We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Kitchen Products Tabletop Products The Best Steak Knives We've Ever Tested Get a clean cut on sirloin, ribeye, and filet with these sharp picks. By Rachel Center Rachel Center Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Taylor Rock Taylor Rock Taylor is the senior commerce editor for Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 22, 2024 Fact checked by Nicholas Blackmer In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How To Shop More To Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Allison Wignall If there's a steak on your plate, it needs the proper knife for cutting. Unlike your standard butter knife that may get you by for softer items, a dedicated steak knife will slice through your favorite cuts of beef like, well, butter. There are several factors to consider before buying one, though. “You should be looking at the blade and the type of steel as well as whether it is serrated or not,” says Alex Delecroix, director of U.S. sales and operations at Opinel. “Then, pay attention to the handle material and whether it's dishwasher safe. Lastly, the weight and balance of the knife is mostly driven by the tang of the knife construction." To determine which steak knives are worthy of home-cooked filets, sirloins, and more, we tested 20 of the most popular options in our own homes, evaluating them on design, size, performance, cleaning, and value. In addition to Delecroix, we spoke to Aaron Foster, owner of Foster Sundry, Sheila Patinkin, owner of Vermont Wagyu, and Howard Kalachnikoff, chef at Rolo’s in New York City. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Viking Steakhouse Pakka Wood Steak Knife Set at Amazon $120 $100 Jump to Review Best Budget: Umogi Stainless Steel Steak Knives at Amazon $23 Jump to Review Best Splurge: SALE Miyabi Artisan Steak Knife Set at Amazon $700 $590 Jump to Review Best Classic: Wüsthof Steak Knife Set at Amazon $325 Jump to Review Best for Thick Cuts: Dalstrong Steak Knives Set at Amazon $129 Jump to Review Best Design: Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Steak Knife Set at Amazon $350 Jump to Review Best Overall Viking Steakhouse Pakka Wood Steak Knife Set PHOTO: Nordstrom $100 at Amazon $120 at Nordstrom $100 at Wayfair What Stands Out Although the blade is serrated, it cuts through steak just as smoothly as a straight blade. What Could Be Improved It's harder to sharpen serrated blades yourself. Having a set of six knives instead of the average four is handy if you frequently entertain or eat steak often and want several dedicated knives at the ready. This collection from Viking is an incredible value, offering not only more knives for less but also a similar look and feel to more expensive four-piece sets we’ve tested. They boast a full tang blade made of stainless steel and can be safely secured in the included display-worthy wood storage box. Everything about this set feels luxurious. A big difference between these knives and our other top picks is that they are slightly serrated. Serrated knives are often frowned upon because they are more difficult to sharpen and don’t produce as clean of cuts as straight blades. However, we didn’t find that to be the case. Each cut was clean and smooth—we felt as if we were cutting right through butter. Considering this, the design, comfortable handles, and more, we'd buy these in a heartbeat. Material: Stainless steel | Blade Type: Serrated | Blade Length: 5 inches Real Simple / Allison Wignall Best Budget Umogi Stainless Steel Steak Knives PHOTO: Amazon $23 at Amazon What Stands Out They cost less than $30 and come in both straight and serrated blade options. What Could Be Improved The handle is hollow and therefore not as stable. This budget-friendly knife had no problem keeping up with the competition. The sharp blade sliced through a filet like butter, producing even cuts with practically no effort at all. We also used it on other foods, including fruits and vegetables, and they chopped through each with ease. These knives are made of a high-carbon stainless steel, a material known for its durability. Plus, unlike other steak knife sets, you can choose between sets of six or eight instead of the usual four, adding to this product’s overall value. Considering its solid performance, good looks, and incredibly low price, we think this is an absolute steal. You can buy these steak knives in straight or serrated blades. Although these steak knives are dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends you wash them by hand (which is a good rule of thumb for all knives as to not dull the blades). They clean up super quick, though, and just require a brief scrub with warm water and soap. Material: