A good chef knows how important choosing a high-quality knife for steak is. However, many can’t help but wonder if steak knives need to be serrated. There are certain differences between serrated and non-serrated knives and if you are going to choose one that is well balanced and tears through the meat easily, you need to understand the differences between them.
As we all know that a bad knife can ruin the best steak, so it is crucial that you invest in the right knife. If you are shopping for the perfect steak knife, the things you want to keep in mind is the performance, smoothness, sharp edge, sturdy, and how comfortable it feels in your hands.
No, steak knives do not have to be serrated to tear through your steak. The non-serrated steak knives might seem like the perfect option for your steak since they keep the juices inside, but this might be a dealbreaker for some people. A serrated steak knife helps grip and tear through the meat easily and quickly, but it won’t keep all the flavorful juice intact.
There has always been an ongoing debate between serrated knives and non-serrated ones. Most people distinguish steak knives by looking at the serration edge and lots of people believe steak knives have to be serrated to get cleaner cuts.
Stick without us to find out if steak knives should be serrated.
Serrated Steak Knives Vs Non-Serrated: Which is Better?
Taking the sharpness and comfortable edges into consideration, it is hard to determine which is better. Both are great steak knives although serrated knives are regarded more highly for cutting steaks the non-serrated ones can do a great job too especially if you want the juice intact.
A serrated knife has sharp edges but non-serrated knives mean it hasn’t been sharpened, so it can struggle with grip and cutting through things. Serrated knives are just like bread knives and what makes them serrated is the saw-like appearance of the blade’s edge which means the non-serrated ones have sharp and smooth edges with no serrations.
Non-serrated knives are also known as steak knives as they tend to tear through meats cleanly without tearing the fibers. Since serrated knives have toothlike edges, they are more suitable for cutting foods with an exterior and soft interiors such as a loaf of crusty bread.
Serrated knives are however chosen over non-serrated ones due to the illusion of sharpness that they give. The serration that comes with this knife can scallop, wavy, saw-toothed, micro, or double edges.
The purpose of serrated knives is for material with hard surfaces while the non-serrated one works for soft materials.
Should Steak Knives Be Serrated?
You don’t want to be sawing and tearing at a very expensive steak with a regular kitchen knife, this will only have the juiciness splattered on your plate without tearing through the meat.
With serrated steak knives, you can easily grip and cut tear through your steak, hence why they are considered the winner for tearing through meats.
Non-serrated knives have straight edges that will cut through your meat perfectly, but they do not cause tears like the serrated knives would which is why they are not many people’s favorite choice. A good steak knife needs to be balanced, sturdy, and comfortable in your hands so whether it’s serrated or not, it should have these attributes.
Note that serrated knives do not need to be sharpened as often as the non-serrated ones and as earlier stated, they will not keep the juices within the meat and the non-serrated ones can be sharpened using a regular blade sharpener.
In conclusion, if you are eating tough meat, it is best to go with serrated knives. The non-serrated knives can easily cut through the tender steak however no matter what your preference is, you will need to invest in a durable and high-quality knife for steak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do steakhouses use serrated knives?
Serrated knives do have an illusion of sharpness and this is why many steakhouses make use of it. They do believe the sharp serrated edges will stay sharp longer than those non-serrated smooth edges. Serrated edges are uneven and leave small dimples or gullies behind each point.
Do serrated steak knives get dull?
Serrated steak knives eventually get dull however this won’t be from cutting food instead it gets dull through constant contact with the cutting surface. The blade will start to wear out as it hits the cutting board every time you cut hence why maintenance is important with serrated knives.
Can a serrated steak knife be sharpened?
With the right tool and techniques, you can definitely sharpen a serrated knife. The biggest key to using a serrated knife is maintenance since it’s challenging to get a sharp edge on them. A ceramic or steel round hone gently passed through the serration can help sharpen it. W
Which is the better, serrated or straight blade?
The edge of a serrated knife is better than that of a straight however each has its uses, pros, and cons. Serrated knives blade are less precise, but they are great for slice cuts. Serrated knives can also grip or grab the surface of what you are cutting thereby giving you well-balanced cuts.
Wrapping Up
The serrated steak knives are the perfect options if you want a knife that can handle tough meat cuts. Plain blades will struggle to cut your meat while the serrated knife will tear through it with minimal or no pressure.
Serrated steak knives however require more maintenance. The most important thing you have to remember is to choose a quality knife whether it’s serrated or non-serrated.
