A good set of steak knives can turn any meal into a special occasion.
If you’re preparing a delicious steak dinner, you put a lot of care and effort into selecting the best cuts of beef before seasoning, grilling, and serving it. The last thing you want to do is hack into your beautiful cuts of beef with any old kitchen knife.
Steak knives are designed for steak, with sharp, tapered blades. Some have scalloped edges to eliminate sticking. Others have serrated blades for making smooth, straight cuts without tearing or losing tasty juices.
Whether you’re looking for a steak knife set that you can use for informal backyard gatherings, formal dinner table settings, or one that can pull double-duty, you’ll find all the best steak knives here.
Table of Contents
The Best Steak Knives for 2024
Here is my list of the best steak knife options for the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. I’ll start with the five best choices in terms of value, convenience, design, and cost.
Click on the name to read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to read the entire list by clicking here.
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Best Steak Knife Set Reviews
Here are the complete reviews of the ten best steak knives in 2024. Keep reading after the reviews for a guide on what to look for when choosing a steak knife set.
1. Wüsthof 4-Piece Classic Steak Knife Set – Best Overall Choice #1
The Wusthof company began forging knives more than 200 years ago in Solingen, Germany.
The company has since upgraded its production techniques by using precision robotics to create a rugged, razor-sharp steak knife that maintains its edge perfectly. Yet, their commitment to quality and craftsmanship hasn’t changed a bit.
I only say all of this because you genuinely can see and feel the quality in the Wusthof 4-Piece Classic Steak Knife Set.
This steak knife comes with four pieces, each forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel. The steel is “full tang,” so the blade extends from the tip to the triple-riveted handle.
The handle is made of tough polypropylene, so it looks sleek and won’t warp or corrode. It’s also well-balanced and feels comfortable in hand. I also like that there’s a full bolster, which protects your hand and improves balance.
And these stainless steel knives are deadly sharp. They’re crafted to glide through meat without shredding, and they do this well.
If you’re looking for a high-quality steak knife set that’s been perfected over 200 years, check out the Wusthof 4-Piece Classic Steak Knife Set.
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2. DALSTRONG Omega Series 5″ Steak Knives Set
The DALSTRONG Omega Series 5” Steak Knives Set is a high-end, American-made four-piece steak knife set.
This is one of the coolest-looking steak knife sets I’ve come across. The first thing you’ll notice about the Dalstrong steak knives is the blade’s swirling “liquid metal” pattern. This pattern looks fantastic, but it’s there to reduce drag and sticking.
The blade is constructed from American forged super steel. That’s a fancy way of saying that the edge receives vacuum heat-treatment to 63 HRC (a standard used to measure hardness) before it is cooled in liquid nitrogen.
Standard steak knives are only treated to about 57-59 HRC, so this falls into the luxury steak knives category. The blade is tough yet ornate.
Care and quality extend to the knife handle, too. The handle is made from military G10, so it’s impervious to heat, cold, and moisture. It also looks great. I like the engraved end cap and the copper mosaic rivet.
The DALSTRONG Omega Series 5” Steak Knives Set is one of the priciest on the list, but considering that it’s probably the last steak knife set you’ll ever have to buy, I think it is a steal.
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3. J.A. Henckels International Stainless Steel 8-Piece Steak Knife Set
The budget-friendly J.A. Henckels International Stainless Steel 8-Piece Steak Knife Set, but don’t let the price fool you. This is an excellent steak knife set.
The serrated knives are made from high carbon stainless steel with a tapered design that flows from tip to handle. This design feels comfortable in hand, but it also looks great. These serrated edge knives look sleek and modern.
I’ve used these stainless steel knives in the backyard for informal BBQs, but they also pair nicely with a cloth napkin and can pull double-duty during formal gatherings and holiday parties.
The blades are 4.5” long and razor-sharp. The forged steel is hard but not brittle – and because it’s made from stainless steel, you can toss it in the dishwasher without worrying about rust or corrosion.
I also like that this set comes with eight pieces, enough for large gatherings. That’s a tremendous value.
The J.A. Henckels Steak Knife Set earns high marks for its budget-friendly price tag, sleek design, and quality construction. You’ll be hard pressed to find an eight-piece set of this quality at this price.
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4. Shun Classic 4-Piece Premier Steak Knife Set
The Shun Classic 4-piece Premier Steak Knife Set is a premier steak knife set with four pieces, all forged from Japanese steel.
Shun steak knives are handcrafted in Seki City, Japan. And each piece goes through 100 production steps. What you end up with is a VG-10 blade clad in 32 layers of high carbon stainless steel.
You can feel that quality and attention to detail when you hold the knife. You’ll notice this quality in the well-balanced Pakkawood handle.
Pakkawood is made from a blend of natural wood and plastic resins. It’s an ideal material for knives because it is rugged, durable, essentially waterproof, and retains the look of natural wood.
The 5” steak knife blades are all hand-sharpened and come with a 16-degree, double-bevel edge. I like that it has an ornate hammered look and is topped off with the Shun logo.