High carbon stainless steel | Blade Type: Straight or serrated | Blade Length: 4.5 inches Best Splurge Miyabi Artisan Steak Knife Set PHOTO: Amazon $590 at Amazon $590 at Nordstrom $590 at Sur La Table What Stands Out These knives cut steak easier than any other steak knife we've used. What Could Be Improved They cost hundreds of dollars. If you have a big budget for kitchen tools, consider going all in on these top-of-the-line steak knives. Miyabi is known for creating exceptional knives that are lightweight in hand, razor sharp, and striking in design. These particular knives feature a hand-hammered blade as well as beautiful rosewood D-shaped handles that were comfortable to grip. In terms of performance, we were delighted to discover that these knives lived up to their reputation—we were extremely impressed with their performance. In fact, we don’t think we’ve ever used a knife that cut meat so easily. It made quick work of strip steak, and the cuts were very clean. We also found the blade to be longer and wider than other steak knives, which wasn’t a bad thing. We found them to be perfectly proportioned with a balanced feel. Material: Micro-carbide powder steel | Blade Type: Straight | Blade Length: 5.5 inches Real Simple / Taysha Murtaugh Best Classic Wüsthof Steak Knife Set PHOTO: Amazon $285 at Amazon $285 at Williams-Sonoma $120 at Crate & Barrel What Stands Out They cut through steak in just a couple of strokes, and the handle is very comfortable to hold. What Could Be Improved We wish it came with a more substantial storage box. Like Miyabi, Wüsthof has garnered a reputation for producing quality knives. What’s different is that these are German-made knives, which are known for being heavier in hand but also very durable. These ones are full tang, meaning that the blade extends fully into the handle, ensuring more stability (no wobbling) while cutting. During testing, we found these knives lived up to the hype. We were able to cut through our steak with absolute ease, as the blade glided through the steak in a couple of strokes, and the resulting slices had perfectly straight edges. We also liked how comfortable the handle was: It felt like a natural extension of the hand. Although the price tag on these is high, their near-perfect performance makes them totally worth it. However, the one thing we do wish is that they came with a more substantial storage box. Material: High carbon steel | Blade Type: Straight | Blade Length: 4.5 inches Best for Thick Cuts Dalstrong Steak Knives Set PHOTO: Amazon $129 at Amazon View on Dalstrong.com What Stands Out Their sharpness and smoothness allows them to cut through steak effortlessly. What Could Be Improved They may not be suited for more tender proteins, like fish, due to their extreme sharpness. Though these knives felt a bit heavy on first impression, they were comfortable to hold with their smooth, rounded handles and felt balanced overall. The grip was very comfortable, and the hand-sharpened blade cut through the steak effortlessly, gliding right through and leaving us with smooth cuts. In fact, we can’t remember ever cutting through steak this easily. That said, we wouldn’t reach for them when slicing a more delicate protein like fish, as they may be sharper than necessary. Though these may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option on this list, the design is thoughtful and enhances the overall performance. We thought this made them well worth their price, given their quality and ease of use. Hand washing and drying them was also easy, and the high-carbon stainless steel blades and full tang design speaks to their durability. We are confident these knives will last for years to come. We would recommend them to anyone who cooks regularly and wants to invest in a quality set of knives. Material: High-carbon German steel | Blade Type: Straight | Blade Length: 5 inches Best Design Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Steak Knife Set PHOTO: Amazon $350 at Amazon $480 at Williams-Sonoma View on Laguioleenaubracshop.com What Stands Out They're beautiful, ergonomic, and feature sustainably sourced wooden handles. What Could Be Improved They could benefit from being sharpened before the first use. Along with performance and comfort, you also want your steak knives to look good. Steak knives are generally taken out when there’s an occasion—and that’s why we recommend this Laguiole en Aubrac cutlery. These steak knives are handcrafted and feature a stainless steel blade, wood handles that are sustainably sourced, and the brand’s signature bull’s head emblem. We thought they were stunning and timeless, with the ability to dress up any dinner table. The knives’ cutting abilities also make them a worthwhile