Serrated steak knives

How to Keep Your Serrated Steak Knives Sharp and Maintained

A serrated steak knife is the most common type of knife used for slicing steaks. It comes with serrated blades and its edge is ridged which looks like a tooth. These ridges are called by others scallops or gullets. The serrated blade is a favorite among steak lovers because it can cut through foods cleanly. It is also commonly used for types of bread like boules, baguettes, and other crusty loaves.

While the best serrated steak knives maintain their sharpness longer, there will be some point that you have to sharpen them. Because of the knife’s serrated blades and ridge edge, sharpening it may be a bit of a challenge compared to a straight-edge type of steak knife. But don’t fret. This article will guide you on how to sharpen serrated steak knives like a pro.

First Things First

In sharpening a serrated steak knife, you will need something more than a traditional knife sharpener. You need to have a dedicated serrated knife sharpener. This kind of sharpener is tapered so that it can fit in between the various size of the knife’s serration. It can also be made of different materials. The most aggressive types of serrated knife sharpeners are made from diamond and carbide. They allow the fewest passes. For finer sharpening, you can opt for ceramic ones. Be ready to spare more time in sharpening a serrated knife when you use this. However, the result is worth it as it can produce a razor-like edge.

How to Sharpen Serrated Steak Knife Like a Pro

Locate the Knife’s Beveled Edge

Serrated knives usually have one side that is flatter than the other. Look for the less flat side which is called the bevel. Note that you should only sharpen the beveled edge so you won’t risk ruining the knife’s cutting surface.

Set the Sharpener in the Gullet

A serrated knife resembles the look of a saw blade which has its high and low points. In the case of the knife, the gullet is the low point. Place your sharpener to the gullet and match the sharpener’s angle with the bevel’s angle as closely as you can. Typically, the angle is more shallow than what you were used to in sharpening other kinds of knives. The serrated knife’s bevels are usually between 13 and 17 degrees compared to a straight blade which has 20 degrees.

Match the Diameter of the Gullet

You’ll definitely appreciate the taper of the serrated knife sharpener in this step. Adjust the sharpener’s location until it ideally fits in between the serrations on the blade. It’s okay if the taper is a bit smaller than the serrations. Just make sure that there is a bit wiggle room as possible in the gullet.

Sharpen the Gullet

Now start sharpening the gullet in short, back-and-forth motions. This movement will create the finest edge in your serrated steak knife. Plus, it makes the knife serve its purpose a little longer.

Inspect the Knife for Burrs

A burr is a small piece or a raised edge that usually remains in a workpiece after a modification process. People who sharpen metal knives usually avoid burrs. But in the case of a serrated knife, the burr is a sign that you have sufficiently sharpened its blade. Carefully run your hand over the flatter edge of the knife and check for any metal shavings—these are the burrs.

Repeat the Above-Mentioned Steps

Even the best serrated steak knives won’t get sharpened perfectly the first time. So, make sure that you go through every step until you notice an improvement.

Clean the Burrs Away

Once you’re satisfied with the sharpness of your serrated knife, don’t forget to remove the burrs from it. Use fine-grit sandpaper or a high-grit polishing block to ensure the knife will be free from burrs. You wouldn’t want your family or guests having some metal shavings on their steaks!

Be Confident in Sharpening Your Serrated Knife

At some point, steak knives go dull and you will need to sharpen them. One reason why the knife’s blades go dull is because of the duration it hits the surface of the cutting board. If you noticed that the serrated knife is not performing as smoothly as it was before, then it’s time to sharpen it. Sharpening a serrated steak knife may be time-consuming but the result is worth it because you allow your loved ones to enjoy their steak effortlessly.

How To Choose The Right Steak Knives By The Blade Type

The Best Steak Knives Steak Knives October 15, 2021October 15, 2021non-serrated steak knives, Serrated steak knives, Steak Knives

Steak is a staple in American meals and needs good quality steak knives to eat the, properly. Steak can be grilled, roasted, broiled, pan-fried, or sous-vide cooked. The absolute delight of having a slice on your plate brings joy. And the explosion of pleasure and bursting of flavors in your mouth all give complete gastronomic satisfaction.

The appropriate kind of knife is required to enjoy a juicy, perfectly cooked steak. A good steak knife should be able to slice through the steak effortlessly. Being able to make great cuts ensure you get all the flavorful juices of the steak and not just end up on the plate. Without the right knife, you may have a hard time slicing and even get an open cut. Also, having a set of steak knives at home can be one of the ways you can impress your family and friends. Needless to say, steak knives are an essential part of an American home.

