Barbeque season is here, and the carnivores are raring to enjoy some phenomenal grilled steaks. If you’re the kind of person who prepares by carefully selecting your cuts, using only the most delicious marinades and rubs, then grilling them to perfection, we’re right there with you.
But with all the effort you put into creating such meaty excellence, did you know that the kind of steak knives you use will either make or break your dining experience?
How Do I Choose the Right Steak Knife?
There are so many types of steak knives of differing calibre and cost, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. With such a range of choices, it can be difficult to choose a steak knife that’s right for you and your steaks. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose a steak knife that suits you best, broken into 3 styles: micro-serrated, serrated, and straight-edged.
Micro-Serrated Steak Knives
Micro-serrated knives, like the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Contemporary Set or the Victorinox Steak Set, allow you to cut through fibrous meats without much difficulty, but on the flip side, the many serrations can tear meat and release juices that you want to keep within the meat. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- The steel quality is mid-range, so it won’t dull as quickly as a straight edge
- The micro-serrations protect the cutting edge, keeping it from dulling, and provide an easy cutting experience.
Cons
- The quality of steel commands a higher price point
- Serrated knives are only good if you like your steak very well-done. When you cut steak with a serrated knife, you actually rip the fibres of the meat, which makes all those flavourful juices pour out when you really want to keep them in. If you like a tender, juicy steak, serrated knives are not for you.
- Because the serrations are so small, they will wear out faster than larger serrations, meaning you may need to sharpen these one day.
Serrated Steak Knives
When you think of steak knives, perhaps this is what comes to mind. Steak knives with large serrations, such as the Kussi Stampede Vintage Set, are the most common. They will be lower cost, lower maintenance, but may sometimes represent some lower quality knives on the market.
Pros
- They’re super low maintenance. You’ll never have to sharpen these knives because the points of the serrations protect the cutting edge by hitting the plate first, dulling the points instead of the edge.
- This kind of knife can get away with using a lesser steel, which means a lower overall cost, which is easier on your wallet.
Cons
- It uses a lower quality steel, so knives made this way may not stand up to the test of time.
- While there are fewer serrations, these knives will still tear meat and release those delicious juices. Not as much as micro-serrated blades, but not as clean a cut as a straight edged knife either.
Straight-Edged Steak Knives
Straight-edged steak knives, like the Wusthof Classic Set or the Shun Premier Steak Set, are the cream of the crop. With a straight-edged blade, your knife will glide through meat like butter, while retaining all those juices.
Pros
- These knives have the best quality steel, so you’re investing in knives you’ll have for 25 years or more.
- These knives are the best for cutting meat. You will not tear your meat cutting with this knife, and all the juices will stay inside the steak, and not pour out all over your plate.
Cons
- Straight edged knives, because they don’t have any serrated points protecting the cutting edge, will require sharpening every now and then.
- The price is quite a bit higher because the quality of steel and construction goes up substantially.
Come Visit Us!
Choosing a set of steak knives isn’t always as easy as saying “this one, let’s go.” It takes some time and consideration. If you ever want or need more information, come on down to one of our stores! Our staff would love to answer your questions and help you pick out the right set for you.
Do you have any questions for us about steak knives? Want to know about the knives you have? Leave us a question in the comments below!
