Best Japanese Set: Shun Classic
Crafted in Japan, Shun knives are top quality and coveted by chefs and home cooks alike. The VG-MAX “super steel” blade on this set is clad on each side with layers of stainless steel, giving them a Damascus-style beauty and quality. The pakkawood handles resist moisture and have a comfortable grip. These “super steel” knives are worthy of professional kitchens.
If you need more than four, the set of six comes with a bamboo storage case. Ideal for gifting or protecting those very sharp blades in your kitchen at home.
To buy: Shun Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set, $330 at williams-sonoma.com or surlatable.com 6-Piece Set with Box, $490 at williams-sonoma.com
Steak Knives Knife Set Of 6 Or 12
Moving on now, lets take a look at this set of non-serrated steak knives from Foxel, which feature a German stainless steel construction. They usually come as a set of 6, but there is the option of a 12 set.
Classic steak knife design
Many steak lovers can appreciate a classic looking steak knife, that youd usually find served up in a restaurant. Foxel has done a grand job producing these X50CrMoV15 German stainless steel blades with pure precision.
You receive the knives in a very fitting presentation box, which can be brought out for parties, barbecues, and steak nights with friends or family.
Effortless grip
With the smooth black classic looking handles on these blades, youll have a comfortable and effortless grip as you make your way through a juicy porterhouse, sirloin, tenderloin or whatever takes your fancy.
To maintain the level of quality in the knives, it is advised to hand wash them and avoid the dishwasher. Since these knives are straight-edged, they will require sharpening from time to time, but it should be worth it.
The set is definitely made for anyone who appreciates a classic looking steak knife, and they come with a full refund money-back guarantee if youre not happy.
Our rating:
- 6 or 12 knife set options.
Cons
- Need to sharpen.
Best For Gifting: Zwilling 8
This Zwilling set comes in an attractive wooden presentation box, so gifting is as easy as throwing on a bow. The eight-piece set is top to bottom high-carbon stainless steel, made with professional-grade design and materials. The serrated blades will hold their sharpness for longer than traditional knives. The thin handles look great at any table setting, and even bettershoppers can catch the set while it’s on sale for just $85. Give it as a wedding gift, Christmas gift, or birthday gift.
To buy: Zwilling 8-Piece Steak Knife Box Set, $85 at target.com, macys.com, or zwilling.com
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Why You Should Trust Us
Ive been cooking for myself and for crowds since I left high school between that and various stints in construction and landscaping, Ive come to appreciate well-made, well-designed hand toolsincluding knives. And having wasted money on crummy, expensive knives more than once when I was younger, I have a particular regard for knives that truly justify their price .
For my own needs and as a journalist, Ive researched deeply into knife-making materials, knife design, and knife performance over the years Mark Richmond, owner of Chef Knives to Go, has been particularly helpful on several occasions. Our 2015 guide, researched and written by Wirecutter deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset, produced a wealth of information also incorporated here. Christine gathered reviews from Americas Test Kitchen , Saveur, and Serious Eats she learned about knife styles and materials from Dexter Ewing of BLADE magazine and Howard Nourieli of Bowery Kitchen Supplies and she spoke to Rick Gresh, then the executive chef at David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago for practical advice on steak knife performance and care.
Finally, weve now tested 15 different steak knives on 16 pounds of beef in two real-world test sessions, involving a dozen Wirecutter staffers and friends. If theres a question about steak knives, however obscure, weve asked it and found the answer.
Tips For Making Cheese Steak Dip
Our tips for making cheesesteak dip include the following:1. Use a good oven safe baking dish to bake the dip and one thats good for serving it too. Otherwise, youll be trying to transfer contents back and forth and that can be a hassle and not look as pretty when you get done.
2. Be sure to sauté the vegetables until theyre soft. If you skip this step, youll have crunchy vegetables and that will change the experience of eating the dip.
3. Make sure to cook the beef before adding it to the mix. The time the dip requires in the oven to melt the cheese is not long enough for the beef to cook.
Recommended Reading: How Long To Cook Sirloin Steak On Grill
What To Serve With Three Cheese Steak Dip
Outback Steakhouse serves their Three Cheese Steak Dip with tortilla chips and thats a favorite for us too. But there are other ideas that you might enjoy as well.Try serving with a sliced baguette or even a toasted baguette to change up the flavor and texture.You might also like to use pretzels to go with your warm cheese dip. Any shape of pretzels will work such as traditional shaped pretzels, pretzel rods, pretzel sticks, pretzel twists or whatever your pleasure.Carrots and celery sticks, or any other desired raw vegetables are another perfect way to change things up.