Different Types of Steak Knives

There are a lot of brands and manufacturers to choose from when shopping for steak knives. They also come in various handle designs and other fine details. But one of the most important features to look for is the knife blade. There are two kinds of blades among the best steak knives: serrated and non-serrated.

The most common choice among steak knives is the ones with serrated blades. This classic style of steak knife has gullets along the cutting edge. These tooth-like edges are specially designed to cut through foods that are soft on the inside but tough on the outside. Serrated knives are ideal for slicing types of bread like crusty loaves, boules, or baguettes as they will not crush the bread’s interior.

Most people consider the serrated blade type as the best steak knives as they do not require as much effort to cut the steak. They are believed to stay sharp longer since the blades never touch the plate. Sharpening often is not required, but it can be a bit challenging. One of its downsides is that its saw-like blades can rip and tear the steak. This means you lose access to enjoying the steak’s juices completely. Also, you may need to move your hand in a sawing motion when using serrated steak knives.

Non-Serrated Steak Knives

The ability of non-serrated steak knives to slice right through meats without tearing the fibers makes them one of the best steak knives in the market.

Their razor-sharp edges allow smoother and cleaner cuts. As a result, the steak’s juices remain intact with every slice. Moreover, there is no need for you to saw back and forth through the steak unlike with the serrated knife.

One disadvantage of having a straight-edge knife is that it requires constant sharpening. Non-serrated steak knives usually come in contact with the plates and surfaces underneath them that causes them to have more wear and tear. However, sharpening non-serrated steak knives is easier since they have straight edges compared to serrated ones with uneven edges.

How to Choose the Best Steak Knives

There are many factors to consider when shopping for steak knives. One thing to check is the blade sharpness. As discussed above, both serrated and non-serrated knives are worthwhile purchases but it still comes down to your preferences. Another component to check in buying a steak knife is the materials used. You can buy the cheapest set of steak knives but if they are not made of quality materials, then you may end up buying over and over again which is still costly. Knives made from high carbon stainless steel are a good purchase since they last longer.

You should also think about your safety and comfort when choosing steak knives. They should be easy to grip and manage to make your dining experience pleasurable. Knives with ergonomic handles are particularly made for the user’s comfort. The knife’s appearance is also another factor to consider, but this depends on your liking. Some kitchen knives have a rustic design, while others have a modern look.

Lastly, the best steak knives for your home will greatly depend on your budget. Note that the costly ones are not necessarily better than the cheaper options. You can always find affordable steak knives that similarly deliver exceptional performance like the more expensive ones.

Shop for Steak Knives Wisely

Serrated and non-serrated steak knives have their pros and cons. While both are good purchases, the decision of which one to get still depends on you. Buying steak knives is an investment, so make sure to rely on this article to help you with your selection.

Finding right quality steak knives

The Best Steak Knives Steak Knives November 11, 2020January 29, 2021Quality Steak Knives, Serrated steak knives, Straight edge steak knives

Knives, especially good quality steak knives are an essential part of the kitchen equipment. Whether you are a high-class chef or a regular person who enjoys cooking, high-quality knives are a must.

Slicing fruits and vegetables for salads, main dishes, desserts, and meats are an integral part of the culinary process. In order to make this process not just as fast as possible, but comfortable and enjoyable too, you need high-quality sharp knives.

There are tons of steak knives presented on the market, from Chinese manufacturers to European or Japanese brands. Traditionally, Japan is the world leader when it comes to good quality steak knivesdue to its centuries-old samurai past and high-tech present. In Europe, Germany is known for its long history of weaponry and high-quality products. Now, the technologies used to produce high-quality steel are being used to create the best steak knives.

If you are interested in good quality steak knives, you’ve probably visited websites of shops for professional chefs. Chefs are predominantly using two types of steak knives.

Good Quality Steak Knives

There is a reason why some of the knives in your drawer are labeled as steak knives. Whether it’s a serrated or non-serrated steak knife, good quality steak knives are designed to cut through steaks easily instead of using brute force.

Serrated Steak Knives

Similar to a saw, serrated steak knives have teeth or gullets. This type of blade stays sharp for a longer period of time, in comparison to the non-serrated blade. Depending on how often you use it, it can stay sharp for many years.

The reason for this is, the grooves between the teeth are not exposed and can survive the impact with plates. Therefore, the grooves remain sharp without the need of sharpening often.

Because of the serrations, cutting steak with this type of knife is extremely easy. Combined with the low maintenance, a serrated steak knife is often the most popular choice when selecting a steak knife.