purchase: They were sharp enough to glide through steak without sawing the blade back and forth, though they're not the sharpest option on our list, so we would recommend getting them sharpened before their first use. They were also so comfortable to hold and fit naturally in our hands, making it a joy to slice with. You get four knives in this set as well as an equally attractive storage unit that holds the knives in place magnetically. We would recommend this knife to others, especially as a gift. Material: Stainless steel | Blade Type: Straight | Blade Length: 4.5 inches Real Simple / Katie McDonald Final Verdict The Viking Steakhouse Pakka Wood 6-Piece Steak Knife Set is our favorite for its incredible value, expensive look and feel, comfortable handles, and clean, smooth, and easy cuts. For a true budget pick, we recommend the Umogi Stainless Steel Steak Knives for it's impressive performance and under-$30 price tag. Our Testing Process We tested 23 different sets of steak knives in our own homes and evaluated them on design, size, performance, cleaning, and value. Before we started testing, we unboxed each knife set and examined each knife. We noted if the knives felt comfortable to hold, if the weight felt balanced in hand, and if the knives were safely secured in their included storage units (if the knife sets came with one). Our first test involved assessing each knife's sharpness by cutting through a piece of paper. We recorded how much effort it took to cut through the paper and if the paper teared while doing so. After that, we used the knives on cooked steaks. We took note of how much effort was required to cut through each steak, if the knife felt comfortable in hand while doing so, and if the knife sliced cleanly through the steaks or tore through it. Once we completed this test, we washed each knife by hand to see how easy they were to clean. How to Shop for Steak Knives Like a Pro Material When we asked our experts, all of them told us they favor either stainless steel or high-carbon stainless steel knives. Both Foster and Kalachnikoff prefer high-carbon stainless steel knives: “We [at Rolo’s] like high-carbon stainless steel for its sharpness, ease of sharpening, and ease of maintenance,” Kalachnikoff says. “Stainless steel alone tends to be harder to sharpen and not hold an edge, and high-carbon steel is too difficult to maintain because it tarnishes with acidic food.” Though this doesn’t mean that stainless steel doesn’t have its own merits. Foster and Patinkin both told us that stainless steel is durable and rust resistant, making it a good, long-lasting choice for a steak knife. Blade Type There are two blade types that make up the majority of steak knives: straight and serrated. Most of our experts we spoke to were adamant members of team straight steak knives. “When serving a fine steak, I desire a steak knife that cuts cleanly and showcases the appearance of the beef and conserves the juices, which of course contain flavor,” Patinkin says. “I advocate a straight edge [knife] sharpened to razor thin, leaving a clean finish to both raw and cooked steak.” She tells us another pro of straight knives is that they require little to no effort while cutting. The little teeth present in serrated knives not only require more effort but also tend to produce shreds of meat rather than slices. This style of blade poses another problem: They are much harder to sharpen at home. With all this said, Foster finds that serrated blades are best for bread knives. However, we encourage you not to knock serrated knives until you try it. When we tested the Viking Steakhouse Pakka Wood 6-Piece Steak Knife Set, which is serrated, we were able to get clean cuts of steak. Serrated knives tend to also be cheaper than a straight knife set. So if you’re on a budget and don’t cook steak that often at home, a serrated set may work better for you. Delecroix says if you do go the serrated knife route, “Look for [a blade with] a smooth and fine serration rather than large, saw-looking teeth.” Tang Although we found that not all manufacturers list the tang of their knives, it’s a term to know in the knife world. “The tang of a knife is the full length of a blade as it extends fully down inside the handle,” Patinkin says. “Sometimes the blade only extends halfway through the handle, and is thus a half tang. The length of the tang affects how the knife feels and functions; a full tang will be heavier than a half tang.” In our research, we found claims that tang type affects a steak knife’s performance, but our experts didn’t confirm this to be true. For Patinkin, tang is a matter of personal preference. To Foster, tang isn’t the most important factor to consider when buying steak knives. “A full tang