I think straight bladed knives used on plates can dull pretty fast. Serrated steak knives for home use seem to stay sharp longer. Just my opinion.

There's no reason for a knife to get stuck between the fork tines, don't put it there. I've never heard of anyone using a knife that way.

We have 8 Cutco steak knives. Given to me as a gift. Had them for years and they are as sharp today as when we received them. Our son gave them to us years ago probably 18 years ago. They bought them from a student who was selling them.

Grandmamary, are those knives straight edge or serrated?

Are you looking for any particular type, such as "fancy" or wood handled or anything specific? I love mine; they feel good in the hand, look nice, and cut beautifully. Hampton Forge Argent ACF16K04SB. Amazon has them.

I'm trying to picture a knife getting stuck between tines of a fork, too, and wondering how that could happen.

Anyway, once you decide, please show us a picture!

I'm sure you all will think I have bad table manners. Sometimes a piece of meat is either too thick for me to cut comfortably in the usual manner, or I encounter a piece of gristle running horizontally through the piece of meat and I am too stupid to just turn my plate and cut from another direction, and I find it easier to place my fork so that I can run the blade of the knife between the tines of the fork and cut through it easily. I was not aware that this was unusual, LOL.

Looks are not really an issue for me. They don't need to match anything. I would prefer wood or metal handles. I do want something with a bit of heft, though. I remember Mom had some horrible plastic handled serrated steak knives with blades that actually curved when you cut through anything because they were REALLY badly made.

Suzieque, those knives are lovely! I looked at them at Amazon. They appear to be serrated on only one edge. Are those exactly like yours?

The cutco knives are serrated.

I started looking for new steak knives last year and still have not found any I really like. I will not buy any serrated blades. They seem to rip the meat more than slicing it. I only had 5 left of a set I have had for years. Think a grandkid tossed one out accidently while cleaning up after dinner. I bought some for the RV several years ago at WalMart and they work OK, but they no longer carry them. They also are not what I want for the house. I'll be watching this post to see what others think.

I avoided serrated steak knives. Afraid they will scratch my Fiesta Ware plates.

Used one on an onion on plastic cutting board and it ate it up.

Most (if not all) grocery store meat counters will sharpen knives at no charge. You take them in, then a few days later you pick them up. As far as I know, they can/will also sharpen serrated knives.

Lindsey, good to know that serrated knives CAN be sharpened. I found only one grocery store in our area that offered to sharpen knives. By the time I made it back to that part of town a few weeks later, I found that they had discontinued the service. I'm always a day late and a dollar short, LOL.

Hi, Donna. I had to go look at my knives! Yes, they're serrated only on one side - I never noticed that! But they do a fabulous job of cutting. I haven't used them enough to have to sharpen them yet. I wouldn't call them hefty or even close to hefty.

But they're so pretty and do such a nice job. I wish I could get flatware in the same pattern.

Obviously they're not cheap. But ... I love them.

Oh - edited to add: No, you don't have bad table manners! Now I completely understand - I just wasn't getting it before. :-)

Donna Loomis -- check some of your local kitchenware stores (or the kitchenware department in better department stores). You can buy gadgets to sharpen serrated knives.

I don't believe in steak knives. If a steak isn't tender enough to be cut with a table knife, I don't want to eat it.

Cook's Illustrated recommends this set from Chicago Cutlery. Serrated knives tend to rip the meat, whereas a straight-edge blade cuts smoothly.

I don't believe in steak knives. If a steak isn't tender enough to be cut with a table knife, I don't want to eat it.

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There are many cuts of beef that aren't tender, but are very flavorful. Those are my favorites, and a good knife makes eating it even more enjoyable.

A good "steak" knife is an essential in any kitchen.

If you need a steak knife, serrated is going to do a better job.

I agree with Colleenoz in general, but that's because my daily use table knives have a very sharp mini-serrated edge. They really cut! Including all meats, bread, tomatoes, etc. If they can't cut it, I don't want to eat it. My mother's old flatware had a little bit of an edge, but it wasn't really sharp. It would cut a fillet, but maybe not barbecued tri-tip. I've experienced other people's place settings where the knives were purely butter knives and barely edged enough to cut up overcooked chicken.

In other words, the need for steak knives depends a lot on what your regular knives are like!

Well, Donna, I see that online shopping at Amazon and Walmart is supposed to be discounted a lot this week. Don't know how long the sales will run, but I think there will be short lived specials and longer lasting discounts too.

Yes, Sheila, I checked out Amazon. And I bought a set of steak knives. They may not be the best, but until I find the right knives at a decent price, these will do. They got great reviews: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R3Z4CWC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Mimipadv said, "Serrated knives tend to rip the meat, whereas a straight-edge blade cuts smoothly."

That happens not because the blade is serrated, but because the blade is dull. Happens with straight-edge blades, too.

Those micro-serrated blades shred meat. Unfortunately I bought an expensive set!

Of course any dull blade is bad.

I have several sets of both types and my favorite are serrated. I bought this set years ago from a co worker whose child was selling them for some school project. They are very basic, look like all aluminum handles. I wish I could find more of them. Over the years a few have disappeared. I do have a full set of Chicago cutlery in a wood block holder, excellent knives, had those for years too and never sharpened. My favorite big knives are my ceramic blades, all I use now, I have several large sizes. I have been looking for a good set of ceramic steak knives.

After searching on amazon I really think that the knives I have and love are Rada brand made in the USA since the 1940s and are used in those types of promotional fund raising sales. I believe I will order a set they are very reasonably priced.

Rada knives of all sizes on EBay very reasonable. The tomato slicer is outstanding. Just search Rada.

Those knives you purchased Donna, look exactly like mine! Full tang! WOW! Great price......and yes...I also hand wash mine.

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/j.a.-henckels-international-eversharp-steak-knives-8-piece-set?ID=807208&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340000497146&catargetid=120156340001088038&cadevice=c&cm_mmc=Google_PLA_Home_Cookware_PLA--Cookware_Cutlery_Knives+-+GS_J.a.+Henckels--54130150624_-_-_mkwid_6FECmIgV|dc_54130150624%7C-%7C6FECmIgV

personally I love the flat knives, tried the serrated and didn't like them at all but for everyone its different what they like to use and don't.

I bought the Wusthof Stainless Steak Knives. They are serrated. They are made in Germany. I did not want anything made in China. I am happy with them.

I have the Rada knives and love them. I bought mine at an Amish store near me. Excellent knives but not overpriced.