Ja Henckels International Stainless Steel 8
J.A. Henckels is an excellent cutlery company, and their International Stainless Steel 8-Piece Steak Knife Set marks their second entry in our best steak knives set list.
They sport 3-¾ inch blades and feature a one piece stainless steel design. This classifies them as a full tang design – the blade extends from tip to the end of the handle. This is the strongest knife construction.
Theyre around 8-¼ overall from tip to the end of the handle, a good balanced size for cutting meat. The blade is fully serrated, which does not cut as well as a straight or micro-serrated design, but holds up better to hard plates such as ceramic.
I actually prefer a micro-serrated blade for cutting meat, but for a full-serrated blade this is an excellent choice. You can expect it to last quite a while even with a bit of abuse on your plates, and it will perform well with other foods like your cheeses, breads, and potatoes.
The one-piece International is a good 8-piece set which keeps maintenance to the absolute minimum. Its my pick for the best all around steak knife set you should consider, unless you want to step up to the more expensive Wüsthof below.
Pros:
Cons:
- 3-¾ blades feel a little short, 4 or 4.5 would have been a better length for meat
- Serrated blades arent as sharp as micro-serrated or straight blades
- Stainless steel handles can be slipperier than plastic or wood handles
Best Ultra Premium Shun Classic Steak Knife Set
Japan has a long history of world class blades going back centuries to the days of Shoguns and ninjas. Over the past few decades, the Japanese have turned their abilities to making some of the absolute best kitchen knives in the world.
Shun makes several models ranging from simply premium to ultra premium. Shun Steak Knives are my personal favorite. I did not include them in the Best Overall race simply due to their $300+ price point.
The look and feel of Shun steak knives is top notch. Here is short video showing the unboxing of this amazing set of steak knives.
What makes Shun great? They may be the sharpest steak knives you can get within reason. The blades have a 16 degree TOTAL angle, making the ultimate sharpness factor is very high. Remember, the excellent Wusthofs have a 28 degree total angle. That is a HUGE difference.
Normally, a 16 degree total angle blade would not hold its edge and would be prone to chipping. Shun gets around this by using absolutely top notch steel.
Dont believe me? How about Alton Brown?
The steel is VG 10, which is considered a super steel. The blade is further enhanced with 34 layers of stain resistant 410 steel. With a Rockwell hardness score of 61, this highly engineered blade is super sharp and more than strong enough for normal usage.
What I like:
Best Made In The Usa Cutco Steak Knife Set
One question we get often get asked is about the best steak knives that are made in the U.S. German and Japanese knives have dominated the high-end market for the past 20 years, but one American company, Cutco, provides similar top quality cutlery. Cutco was established shortly after World War II and is the leading cutlery company in the U.S and Canada.
Cutco steak knives are known for their distinctive looks with a slightly rounded tip, long handle and patented Double-D serrated edge.
The blades have a Rockwell rating of 57, which is very close to the Wusthofs. Again, that provides a good balance between ease of sharpening and edge retention.
Cutco steak knives are the highest end knife weve covered that has a rounded safety tip. For anyone with young children or people with special needs, that can be a life saver.
What I like:
Read Also: Why Are Omaha Steaks So Good
What To Look For In A Steak Knife
I wasnt joking in the introduction: your primary goals with a steak knife should be sharpness and handling. To those, also consider the price you want to pay and the maintenance youll bear.
Your primary goal is to make it easy for your family or guests to cut through tough dishes, such as steak and chicken.
Also keep in mind: depending on the knives you choose, your steak knives will even serve for many more dishes than meat think potatoes, and even bread.
Dalstrong Steak Knives Set
The Gladiator Series Dalstrong Steak Knives Set is an impressive set of steak knives which appear at a glance like miniature Chefs knives. Sporting a 5 straight edge hand-sharpened blade and a Rockwell hardness rating of over 56, these blades will cut anything on your plate and fight off dullness but more on that later. They also have a scalloped edge above the blade edge which creates air pockets so food wont stick to the knife edge.
Really, Im impressed with the Gladiator series and how it dares to be different than other knife sets. Knives come with protective sheaths, which make them safer to carry when traveling.
Like the other knives in this review, the Dalstrongs have full tang construction. This means the blade is a solid piece from tip to tail, which means it is sturdy and hard to break. It uses three rivets to attach the blade to the fine wooden handle.
Its a beautiful knife set and I could see using Gladiators in place of a Chefs knife for some cutting on a forgiving cutting board. Unfortunately, the most common complaint is it doesnt hold its edge for too long. This is an unfortunate side effect of using softer straight edge knives on a hard plate.
If you like something a little different and dont mind the maintenance and sharpening, this is an excellent set of knives.
Pros:
Cons:
- Users ran into dull edges relatively quickly.
Read Also: Authentic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich Recipe
Best Overall Wusthof Classic Steak Knife Set
If there were a Mercedes Benz of steak knives, it would without a doubt be Wusthof, who has been making knives in Solingen, Germany since 1814.
Wusthof knives are instantly recognizable by their logo a white trident on a red background. The three forks in the trident symbolize their three core values of passion, diligence and perfection.
