Best Steak Knives

Jorge Farah

Dalstrong shogun series steak knives on black background

Shogun Series Steak Knife Set (4)

Best Steak Knives

8-Piece Steak Knife Set | White ABS Handles with Storage Block | Gladiator Series | Knives NSF Certified | Dalstrong ©

Gladiator Series 8-Piece Steak Set

1. The Benefits Of A Good Steak Knife

Crusader Series Steak Knife Set - NSF Certified

Steak knives hold a special place in our culture. If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching those late-night infomercials that proudly declared “if you call now, we’ll throw in a set of steak knives.” It seems like the promise of a set of steak knives used to be everywhere.

The steak dinner is what we would nowadays refer to as a “low-key luxury.” Though it is, on the whole, a fairly accessible meal, there is still an air of rarity to it. When you sit down with a friend to enjoy a couple of steaks, it feels like a special occasion. And if you’re having people over for dinner, there are few better ways to make them feel valued than by serving them a juicy steak.

And when you have people over, you want to make their experience as enjoyable as possible. This is why, for example, we go through the extra effort of setting a table for various occasions. We are telling our guests “you are important to us, and we want to go the extra mile to make this experience nice for you.”

And while we take other preparations for granted -- like setting the table, like picking the right lighting and music, and dressing up nicely -- it is surprising to me that more people don’t think about the cutlery they lay out for their guests to use.

Think about it. By this point, you’ve worked hard to perfect the best method for how to cook a steak, painstakingly laboring through every single step of the process. You’ve cleaned up your home, made it look and feel nice and welcoming for your guests. And then when you sit down to eat, do you really want to submit them to a less-than-optimal dining experience with a low-quality steak knife?

A good steak knife will feel great to hold (snugged comfortably within the user’s palm), it will feel great to use (slicing through steak effortlessly), and it will look great. You want it to match your decor and also look powerful, imposing, impressive on a physical level. It might even spark a conversation, and you want that conversation to be “where did you get these?”

Of course, steak knives aren’t just for guests or family members. If you live alone, you also want to make sure you’re using a knife that enhances the flavor and texture of the meat instead of ruining it by tearing bluntly through it. If you apply a bad blade to a piece of meat, it will inevitably lose its juiciness.

So don’t skimp out on your steak knives. Don’t wait for the last-minute infomercial offer -- those are probably not very good if they’re throwing them in free when you order a juicer. Find a good set of steak knives made out of good quality material (I favor stainless steel) that will elevate the dining experience for yourself and for others.

And if you don’t know what to look for, hey… that’s why we’re here! We’ll go over everything you need to know in order to buy the best steak knives. We’ll talk about the different types of blades, the different factors to consider when picking your steak knives, our picks for best steak knives, and then we’ll answer some frequently asked questions.

2. Different Types Of Steak Knives

Gladiator Series Straight-Edge 4 Piece Steak Knife Set

Of course, not all steak knives are the same. When picking the best steak knife to buy, you have to think about what you want, and what will be best for your dining experience. We’ll talk about what to look for in a steak knife in the next section, but first let’s get some basics out of the way -- what types of steak knives are there?

There are three types of blade to consider when looking for steak knives. A lot of this is going to come down to personal preference, so it’s hard to give a definite answer as to which one is best. First, let’s lay out what the differences are.

Straight edge	A steak knife with a straight edge will allow for smooth clean cutting without tearing. This will require more sharpening than a serrated edge, but it will also be much easier to sharpen.
Serrated edge	Probably the most “classic” style of steak knife. The serrations make it easy to cut through crusts and roasts, as they “bite” down on the meat and tear through the fibers with ease.
Hollow edge	This style of steak knife will have measured indentations along the blade’s edge, creating an air pocket between the hollow edge and the slice. This makes for finer slices and prevents food from sticking to the blade.

Again, this will come down to personal preference. Maybe you’re drawn to the easy maintenance of the serrated edge, maybe you’re more excited by the smooth slicing of a straight edge, or maybe the efficiency and cleanliness of the hollow edge is for you.

Below, we’ll list our choices for best steak knives, and we’ve made sure to include examples of all three of these types of blades for you to pick from.

Learn more about where Dalstrong Knives are manufactured here!

3. What To Look For In A Steak Knife

Gladiator Series Serrated Steak Knife Set (4)

In order to decide on which steak knife set to buy, you must take a few important factors into consideration. However, unlike other kitchen catch-alls like the chef’s knife, the paring knife or the utility knife, we have a specific use in mind. This is a knife that will be used specifically to cut into a steak, so we must guide our thinking towards that direction.

Sharpness

Sharpness is a key concern. We want to make sure to buy a blade that is sharp, with good edge retention, and also powerful and resilient to withstand continued sharpening over the years. Also, be on the lookout for a full tang blade. Having a full tang is best for your safety and the longevity of your knife.

