About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the knife set, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2023.

My take

The Schmidt Brothers Bonded Ash Jumbo Steak S/4 has reinvigorated my love for a good steak knife. With amazing comfort and ergonomic design, a split double bevel straight edge, and serrated high-quality German steel, these steak knives give one the perfect slice every time. For steak lovers, these are the steak knives they have been waiting for.

About the knives I own

• Model: Schmidt Brothers Bonded Ash Jumbo Steak S/4
• Knife type: Steak Knives
• Blade Length: 5”
• Handle Material: Ash Pakkawood

About me

• Experience: 9 years of cooking in a professional kitchen

Test conditions

• When I bought it: May 2023
• Days tested: 15
• What I’ve used it on: Beef Tenderloin, Pork Tenderloin, and skirt steak
• Foods I’ve found it best for: Tender meats and fibrous vegetables
• Surfaces I’ve used it on: Bamboo and wood
• Sharpening/Honing routine: Honing steel every other time I take them out, hone on an 18° edge.

How it performs

What I was looking for

I have been looking for a set of steak knives that give me more versatility than just a serrated edge. Plus, when I am cutting an expensive cut of tenderloin, I don’t want a serrated edge anywhere near it. I found that the Schmidt Brothers Bonded Ash Jumbo Steak Knives have a double bevel edge for about half of the blade. The other half is spaced segments of serration that give me the perfect steak knife in one set.

Why I chose this gear

• The convenience of having a straight edge and a spaced serrated edge in these knives gives the ability to slice in more than one way.
• The comfort of the ergonomic semi-bolster contours to the hand is so much better than other steak knives I have used in the past. This makes for a firm and tight grip when slicing.
• The aesthetics of these showroom-style knives are next level. With beautiful bonded ashwood and the sleek forged design, they are definitely a focal point in my entertaining set.

What I love about it

• Durability: Its durable, 100% German stainless steel 1.4116 and 18° edge makes it very easy to hone and sharpen.
• Versatility: The versatility of this set is amazing: It can handle steaks, veggies, and even delicate, flaky white fish.
• Balance: This knife is fully balanced.
• Weight: There is heft at about 5.7oz per knife, but I don't really feel it because of how balanced it is.
• Applications: I have cut steak and vegetables with this knife.
• Handle Profile: This knife fits comfortably in my hand, and with the pakkawood handle, I don’t get any slips from water or anything greasy.
• Blade Profile: This knife has a timeless Western look to the blade.
• Blade Length: The 5in blade on these beautiful steak knives gives more cutting and slicing area.
• Blade Material: The 100% German DIN 1.4116 steel means they are tough and will easily regain an edge when sharpening and protect against rust and corrosion.
• Ergonomics: The ergonomic handle really feels like an extension of my hand. Beautiful precision cutting.
• Features: I absolutely love the pakkawood handle and the semi-bolster, giving me that finger comfort. I love that the four steak knives come in a commemorative elegant box. Perfect for entertaining.
• Warranty: This knife features a limited lifetime warranty, so if there are any defects or damage outside of normal wear and tear, Schmidt will supply a new one.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Protein fabrication: While there’s enough serration for clean cuts through tender meats, with the serrated edge being closer to the point, it can bring an awkward angle when tying to trim and fabricate. I don’t recommend this for any actual fabrication.

My favorite moment with this gear

I made dinner for my in-laws: the cook turned out perfect, and the starch and veg were hot and tender. The meal was perfect, and that is tough to do for two families. I had just got my sets of Schmidt Brother Bonded Ash Steak Knives and was able to have the boxes set up behind the dinner table, where I added a piece of theater to the dinner; I opened up the boxes and handed each person their own steak knife that was as beautiful as the meal I made.

Value for the money vs. other options

There are a few other good steak knife options out there, but nothing compares to these. The quality put forth on all of Schmidt Brothers Knives is top tier, but to pay such amazing attention to their steak knives, means they understand what we, as consumers and knife aficionados, are looking for. Most of the other good steak knives come in a block set, like Cangshan, but Schmidt Brothers take that extra step to make sure that none of their knives gets lost. The same great quality gets put into every knife; I can see that from the boxed set.

Final verdict

For those who are a lover of steaks for dinner, then the Schmidt Brothers Bonded Ash Jumbo Steak S/4 is a must. It contains four 5in steak knives forged with amazing quality and comes in an elegant storage box; it just makes me want steak for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; also, being made in the U.S.A is a great feature.