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Best steak knives - Top 9
Messermeister Avanta (4 pieces)
Wusthof Gourmet (6 pieces)
Cangshan N1 Series 59496 (8 pieces)
J.A. Henckels Steak Knife Set (8 pieces)
Victorinox Swiss Steak Knife Set (6 pieces)
Messermeister Avanta (4 pieces)
Wusthof Gourmet (6 pieces)
Cangshan N1 Series 59496 (8 pieces)
J.A. Henckels Steak Knife Set (8 pieces)
Victorinox Swiss Steak Knife Set (6 pieces)
4 Flying Colors Laguiole Style Steak Knife Set 9
Black Steak Knives Knife Set
Dalstrong Gladiator Series Steak Knives Set
AmazonBasics Steak Knife Set
4 Flying Colors Laguiole Style Steak Knife Set 9
Black Steak Knives Knife Set
Dalstrong Gladiator Series Steak Knives Set
AmazonBasics Steak Knife Set
The Best Set: Messermeister Avanta (4 Pieces) Review
Messermeister Avanta
These straight type knives are the best steak knives for the money. They’re cheaper than plenty of the products on this list yet it performs better than all of them. It has a lifetime warranty, which really shows how much confident their manufacturer has on them.
The Messermeister has full tang blades. It’s made of high-grade stainless steel, but its handle is pure pakkawood. It’s strictly hand wash only so don’t even try to test it on a dishwasher.
Why We Like It
- Resistant to deterioration
- Cheaper than you’d expect
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Full tang blades
The Most High-End: Wusthof Gourmet Steak Knife Set (6 Pieces) Review
Wusthof Gourmet
If you want a very high-quality set of steak knives, then go for Wusthof steak knives. They’re one of the sharpest and most durable ones out there. They’re German made and use only hight grade stainless steel. They’re also full tang so you don’t have to worry about their balance on your hand.
This set always makes it to top steak knife reviews on the Internet. Any Wusthof steak knives review that you can read online will only tell you good things about it. It’s an impressive set, and one of the most comfy that we’ve tried using.
Why We Like It
- Very high-end
- Full tang
- Sleek Design
- Very comfortable when held
The Most Durable: Cangshan N1 Series 59496 (8 pieces) Review
Cangshan N1
Cangshan knives breath quality. It’s made in Germany, and you feel that it’s a really well manufactured product from the very first time that you hold it. These knives are full tang but instead of hiding the tang under a wood or plastic, it’s made to be the actual handle. This makes the knives so balanced under your hand.
This 8 piece set comes with a smooth block storage made of acacia. It’s very elegant and amazing that you can definitely display it in a cupboard where your guests can see them. The Cangshan may be serrated, but it's extremely sharp blades make such clean cuts that you wouldn’t feel that it has teeth in its edges.
We don’t have many bad things to say about Cangshan. It’s a really well put together product. Perhaps the only thing that we do have a slight problem with it’s faint worthy price. It’s so expensive that you can buy three or four of some of the sets here before you can afford this one.
Why We Like It
- German quality
- Very sleek design
- Comes with a nice storage block
- Full tang
- Very Durable
The Most Elegant: J.A. Henckels Steak Knife Set (8 Pieces) Review
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J.A. Henckels
This steak knife set is one of the most elegant that we’ve seen. Its steel handles are so shiny that your guests will have a hard time keeping their hands of them. They’re a little heavy but balanced and comfortable in the hand. The blades are serrated but extremely sharp that they still give you a very clean cut despite having those teeth.
This 8 piece set comes with a beautiful Auburn wooden box made of mahogany. To really show their confidence in their product, its manufacturer gave it a generous lifetime warranty. So whatever happens during deliver or manufacturing, you’re very sure that your money is protected, and that you’ll get what you paid for.
Pros
- Looks really elegant
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Can be washed through a dishwasher
- Comes with a nice box
Cons
- Comes with box which is not very quality
Swiss Quality: Victorinox Swiss Steak Knife Set (6 Pieces) Review
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Victorinox
The Victorinox might seem familiar to you because it a classic. It’s made by the same company that makes Swiss army knives. They’re really durable and made of pure steel. They are known as the best serrated steak knives in the market.