Like the DALSTRONG Omega Series 5” Steak Knives Set, the Shun Classic 4-piece Premier Steak Knife Set is one of the pricier steak knife sets on the list.
But as I see it, when you go with Shun Classic steak knives, you’re making a long-term investment. If you settle on this steak knife set, it will likely be the last you ever purchase.
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5. Bellemain Stainless-Steel Serrated Steak Knives
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly steak knife set that looks as good as it feels, check out the Bellemain Stainless-Steel Serrated Steak Knives.
This is a four-piece steak knife set, and each piece is made from ice-tempered stainless steel with a hollow ground to reduce sticking by up to 95 percent.
The blade has a nice, gradual taper, and the handle slopes slightly upward at the base of the blade. This improves leverage, makes the steak knife set comfortably in hand, and gives each piece a modern look.
The full tang 5” blade extends from tip to handle, so there isn’t any cheap plastic to crack. I also like the hollow-ground edges and large serrations. These steak knives glide through meat and virtually eliminate sawing, even with tough cuts of steak.
Bellemain Stainless-Steel Serrated Steak Knives is a budget-friendly set, but your guests would never know it.
These are handsome steak knives, but they’ll blend in wherever you use them. I’ve used these for casual backyard BBQs as well as cloth-napkin gatherings with much success. They’re one of the best steak knives sets available.
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6. DALSTRONG Gladiator Series 4-Piece Steak Knives Set
The DALSTRONG Gladiator Series 4-Piece Steak Knives Set is a mid-priced steak knife set that earns points for its good looks and quality construction.
Dalstrong steak knives are made from German Thyssenkrupp high carbon stainless steel. German steel is typically made with 56-58 stainless steel blended with chromium.
Chromium resists corrosion and, unlike Japanese steel, is less prone to cracking. German-style blades like these are also much easier to sharpen.
A bonus is that these steak knife blades are scalloped. This prevents the meat from sticking, allowing you to make long, smooth cuts without tearing.
Worth mentioning, too; the stainless steel blades are full tang, so they extend from tip to handle to make them tougher.
The handle is another favorite feature since it is inlaid with a G10 wood handle. The beauty of G10 is that it looks like natural wood but is far tougher. G10 is frequently used to manufacture firearm handles.
These steak knives feel comfortable in hand, are well-weighted, and the blade has a nice gradual taper. As a result, these four steak knives glide through the meat.
The DALSTRONG Gladiator Steak Knives Set falls into the mid-price range. Considering the quality of the materials, I consider this steak knife set to be an incredible bargain.
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7. Victorinox 6-Piece Steak Knife Set
If the Victorinox 6-Piece Steak Knife Set were a car, it’d be a trusty Honda Civic. Just bear with the analogy for a moment.
A Civic may not have excessive flash, but it gets you where you need to go and runs forever! The same goes for the Victorinox steak knife set.
This knife set isn’t as sexy as others, but the razor-sharp blades hold their edge (even after countless stints in the dishwasher), and the textured plastic handle feels comfortable in hand.
While I probably wouldn’t use these classic steak knives for a white cloth event, they are my everyday drivers. I use them for informal gathers or during prep – and I have a lot of these knives. That’s because they are affordable and can withstand the rigors of the kitchen.
The blades are made from 4.5” steel and crafted in Switzerland. I like that the tip is rounded for safety. The handle, too, is comfortable and has a nice slope, which gives me a solid grip and ample leverage.
If you’re looking for an affordable steak knife set designed to be used (rather than simply admired), check out the Victorinox 6-Piece Steak Knife Set. You can’t do much better for the price.
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8. Wüsthof Stainless 6-Piece Steak Knife Set
Inspired by classic steakhouse cutlery, the Wusthof Stainless 6-Piece Steak Knife Set earns high marks for its minimalist design and sturdy construction.
This steak knife set comes in six pieces. Each one is manufactured from 18/10 stainless steel. So it’s a bit heavier than some steak knives, but this set is exceptionally well-balanced.
18/10 stainless steel is also a bright metal, so these steak knives gleam in the light.
The handles are smooth and arrow-straight. The steak knife blades have a sharp point for penetrating your steak dinner. The micro-serrated edges make slicing through meat clean and virtually effortless—no tearing or managing your beautiful sirloin.
These steak knives are made from stainless steel. So while they are rust- and corrosion-resistant, I don’t recommend dropping them in the dishwasher. Instead, hand-wash them with mild detergent and dry them.
If you like simple design and a heavier knife that you’d find in a high-end steakhouse, you’ll love the Wusthof Stainless 6-Piece Steak Knife Set.
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9. Jean Dubost Laguiole Steak Knives
Jean Dubost is a French cutlery manufacturer founded in 1920. They manufacture a variety of knives, but they are perhaps best known for their Jean Dubost Laguiole Steak Knives.
Laguiole steak knives look a bit like a vintage straight razor or a pocket knife. The blade folds into the handle when not in use and locks into place when it’s open. To close, press the blade release button and fold up the blade.