Quality

Quality of materials is also something to think about. A high carbon stainless steel knife blade, for example, will give you much better results and last longer. Ceramic blades, stainless steel blades, forged knives, they each have their own quirks to take into consideration.

For the longest time, I didn’t give steak knives a second thought. I figured they were a strictly utilitarian thing; you just bought the cheapest one you could find at the store, and then when that stopped being good you just picked up another set. I’m sure it’s obvious to you now why that is a bad idea.

You could buy a flimsy, low-quality set of steak knives just about anywhere, and probably for a pretty good price. But if you skimp out on the quality, you’re going to find yourself buying them over and over again. With the proper amount of care, a good set of steak knives will last you years.

Comfort

As with any knife, it’s important to think about comfort. You’ll be using these knives at the dinner table, and you want to ensure that using them contributes to an overall positive dining experience. You want them to feel nice and easy to manage, contributing to the overall pleasurable experience of sharing a meal with people.

Not only that, but comfort goes hand in hand with safety. A comfortable, easy grip will not only spare you discomfort but also improve the knife’s accuracy and maneuverability, which will make dining enjoyable and safe. Plastic handle, pakkawood handle, stainless steel handle… these are all variables to consider.

Design

Finally, it would be downright disingenuous of us to focus solely on the functional aspects of steak knives. These are knives you’ll be sharing with guests, so of course you also want them to look stylish and elegant. You want them to spark conversation, so you want them to look just as good as everything else on your table setting. This might sound superficial, but looks are also important to take into consideration.

We’ve made note of these factors on our list of best steak knives below.

4. Best Steak Knives

1. The Frost Fire Series 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

We start off strong with this stylish collection. If dazzling your dinner guests is on your list of priorities, you’ll love Dalstrong’s Frost Fire Series, a collection of light-weight, razor-sharp stainless steel knives with an icy cold look. Not only do they look absolutely stunning, but they are absolute powerhouses when it comes to performance.

PROS:

Beautiful “frosted” look thanks to a precision-based sandblast finish.
Engineered with a 7-layer high-carbon stainless steel with added cobalt and expert heat-treatment.
Extremely sharp, at a 16-18° degree angle per side.
Slender, ergonomic white-resin handle with a beautiful honeycomb finish. Feels great, looks great.

CONS:

The “frosted” look might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Some home cooks might prefer a slightly longer blade.

2. Gladiator Series 8-Piece Steak Knife Set

Another entry from Dalstrong’s wonderful Gladiator Series, this 8-piece stainless steel steak knife set comes with vibrant red handles. The colorful knife set is well-balanced, cuts like butter, and is an immediate show-off piece to proudly display in your kitchen.

PROS:

The blades feature incredibly sharp, full-tang, imported Thyssenkrupp high-carbon German stainless steel.
You’ll get clean, straight cuts with these blades, hand sharpened to 14-16 degrees per side, expertly heat treated and honed to perfection
Smart design and engineering make this a collection to proudly flaunt, which its gorgeous knife block facilitates.
A great gift for steak lovers and home cooks.

CONS:

Unlike some of the other options here, this is not a serrated blade, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to purchase this set.
While I’m a huge fan of its bright red finish, some people might prefer something more understated. Luckily for you, this collection also comes in a stylish white presentation instead of the red handles. Whichever you pick, you’ll be rewarded with good looks and a fantastic performance.

3. Gladiator Series Straight-Edge Steak Knife Set

Here we have a smaller version of the 8-piece Gladiator Series steak knife block set described above, with a hollow edge blade and white ABS handles. A more compact version of the same fantastic quality and presentation.

PROS:

As described above, this knife set features an extremely sharp blade, hand sharpened to 14-16 degrees per side, expertly heat treated and honed to perfection.
As a pared-down version of the larger set, it offers incredible quality at an accessible price.
It just looks fantastic.

CONS:

This set only comes with 4 steak knives; if you’re looking for a bigger set from Dalstrong’s Gladiator Series, check out the 8-piece block set above.
Unlike the set above, this set does not include the wooden block.

4. Crusader Series Steak Knife Set - NSF Certified

If your aesthetic could be better described as “less is more,” you’ll love this knife set. The Crusader Series is dedicated to delivering incredible performance while adopting a cleaner, more minimalistic look, and this excellent set of four straight edge steak knives is a perfect example.

PROS:

The minimalist approach to its design makes it so that it will pair perfectly with any decor, so your steak knife won’t stick out on your table setting.
Razor sharp German made ThyssenKrupp x50crmov15 blade stainless steel at 58+ Rockwell.
Hand sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side, hitting the right balance between extreme sharpness and blade resilience.

Features a seamless and sleek transition from the blade to a high-chromium stainless steel handle

CONS:

These steak knives are a little bit on the larger side.
If you’re a fan of a flashier look, there are other fantastic options on this list to choose from.