Straight-edge Steak Knives

Non-serrated steak knives are a bit less traditional, but still very popular among chefs and regular folk. While the serrated knife can be compared to a saw, this type of knife can be compared to a razor.

With this type of blade, you can make a clean cut through the steak with one stroke. Although this type of blade is extremely sharp, it becomes very blunt, very fast. The need for maintenance is very high, but on the positive side, the process of sharpening is easy and straightforward.

Dishwasher-safe Steak Knives

Whether a serrated or non-serrated knife, putting you steak knives in your dishwasher can ruin them in an instant. Your knives can get dull quicker, the detergent can cause rusting, and wooden handles can get easily damaged.

If you don’t have time to wash your knives by hand, you should think about dishwasher safe knives. These types of knives are designed with corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades and handles, making them dishwasher safe.

What to Look for in a Steak Knife

Good quality steak knives come in many different forms, shapes, and sizes, but they all have a few things in common:

Sharp blade – this is essential for cutting through steaks and other types of meat with ease.
High-grade stainless steel – the quality of the steel will determine the longevity of the knife and how long the blade will stay sharp.
Full tang – for safety purposes, having a full tang is the best option you can choose.
Sturdy handle – wood, plastic, or steel, the handle should always feel smooth and comfortable in your hand.
Balance – often ignored, but a good steak knife should be well balanced in your hand when using it.

Conclusion

Whether you cook often or on occasion, your kitchen deserves a set of good quality steak knives. Knives that are well-balanced, comfortable to use, and capable of cutting steaks with little to no effort. If you want to get the most of your meals, a culinary tool like a steak knife is the first thing you should purchase.

For your convenience, we have recommended some of the best steak knives just for you, in three different categories, serrated steak knives, straight-edge steak knives, and dishwasher-safe steak knives!

We hope this article provided you with the information to help you find good quality steak knives and make a better-informed choice on what type of product is best for you and your kitchen.

What is the best style steak knife for you?

The Best Steak Knives Steak Knives September 1, 2020January 29, 2021Best Steak Knives, non-serrated steak knives, Serrated steak knives

Grilled or fried, steak is one of America’s most popular meals, and as a steak lover, having the best steak knives are essential when it comes to eating steak. The experience is just not the same if you are using regular knives. Steak lovers are not just interested in a healthy snack or a quick bite before work. A perfectly cooked steak is something more, an absolute delight.

The word steak goes hand in hand with the word knives. You cannot talk about steak without talking about the best steak knives. Imagine sitting down for a lovely dining experience with your better half, ready to give your taste buds a unique flavor, but your knife just won’t give you that satisfaction. The best thing you can do in this situation is to invest in some quality steak knives.

The Best Steak Knives

There are tons of manufacturers and brands you can choose from. The best steak knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes, different handle designs, or blade materials. These kinds of details can make or break a steak knife. If you are in the market for a new set of steak knives, you will find that two types of steak knives are most popular, the serrated and non-serrated steak knives. Serrated knives have ridged blades, while the non-serrated or straight knives have smooth and straight blades.

Although there is no perfect choice here, knowing the differences is helpful when choosing the best steak knives.

Both serrated and non-serrated blades come with advantages and disadvantages.

It’s up to you to decide which one suits you the best. To see what we recommend, see the best serrated steak knives here and read more about the best straight edge steak knives here.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Serrated knives

Advantages:

The biggest advantage of the serrated blade is the ability to cut the meat effortlessly. Because of the ridged edges, the serrated knives can cut through steak or any other meat pretty easily. Serrated knives can also be used for cutting bread, other kinds of meats as well as fruits and vegetables.

The serrated blade is also more durable. These blades do not go blunt as easily as the non-serrated blades. You can use it longer without the need of sharpening it. This makes the serrated knives one of the best steak knives you can have.

Disadvantages:

Although an advantage, the teeth-like blade of the serrated knives often tear and rip the meat you are cutting. This causes the juices to spill all over the plate and not in your mouth, which some people view it as a big disadvantage.

The second disadvantage is that when the time comes to sharpen the serrated blade, it’s much more difficult than sharpening a straight blade. Sharpening a serrated knife often requires professional assistance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Non-Serrated knives

Advantages:

One of the biggest advantages of the non-serrated blades is the ability to make a clean cut with one stroke. As we mentioned before, this will allow the juices to stay in the meat, leaving you with a proper taste in your mouth.

This will also allow you to cut faster. Because there are no ridges on the blade, you won’t need to cut the meat with a saw-like motion. With the smooth and straight edge, cutting the steak is also more elegant, and that comes handy when you are on a date.