It’s the best rated steak knife set about 3-4 years ago when it first came out. It’s still one of the best sellers, but it can’t compare to the current best ones in the market anymore. However, almost all Victorinox steak knives review on the Internet would tell you that this is one of the most comfy steak knives out there. It’s built and design makes it very easy on the hand.
The Victorinox is serrated, which means that it’s easier to clean and maintain. It’s also not the most elegant looking knife set in the market. Plus, it’s a little expensive compared to the price of Messermeister, which is best rated product on this list.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Made in Switzerland
- Serrated type
Cons
- Not as impressive as the best rated steak knives but more expensive
- Heavy
The Most Elegant: 4 Flying Colors Laguiole Style Steak Knife Set (8 Pieces) Review
4 Flying Colors
If you’ve never heard of Laguiole before, then take a look at the handle of these laguiole steak knives. That’s what it means. It’s designed to enhance the balance as well as the overall aesthetics of any cutlery and in this case, these steak knives.
This knives set is so elegant and balanced that you can display them anywhere, and they’d still attract attention. Their steel handles are to die for. Even if they are serrated, the designs of the teeth on their edges are so thin and so tiny that they barely made any mess when you’re cutting meat. Plus, it helps that the blades are super sharp.
The only thing that we hate about this is its blade length. We know that longer blades make poor steak knives. It’s only restaurants that use those because they’re more elegant, and they look good on a table. Sadly, this knife has a whooping 9-inch blade whereas plenty of products on this list only have an average of 4-5 inches.
Pros
- Nice design
- Nice teeth design
- Plenty of knives in a single set
- Full stainless steel
- Can be washed using a dishwasher
- Comes with a nice, elegant box
- Laguiole style
Cons
The Sharpest: Black Steak Knives Knife Set (6 Piece) Review
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Black Steak
If you’re looking for cheap straight knives that can get the job done, then try these black steak knives. It kind of reminds you of Tojiro Utility knife, one of the best Japanese steak knives in the market. It’s sharp and well balanced. It has a 30 day money-back guarantee which shows that its maker has plenty of confidence in its efficiency.
These steak knives are full tang. They’re quite heavy and look well put together, which is surprising considering how cheap it is. It comes with a nice black box that’s so elegant. If you’re looking for a budget knife set that could still get the job done, go for these knives.
Sadly, it does have its flaws. For one thing, it's serrated and its teeth design aren't so good. It will shred your meat rather than make a clean cut. Also, it’s not the most elegant looking knives out there. It just looks like a regular kitchen knife that you can buy anywhere so if you’re heavy on aesthetics, skip this one.
Pros
- Full tang
- Comes with a nice case
- Has a 30 day Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not the best-looking steak knife out there
- Teeth edges are badly designed
The Nicest Tang: Dalstrong Gladiator Series Steak Knives Set (4 Pieces) Review
Dalstrong Gladiator
If you’re looking for cheap but still German quality knives, then check out this Dalstrong. It’s not the best-looking knife out there, but it’s well-made and you can really feel it when you hold it. It’s a full tang and really well balanced.
This set of knives is serrated. It comes with a nice storage box that’s made to slow down its deterioration and protect it from damages. It may not look like it but its handles are made of pakkawood and steel. They’re durable and long lasting.
The only problem that we have with it is its teeth edge. They’re so big and so far apart that the knife makes a ridiculous mess when cutting meat. Plus, you can’t really show these knives off; they look like regular kitchen knife.
Pros
- Full tang
- German quality
- Staggered
- Has a great storage box
- Comfortable wood handles
Cons
The Cheapest: Amazon Basics Steak Knife Set (8 Piece) Review
Amazon Basics
This Amazon set is the cheapest one here. It’s not the best quality set, but it gets the job done. It’s under 15 dollars and you really can’t hope for much with that kind of price. Still, it’s full tang and you get eight of them in a single purchase so it’s not all that bad.