Best Serrated: Misen Steak Knives 4
Misen which is known for funding its product introductions on Kickstarter has a loyal following amongst in-the-know foodies. The brand consults everyone from beginniner cooks to the pros, as well as engineers and product designers, to develop products that are well-priced but with a great design. So it’s no wonder that their steak knife set looks good and performs even better.
These knives have a distinctive look: The handle is a linear continuation from the blade, so it has a clean, contemporary look. The blade is made from high-carbon German steel and the handle is made of a synthetic material. While the straight shape of the handle isn’t as comfortable to hold as some of the handles that have a more ergonomic shape that is contoured to the hand, the material has a warm, comfortable feel to it and a pleasant heft and width. But larger-handed people might feel like the design, where there is no clearance between the blade and the handle, can cause the knuckles to get in the way.
Buy It: $80 misen.com
Read Also: Chicken Fried Steak To Go
The Material Of Your Steak Knife
While older steak knives used to be made from carbon steel it is more common now to find them made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is known to be not only durable but also rust-resistant. This is important if you intend for your steak knives to have a long lifespan.
Though you may not have many options outside of stainless steel there are different kinds of stainless steel that are worth mentioning.
- High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Cold Stainless Steel
- Tempered Stainless Steel
High carbon is the most lightweight of the three options making it more flexible when in use. Cold steel will be easier to keep clean and high carbon is for those looking for a more robust steak knife. Whichever stainless steel you decide to go with you can be comforted by the fact that each will last you a long time.
Whatever steak knives you choose to use in your home or display in your restaurant we hope that these tips will guide you to the best option for you. Remember it is best to select a set of steak knives that has all the right elements for you and your steak versus by how they look on your table. This way you can be guaranteed a fantastic steak cutting experience.
Best Overall: Wsthof Classic 4
While there are certainly less expensive steak knives available, Ina Garten’s favorite knife brand holds true in this category for a reason. Wüsthof has been making cutlery for 200 years, and its Classic line includes laser-cut blades made from high-carbon stainless steelso sharp there’s no need for serrations. This set includes four 4.5-inch German blades, and the Solingen name on the side indicates it meets the strictest quality standards. The classic triple-riveted handle is full-tang and contoured for a comfortable grip while slicing through steak, pork chops, or any tough meat.
The full bolster provides protection for your hand while slicing, and the handle is designed from a highly durable material that resists fading and discoloration. As with any premium kitchen knife, handwashing is recommended for these to remain in the best condition.
To buy: Wüsthof Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set, $290 at , surlatable.com, or wusthof.com
Read Also: Cutlery Set With Steak Knives
Tips For Ooey Outback Butter Cake Recipe Success
To ensure your ooey-gooey butter cake recipe is a success, follow these tips:
- Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools in the right size and proportions.
- Let your ingredients sit out for a brief period before you begin prepping so they can be at room temperature.
- The cake is made if the cakes middle still looks undercooked and wiggles, but the crust is firm when you shake the pan.
- Always let the cake cool for about an hour before you cut and serve. When cutting the cake, take your time and be gentle. To avoid cake sticking to your knife, spray the knife with cooking spray and clean with a clean kitchen towel.
- The flavor of ooey-gooey butter cake seems to get better after about a day in the refrigerator. So, if you can wait 24 hours before diving in, itll be worth it.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Steak Knife
Balanced a good steak knife should be well balanced for ease of use. Close handle fit look for a well-fitted handle without any gaps between the blade and the start of the handle. Good-quality stainless steel the better the steel, the better your blade will cut and the longer it will retain its edge.
Read Also: Best Meat Church Rub For Steak
What Can You Serve Butter Cake With
- Add a buttercream topping.
- Add syrup of your choice to boost flavor.
- Add a chocolate ganache topping.
- Raspberry sauce.
Preparation.
Steak Knives Mixed French Wood Handles Set Of 6
The first set of knives were looking at feature mixed French wood handles and come as a set of 6. Laguiole en Aubrac presents an absolutely exquisite set of knives that really will be something that can be passed through the generations.
Handmade by skilled craftsmen
The mixed French wood handles are such a stand out feature, which will give your knives an individuality that can be found nowhere else. Each knife handle is made by a single craftsman, with all their hard work and perfection contributing to your steak-eating experience.
