You are at a restaurant, and you want to enjoy that delicious meat that you have been waiting for all evening. You whisper to the waiter who just served you to ensure the table knife is a Japanese steak knife because you know exactly what you are about to do to the meat or the burger, and the right tool will come in handy for this one. The Japanese have been known to have the best blades for centuries. From the famous Samurai sword to kitchen knives, the Japanese have kept the culture of making high-end blades that are unmatched worldwide. We will look at Japanese steak knives and help you explore the right one for your dinner setup.
What is a Steak Knife?
A steak knife is a small knife that you will find at the table for cooked food. A steak knife, also known as a table knife, has a serrated edge and a sharp edge at the tip. The serrated blades are meant to cut through meaty foods such as steak and burgers easily without a hassle. A Japanese steak knife set would be the most suitable choice for your steak knife set because Japanese knives are known to be the best worldwide. However, once in a while, you will find a steak knife without a serrated edge. Serrated steak knives are great, but a good and sharp steak knife will still do justice during your steak dinner. So let us explore Japanese steak knives and help you find the best steak knife for a smooth and enjoyable dinner time.
Best Japanese Steak Knives
1. Ginsu Gourmet Chikara Series Forged Steak Knives
- These Ginsu Chikara forged steak knives are one piece of premium Japanese Stainless Steel from tip to tang so you can approach every recipe...
- These Ginsu Chikara forged steak knives arrive razor sharp and stay sharp longer than the competition giving you a low-maintenance, high...
- These Ginsu Chikara forged steak knives are expertly balanced to give you the perfect blend of power and control you need to enjoy any...
- This Ginsu Chikara forged steak knife set includes four forged 5-Inch Steak Knives.
The Ginsu steak knife set is one that you have to include in your kitchen. Each knife in the set has excellent edge retention and a comfortable grip that will make each meal a memory. The steak knife set contains four knives that have been made with excellence from tip to tang. In addition, each knife has a Chikara etching to add a fine finish to the elegance that the brand embodies.
Ginsu knives are made of stainless steel, which is rust-resistant and durable compared to their carbon counterparts. You will never go wrong with Ginsu Chikara forged knives.
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2. DALSTRONG Steak Knife Set
- A Dalstrong culinary revolution combining outstanding and award-winning craftsmanship, cutting-edge breakthrough technology, awe-inspiring...
- Unrivalled Performance: Ruthlessly sharp scalpel like edge is hand finished to a mirror polish at 8-12° per side using the traditional...
- Dalstrong Power: The steak knives feature an ultra sharp AUS-10V Japanese super steel cutting core at 62+ Rockwell hardness: extraordinary...
- Engineered to Perfection: Ultra-premium G-10 handle is military grade with life-long durability. Hand polished, the ergonomic handle shape...
- Dalstrong Trust: Rocksolid 100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, try it risk free. LIFETIME WARRANTY against defect. Renowned Dalstrong...
DALSTRONG is an award-winning brand with cutting-edge technology knives that make every meal an event to look forward to. The DALSTRONG knife set is a premium offer with unrivaled efficiency on the table. The knives come in a set of four at an affordable price, making the set ideal for a small family. The knives are forged with mastery and have an outstanding sharpness that lasts longer than the knives you will find in other steak knives set.
DALSTRONG has a strong sense of elegance that is seen in the design of their knives. The handles of the knives create a point of convergence for elegance and excellent ergonomics. Buy DALSTRONG today for a neat set at your table every time.
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3. LEVINCHY 4.5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Knife
- Super Damascus Stainless Steel：LEVINCHY 4.5 inch Damascus Steak Knife is made of high quality 67-layer super damascus steel HRC 60±2 for...
- Professional Steak Knife: Super sharp edges meets all the steak cutting requirements for the knife. The razor-sharp forged edge is easy for...
- PAKKA WOOD HANDLE - Ergonomically PAKKA handle is very comfortable and doesn't slip easily when you are using. The right balanced weight...