Made with high carbon German stainless steel , Wusthof Classic Steak Knives are in the middle of the Wusthof range in terms of cost.
They strike an excellent balance between hardness and durability . These blades rarely chip or roll the edge.
The handles are made out of Polyoxymethylene . POM is a synthetic material that is hard to scratch and easy to grip.
I have had a set of Wusthof steak knives for over a decade and use them regularly. They still look great and cut as well as ever.
What I like:
- These knives are simply very good at everything they are supposed to do
- Hand honed for razor sharpness out of the box
- Understated, matte finish for a classic look
- Full tang construction
- Highly durable, as vouched for by long-term users
- Dishwasher safe, although we STRONGLY recommend washing by hand
- Wusthof offers an in-house sharpening service.
What I dont like:
- No wooden storage box at this price point
- The red logo is an adhesive that wears off over time.
This may be the best steak knife set for you, if you:
Overall, these steak knives are one of the lowest-risk kitchen purchases any home chef can make.
Where Are Dalstrong Knives Made
Every single one of our knives is painstakingly assembled by expert bladesmiths in a state-of-the-art facility within YangJiang, China â a city with a renowned knife crafting tradition dating back over 1400 years. Today, Yangjian holds the title of National Capital of Knives and Scissors, exporting to more than 100 countries and accounting for 60% of all knife product exports in China.
Before we partner with any global organization, we seriously consider their stance on workerâs rights and eco-sustainability. Itâs important to us that our partners align with our values. Our main manufacturing partners are certified ISO humans rights compliant, with 4 weeks of paid vacation for their employees per year and fair wages.
At our manufacturing plants, the artisans and lead foremen are on a personal mission to prove to the world that Chinese knife quality is world-class. As such, our factory proudly stands head and shoulders above all others in YangJiang.
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The Gladiator Series 8
The Dalstrong Gladiator Series 5â straight-edged steak knives are meal-time masters when meat is on the menu. Ruthlessly sharp with a handsome design, the knivesâ complement and enhance any dinner or lunch-time engagement. From the thickest cuts of rib-eye steak to tender chicken cordon bleu and everything in between, the Gladiator Series straight-edge steak knives ensure effortless slicing. These high performance blades are sure to impress both guests and yourself as they sail through meat, giving you perfectly clean, straight slices, ensuring all the juice and flavor remain inside each and every bite. The rock-hollow divots further minimize friction and stuck on food, while the included sheaths protect the edge of the blades as well as fingers. If you desire exceptional performance, impeccable craftsmanship, and pure, authentic design that looks good on any tabletop, the Gladiator Series belong in your hands.
Included:
- Gladiator Series 5″ Straight-Edged Steak Knives – Glacial White ABS Handle
- Oak Convertable Storage Block & Stand
- Neatly Packed with Dalstrongâs Renowned Packaging
- Dalstrong Support
Powered By Our People
Dalstrong is a high-performing team of young, determined individuals who are relentlessly driven to make a mark in the culinary world. People who believe in their ability to shape and change the world around them through our products, our creativity, and our community. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, our diverse roster spans the globe, pulling from an incredibly rich cross-section of life and professional experiences to perfect every iteration and make every Dalstrong purchase meaningful.
Recommended Reading: Miracle Blade Iii Steak Knives
Knives To Build A Career On A Community Of Chefs To Belong To
Over Seventy-Five Thousand Chefs Have Switched to Dalstrong
From executive chefs to home chefs and everyone in between, Dalstrong Chefs are treated like family. Over seventy-five thousand chefs have switched to Dalstrong for our superior quality, unconditional support, and loyal community. It may be cliche, but we truly care about you and the blades and products we painstakingly design and develop. From the tinest packaging detail, to hundreds of hours of design and testing, each knife is a work of love, dedication and expert craftsmanship. We proudly believe we are the fastest growing knife company for a reason.
Dalstrong supports you, our chefs, everyday and in every way we can. Your Dalstrong knives work alongside you, day in and day out, making you more effective, creative, and precise in the kitchen delivering plates you can feel proud to present. These are knives to build a career on, and tens of thousands of professional chefs have done just that.
From cooking competitions , to charitable events , Dalstrong loves the community, loves chefs, and the men and women who prepare food for us all each and everyday. From the heat of the professional kitchen to a simple meal for one, Dalstrong stands beside you every step of the way.
Can You Wash A Steak Knife In The Dishwasher
Yes, nowadays many manufacturers will say you can wash their knives in the dishwasher. But… take my advice and dont. You should hand-wash them.
Dishwashers are designed to be abrasive with detergent, and youll get mechanical damage as your knives knock around and hit utensils and dinnerware.
Honestly, just dont do it even if your steak knife manufacturer says its okay. Its not worth losing your edge!
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Dalstrong Chef Knife Gladiator Series 20cm 8
$125.00
- High carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel at 55 Rockwell
- Hand sharpened to 18° per side, achieving ultra thin slices and maximum resilience
- Tall blade height gives knuckle clearance
- Beautiful hand polished satin finish blade
- Tapered design for hardness and flexibility
- Precisely tempered
- Polished spine to facilitate a comfortable pinch grip
- Full tang for incredible robustness & quality
- Premium quality laminated pakkawood handles imported from Spain, for superior strength, refinement, and beauty.
