Straight-edged steak knives are best if you like your steak rare to medium rare. The straight-edge creates the cleanest cuts of cooked meats, and will ensure all the flavourful juices stay inside the meat. These knives use the best steel, so they’ll stay sharp for longer. However, as with all straight-edged knives, you will need to sharpen these from time to time.

Serrated steak knives are better if you like your steak well done. Unlike a straight-edge, a serrated knife will tear meat fibers, spilling flavourful juices and drying out the meat. However, because the serrations protect the cutting edge (which is between the pointed teeth), these knives will rarely, if ever, need sharpening. Because of this, they can get away with lower quality steel that’s easier on the wallet.

Choose a style that suits you best from among top-quality brands like Kai, Kussi, Shun, Victorinox, Wüsthof, and Zwilling J.A. Henckels.