Serrated vs Non Serrated Steak Knives
Main Differences & Best Knives to Consider
By Samuel Fisher
If you have ever tried to find the best steak knives, you might have started to come across serrated steak knives and non serrated steak knives. If you are not an expert in the knife industry, you might find yourself wondering what the difference is between serrated and non serrated steak knives.
To be clear, both serrated steak knives and non serrated steak knives can be used to cut your steak efficiently. Using knowledge harnessed over decades in the industry, we can help you understand what you need to know on this topic.
Ready to learn more? Read on!
Main Differences Between Serrated & Non Serrated Steak Knives
If you want to learn the main differences between serrated vs non serrated steak knives, we are here to help. Here are the main things to keep in mind when comparing and contrasting serrated vs non serrated steak knives.
The Shape of The Blade
A serrated steak knife has a jagged, razor sharp edge that resembles teeth. On the contrary, non serrated steak knives have a straight cutting edge that is designed to cut steaks more smoothly. To be clear, the best steak knives can either have serrated or non serrated blades. It is a matter of personal preference.
The Sharpening Process
A serrated blade is considerably more difficult to sharpen than a non serrated steak knife. This is due to the more intricate edges of a serrated blade. Those who use an electric sharpener on serrated blades, for example, risk ruining the sharp edge and should instead use a ceramic sharpening rod.
If you want to have the easiest possible experience when sharpening your steak knives, avoid electric knife sharpeners when sharpening serrated blades, and instead try to focus on using straight edged blades that are non serrated.
Maintenance Needs
Serrated blades may slice meat much more quickly out of the box and can make tougher cuts easily, but they also can dull much more rapidly than smooth blades that are non serrated. A serrated steak knife might be the best choice if you are okay with constant maintenance and less edge retention.
However, those who want to minimize the maintenance needs of their knife should instead get a non serrated steak knife with a razor sharp edge. Straight edge steak knives tend to hold up better over time.
The Size of the Meat
There are serrated and non serrated blades that can be used for cutting meat of all sizes and shapes. Serrated knives can be good for cutting through large cuts of meat, but serrated knives also typically have shorter blades than non serrated knives. However, this is not always the case.
Typically, a serrated steak knife will not perform as well when slicing big cuts of meat compared to a non serrated steak knife. As we will explore below, a serrated knife also creates much more trauma on the meat itself, making you lose more juice than non serrated knives would.
Fluid Retention When Eating
It’s important to note that those who like a juicy steak and want to keep all the flavorful juices intact when using a knife should consider using non serrated steak knives. Non serrated knives do a much better job helping you make a nice juicy steak.
Since the blade’s edge on non serrated steak knives doesn’t rip and tear through the meat as much, you will find that non serrated steak knives require much less trauma on the meat and help keep fluid in the meat when eating.
How Well Done You Cook the Meat
If you prefer to have juicy pieces of steak, you should use a non serrated blade when cutting the brisket into smaller pieces of steak. As mentioned above, the fluid retention is much better when using a non serrated blade.
Therefore, those who cook rare – medium-rare steaks should focus on using a non serrated steak knife, as this will help you keep the fluid inside the meat while cutting and enjoying each bite.
Ease of Cutting the Meat
Steak lovers tend to prefer a scalloped edge over a straight edge since you might not have to do quite as much sawing motion with a serrated blade as you would with a non serrated knife. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
A scalloped edge typically provides a sharp blade most ideal for slicing meat easily. Although it’s important to note that many non serrated knives can cut just as efficiently. In addition, non serrated blades tend to hold up a lot better over time and are easier to sharpen.
How Long the Blade Stays Sharp
Steak enthusiasts who are accustomed to cutting a perfectly cooked steak with a serrated blade might also be great when it comes time to sharpen serrated steak knives. However, as we mentioned, this is also typically a little harder to do compared to a straight-edge steak knife. Typically, a non scalloped edging will hold up the best over time.
CUTLUXE Artisan Series Steak Knives
Set of Four Serrated Knives
Our Favorite Serrated Knife
The Cutluxe Artisan Series steak knife set is best for those who want to cut through steak quickly without any issues at the dinner table. However, you will not want to use a serrated knife like this for cutting large cuts of meat.
This is also a knife set. Therefore you will need to purchase a set of four if you want to use this serrated knife. This is the best choice for those who buy small steak cuts ready to be cooked and eaten. However, those who start with large brisket cuts should instead look at a longer non serrated knife.
CUTLUXE Artisan Series Steak Knives
Set of Four Plain Edge Knives
The Best Non Serrated Knife
The Cutluxe Artisan Series steak knife set is best for those who want to cut through steak quickly without any issues at the dinner table. However, you will not want to use a serrated knife like this for cutting large cuts of meat.
This is also a knife set. Therefore you will need to purchase a set of four if you want to use this serrated knife. This is the best choice for those who buy small steak cuts ready to be cooked and eaten. However, those who start with large brisket cuts should instead look at a longer non serrated knife.
What to Consider When Buying a New Steak Knife
Here are the top factors to keep in mind on the topic of a serrated vs non serrated steak knife. This way, you only buy steak knives that meet your needs perfectly.
Blade Length
If you are cutting steaks pieces straight from a larger brisket cut, you should first consider the length of the blade. Longer blades are great for turning large brisket cuts into smaller pieces of steak. However, shorter blades are best for those who are simply cutting smaller pieces of steak and turning them into bite size pieces.
Type of Blade
Serrated blades tend to cut steak pieces with less effort but also cause more fluid to leak and can be harder to maintain. In addition, they can dull much more quickly than a non serrated blade.
Therefore, consider getting a straight edge blade if you want to ensure that you keep the most juice in your steak as possible while eating it. In addition, this is a better option for those who are not experts at sharpening their knives.
Your Budget
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a steak knife is your budget. It is important to find a knife that fits your needs and budget. There are many different types and styles of steak knives available, so it is important to do your research before making a purchase.
A good steak knife can range in price from around $20 to $200. It is important to find a knife that is comfortable to hold and that has a sharp blade. Whether you get a serrated or non serrated blade, expect to pay the price within this budget range.
Serrated vs Non Serrated Steak Knives – FAQs
Ready to Start Using Some New Steak Knives?
Whether you want a steak knife with a non serrated edge or ones with serrated edges, we have got you covered here at CUTLUXE. We are proud to offer some of the best steak knives on the market. Check out our inventory today and start using the best kitchen knives to cut steak cleanly!
In addition, be sure to check out our blog to learn more about anything related to knives and knife culture!