WHY YOU NEED STEAK KNIVES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Originally published by Tramontina USA, 2018

You’re cooking for friends and hosting holiday meals. You have a respectable set of cookware—even a decent chef’s knife. But when it comes time to serve nice steaks or the holiday ham, you realize your blunt dinner knives aren’t going to cut it. It’s time to put the finishing touches on your holiday dinner with steak knives. Here’s why you need them this season and what to look for when you buy them:

A CLEAN CUT

Whether you went big on beef tenderloin or are working with a traditional turkey, you’re about to feed a lot of people, and you probably spent good money on ingredients. Don’t let the TLC stop at brining, searing, and roasting your meat.  After cooking, let it rest to hold in its juices, and have sharp, heavy steak knives for everyone at the table. A quality knife will cut cleanly and keep from squishing out those flavorful juices so your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

OUR VOTE IS FOR SERRATED BLADES

Steak knife blades can be straight-edge or serrated. Straight-edge knives are great if you’re willing to get them sharpened every month, but if you’ll be cutting down on a hard surface (like those nice ceramic plates Grandma gave you), your straight-edge blade will blunt quickly. Serrated blades, however, can go years without being sharpened, even when used on harder surfaces.

LOOK FOR FULL-TANG CONSTRUCTION

A full-tang means the steel that is part of the blade goes all the way through to the butt of the knife. A full-tang makes the knife sturdier and heavier than its partial-tang counterpart. Its weight and construction generally guarantees a longer lifespan and gives the user the leverage and power to cut properly.

IMPRESS DINNER GUESTS

If the meal looks high caliber, so should the cutlery. Sleek, burgundy handles and a wide, shimmering blade tell your guests you mean business—you’re a serious cook and this is a seriously great party. And they’ll certainly appreciate effortlessly slicing through those bites.

NOT JUST FOR STEAK

Steak knives can be used for more than just cuts of savory beef. Roast chicken, Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, Hanukkah brisket, and even big vegetables can all benefit from a good steak knife. Don’t be shy about using them for prep either—it is a knife afterall. Slice tomatoes and small fruits, halve dinner rolls, or cut a sandwich. Basically, serrated knives are ideal for anything with a crispy outside and soft inside.

There’s nothing better than sitting down to a holiday dinner after a long day of prep surrounded by people you love. Knowing you’ve got the main meat covered and your guests have all they need to eat to their heart’s content is the icing on the cake.