And whats more, youll be buying into a great conversation piece in the sense that all these knives are made exclusively in a village near Laguiole in the Aubrac region of France.
Quality blades
The blades on these knives are made with precision by Sanvik and feature high-quality stainless steel that will maintain performance over long periods.
In addition, the six beautifully crafted knives come in a lovely matching wooden presentation box, so you can keep them clean and untouched when not in use.
Overall, youll be investing in a set of high-functioning steak knives that will stay sharp and sound on many occasions. And if you dont intend to use them, they make an excellent collectors item, or even a gift as well.
Our rating:
- Wood might not be your thing.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Most Tender Steak
Best Starter Set: Henckels 4
Henckels is another big name in cutlery, and even though this set is on the lower end of its price range, its performance does not disappoint. The blade is serrated from point to halfway up the blade, and has a sharp, straight edge the remainder of the length to the handle. Most of the cutting action happens where the serration is, and the micro-serrated edge does a great job in cutting through the meat without shredding or ripping. The riveted plastic handle is chunky, with a slightly contoured shape that fits comfortably in the hand.
It’s on the short side, but the thickness of the handle would definitely suit someone with larger hands. Low-maintenance folks will appreciate that these knives are dishwasher safe, and the molded plastic packaging they come in is suitable for storage, if not particularly attractive. With a great price point and decent performance, these knives are an ideal starter set for the college student or new apartment dweller looking to build their kitchen collection.
Buy It: $20 , zwilling.com, or walmart.com
Finding The Right Balance
When looking for a good set of steak knives balance might just be the furthest thing from your mind, but can in fact play an important role in your selection. This, of course, doesnt mean that the steak knife needs to be perfectly balanced with the weight of the blade, but there are other factors of balance that you should consider.
Most of these features can easily be discovered by handling the knives themselves before you decide to purchase. You can also usually spot an imbalance even if you are purchasing your steak knives online.
Either way, you will want to get a good feel for the knife from the handle to the blade before picking a steak knife set for your kitchen. Many housewares stores even have handles on display without the blades in order to test your grip and to get a better feel for the handle itself.
Another important part of looking for the best-balanced steak knife is to look for the Fit of the blade or how well the components that make up your steak knife fit together. You dont want a steak knife that has a visible gap between the blade and the handle. Your steak knives should look seamless.
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Straight Edge Steak Knives
As the name implies, a straight edge steak knife has a sharp straight blade similar to that of a paring knife. The key difference is a steak knife blade will be longer and thicker. The straight edge steak knife is meant to be used in one stroke versus a saw-like motion required for the serrated steak knife.
If what you are going for is the look of your steak, then the straight edge will give you that smooth clean cut from your steak and will not tear at the meat fibers. If a basic knife that cuts meat is all you require then a straight edge blade would be an added benefit to your knife collection.
However, an important thing to note is that a straight edge does not have the same longevity as a serrated knife. If you do decide on a straight edge steak knife you will want to learn how to sharpen the blades. This will keep your straight edge steak knives in good condition and will most likely extend their shelf life. It is suggested then that you sharpen your straight edge steak knives at least once every two weeks.
How Much Should I Spend On A Steak Knife
If youre looking for a hand-crafted steak knife, youre going to need to spend some money. Without knowing the cost of the knives on display, all but one of the testers stated that they would want to spend less than $200 for a nice gift set of steak knives, and $100 or less on a set for themselves.
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Who Needs A Steak Knife Set
Even if you havent seen the movie, you probably know the line: First prize is a Cadillac … Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is youre fired. Alec Baldwins speech is cinema legend. Its also insightful. Glengarry Glen Ross premiered in 1984, when there was nothing more quintessentially American than big cars, lost jobsand steak for dinner. Of course second prize is a set of steak knives! Almost everyone would have appreciated themif not the circumstances they arrived under.
Today, second prize would be something else. Americans are eating less meat in general, and less beef in particular, so not everyone needs a set of steak knives these days. But if you eat meat regularly, you really should have one. Its amazing how much nicer it is to slice a tenderloin or chop with a well-made blade designed for that purpose. And that will hold true even if youre already using a cheapo set of serrated steak knives, let alone if youre hacking away with the dull table knives that came with your silverware.
A nice set of steak knives also dresses up a place-setting, so if you like to entertainor just like to make a fancy meal now and thenyou may appreciate owning a set, too. Finally, one thing that held true in 1984 still holds true in 2015: steak knives are a special gift for the right person. You can even spend Cadillac money, if youre feeling extra generous.
