Sharpen Your Dinner Table Style With the Best Steak Knives

Though they can, of course, be used on other types of meat (or even an ambitious cauliflower “steak”), every element from the shape of the handle to the curve of the blade is designed to optimize your steak-slicing experience. Henckels Pro 4-pc Steak Knife Set Best Value, Wood handle: Opinel Olive Wood 4-Piece Best Value, Plastic Handle: Victorinox Gaucho 4-Piece Best Modern : The Table Knives Best Classic: Forge de Laguiole Set of 6 Best Single Material: Wusthof 8-Piece Stainless Steel Best Gift: Rainbow Steak Knives Set of 12 Best Overall: Zwilling J.A.

Henckels Pro 4-pc Steak Knife Set Check Price Type of Edge: Straight | Blade Material High carbon stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic Pros Easy to sharpen Triple-riveted handle Long-lasting blade Cons Expensive Why we chose it: Full-tang construction and an easily sharpened blade make this knife a safe bet for daily use for decades. Henckels has close to 300 years of experience forging their knives in Solingen, Germany, and it shows in every one of their knives.

Each knife in this set of four is made with all the care of a hardworking chef’s knife: full tang construction means they’re made from a solid piece of steel, from tip to end, and the handle is triple-riveted to the blade. Their ability to slice through gristle and tough cuts of meat as well rivals that of an 8 inch chef’s knife, with the lightweight benefits of a table knife.

Best Value, Wood Handle: Opinel Olive Wood 4-piece Check Price Type of Edge: Straight | Blade Material Stainless steel |Handle Material: Olive wood Pros Lightweight Easy to sharpen Budget-friendly Cons Wood handles require extra care Why we chose it: Classic French craftsmanship at a great price makes these knives an indispensable set. Best Value, Plastic Handle: Victorinox Gaucho 4-Piece Check Price Type of Edge: Straight | Blade’s Material High Carbon Stainless Steel | Handle Material: Plastic Pros Incredibly sharp Easy to resharpen Durable Cons Plastic handles not as elegant as other materials Why we chose it: These Swiss-made knives are basically indestructible and razor-sharp, perfectly at home at the dinner table or in the kitchen.

Best Modern: The Table Knives Check Price Type of Edge: Straight | Blade’s Material Stainless Steel | Handle Material: Matte composite Pros Easy to sharpen Beautiful color choices Very sharp Cons Composite handle is not solid wood Why we chose it: Reminiscent of classic French knives and sleek Japanese style, these knives are a sharp, modern take on classic table knives. While perfect for steaks, chops, and other cuts of meat in need of a sharp blade, these knives are ideal as part of any table setting. The handle is easy to grip, and comes in a variety of colors that fall within the Millennial colorway, from a warm persimmon to offwhite “glazed”; order them in a set of one color, or choose the mixed option for one of each color.

Best Classic: Forge de Laguiole Set of 6 Check Price Type of Edge: Straight | Blade’s Material Stainless Steel | Handle Material: Juniper Pros Easy to sharpen Nice weight Very sharp Cons Wood can degrade over time Why we chose it: This set of hand-forged knives is beautiful, sharp, and iconic, making them a great backing for years to come. None are more renowned than the Forge De Laguiole, which has been hand-forging knives with handles of wood, horn, coral, and more, that have been the centerpiece of French tables since 1828.

Unlike many knives that are sold as “Laguiole,” these are true representatives of the traditional and authentic French style of knife-making. Best Single Material: Wusthof 8-Piece Stainless Steel Check Price Type of Edge: Serrated | Blade’s Material Stainless Steel |Brand: Wusthof Pros Easy to clean Sleek profile Cons Shows fingerprints Why we chose it: The sturdy steak knives are stainless steel from blade to tip, rendering them nearly indestructible, while blending in with the rest of your everyday flatware. Best Gift: Rainbow Steak Knives Set of 12 Check Price Type of Edge: Serrated | Blade’s Material Carbon Stainless Steel | Handle Material: Acrylic Pros Easy to clean acrylic handles Fun color choices Durable blades Cons Serrated edge is slightly rougher on food Why we chose it: We couldn’t resist this rainbow array of knives in the classic Laguoiole style, a gift that satisfies both aesthetically and functionality.

This set of brightly-hued knives was designed by Laguiole craftsman Claude Dozorme, credited as the first cutler to manufacture the Laguiole style of knife with a fixed blade (traditional Laguiole knives fold). The handles are acrylic, while the blades are a sturdy high-carbon stainless steel that will hold its sharpness for long periods of time, even with high usage.

Storage & Care Steak knives deserve the same care and attention as the rest of your cutlery— possibly more, depending on what they’re made of. Blanchard recommends using a honing steel on straight-edged steak knives, in between sharpenings. “Cermaic honing rods are ideal,” says Blanchard. “I’m not looking for [steak knives] to be as sharp as a chef’s knife; I want it to cut cleanly to retain the juices and fat from the meat.” Depending on how often you use your knives, they could stay sharp for up to a year or more. Our Take Steak knives are as much about aesthetics as the rest of your table setting, from the plates and napkins to the room you’re dining in, so choosing the right ones for you is often style-focused.