Steak knives are very common in almost all kitchens. These knives are ideal for cutting through cooked meats, bread, and soft vegetables. Serrated steak knives are very common, but they have some drawbacks that lead many people to wonder if they must be serrated. So which type of knife works best for cooking and preparing meals in your kitchen?
Steak knives do not need to be serrated. Non-serrated steak knives are generally better and more versatile than serrated steak knives. However, many people prefer serrated steak knives as they require less maintenance, rarely require sharpening, and are usually safer to use.
Most other knives are not serrated. For example, chef’s knives, utility knives, and almost all other kitchen knives have a non-serrated edge, and these knives work very well.
This truth, combined with the fact that serrated steak knives can be frustrating to use, leads many to wonder if steak knives can have a straight-edge blade like other knives or if they have to be serrated.
Let’s find out, but first, let’s take a closer look at a serrated knife.
What Is A Serrated Knife?
A serrated knife has sharp saw-like edges making it hard to cut smoothly.
These saw-like teeth or rough edges make cutting as precise as a straight edge challenging. However, these knives work similarly to a saw in that you cut food in a back-and-forth motion.
Plain sharp knives are more common for cutting meats and foods in the kitchen. People prefer them because they are easier to sharpen, and it cuts food easily without leaving jagged edges.
I’ve never sharpened my Cutco serrated knife, which is over three years old.
Do Steak Knives Need To Be Serrated?
Steak knives are used internationally for cutting and preparing meat, but this type follows a similar design wherever used.
Most steak knives are serrated, which can be a helpful feature, but these serrations can also be frustrating, depending on how you use them. Do all steak knives need to be serrated?
The truth is that not all steak knives have a serrated edge. The serrated edge steak knife is useful because it stays sharp enough to cut meat for a very long time, and it is very effective for cutting through tough cooked meat, but many steak knives are also made with a non-serrated edge.
Non-serrated steak knives are easier to use and more effective for slicing through meat, whether cooked or raw. The downside is that you have to resharpen them often, making them more difficult and dangerous to use.
Steak knives do not need to be serrated to work, but the serrations make them easier for people with only basic knife skills, and they will always be practical for cutting through a cooked steak.
Best Use For A Serrated Knife
These are very single-task type knives as they are not good for many uses but are adequate for cutting cooked meat.
Everyone has their own preferences regarding the type of steak knife they prefer, but each type has specific strengths and drawbacks to consider.
Not all steak knives are serrated, and many prefer straight-edge steak knives, but let’s explore this topic a little deeper to highlight the differences between them and help you determine which is better for you.
Are Serrated Steak Knives Better Than Straight-Edge?
Serrated steak knives are generally more common in most households and restaurants than non-serrated versions. This is because these knives are very widely used, and many people believe they are the best knives for cutting through foods such as steak but are serrated steak knives better than non-serrated steak knives?
The truth is that serrated steak knives are slightly worse than straight-edge ones, but they have some significant advantages that keep them in everyday use.
The serrations on the serrated steak knife make this knife very easy to use, but it also makes this knife type last much longer and requires far less maintenance.
Serrated steak knives rarely need to be sharpened and will always cut through meat well. Therefore, these knives are ideal for regular people who do not know how to sharpen knives or who do not know how to maintain knives well.
Restaurants will always prefer to give patrons a serrated steak knife because they are easier to use and they are generally less dangerous as well, as these knives are less likely to slip when used.
Serrated steak knives are ideal for eating with, but they are not very good at prepping meat, and they are not good at cutting raw meat.
Serrated steak knives are worse overall knives than non-serrated steak knives. Still, they work well enough for people to continue using them, and they are easier and safer for general eating purposes.
Which Knife Is Better?
Serrated knives have their pros and cons, as straight-edge steak knives, but are they that much better than serrated ones?
Serrated knives cut through steaks and other foods by ripping through them. The serrations act like a saw, and they cause the knife to shred its way through the food.
Non-serrated or straight-edge steak knives behave more like a chef’s knife when cutting through foods, as they slice through the food without ripping it.
This slicing action characteristic of straight-edge steak knives creates a cleaner cut and is better for cutting and preparing raw meat.
This non-serrated edge slices through meat well but must be kept very sharp to be functional, and it has a higher risk of slipping and causing an injury.
This type of knife must be well maintained and regularly sharpened to remain functional. Still, if it is kept sharp, it is much more multifunctional and practical than a serrated steak knife.
A Look At The Differences
Serrated and straight-edge steak knives are both useful, but they both have pros and cons to consider.
Straight-edge steak knives are ideal for slicing through meat and even through vegetables, whether cooked or raw. This means they are very versatile and much more multifunctional than serrated knives.
Straight-edged knives are sharper, making them easier to use without putting a lot of pressure when cutting.
However, straight-edge steak knives are more likely to slip. They require proper maintenance, you must sharpen them regularly, or else they will become dull. They are generally more dangerous than serrated steak knives.
Serrated steak knives hold their sharpness for a long time, they rarely need to be sharpened, and they are ideal for cutting cooked meat and some types of vegetables. In addition, these knives are easy to use and not likely to slip, which makes them relatively safe to use.
The downside of serrated steak knives is that they are not versatile, they are only good for cutting cooked foods, and they can require much more effort to use when cutting meat. In addition, these knives tear through meat rather than slicing through it, leaving the meat jagged and unpresentable.
Final Word
Non-serrated steak knives are better overall, as they are better at slicing through meat. Serrated knives rip through meat, but they require much less maintenance and are easier and safer for most people.
The type of steak knife that you use is a personal preference. Try using both knife types before deciding which is better for you, as they feel very different and require specific skills to use effectively.
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Sources
https://fnsharp.com/blogs/fns/best-steak-knives-serrated-vs-non-serrated