The Best Steak Knives for 2021
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Best Steak Knives
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Dig into your favorite cut of beef with this cutlery designed for everyday use. To help you select which set is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best steak knives currently available.
UPDATED: September 27, 2021.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Bellemain Premium Steak Knives because they feature full-tang stainless steel construction and hollow ground blades.
To help you find the set that works for you, let’s go over some of the basic components and features of a standard kitchen knife.
RELATED: The Best Knife Sets
The two main parts of a knife I am sure you are familiar with are the blade and the handle. These two parts have several sub-components that are important to understand.
Tang
The tang is what connects the bolster (see below) to the handle of the knife. There are two kinds of tangs: partial tang and full tang. A partial tang does not extend the full length of the handle, while a full tang does. A full tang is generally preferable as it offers greater durability and balance.
Bolster
The bolster is a component of forged knives and it connects the tang to the blade. To help protect your hand, some knives feature a bolster that extends along the back of the blade.
Rivets
Rivets are what are used to secure the handle to the tang. The “triple-rivet” design is the most common in knife design. The handle is usually made from wood or some kind of polymer-based material.
Handle Materials
Most handles for steak knives are constructed from either wood or ABS plastic. Wood has a more premium feel but does require more care to maintain. For knives forged out of one piece of steel, the handle is simply a continuation of the blade material.
Blade Materials
The two most common materials used for blades are high-carbon steel and stainless steel. High-carbon steel has the benefits of maintaining a sharp edge and being resistant to staining and rust. This should not be confused with simply “carbon steel” which is prone to discoloration. Stainless steel is also resistant to rust and corrosion but tends to not hold an edge as long as high-carbon steel.
Serrated Cutting Edge
As the name implies, the cutting edge is the outmost edge of the knife that runs the length of the blade. For most steak knives, this edge has been honed and includes serrations that create pressure at each point of contact. The cutting action then removes the material being cut, creating a relatively rough end result compared with a straight-edge blade. However, this design makes it much easier to cut through meat and other tough foods.
Blade Grinds
The blade grind is the profile created when the cutting edge of the knife is formed. There is a wide range of grind types including hollow-ground, full flat, saber, chisel, convex, and more.
Hollow-ground forms a concave or inward curved profile and is one of the most common. This design forms a thin edge that can quickly remove material which makes it ideal for slicing meats.
Sharpening
A serrated knife is typically harder to sharpen than a standard straight edge blade. However, some electric sharpeners will also work on serrated blades and the specific process will vary based on the model. However, you will typically only use the final stage of a multi-stage unit to sharpen serrated blades.
How To Use An Electric Sharpener
Turn on the sharpener and place the back of the knife at the top of one of the guide slots.
Using even pressure but not pushing too hard pull the knife at a consistent speed all the way through.
Switch to the adjacent slot and perform the same motion.
Repeat this process until the blade has reached the desired sharpness. The number of pulls will vary depending on the dullness of the blade when you started.
Here is a quick video demonstrating the sharpening process:
Cleaning
Something to keep in mind for cleaning, is that you should typically avoid placing knives with wooden handles in the dishwasher. So if hand washing is a deal-breaker you may want to go with a metal or ABS handle but check the specific manufacturer’s recommendations.
So here is my list of The Best Steak Knives for 2021.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: Bellemain Premium Stainless Steel Steak Knives
The Bellemain knives are a four-piece set with stainless steel construction for long-lasting durability.
Features a hollow ground blade that is designed to improve slicing with the thin edge profile.
Includes an ergonomically designed handle that provides a firm and comfortable grip.
Features a five-inch blade with a full tang for strength and control.
Made with ice-tempered steel which gives the knives a longer edge life.
Runner-up: Dalstrong Gladiator Series Steak Knives
The Dalstrong Gladiator Series knives are constructed from a single-piece of high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel.
Equipped with laminated Pakkawood handles for a modern, elegant design.
Features a tall blade height that allows for hand clearance when cutting.
Equipped with a blade that features an attractive satin finish.
Features a tapered design that offers both hardness and flexibility.
Includes a chromium finish for stain resistance.
Best for a Dishwasher: J.A. Henckels International Stainless Steel Steak Knives
The J.A. Henckels knives feature a simple design that offers the ability to be safely placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Constructed from a single piece of stainless steel for a durable design.
Offers both corrosion and rust resistance for a long life.
Equipped with a serrated cutting edge for quick cuts through tough meats.
Includes eight knives in the set.
Must-have Accessory
Don't forget the sharpener.
Best Modern Design: Wusthof Stainless Steel Steak Knives
The Wusthof knives feature a clean modern design for an attractive table presentation.
Constructed from stainless steel for corrosion and rust resistance.
Equipped with a serrated cutting edge for quick cuts through tough meats.
Made from a single piece of steel for a durable design.
Includes six knives in the set.
Note: this set is not dishwasher safe.
Best Value: AmazonBasics Premium Steak Knives
The AmazonBasics features a full-tang design for long-lasting durability and control when cutting.
Constructed from stain-resistant steel for an attractive finish.
Equipped with a triple rivet handle for a classic appearance.
Includes a full bolster to maintain and spacing and control while cutting
Equipped with micro-serrated edges designed for cutting tough meats.
Includes eight knives in the set.
Best Full Stainless: IsheTao Steak Knives
The IsheTao teak knives are constructed from a single piece of stainless steel for long-lasting strength and durability.
Equipped with micro-serrated edges designed for cutting tough meats.
Features a dishwasher-safe design for quick and easy cleaning.
Includes six knives in the set.
Comes with a lifetime warranty.
Best for Professionals: TUO Steak Knives
The TUO Steak Knives are constructed from German high-carbon stainless steel for long-lasting durability.
Equipped with a 3D water flow pattern that acts like a Granton Edge to prevent food from sticking to the side of the blade.
Includes four knives with a 5-inch long blade with a 12 to 15-degree cutting edge angle.
Features steel that has been treated to resist rust and corrosion.
Equipped with a straight-edge cutting blade for easier sharpening.
Comes with a gift box and a polishing cloth.
Best Budget Option: Cuisinart C77TR-9PSK Triple Rivet Steak Knives
The Cuisinart triple rivet knives feature blades constructed from high-carbon stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
Features tapered ground blades that are fixed to the handle with stainless steel rivets.
Equipped with a wide forged safety bolster.
Features full-tang construction for durability.
Includes six 4-1/2 inch steak knives
Best Classic Design: Flying Colors Buffalo Horn Handle Steak Knives
The Flying Colors knives feature an elegant Buffalo Horn handle for a classic design aesthetic.
Equipped with decorative pattern and bee design on the back of the handle for a sophisticated appearance.
Features a blade constructed from stainless steel for both rust and corrosion resistance.
Equipped with a triple rivet handle for a premium look.
Features an 8-1/2-inch overall length with a 4-inch long blade.
Features a straight-edge cutting blade for easier sharpening.
Includes six knives in the set.
Note: this set is not dishwasher safe.
Best Rustic Design: Chicago Cutlery High-Carbon Steel Steak Knives
The Chicago Cutlery Basics set includes four steak knives with natural wood handles for a rustic appearance.
Equipped with high-carbon stainless steel blades for rust and stain resistance.
Features a 25-degree angled cutting edge with a serration for effective cutting.
Offers a three-rivet handle design for a classic look.
Includes a full metal tang provides for straight and control.
I hope this list of the best steak knives was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