These knives are serrated. They’re not the sharpest knives out there, but they’re work and they do cut meat, although a little messy. Their handles are not that comfortable, but they don’t hurt even with extended use so you can say that they’re ok.
You can only hand wash these. They probably won’t even live that long, but if you only need them for one big occasion, they would do. They deteriorate fast so keep them in a room with a nice temperature and don’t store them wet.
Pros
- Plenty of knives in a single set
- Serrated
- Full tang
- The cheapest one here
Cons
- Can’t be washed using a dishwasher
- The handles are uncomfortable
- Rusts very fast even with constant cleaning
Buyer’s Guide: All You Need to Know About Steak Knives
If you didn’t understand half of the terminologies up there in the review, don’t worry. They will all be clear once you read these discussions below. These are everything that you need to know about steak knives. If you’re planning to buy a set soon, these will come in handy in and help you get the best steak knives that will suit your tastes.
Types of Steak Knives
1. Staggered
Pros:
- They can cut through hard meat.
- They are easier to clean, sharpen and maintain.
- They don’t need frequent sharpening.
Cons:
- They are not that elegant.
- Their teeth make their cuts look messy.
Staggered are not the best-looking knives in any kitchen. Their teeth make them look brutish and harsh. For that reason, restaurants and elegant places don’t usually use this type of knife for their tables. It stands out a lot and makes terrible looking cuts.
However, Staggered are easier to clean. They don’t need sharpening as often as straight knives do. Their cuts might be messier, but it’s definitely more powerful because of its little teeth at the edge of its blade.
2. Straight
Pros:
- They are aesthetically pleasing.
- They cut meat very cleanly.
Cons:
- They require constant maintenance.
- They go blunt fast.
The top rated steak knives on this list, Messermeister, are of this type of steak knives. Straight knives make the best steak knives for elegant diners and high-class restaurants. They’re so sleek, and they blend really well with arranged tables whereas serrateds stand out.
Straight knives need to be sharpened a lot. Their straight, thin edges get easily blunt, and so you need to regularly take them to professional knife handlers or sharpen them yourself. If you’re buying steak knives to show off to your guests, then go with this type of steak knives.
What Makes the best steak knives?
With that many choices in the market, how do you choose which one will work best for you? Here are the main things that you need to consider when buying steak knives for your home. Read each of them carefully and keep them at the back of your mind.
Balance
This feature is often dismissed by many people, but it’s very important and it will affect your hand’s comfortability while using a set. Balance just means that the blade, and the handle of a steak knife set compliment each other perfectly. This when neither of them feel too heavy or too light in your hand.
Blade Size
If you want comfort, choose the set with short blades, but if you want better looking knives, then choose the longer ones. Restaurants like longer blades because they look more elegant on a table. On the other hand, steak knife sets with shorter blades often regularly top any steak knives review on the internet. It’s because they can cut through the meat faster and give its handler more control over their food.
Blade Handle
A steak knife’s handle will determine how comfortable it’ll feel in your hand. It’ll also decide how much maintenance they’ll need and where they can be stored. Knives with wooden handles need more care. They can’t be dish washed and they definitely can’t just be stored in a cupboard with the rest of your cutlery.
Steel handles aren’t as needy. They can be washed using a dishwasher or by hand, and they don’t need to be stored in a particular place. Unless, of course, you don’t want scratches on them. They also stay in pristine condition for longer than knives with wooden handles as long as you take good care of them.
Material
The best rated steak knives are made of stainless steel. That material makes knives last longer and prevents them from getting deteriorated in any way. Stainless steel needs a lot of cleaning and maintenance, but they can last forever if you take good care of it.
That’s why it’s important to be critical on the material of any set that you’re checking out. It’ll determine it’s longevity, and the amount of maintenance that it needs. It’ll also affect their price.
Fit
Fit just basically means manufacturing. When looking for the best steak knife set, you’d want to check how well connected their handles and their blades are. Good steak knives don’t have even a tiny hole in that area. That’s how you know that it’s well manufactured, and that it’ll feel comfortable in your hand.
