Erin Elizabeth
Having a high-quality set of steak knives in your kitchen is a game-changer.
You haven’t lived If you’ve never experienced the ease of slicing into a juicy tenderloin fresh off the grill with a sharp knife.
You know you’re an adult when things like this start to bring you joy. I get excited every time I break out a new, clean sponge to do dishes. No shame in enjoying the simpler things in life, though!
If you’re new to buying steak knives or any type of knife and don’t know where to start, don’t worry. I had to take the plunge myself recently and upgraded from the knife set I bought at Walmart for my first apartment to a super nice set.
Here are the ones that I feel were the best. Some I chose for the best price, others for the highest quality, and some that had a nice mix of both. Give it a look and see what you think.
High-Quality Steak Knives
Check out the best steak knife sets to add to your kitchen!
Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set
The Messermeister Avanta is, in my opinion, the best choice for steak knives. It’s a set of four 5” straight-edge blades made of German stainless steel, so they’re high quality and affordable.
The stainless steel blade is a high carbon, so you get a sharper edge that holds its shape.
This means maintenance is easy. This set also has an upswept boning tip that makes it fantastic for slicing and carving meat off of the bone.
The set I bought has Pakkawood handles, but you can get them with stainless steel or a black Pakkawood.
All of them have the same durability, I just liked the color of the Pakkawood for my kitchen.
Henckels 8-Piece Steak Knife Set
This Henckels 8-piece set is stainless steel, sleek and chic. The blades are 4” and serrated, so you never have to sharpen them.
You don’t have to sharpen any serrated blade at all which means easier maintenance but also that you’ll eventually have to replace them.
This set is very durable and resistant to corrosion. You can even put them in the dishwasher, but I’d advise against that. It’s always better to hand wash knives to help prolong their life.
The handles aren’t too bulky, so they fit comfortably in your hand. The stainless steel handle and blade look sleek and will go well with any kitchen.
These knives are a great set for everyday use as well as the occasional fancy dinner.
Laguiole En Aubrac 4-Piece Knife Set
The Laguiole En Aubrac is a stunning set of knives handmade in France by master artisans and guaranteed for life.
The blades are 4.25” and made of Sandvik Stainless Steel, so they’re sharp and resist corrosion.
The knives that I linked have cedar handles but you can find them made out of other woods and stainless steel. I love the look of wood on a knife handle.
These knives are all made of unique materials, so you won’t find two that look alike.
The downside here is the price. These knives can last you a lifetime if you care for them well, so if you can afford to do so, I recommend investing in them.
Wüsthof Classic Ikon 4-Piece Set
This Wüsthof Classic set is sharp in looks and also in actual blade sharpness. These 4.5” blades come out of the box ready to cut paper-thin slices of meat.
They’re made in Solingen, Germany, “The City of Blades!” It has a well-deserved reputation for homing master blacksmiths.
The blades are carbon stainless steel so they resist corrosion and dulling. The knives also hold their shape well. The handles are sophisticated black and built for balance.
There’s nothing like the cutting experience you get from them.
The downside for these knives is also the price. It’s an investment in a high-quality tool, but it’s not for everyone.
Shun Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
The Shun Classic set are beautiful fine-edged stainless Damascus knives handmade in Japan.
They make their handles out of a blonde Pakkawood designed for comfort, and excellent cutting control.
These blades are sharp, strong, and corrosion-resistant. Their design allows them to easily glide through your meat and keep the juices inside.
They would be perfect for nicer occasions like a dinner party.
These knives are also pretty pricey but well worth the money.
Zwilling 8-Piece Steak Knife Box
Another German masterpiece, the Zwilling 8-Piece box is an excellent buy. They’re 4” serrated forged blades made of high carbon stainless steel.
The handle is also stainless steel and designed for a comfortable grip. They look sleek and will match any decor.
Their German durability will last you a long time even though they’re serrated and you will eventually have to replace them.
That’s why I didn’t go with this set as my number one pick. It’s a fantastic deal, especially considering this is a set of 8, but the blades aren’t straight-edged.
Victorinox Grand Maitre Steak Knife Set (Set of 4)
I love the color of the Victorinox Grand Maitre set. It has beautiful, deep rosewood handles and forged carbon stainless steel blades about 4.5” long.
Thanks to the handle, it’s balanced, durable, and easy to use.
It’s straight-edged to last you a long, long time with proper upkeep. It’s good for small and large tasks in the kitchen, so you could use it privately or professionally.
It’s Swiss and made by the same people responsible for the insanely useful Swiss Army Knife, so you know it’s reliable.
It’s not the most expensive set on this list, but it’s not the cheapest either.
Bon Appetit Wooden Steak Knife Set of 4
Last, but certainly not least, is the Bon Appetit Wooden steak knife set.
It’s a nice little French-made set with bright Hornbeam and Olivewood handles and 4” Sandvik Steel blades. They’re quite sharp and durable, and the price is nice.
They work well as steak knives but also as paring knives which makes them great for foodservice. They work just as well at home in my kitchen, too.
If you aren’t as big a fan of wood colors as I am, you can order these in a bunch of fun colors. Quite resplendent!
What Is a Steak Knife?
A steak knife is any sharp table knife that’s used to cut food.
These knives are usually 4-6 inches, but the thickness varies depending on the brand. Some other characteristics that vary are if they are a serrated blade or non-serrated, blade material, and handle material.
You cannot sharpen serrated knives so they require less maintenance than a straight edge but eventually require replacement.
On the other hand, a straight edge would allow you to have a sharper knife for longer, but it would just require some time-consuming upkeep.
These two blades also cut meat in different ways, which you may want to keep in mind. A serrated knife saws and a non-serrated knife glides. Serrated knives are often used as bread knives to evenly slice bread.
If you’re working in a restaurant where you want smooth pieces for appearance’s sake, you may consider the non-serrated.
When buying, you also want to look out for forged blades. Forged knives come from heated steel that’s pounded into shape with a hammer instead of the crafter stamping the knives out of a piece of steel. They have heavier blades as a result but will hold a sharper edge for longer.
The last thing to keep in mind when shopping for knives is how comfortable the handle is. You can buy knives made out of anything these days: black plastic, exotic woods, stainless steel; you name it.
But what’s comfortable to one person may not be to another so, if possible, go into a store and hold them before deciding.
Final Thoughts
I had a lot of fun trying out all of these knives, and I learned a lot in the process. I feel like I made a good decision, and I hope that you can use this information to make a good decision for yourself.
I’m very satisfied with the Messermeister because it was a great set of knives for a great price, and I think they’ll last me for a good while. I’ve never owned straight-edged steak knives before, but I love the difference they make in slicing meat. It really will change your life, you’ll see.
Check out the best chef’s knives to complete your kitchen set!
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.