- THE PERFECT GIFT: The knife comes in a high-quality black gift box, making it the perfect gift for wife, husband, parents, grandparents or...
LEVINCHY has mastered the art of class and elegance, keeping the Japanese legacy of legendary blades. The knives have a sharpness that can not be explained but only experienced. LEVINCHY offers a world-class standard in the built quality of their knives. The brand is a 5-star chef favorite, and the premium PAKKA handle has received great reviews and praise from all over the world. The forged knife has a blade that can cut through any steak with ease as a hot knife would cut through butter.
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4. KYOKU Samurai Series
- SUPERIOR STEEL - Manufactured with ultra-sharp and cryogenically treated steel cutting cores, these knives boast unrivaled performance and...
- ERGONOMIC & WELL-BALANCED - Our steak knives have a slightly curved edge suitable for cutting through a juicy gourmet steak without...
- DURABLE ONE PIECE CONSTRUCTION - The meticulously constructed, triple-riveted Pakkawood handle has gone through special treatment, making it...
- EXTREME SHARPNESS - The ruthlessly sharp edge is handcrafted by seasoned artisans to a mirror polish at 13-15° double sided using the...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY - Our knives come with a lifetime warranty, and we offer free exchange or return if the item is defective.
What thing comes to mind when you hear the term, Samurai? A blade that only needs to be swung once. The KYOKU Samurai steak knife set is a revolutionary brand that has taken tables in restaurants and homes by storm. The steak knife set has knives that offer a combination of culture, style and performance that has not been seen before. KYOKU is made with mastery, and the experience of using the knife is unforgettable.
Each KYOKU knife features a full tang, engraved rivet, a mosaic pin and a handle made from Pakka wood.
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5. KYOKU Damascus Non-Serrated Knife
- 4-1/2" STEAK KNIFE SET: This 4 piece steak knife set is part of Kyoku's premier Shogun series, manufactured with modern technology and...
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Sharpened to an 8 to 12 degree edge using the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method, these table knives deliver...
- CASE & FIBERGLASS HANDLES: The carefully constructed G10 handles with their signature mosaic pins withstand cold, heat, corrosion, and...
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: Each knife's meticulous craftsmanship provides you with the perfect shape and weight distribution needed for well-balanced...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: Order this Shogun class steak knife set with peace of mind thanks to its strong and lifelong warranty and Kyoku's usual...
KYOKU makes it to the list again with their elegant Damascus steel knife. KYOKU has you covered with options you can pick from when looking for non-serrated steak knives. Apart from the carbon steel, KYOKU has the Damascus steel knife that performs just as well and lasts even longer, with more advantages. You can diversify your flavor with the knife that will make your meals enjoyable. In addition, the knife has a sheath casing that will keep it safe when not in use.
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How to Choose a Japanese Steak Knife
a) Blade Type
When looking for top quality, razor-sharp Japanese steak knife, the blade type is considered. You will find three types of blades in your steak knife set; Serrated, semi-serrated and a smooth edge. Seasoned artisans make Japanese knives, and the edge type will not be a huge issue to deal with. However, different people have different preferences when dealing with steak knives. The serrated edge is excellent for cutting through steak because of the increased surface area and friction, leading to a quicker cut.
A smooth edge without any serrations has to rely on sharpness to avoid gliding over the bread or steak. You will have to sharpen a non-serrated knife more often compared to a serrated knife. Sharp and smooth edges prevent sticking compared to their serrated counterparts. Therefore, a solid steak knife of any kind should make the meal seamless and enjoyable as long as the knife is well taken care of and sharpened at all times.
b) Method of Manufacture
Preference varies from person to person. If you have a thing for knives, you will go for forged Japanese steak knives. However, if you happen to have opened a small restaurant, filling it with forged Japanese steak knives might be costly, and you might have to go for manufactured Japanese steak knives. Forged steak knives are made in Japan by qualified and seasoned artisans. The steak knives are hammered into shape and placed under extreme pressure to forge the metal into a knife. Every single piece is constructed into perfection and handcrafted for maximum comfort.
