Buying a steak knife: what to look for in the blade, handle and care

A steak knife should cut cleanly through meat without tearing the surface unnecessarily. It’s also often used for pizza, tarte flambée and crispy crusts. If you’re looking to buy a steak knife, though, you’ll find plenty of models whose marketing claims reveal little about how well they perform in everyday use.

Common problems when choosing a knife tend to come down to three things:

• Unclear blade specifications: Terms such as “extra sharp” don’t tell you much on their own. Blade material, edge type and length are what matter.
• Unsuitable handles: A handle may look good, but feel slippery or insecure when your hands are wet or greasy.
• Misleading expectations about cleaning: “Dishwasher-safe” doesn’t automatically mean the blade will retain its original cutting performance over time.

Whether you’re buying for your home, love barbecuing or often host guests, it’s worth checking the technical details against how you plan to use the knife.

What to look for in a steak knife

1. Serrated or straight edge?

A serrated steak knife grips firm surfaces as you cut. This can be useful for cooked meat, pizza and crispy crusts. A serrated edge also tends to need sharpening less often at home than a straight edge.

However, sharpening is more difficult once the serrations become blunt. If you regularly maintain your knives with a honing steel or whetstone, a straight blade may be a good option. Serrated edges are common on classic steak and pizza knives, though, as they’re versatile.

2. Blade length and material

A 11 cm steak knife is well suited to typical table use: the blade is long enough for many steaks while remaining easy to handle. For large roasts or carving whole cuts of meat, a separate carving knife with a longer blade is a better choice.

The blades on the models featured here are made from rust-resistant stainless steel. This material is easy to care for and intended for contact with food. Claims such as “forged” or “ice-hardened” shouldn’t automatically be taken as proof of quality. It’s more important that the knife’s construction suits the way you’ll use it and that you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

3. Handle, balance and cleaning

A handle made from polypropylene (PP) or ABS plastic is lightweight and resistant to moisture. Look for a handle that’s long enough, has a textured surface and keeps your hand from slipping towards the blade as you cut.

With a dishwasher-safe steak knife, the manufacturer’s approval makes cleaning easier. To help the knife keep cutting well for longer, it’s still a good idea to dry it promptly after the wash cycle. Harsh cleaning products, storing knives loose in the cutlery drawer and hard cutting surfaces made from stone or glass can put extra strain on the blade.

Our picks for different needs

Ideal for: budget-conscious first-time buyers

Tefal Ice Force Steak Knife, 11cm, 4 Pieces, K232S414, Black

Why this product suits this need: This four-piece set is ideal for a small household or a couple who regularly need extra knives for guests. The 11-cm blades are designed for smaller cuts of meat and use at the dinner table.

How this product helps you avoid a poor choice

The product details specify the blade length, stainless steel, ABS handle, rivets, finger guard and dishwasher suitability. This makes it easy to compare key features before you buy.

Key benefits and features

Four knives in the set, 11-cm stainless steel blades, black ABS handles and stated dishwasher suitability.

Ideal for: buyers with high quality standards

Victorinox Swiss Classic Steak & Pizza Knife, 11cm, Serrated, Black

Why this product suits this need: This six-piece steak knife set is a good fit for families, barbecues and anyone who regularly hosts and needs several matching knives at the table.

How this product helps you avoid a poor choice

The product details specify a serrated stainless steel blade, an 11-cm length, PP handles, six knives in the set and Swiss manufacture.

Key benefits and features

Six-piece set, serrated edge for steak and pizza, ergonomic PP handle and dishwasher suitability according to the product details.

Ideal for: specific uses and frequent use

Victorinox Swiss Classic 11cm Wavy Edge Steak and Pizza Knife

Why this product suits this need: This single knife is a good choice if you need an extra steak and pizza knife for everyday use or as a replacement.

How this product helps you avoid a poor choice

It’s clearly listed as a single knife with an 11-cm serrated edge, a stainless steel blade and a red PP handle. That means you won’t end up buying a multi-piece set when you only need one knife.

Key benefits and features

A single knife for steak and pizza, 11-cm blade, ergonomic PP handle, Swiss manufacture and dishwasher suitability according to the product description.

Care and safe storage

Even sharp steak knives will last longer if you look after them properly:

• Clean and dry them thoroughly as soon as possible after use.
• If using a dishwasher, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t leave knives loose among other metal items.
• Use wooden or plastic chopping boards rather than stone, ceramic or glass.
• Don’t store knives loose in a drawer. A knife block, drawer insert or blade guard helps prevent contact with other items.
• Don’t use them on bones, frozen food or hard materials unless they’re specifically designed for this.

A long carving knife such as the ZWILLING Professional S Meat Knife with a 20 cm blade is designed for roasts, raw meat and larger cuts. It’s not a replacement for a classic steak knife at the dinner table, but it can be a useful addition. According to the product details, it isn’t dishwasher-safe and should be washed by hand.

Steak knife FAQs

Are serrated steak knives better for pizza?

A serrated edge can grip firm pizza crusts and browned surfaces well. Whether it’s right for you depends on how you like a knife to cut and how much care you’re willing to give it. Serrated blades are often a practical choice if you want one knife for both steak and pizza.

How long do steak knives stay sharp?

How long an edge lasts depends on how often you use it, the cutting surface, cleaning and storage. Serrated stainless steel blades generally need different care from straight blades. Hard surfaces and loose storage can wear the edge more quickly.

Is a steak knife set worth it?

A set makes sense if several people regularly eat together or you often host guests. For a small household or as a replacement knife, buying one on its own may be more economical. The right choice depends on how many knives you need, the blade length and how you want to clean them.