- Triple riveted for even more durability
- Mirror polished, finger protective bolster provides for a perfectly engineered balance with just the right heft
Dalstrong Reviews: What Do Customers Think
The brands knives are beautiful, but you might be wondering how they hold up in real life. If so, youre in luck, because this is the part of the Dalstrong knife review where we search far and wide for all the nitty-gritty details when it comes to customer ratings.
A Dalstrong knife review on Blade Advisor talked about the brands 5 best sets, along with their pros and cons.
The author said that they have great customer service and will do whatever it takes to make customers happy, not surprising for a young, Canadian company. Customer service can make or break a business, so were glad that Dalstrong is putting in a solid effort.
While reviewing the 5 knife sets, the only cons that came up were about the price and what was included in the Dalstrong Professional Knife Set: likely still need to buy more knives for a complete set.
This could be a pain, but if youre looking for a complete set with steak knives and the whole shebang, Dalstrong has those too.
We turned to the brands website to get an overall feel for how customers enjoy their knives. Below, youll find ratings for a few of their most notable products:
- Chefs Knife 8 Shogun Series X 4.9/5 stars, nearly 2,000 ratings
- Kiritsuke Knife 8.5 Gladiator Series 4.8/5 stars, over 1,700 ratings
- Extra Long Crixus Knife 12 Shogun Series 4.9/5 stars, 130 ratings
- 4 Piece Steak Knife Set 5.5 Omega Series 4.8/5 stars, close to 300 ratings
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Best Value Bellemain Premium Steak Knife Set
Not everyone can afford or has need for an ultra-premium steak knife set. Fortunately, there are very strong competitors at the sub-$30 price point. For example, Bellemain offers an attractive stainless steel/serrated blade 4-knife set for roughly a tenth of the price of a Wusthof.
The steel is surgical quality stainless steel . While not likely to be confused with expensive Japanese or German high carbon alloys, it gets the job done.
These blades are serrated, meaning they have teeth, like a saw. This is a matter of preference. While serrated blades do not provide the clean cut of a straight blade, they are better for tougher cuts of meat like roasts.
What I like:
What I dont like:
- Harder to sharpen due to serrated blade
- Although stainless, the blades can show rust spots if not wiped down
- Comes in plastic packaging and does not include a storage box.
This may be the best steak knife set for you, if you:
- Have a budget under $30
- Need to buy a lot of knives
- Prefer a low maintenance, no worry knife
- Dont mind the sawing cutting action of a serrated blade.
Fantastic reviews and a nearly unbeatable price point make the Bellemain Premium Steak Knife Set a really compelling offer.
Save 75% On Dalstrong Gladiator Series Colossal Knife Set On Amazon
- Deal of the Day: $297.77
- You Save: $902.22
- Outstanding craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, stunning design elements, and premium materials. Peak performance has never looked so good at this price.
- Incredibly razor sharp, full-tang, imported high-carbon German steel with a hand polished edge at 16-18 degrees per side. Precisely tempered and stain resistant. This set will last a lifetime.
- Famed design, with satisfying heft, premium materials and quality feel. Luxury imported black pakkawood handles are triple-riveted with a grip that ensures comfort and maneuverability. Laminated and polished for a sanitary build, perfect for busy kitchens
- Engineered to perfection at 55 Rockwell hardness and hand polished to a satin finish. Carefully tapered for improved hardness, flexibility, and minimal slicing resistance. All the essential knives for any chef, complete in a stunning hand-made walnut wood block. Includes chef’s knife, kiritsuke, santoku, carving / slicing, bread, boning / filet, utility, serrated utility, paring, bird’s beak and 6 steak knives and honing steel.
- See why over 75,000 professional chefs and home cooks love and trust the DALSTRONG DIFFERENCE. 100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, try risk free, we know you’ll love it! Dalstrong: helping chef’s perform their best.
Read Also: How To Barbecue The Perfect Steak
The Ultimate Dalstrong Kitchen Knife And Block Set Guide
Dalstrong presents a worthy alternative to brands like Wusthoff or Shun by having some of the best customer service in the industry, and knowing how to make all their knives easy to find and learn about. They used to be a budget brand, and there are more than a few professional cooks and chefs who still look down their noses at Dalstrong knives. But lately Dalstrong has pushed into the high-end cutlery world pretty aggressively and come out with some interesting stuff. The quality is decent enough, if a little inconsistent sometimes, but theyre always quick to answer questions and fix problems or send replacements if you get a bad set. On top of that, everything they make looks beautiful, from the white-box packaging to the mirror finish on their steel.
Dalstrong isnt the best answer for everyone. There are more traditional brands for high-end sets, and if youre looking for other styles in the reasonably priced range there are more options than you might think. But a set of Dalstrongs is a pretty safe bet because theyve chosen the unique path of putting customer satisfaction over quality on their list of priorities. When you dont like something, theres a decent guarantee of getting a replacement or your money back if something goes wrong.Make no mistake, this company has some marketing genius behind it, but they also understand that quality plays an important part in keeping us happy.
