches they are amongst the smallest steak knives in this review, but their short length means that they hold really well in the hand. And, with a full tang through to the end of the handle, there’s a nice balance to how they feel.
Five-inch fine edged slicing and carving knife
Made from carbon hardwearing stainless steel
Tapered tip for cleanly removing meat from the bone
Ergonomically designed pakkawood handle
Hand-wash recommended only
- BrandLa Mongoose
- ModelSteak Knives
- Weight1.8 pounds
7Enso HD 6-piece Steak Knife Set
The Enso is the total heavyweight of our top-rated steak knives review, both in reputation and design. They are also at the top end of the budget, with a set of six high-quality steak knives for just shy of $400, making them a real investment piece.
There’s no denying these steak knives are almost a work of art: Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, the 37-layer blade comes complete with a stunning hammered surface and the Enso mark, which includes the Japanese symbol for harmony. And when it comes to slicing meat, this is just how these steak knives work. At nine inches, these are substantial steak knives that are razor sharp. Made from Damascus stainless steel, the Enso offers excellent edge retention, ensuring longer times between sessions with the knife sharpener. The full tang blade and handle construction looks seamless and offers superior quality durability and balance.
VG-10 steel cutting core for excellent edge retention
37-layer stainless Damascus blades with hammered finish
Double bevel edge for both right and left-handed use
Durable and smooth black canvas micarta handle
Comes with a lifetime warranty
- BrandEnso
8BRIIEC Matte Black Titanium Plating Stainless Steel Steak Knives
If you are wanting to make a real impact at your dinner party, then get your hands on a set of these Matte black titanium steak knives from Briiec and get prepared to totally impress your guests!
Stainless steel with a stunning matt black titanium coating, these steak knives will take your meal over to the dark side and add some fine-dining cool to your table. But it’s not all about the looks with these micro-serrated steak knives, they are more than tough enough to cope with all meats and cooking preferences.
Eight-piece micro-serrated steak knife set
Made from rust-free, durable stainless steel
Titanium coated for enhanced surface hardness
Well-balanced and fits securely in your hand
Dishwasher safe
- BrandBRIIEC
- Weight1.45 pounds
Sources
- Everything you need to know about steak knives – Get Your Knives
- Three ways to sharpen your steak knife - WikiHow