5. Omega Series 4-Piece Steak Knife Set - 5.5" Blade

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I knew I needed to buy these knives the very first time I laid eyes on them. You want a statement piece? You got it. Not only are the knives in this knife set absolute top performers when it comes to sharpness, edge retention, durability and efficiency, but they just look incredible. Looks and performance -- I guess sometimes you can have it all.

PROS:

Made of ultra-premium American forged BD1N-V hyper steel.
Extremely sharp edge, finished to 8-12° per side by expert bladesmiths.
G10 woven fibreglass handle in midnight black with subtle dark red colorings.
Extremely stylish, with a “LiquidMetal” pattern on the blade.

CONS:

These knives are definitely an investment, on the higher end of the price range.
If you like a cleaner-looking design, look into the Crusader Series.

6. Shadow Black Series Steak Knives Set (4) - NSF Certified

Shadow Black Series Steak Knives Set (4) - NSF Certified

Dalstrong’s Shadow Black Series is a personal favorite of mine for a number of reasons, not the least of which is it's incredible, sleek, futuristic design and colors. With a razor-sharp high-carbon stainless steel blade, at 58+ Rockwell, it is as powerful as it looks. And the unique handle geometry, inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, snugs perfectly into your palm.

Imagine your guests sitting down for dinner and being greeted with this utterly unique set of steak knives. Instant conversation starter.

PROS:

Elegant, sophisticated, futuristic look thanks to its black non-reflective titanium-nitride coating.
Hand sharpened to 16-18° per side.
Ergonomic handle shape makes this great knife fun and comfortable to operate.
Light and compact, but sacrificing none of its power.

CONS:

The titanium cover does require a little bit of extra care when it comes to sharpening the steel.
Some folks are not crazy about the Shadow Black Series’s distinctive look.

7. Shogun Series Steak Knife Set (4)

This steak knife set is a sleek and powerful entry in Dalstrong’s acclaimed Shogun series, with a powerful high-carbon stainless steel blade, an ultra-premium G10 handle, and the beautiful Tsunami Rose blade pattern. Looks great, works like an absolute dream.

PROS:

Precision forged from  a single piece of 66-layered damascus high-carbon stainless steel cladding.
Sharpened to a staggering 8 -12°degree angle per side.
Tapered bolster provides a natural and comfortable pinch grip.
Featuring the Shogun Series Tsunami Rose pattern, this is another absolutely gorgeous knife that will have friends and family asking you all about it.

CONS:

If you like a cleaner-looking design, look into the Crusader Series.

8. Gladiator Series Serrated Steak Knife Set (4)

We end this list on a high note, with another fantastic entry from the Gladiator Series. This time, we have this 4-knife set featuring a serrated blade, which will make it especially useful when it comes to biting down on your protein and tearing through the fibers.

PROS:

Forged from a single piece of imported premium quality, high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German stainless steel. Great edge retention and stain resistance.
Hand sharpened 14-16 degrees per side.
Military grade G10 ergonomic and ambidextrous handle.
Sleek and elegant design.

CONS:

Their serrated edge might make them a little harder to sharpen.
At 109g, they are a little on the lighter side when it comes to handling.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to have a straight blade or a serrated blade?

This is a question that has inspired heated debate within the world of knife enthusiasts for years and years. Steak knives are traditionally serrated, true, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way. Many people are drawn to the fact that a serrated knife will maintain its edge for longer, but there is also the argument that straight blades are easier to sharpen.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. We laid out some of the differences between straight blades, serrated blades and hollow edge blades in the Different Types Of Steak Knives section above.

How long do steak knives last?

Of course, there’s no exact way to answer this question, but a good-quality set of steak knives that has been properly stored, cared for, sharpened and honed frequently should last for many years, if not a lifetime. Pick one of the sets listed above to ensure you get the most value out of your steak knives.

How often should I wash my steak knives?

It’s important that you wash your steak knives just as often as you would regular knives. If your steak knife has a wooden handle, hand washing is fine, but if you have a stainless steel handle then you can very easily put it in the dishwasher along with everything else. That said, the data shows that, on the long run, hand-washing your steak knives will keep them sharper for longer, as the high heat and chemicals in the dishwasher has the potential to break down the blade and sharpness.

How often should you sharpen your steak knives?

Sharpening any knife is important. Not only will it help your knife work better on the meat, but it will make it easier and safer to use. For this reason, if you use them regularly, we recommend sharpening your stainless steel knives about once per month, and honing them every 2 or 3 uses.

This is an extremely important aspect of knife ownership that probably doesn’t get talked about enough. Always follow proper usage, storage, and sharpening steps. And if you want to learn how to sharpen a stainless steel knife, we’ve got you covered.

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Written by Jorge Farah

Born on the coast of Colombia and based in Buenos Aires, Jorge is a cooking enthusiast and kitchenware obsessive with a tremendous amount of opinions.