If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Our Favorite Budget-Friendly Steak Knives Cut Through Meat Like Butter—and They're on Sale

The Messermeister Avanta Steak Knives have blades sharp enough to slice easily through flank steak and filet mignon.

By
Jesse Raub
headshot of Jesse Raub against a black background
Jesse Raub
Writer

Jesse Raub writes about coffee and tea. He was a writer for Serious Eats.

Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated September 09, 2024 03:25PM EDT
a closeup image of the messermeister knife on a plate with another knife and plate next to it

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Picture this: the table is set, wine in every glass, and a delicate filet mignon has been placed beautifully at the center of each plate. Next to each setting, however, is a mishmash of paring knives from the utensil drawer. Or even worse...butter knives that just don’t cut it (literally). If you’re willing to invest in high-quality cuts of beef, then it’s probably time to get a great set of steak knives to elevate the experience, like our favorite ones from Messemeister. 

Side and overhead view of the Messermeister Avanta

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why They Won Our Review

When we tested steak knives, the Messemeister Avanta set was one of the sharpest of the bunch, outperforming knives that cost five times as much. They cleanly cut through paper from top to bottom before and after our testing, and they sliced through steak with ease. Aside from their outstanding performance, they’re also well-built with a full-tang construction giving them a solid weight and beautiful, durable pakkawood handles (which are resin-enforced, adding to water resistance). During testing, we were blown away by how affordable these steak knives were.

Good to Know

  • Handle material: Pakkawood
  • Blade material: Stainless steel
  • Blade type: Straight
  • Blade length: 5 inches
  • Number of knives included in set: 4
  • Dishwasher-safe: No

More Serious Eats Recipes