A knife with a non-serrated blade definitely belongs to the group of the best steak knives.

Disadvantages:

A non-serrated knife usually requires a lot more physical effort when cutting. Although this blade can cut the meat with one sweeping down motion, if the steak is a little hard, you will have put a lot of effort into it.

Which brings me to the second disadvantage of the non-serrated blade, which is the sharpness. The non-serrated knives become blunt much easier than the serrated blades. Because of this, the need for maintenance is much bigger. Sharpening the knives every time you want a tasty piece of steak can get boring and time-consuming.

Conclusion

Cutting the steak is part of the full dining experience and no ordinary knife can do the job properly. If you cook steak on a regular basis, owning a quality set of steak knives is paramount. If you are a fan of the serrated blade, there’s no need to switch over, or vice versa. Both the serrated and non-serrated knives will get the job done, it comes down to personal preference.

Each type of steak knives has certain advantages and disadvantages. In the end, the best steak knives are the ones that you like using the most.

See what we recommend for the best steak knives of 2020: Serrated steak knives, straight edge steak knives, best dishwasher safe steak knives

The Best Blade For Your Steak Knives

The Best Steak Knives Steak Knives November 27, 2019January 29, 2021non-serrated steak knives, Serrated steak knives

Steak is one of America’s signature meals. A thick slice of premium quality beef, grilled or fried, and seasoned. Steak lovers do not go for it in search of a healthy snack. It is the absolute delight of having that beautiful slice on your plate, and you know it’s yours alone. It is about the explosion of pleasure in your mouth when you take a bite of your perfectly cooked steak.

As a steak lover, like us, you cannot talk about cooking or eating steak without mentioning your knives. You eat your steak using knives because, well, the meat is not small and cannot fit at once into your mouth. Also, you may easily make a mess trying to tear it with your teeth. For this reason, one of the things that you can be sure to find in any real American home is a set of steak knives.

There are a good number of knife manufacturers and brands to choose from, designs of handles and other fine details of class and style. But the most important feature is the knife blade. Among the best steak knives, there are two blade types; the serrated blade steak knives and the non serrated blade steak knives. The non serrated are those that have a smooth, straight blade while the serrated knives are those that have ridged blades.

You must know the differences between these different steak knife blades to make a choice that suits you best. There is no perfect choice here. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Pros and cons of the Non Serrated knives

Advantages:

One of the advantages of the non serrated knives is its delivery of a very clean-cut piece of meat, leaving you with a beautiful looking piece of steak that preserves the juices in the flesh. It can do this because of the sharp and smooth edge which slices straight through the meat fibre.

Another advantage of the non serrated knives is that they do not require a lot of movement when cutting meat. Because of the smooth edge, it is easy to cut meat in one sweeping down motion, and saving you time.

Your presentation as well on the dining table looks more impressive when you use a straight edge knife. Most of the pictures you find of steak online are usually done with straight-edge knives to present a clean side of the cut steak.

Disadvantages:

One of the cons of the non-serrated knives is the need for a lot of physical effort when cutting, especially if the steak is a little hard. The blade has to slice through the meat and depends on its sharpness and your strength to do so.

Another disadvantage is the fact that the non serrated steak knives are only practical when very sharp. This need for a sharp blade would not be an issue, but for that, they quickly become dull after every use. You will, therefore, need to sharpen the knives after every use. This constant process can be time-consuming and become boring after a while.

The pros and cons of the Serrated knives

Advantages:

The most significant advantage of the serrated knives is the fact that they do not require as much effort to cut the steak. Serrated blades have ridged edges. This property of these knives enables them to cut through steak and other meats easily. The teeth-like look of the serrated blade catches and rip the flesh as the edge passes through the steak.

Another advantage of the serrated knives is that they do not quickly get blunt, so can be used severally without the need for sharpening; this is because the entire blade does not come in contact with the plate.

Disadvantages:

A disadvantage even of the best serrated steak knives is that the saw-like blades rip and tear the steak, making the juices to spill and hinders your full enjoyment.

Another disadvantage is that you need to move your hand in a sawing motion to use the serrated steak knives. After all, with teeth like a saw, you can expect to cut like a saw.

Summary:

If you choose to go along with the serrated blades, the best serrated steak knives are those who’s manufacturers have put careful consideration not only in the sharpness of the blade but on the quality of the material used for the handle, which as well determines the overall balance of the knives. There is also the dishwasher safe steak knife options to look into and to make sure it’s made of top quality.

In all, each type of steak knife has its pros and cons, so choose to your liking and for your enjoyment.