This four-piece steak knife set is made with high-grade stainless steel. The manufacturing process consists of 25 stages of cutting, polishing, and sharpening. There’s a lot of care put into the design and manufacturing process, and you can feel it.
I like the thin handles and that they are all different colors. That adds a bit of fun to the mix. The blades also deserve some attention: they are 4.5” long, scalloped, and are considered micro-serrated knives.
Laguiole-style knives allow you to penetrate the meat and glide through it without sticking or sawing.
Jean Dubost Laguiole Steak Knives are unlike any other luxury steak knives on the market, and they’re fantastic conversation starters. Guests are always intrigued by the story behind the bee that’s engraved on the blade.
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10. Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set
The Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set is one of my favorite dinner table knife sets.
This four-piece steak knife set is made from high-carbon German steel. To be more specific, they’re made from X50CrMoV15 steel, which is a fancy way of saying 50 percent steel and 15 percent chromium.
This particular blend of steel is known for its hardness, corrosion resistance, and ability to hold a sharp edge. And that’s precisely what you get with these steak knives.
I also like that the blade has an upward curved tip. This design allows you to separate meat from the bone and penetrate juicy steak dinners.
The handle also deserves some attention as it’s made from handsome Pakkawood. Pakkawood handles are a personal favorite because they look and feel like natural wood but are waterproof and far more durable.
If you’re looking for a good set of table knives, you can’t go wrong with the Messermeister Steak Knife Set. Each piece is full tang – that is, made from a single piece of German steel. So they’re as sleek as they are durable. Plus, they’re surprisingly affordable.
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What features to look for in a steak knives set
There are several features to consider when shopping for steak knives. These include blade type, material, presentation, and comfort.
Types of blades
Steak knives typically come with two different blade styles: serrated and straight edge. Serrated edges are generally a culinary favorite, but as you’ll see, both serrated and straight-edged knives have advantages and limitations.
Serrated
Serrated steak knives have an uneven edge lined with scallops, or little teeth, that span the length of the blade. A serrated steak knife allows you to cut through meat smoothly, which, at first glance, seems strange because the teeth are uneven.
But the teeth are uneven by design. It’s the unevenness that makes cutting easier. A serrated edge knife delicately tears meat at slightly different positions, allowing straighter, easier cuts.
A serrated blade typically holds its edge longer than a straight edge blade. The downside is that serrated blades are more difficult to sharpen.
Non-serrated
While serrated blades are a popular choice, many people swear by straight-edged steak knives. A straight-edged knife cuts through meat cleanly, without tearing. Because straight edge blades make clean cuts, juice tends to stay inside the meat as you cut.
So cuts are less ragged, often straighter, and food may be a bit juicer when using a straight-edged blade. The downside is that straight-edged blades need to be sharpened more frequently and require more skill to use.
Blade material
While steak knife manufacturers traditionally used carbon steel to forge blades, most have switched to stainless steel. Carbon steel was once a chosen material because it’s easy to sharpen and maintains its edge.
The trouble is that carbon steel is prone to rust and corrosion, unlike stainless steel. That said, there are variations in stainless steel.
The Shun Classic 4-piece Premier Steak Knife Set, for example, is made from Japanese VG-10, a stainless steel blend that’s harder than other stainless steel. So while VG-10 holds its edge longer, it is prone to cracking.
Thyssenkrupp German steel is another option. It’s softer than Japanese-style steel, so it’s easier to sharpen and more crack-resistant.
No matter the style or brand of steak knife you settle on, make sure it is made from stainless steel.
Presentation
A steak knife should have an excellent presentation. But, above all, it should feel like a dream in your hand. Some steak knife handles are straight, heavy, and made for show; others are designed for smooth performance, so they have a tapered handle with a good grip.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded knife that can pull double-duty on the patio and at white cloth events, I recommend J.A. Henckels International Stainless Steel 8-Piece Steak Knife Set.
Comfort
If you’re precious about comfort, you may want to shy away from steak knives with a straight handle. Straight handles look sleek, but they don’t provide the same comfort, leverage, and overall dexterity of a tapered handle.
What is the best steak knife set for you?
So what are the best steak knife sets on the market? That ultimately depends on your budget, preferences, and needs. However, if I had to choose one set of steak knives, it’d be the Wusthof 4-Piece Classic Steak Knife Set.
This set of steak knives stands out for its quality construction, good looks, and reasonable price tag.
Each Wusthof knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel. The steel is “full tang,” so the blade extends from the tip to the triple-riveted handle. In addition to being corrosion and rust-proof, these are razor-sharp knives – and they maintain their edge well.
The handle also deserves some attention. I like that it’s made from tough polypropylene, a material that’s sleek and comfortable in hand but won’t warp or corrode.
This classic steak knife is also well-balanced. The tapered bolster protects your hands and improves balance while you cut. This knife doesn’t have a serrated edge, but you don’t need it.
It glides through meat without shredding, and the sharp tip allows you to pull stubborn meat from the bone or penetrate thick cuts of meat on steak night.
These mid-priced steak knives have been a Wusthof staple for more than 200 years. And it’s easy to see why.
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