Knife Tang
Knife tangs are the blades inside your steak knife’s handle. It’s not that hard to imagine why they’re important. A knife with a complete and full tang will last longer and feel nicer on the hand. They are also better balanced than those sets with tiny tangs.
Blade Type
The type of blade that will work best for you will depend on what you plan to use the steak knife for. Staggered knives work best with hard meat and steak with plenty of bones. Straight types, on the other hand, looks better on at table and are best used for showing off.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still confused, check out these questions and see if any of them can help you out. These are common questions that people have when they go shopping for steak knives for the very first time.
What Steak Knives Are Best?
All in all, we do think that the Messermeister set is the best steak knives 2023 has to offer. It’s the most high-quality set that we’ve tested among the 10 that are on this list. It’s elegant design and full tang blade is a real winner, and it’s low price definitely sets it apart from everyone else.
Are Serrated Steak Knives Better?
Serrated steak knives are good for some things. They’re not for every occasion nor household and some people actually don’t like them at all. Serrated steak knives are easier to clean, and they don’t need that much maintenance. Whereas non serrated steak knives need constant sharpening. This fact alone makes serrated models the best steak knives 2023 can produce.
However, serrated steak knives look far more brutal than straight knives. Plus, the cut that they make is messy and staggered because of their teeth like edges. If you’re going for a presentable and very elegant table, then straight knives are the best choice. However, if you want a powerful knife that stays sharper for longer, then go with serrated ones.
Which knives are better Henckels or Wusthof?
The answer to this question actually depends on your taste. Wusthof is a straight type blade whereas Henckles is a serrated type. Both knives are made in Germany, and they possess the quality and craftsmanship that German cutlery is very famous for.
Any henckels steak knives review on the Internet would tell you that it’s Henckles. Although, these two products are almost the same in quality, we’d have to agree with the reviews. Wusthof is longer than Henckels by about half an inch.
This might seem unimportant, but it’ll actually make all the difference. Shorter knives tend to feel more comfortable in the hand, and the shorter Henckels fit perfectly on ours when we tried it. It’s also aesthetically more pleasing the Wusthof. So we do think that Henckel knives are better than Wusthofs .
How to Sharpen Steak Knives?
You could either go to a professional and have it done or use the best electric knife sharpener that you can get your hands on. We do suggest the professional, especially if you have an expensive set. However, sharpening is still a good skill to have if you’re daring, and you’re willing to put your good steak knives through all that experimenting, then by all means go for it.
How to Store Steak Knives?
Many of the best knife sets come with their own bags or boxes. No matter how much you hate the container; it’s best to keep using it to store your knives. No matter what it’s made of, it’s specifically designed to hold and protect that steak knife set. So no other container can do the job better than that one.
Before storing, make sure that your knives are dry and spotless. Almost all of the best steak knives on the market are made of stainless steel and packing those up while they’re wet, will deteriorate them faster. Just make sure to check them twice and thrice before putting them away.
Which Steak Knives Do Good Restaurants Use?
Restaurant are heavy on aesthetics. They will pick the better-looking sets than those really high-quality steak knives. They usually go for longer knives because of how graceful they look and how much better they look at a table.
Restaurants also favor straight edged knives than serrated ones, which is why the Messermeister is a top pick. It’s woof handle and smooth blades make it nice to look, even in a well-organized table.
A Must-Have for 2023
Now that you know what you should be looking for, it’s time to take a pick. Just remember to focus on balance, material, and manufacturing when choosing. Also, try to take blade length into consideration before buying a set.
We think that every single one of the sets on our list will work great for your needs, but if you need the best steak knives on the market, the Messermeister Avanta is the best one we can recommend. It’s superior to every other set on this list in every way. It won’t let you down.
Now you only need a good steak, and everyone of your weekends will be solved. We in MyKitchenAdvisor do recommend getting the best charcoal grills and the best natural gas grill to achieve the perfect steak to go with that good set of knives.