Handcrafted and forged steak knives are more expensive than factory-manufactured steak knives. However, the steak knives are full of culture and tradition, making the dinners something to look forward to every time. A handcrafted steak knife is a great knife to have in your collection of a steak knife set for a knife collector. Forged knives make for great gift ideas as well.
c) Type of Steel
The type of steel will determine a lot of things when choosing a steak knife. The steel is the part that will cut the steak and has to get the priority in terms of quality. There are generally two types of steel to look out for when picking a steak knife; stainless steel and carbon steel. Stainless steel is standard, and almost every knife in your kitchen is made of stainless steel. The main upside of stainless steel knives is that they are moisture-resistant and have excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, stainless steel can be sharpened to a razor-sharp state and functions well in a busy setting where the knife needs to be sharpened frequently.
Carbon steel has a sharper blade compared to stainless steel. Carbon steel is also easier to sharpen when put side by side with the stainless counterpart. The downside to carbon steel material is that it is brittle, and its corrosion resistance is lower than stainless steel. Carbon steel is prone to rust and needs a lot of care to ensure the knife's durability. The hardness of the steel will be a factor when sharpening the knife. Using a stone to sharpen the knife at home will give it a different texture depending on how complex the steel is.
d) Weight
The weight of a steak knife is not much of a big deal because it is not used as frequently as other knives. However, the weight matters, mainly if a minor or a senior will use the knife. A good steak knife should be easy on your wrist when cutting through the steak. When shopping for a steak knife, feel the knife's weight and see how comfortable you are with the weight. The weight of the steak knife should be expertly balanced to prevent the sharp edge from being extremely heavy or the handle from being imbalanced. The blade ought to feel right in your hands before you buy the blade.
It is vital to note that the weight will shift slightly over time as you sharpen the well-balanced steak knife.
e) Design
The design of the knife cuts across many factors that you have to consider. The first and obvious point is how the knife looks. You certainly do not want an ugly knife on your neatly set the table. The knife should be elegant while blending in with the set on the table. You can find knives with etchings that look traditional. Edition knives will be branded with initials of the forger or a logo of the brand on the blade. You want whoever is holding the steak knife to know the value of what is in their hands.
You can get steak knives with a mirror polish or a dull finish. It would be awkward to have a dull knife in a set of mirror-polished silverware. However, even the best steak knife will look out of place if set up incorrectly.
f) Handle
You will be holding the knife when using it. Having a whole steak knife set that is uncomfortable to hold would be a disaster to your business or dinner time. It might go unsaid, but you do not want your guest to have a poor handle as the only thing they remember during your dinner. A comfortable grip and an excellent ergonomic design are some of the main features to look for when shopping for a knife. Hold the knife in your hands and feel it. Trust your gut on this.
Tips on How to Care for Steak Knives
- After cleaning the knife, ensure it is dry before you store the knife to avoid rusting.
- Serrated steak knives tend to hold bits of food on the serrations. Be careful when washing the knife to see if there is any residue.
- Never leave the knife soaking in soapy water to prevent the sharp edge from becoming blunt faster and reducing the sharpness.
- Once you wrap up washing the knife, wipe the polished surface with a soft cloth to prevent spotting.
- Never put the knife in a dishwasher
- When using a carbon knife, avoid foods and fruits with acidity.
- After drying the knife, you can oil it with a neutral and food-safe oil to prevent rusting, especially for carbon knives that are not as durable as stainless steel.
- Store the knife in a knife wrap or roll or on a magnetic strip to avoid rusting and discoloration.
Final Take
Your family will thank you if you put some thought into the steak knife set you will get for them. A Japanese steak knife set will cement your place in their hearts forever. The small things matter; things like being keen on the cutlery you use as a family at home. I remember all the knives we had as kids because they were on the table with us during those intimate family moments. The steak knife will always be there, discreet yet visible and ready to serve through the stories, the guests, arguments during meals, the jokes and the intimate dinners.