knife might have better balance, but it's often at the expense of overall weight,” he says. “More tang equals more steel and a generally higher cost. A properly made knife will be durable and well balanced regardless of tang style." So instead of thinking of tang as an indicator of performance, think of it as a measure of comfort. If you’d prefer a lighter steak knife, go with something that isn’t full tang. More Steak Knives to Consider Henckels 8-Piece Stainless Steel Serrated Steak Knife Set: This eight-piece set is an incredible value considering most knife sets that are a lot pricier only include four. Because these knives are serrated, it took more effort to slice the steak, and the resulting cuts looked more like neat tears instead of the clean cuts we were looking for. Questions You Might Ask Why do you need dedicated steak knives? You can technically use a paring knife or chef’s knife to cut steak, but there are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to invest in some steak knives. “Anyone who's tried to cook steak at home for guests, forgetting that they did not own any steak knives, can probably tell you why [owning steak knives] is useful,” Foster says. “If you have several paring knives, you could hand those out [to guests], but they wouldn't match and wouldn't be engineered for cutting on a dinner plate.” Delecroix agrees that steak knives are just easier to use on steak compared to other knives in your kitchen’s arsenal: “Steak knives’ blade lengths and shapes are designed to optimize efficiency on steak.” Plus, owning steak knives isn’t just about creating the best cuts for your meat—it’s also about elevating your steak-eating experience. “Using a handsome, well-maintained steak knife enhances the experience of dining on a world-class steak,” Patinkin says. Foster seconds this, saying, “It's classy, convenient, and makes eating fun." On the flipside, you can maximize the use of your steak knives by using it to cut other foods. Just know that the more you use the knife, the quicker it’ll dull, which will make cutting steak harder over time. Steak knives should really only be bought if you cook steak regularly, especially considering many sets are hundreds of dollars (though we do have inexpensive options on our list). What’s the difference between German and Japanese steak knives? The same way that Italy is known for its leather and France is known for its wine, Germany and Japan are known for their knives. Kalachnikoff broke down what makes them so renowned: “German and Japanese knives are the most popular because of the quantity of manufacturers and their quality. The main difference between the two is the steel used and what’s called the bolster, which is the end of the blade towards the handle that usually protects the user’s cutting hand. Japanese knives have a higher quantity of carbon in the steel used, are usually slimmer in the blade profile, and don’t have a bolster, so you can sharpen the entirety of the blade length. German knives tend to be heavier and made for home use as they do not need as much maintenance." When it comes to steak knives, Foster doesn’t believe that the origin of the knife maker should weigh heavily on your decision. Patinkin wasn’t concerned with this either—she actually told us that Sweden is also known for producing quality knives, praising them for their razor-thin blades. Will steak knives dull overtime? Like other knives, yes, they will. But if you are using them on steak exclusively, they won’t dull as quickly as a knife you use for multiple different foods. It’s important to know that straight blades are easier to sharpen by yourself, while serrated blades are more complicated. “Sharpening serrated blades is a challenge that requires skills usually found in professionals,” Delecroix says. “The risk in doing it yourself is that you may permanently damage your knife.” You can also prevent the dulling of your knife by hand washing and drying instead of putting them in the dishwasher. Even if steak knives are advertised as dishwasher safe, it’s still generally recommended to wash them by hand to increase their longevity. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple, and updated by Taylor Rock, senior shopping editor for Real Simple. We researched the best steak knives and tested 20 of the most popular options in our own homes, evaluating them on design, size, performance, cleaning, and value. We also sought the advice of four steak knives experts for this story: Alex Delecroix, director of U.S. sales and operations at Opinel, Aaron Foster, owner of Foster Sundry, Sheila Patinkin, owner of Vermont Wagyu, and Howard Kalachnikoff, chef at Rolo’s in New York City. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.